Title: The Priest and the Peaches
Author: Larry Peterson
Publisher: Tribute
ISBN: 978-0-9837418-4-8
Why Read?: Review
Challenges: E-Book, Debut Author, YA Historical, Standalone, A to
Z, 100 Books in a Year
One thing you do not see much of
nowadays is books written for young adults that can be described as
“heart-warming”. Right now, dark and
intense are in style. So it is
refreshing to see an ultimately uplifting book such as Larry Peterson’s The Priest and the Peaches.
The five Peach children – Teddy,
Joanie, Dancer, Beeker, and Joey – have been surviving for years without their
mother. Their father may not be the
greatest, spending more time at the bar than at home, but his love is
apparent. However, those nights are the
bars end up tearing the family apart in a way no one expect as alcohol
consumption finally takes its toll on Yimey Peach. At the innocent age of 18, Teddy now finds
himself the guardian of his younger siblings and dealing with the adult responsibilities
of taking care of his father’s funeral and paying the long-overdue bills. Things look bleak, but with the help of their
parish priest and Yimey’s philosophy of “love your neighbor”, the Peach kids
just might make it through.
The
Priest and the Peaches is the type of story that really touches the heart
of whomever reads it, no matter their age.
While Peterson was trying to present a YA novel, this comes across a
little more ageless. It is written
simple enough that middle schoolers could understand, yet some of the issues
are more sophisticated. The switching of
point of views from the kids to the adults in their lives also makes it seem
geared towards an older audience. But
the message is a good one for readers of any age. While the Peaches are Catholic, the thought
of loving your neighbor will resonate with those from all walks of life. Catholic means “universal”, and Peterson’s
moral in The Priest and the Peaches
is truly that.
Anyone looking for a tender story
with Catholic undertones will enjoy The
Priest and the Peaches. The more he
writes, the more Larry Peterson could really make a name for himself in this
niche genre.
Rating: 3/5
Ricki, thanks so much for your heartfelt review. I agree, you don't often come across YA titles that can be described as heartwarming, and I'm glad you appreciated the tone Larry brought to his story. Thanks for your supportive words and for looking forward to reading more from him.
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