A book to savor

I tend to read quickly - probably because there are so many books I want to get to - but I wanted to slow down while reading The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer.  I knew what the story was about, but I was surprised by how moving it was.  Gabe is a sixth-grader who has been shuffled between foster homes for years.  He finally ends up living with Uncle Vernon, a Vietnam veteran he's never met, who's cranky, gruff, and amazingly caring.  One day Gabe comes home and discovers his uncle has died.  Gabe is overwhelmed and tells nobody, but then the body disappears and he starts to receive mysterious notes.  As Gabe corresponds with the secret letter writer and copes with his uncle's death, he's surrounded by a the routine of school, a good friend, a wonderful dog, and caring and compassionate adults.