Missing May (Realistic Fiction)

Missing May by Cynthia Rylant is a fiction chapter book that describes a young girl's journey through the grief process. Summer's parents passed away when she was very young, and she was passed around from relative to relative until Ob and May decided to take her home. They make a loving home for Summer in their small West Virginia town; however, May dies unexpectedly while gardening six years after Summer comes to live with them. Summer and Ob are deeply upset by May's death, and Summer feels that she is losing Ob too. With the help of Summer's classmate Cletus, they embark on a journey to find the spirit of May and to reclaim the joy of living life. This is a heart warming story, and it would be useful in a classroom for exploring grief and the bonds of family. The literature could also be used to examine elements such as symbolism and themes. Possible themes include to never lose hope and to not judge others prematurely.