The Naming of Tishkin Silk - Hardcover

GLENDA MILLARD has published many books for young readers in Australia, including her award-winning novels about the Silk family. The Naming of Tishkin Silk was shortlisted for the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards and was an honor book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards. She lives in Victoria, Australia. PATRICE BARTON received her B.F.A. in studio art from the University of Texas. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Grade 3–5—In the Silk family, a child's first birthday is a significant one: it's the day the youngster is given a name. Griffin and his five older sisters all had their special moment, but their younger sister died before her first birthday and their mother is recovering from her grief in a hospital. Griffin is attending public school for the first time in his life, has been put a grade ahead, and is having difficulty fitting in with the other kids. Then he meets Layla, who immediately connects with Griffin and his unusual family. He even shows her the elaborate Naming Day books that were created for each Silk child. But Griffin cannot bring himself to tell Layla much about his baby sister (whom he has named Tishkin), or that he is afraid that he didn't love her enough—that his jealousy caused her death and his mother's withdrawal. Slowly and patiently, Layla teases out Griffin's feelings and eventually suggests that a Naming Day party for his sister would be a wonderful event for the entire family. Tishkin's party provides the healing that the family needs and a new beginning for all. This book is a little gem. Griffin is described as an uncommon boy (he was born on February 29), but his feelings and fears are those of all children. Barton's soft pen-and-ink drawings perfectly fit this quiet story.—Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
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