Eclipse by Kristine L. Franklin.

Significance
Like the previous book I read, this book has to do with mental illness in the family. I think this issue is extremely imortant for many reasons. For one, thousands and thousands of people suffer daily because of it. And not only does that person suffer, but so does the family. And after reading two books about the same subject, it is a big deal to me. I would really reccommend this book to everyone, from people who know nothing about mental illness, it ould really teach them something, to people who live with it daily, who can most likely easily relate.

Perspective
The story is told in the eyes of Trina Jean, whose father suffers from mental breakdowns often. The book was published in 1995 so it is fairly modern and easy to relate to. The author, Kristine L. Franklin is a writer for many childrens picture books and she wrote this book because "mental illness is a reality for mny families and yet it is still somehting that is really difficult to talk about". So, she is clearly for this issue. Well, fixing it at least.

Evidence
The author is trying to make an argument that it is good to talk about the issues in your family. In the book, Trina's mom & dad didn't say anything about the mental illness and it only made things more confusing and much worse for Trina. There is no factual information to back this issue up, only persuasive conversation. The versus opinion would be that it is none of anyones' business who has mental illness in the family, and it doesn't need to be talked about. That it is not an important issue and can just be left alone.

Connection
This book was written in 1995 so it is fairly modern. ( wait, didn't I already say that?) The events that occur in this book definitly still happen to this day. Just so you can understand a little, this is what one of the book reviews reads:"Trina's perfect summer falls apart when her Dad falls into a deep depression. The characters are very memorable and both Trina and Miranda will remind you of people you know."
Trina and Miranda are both 12 years old, so it is really easy to relate to them. And the review is right, they are extremely easy to relate to. (Trina reminds me of myself, and Miranda reminds me exactly of my best friend Danielle). So basically anyone in my grade could relate very well to this book.

Supposition
At the end, Trina's dad has to go back to the hospital in result of an attempt to kill himself but at the last second changes his mind, so he is still alive. In the hosptial he agrees to stay on his medication (which makes him normal again) and to change. And Trina's new baby sister, Erin is about to come out of the hosptial finally. So based upson this information, I think that Trina's dad will in fact stay on his medication and change. He sounded extremely convincing at the end and i have to believe it. And for poor baby Erin, I really don't know. She was born a month premature and it extremely small for her age. I can only hope tht she stays healthy.

Thanks Mr. Strong for accepting this DECEMBER blog so late.