Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

When I finished Say Goodbye my first thought was what a great book this is. My second thought was surprise. I don't remember ever seeing a book that was rated entirely with five stars. The book deserves this rating. It's themes were interesting and well supported. The characters showed intense feelings that were appropriate to the circumstances. I know I can count on Catherine Ryan Hyde giving me hours of reading pleasure. The basic theme explored in this book is good versus evil. The setting is Texas 1959 and segregation is the norm. Interracial marriage is forbidden. Dr Lucy is a medical doctor who cares for injured and abandoned animals and the occasional criminal to help pay for the animals she saves. She's a prickly sort of person who prefers the company of animals to people. Pete is young boy on his way to go fishing when he discovers an injured dog off the side of the road. It's a big dog and his back leg looks wrong. The problem is how to transport him to the doc. He remembers an old wagon in his garage that might just work. He feels a bond with this dog and doesn't want to leave him but knows he must. When he returns, Pete is able to maneuver the animal into the wagon and heads out to the doc. Justin, who has just moved into the area, sees Pete and the dog and asks if he can walk along with them. As they walk, they get to know one another. It seems they might be friends. Pete's dad doesn't agree. He tells Pete to keep to his own kind (white people) and whips him so hard with the belt he draws blood. I really like Pete. He has a way about himself that is honest and straightforward. It's amazing that he was able to survive growing up with a father who is so brutal. It gets so bad for him that he winds up living with Miss Lucy when his dad disowns him and tells him to never come back. There is so much going on in this story, I can't really do it justice in a review. If you like a story that is compelling and really grabs you right from the beginning and doesn't let go to the very end, read this book now. It is well worth the time it takes to read