Short-listed for The Man Booker Prize this year, The Safekeep is a debut novel that takes place in The Netherlands in 1961. The main character, Isabel, takes care of the family home after her mother dies. She leads a solitary life and things, not people, are important to her. However, the deed to the house belongs to her brother, Louis, and he can take all Isabel has away from her whenever he wants. One day Louis brings his girlfriend, Eva, over to the house. He informs Isabel that he has been called away on business and that Eva will be staying at the house until he returns. Needless to say, Isabel is not happy about this.

There are several interesting themes going on in The Safekeep-some are not evident until the last third of the book. It is a very good read that brings up issues I have never thought about.

I rarely read children’s books and when I do, I seldom put them in my blog. I have asked two of my grandchildren to recommend several books .

Benji age 7 thoroughly enjoyed the picture book Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and is just getting into the Ballpark Mystery series.

Maisie age 4 and a half is heavily into the Fancy Nancy books by Jane O’Connor. She loves the main character and has learned a lot of new “fancy” words.