A thoughtful book...good for the soul

If you've had enough of crazy action-packed stories and would like something a bit more thoughtful, a bit more lyrical, try Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor. Raine is 12, and she can't figure out why her mom decided to move the two of them to an artists' colony for a summer job, leaving her Grampa Mac back in Milwaukee.  And there are more mysteries and secrets to figure out: what happened to the orphans who lived in the main house of the colony, years ago?  Why is Viktor, the owner, so cold, and why does Raine's mom seem to know him?  What is the connection between Viktor and Lillian, the sweet, frail, elderly artist who keeps calling Raine an orphan?  And will Raine finally found out who her father is?  The importance of art, dreaming, and forgiveness all play a role in this quiet, contemplative story.