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    Edward's Eyes
    Edward's Eyes
    Edward's Eyes
    Ebook70 pages53 minutes

    Edward's Eyes

    By Patricia MacLachlan

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Jake is a part of an extraordinary family.

    He has a life filled with art, music, and long summer nights on the Cape. He has hours and days and months of baseball. But, more than anything in this world, Jake knows he has Edward. From the moment he was born, Jake knew Edward was destined for something. Edward could make anyone laugh and everyone think. During one special year, he became the only one in the neighborhood who could throw a perfect knuckleball. It was a pitch you could not hit. That same year, Jake learned there are also some things you cannot hold.

    Patricia MacLachlan, one of the most beloved children's book authors writing today, has painted a deeply stirring, delicately lyrical portrait of a child, a son, a family, and a brother. Through Edward's eyes, we see what gifts all of these things truly are to those around them, and how those gifts live on and grow.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAtheneum Books for Young Readers
    Release dateFeb 24, 2009
    ISBN9781439156643
    Author

    Patricia MacLachlan

    Patricia MacLachlan (1938-2022) was the celebrated author of many timeless books for young readers, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. She was also the author of many beloved picture books, a number of which she cowrote with her daughter, Emily.

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    Reviews for Edward's Eyes

    3.5/5

    105 ratings11 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I love books about people with real passions. The family in this book is passionate about baseball, books and babies. It's beautifully written and wonderfully read.
    • 3/5
      Do children like this poetic, concise, ethereal kind of writing? This is a very short book but it can't be read swiftly. I bet it'd be great to read aloud in an upper elementary classroom, a few pages at a time. I also bet lots of people rated it higher than I did, because it is lovely and the message is important. I, personally, felt like something was missing, but I don't know what - maybe if I'd shared this with a child or friend I'd've enjoyed it more and rated it higher.
    • 3/5
      Beautiful story but too good and too sweet.
    • 5/5
      Once again, MacLachlan's writing touches me deeply. I've not found a book of hers that I didn't like, some of which move me to tears.In this story, a large, loving family welcomes and embraces each new baby. The parents are loving and kind. The sound of music fills the air as the mother sings and dances while cooking. The children respect each other and each one helps to raise the next. When Jake is three and baby Edward is born, he reluctantly holds him. Looking into Edward's eyes, he finds a pure soul and instantly connects.Edward is especially unique and the bond Jake and he form transcends words and goes right to the heart. Baseball is a game played each summer and many memories are created.In particular, Edward learns how to bat a knuckleball, which is but another sign of his unique abilities.When the next pregnancy is announced, in his wisdom Edward knows it will be a girl and should be named Sabine. Just as Jake bonded with Edward, Edward and Sabine now share an unconditional love.Tragicially, the family looses Edward because of a bike accident. Without over dramatazation, MacLachlan deftly writes of a family in grief, and finds many ways in which the celebrate the life that was Edward.Five Stars for this one.
    • 3/5
      I never felt connected to the story or characters. I felt like I was skimming on the surface of the story.
    • 4/5
      Touching story on the loss of a younger sibling and the impact he made on other people's lives.
    • 3/5
      I've never been able to get into Patricia MacLachlan's writing. Her books have always been too quiet for me. And everyone talks in this taciturn, deep way, even the kids. Still, when the book ends, you feel like you've read something solid.

