This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
La Casa 758 is a young adult literary fiction novel written by Kathryn Berla. Krista's dad is worried about her, and he'd be even more concerned if he knew she had taken to parking outside the somewhat run-down house where that man lives. She can't really help herself, however, it's something she just needs to do. Her father wants her to join swim team again, get a job, or do something other than spend the summer sitting and watching television shows and sleeping up on the roof of the garage in her little tent. Lyla, her only real friend, is going away to visit her grandparents in Maine for two months, and even she is concerned about Krista being on her own. It's been two years since the accident that destroyed Krista's world, and she really doesn't think the well-meaning efforts of family and friends will do anything to change her bleak horizon.
Kathryn Berla's young adult literary fiction novel, La Casa 758, is a gripping and intense story. I was immediately drawn into Krista's life and felt her confusion and pain over the loss of her mom and the shock of having her father's girlfriend, Marie, move into the house. The story really takes off, however, when Krista's grandfather comes to visit from Venezuela, and her father assigns her the task of taking him for his medical appointments and making sure he enjoys his stay. Watching as her grandfather heals the grieving cockatiel, Charlie, and breathes life and hope back into his granddaughter's heart is a transcendent and moving literary experience. The author puts so much into this tale of survivors and life: there's the tragic history of the Hungarian Jews who were exterminated even as the Germans were losing the war, a look at the struggles of survivors of the more recent war in Iraq, and a sweet and unforgettable burgeoning romance. La Casa 785 is most highly recommended.