      *SPOILER* Jake's younger brother Edward has a special kind of vision that seems to touch everyone. He knows that his mother's new baby will be a girl and what her name should be. He can track a pitch so well, he's never struck out. He manages to teach himself to throw a perfect knuckleball as a birthday present for family friend Albert. And he can "see signs" of what is to come. Edward later dies when he hits a tree while riding his bike. His parents donate his organs and his corneas end up with a baseball player.
    • 5/5
      edward's eyes, well i don't know where to start its a story of a young boy who has a magnificent lilfe and it's a heart-warming story that gets all your emotions in a bundle!!!!!!!!! its sad and if you dont like make-you-cry-stories just like how 1 of my 5th grade teachers dont [mrs.queenB] i would recomend u not to read it!!!!!!!!!!
    • 4/5
      Jake is part of a large family in which the siblings take care of and teach each other. His special charge is Edward, whom everyone loves. Simple, short, sentimental in a good way and then sad. Another heartwarming story from Patricia MacLachlan.
    • 3/5
      Two brothers, Jake and Edward, are close - Jake was handed Edward as a baby and in essence made his little brother's guide in life. Early in Edward's life, Jake helped in the potty training ritual by teaching him a love of reading and baseball. As Edward grew up, baseball was their bond. SPOILERThen when family news was related of the impending addition of another child, Edward knew immediately it was a girl, named her and was made her guide at birth. However, on one fateful day, Edward went into town on his bicycle and was killed. His parents decided to donate his organs including his eyes. Jake's recovery from the tragedy was completed by the relationship with the recipient - a young baseball player.
    • 4/5
      Jake is three years old when his brother, Edward, is born. Holding him after his birth, all Jake can say is, “Edward's eyes”. And his eyes were striking. Everyone noticed. The boys grew the tightest of siblings in a large family on “the cape”, where their unconventional parents run a bookstore. The family's favorite pastime is baseball, especially the boys. Jake teaches Edward everything he knows; and Edward perfects his knuckleball as a surprise for their neighbors, an elderly baseball player and his father. Of course, with the way this book is tagged, you can guess the story. But, do read it, for it is a beautiful, bittersweet, story of family life and sibling devotion.

    Book preview

    Edward's Eyes - Patricia MacLachlan

    Prologue

    The day was crisp and bright. It was fall on the cape. Maeve had packed us a lunch. She kissed us all, Trick and Albert and me.

    You sure you don’t want to come with us? I asked.

    No, Jake. This is for you, said Maeve with a little smile.

    Sabine was in her arms. I kissed her cheek.

    The ballpark had painted green walls. The grass was green, too. The seats were not yet filled because we were here early. Trick and Albert Groom and I had come for batting practice.

    Some baseball players were out on the field, throwing baseballs and stretching. Some were doing sprints across the field. We had seats next to the field, by the dugout.

    A ball hit the wall in front of us. Albert leaned over and picked it up. He rolled it around in his hands.

    Do you know what is inside a baseball? he asked me.

    I shook my head.

    Charcoal yarn, wrapped up tightly. Yards of it, he said.

    He threw the ball back to a baseball player.

    It was a good throw. I had never before seen Albert throw a baseball.

    I love the smell of ballparks, said Trick. Every single one smells the same.

    They do, said Albert.

    Some players came close.

    Albert Groom touched my arm.

    One of the players had protective glasses on. His hair was brown, cut short. He was tall. When he faced the outfield I could read the name on the back of his shirt.

    I stood up.

    Willie? I called.

    He turned and smiled. He waved and turned to go away.

    Do you see the stitches on a knuckleball when it’s thrown? I called.

    He stopped. Very slowly he turned and stared at me.

    Can you see the ball leave the pitcher’s hand and come down the path to you, like a train coming down the track?

    Willie? a player called to him.

    Willie waved him away. He walked over to me.

    Yes, he said softly.

    Do you hit better now than you ever did before?

    Yes.

    It was a whisper.

    My brother Edward learned how to throw a knuckleball. And he never ever once struck out, I said.

    Edward, he said. So that’s his name.

    Chapter 1

    My earliest memory begins with Edward, as if somehow I have no life to remember before him. The memory comes to me often, mostly at night, but more often during the day now, surprising me. It is a very early memory. Not as early as the artist, Salvador Dali, my sister Sola tells me. He could remember when he was inside his mother, Sola says, where the world looked flat, like squashed egg.

    But this is my memory:

    Maeve and Jack have just brought baby Edward home from the hospital. Maeve and Jack are our parents, but we don’t call them Mom and Dad, except for Edward, who when he learns to talk will speak to them in a formal manner, a bit English. Motha and Fatha, he will say in his little tin voice.

    Here’s the scene:

    Maeve and Jack walk in the front door, Maeve carrying baby Edward in his green blanket, packed tightly like a pickle in plastic. I am only three years old, but I can tell from their faces that Maeve and Jack want us to love Edward. They look a little happy, but not too happy; a little fearful as if they are adding an unwanted puppy to our large litter. Sola, the oldest, is used to this. Edward is the fourth baby they’ve brought home to her. Will, seven, is interested for only the barest moment, then he goes off to read a book in the corner, to spend the day happily in his own head. Wren, not yet five, reaches out to brush Edward’s

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