Assessment:

Idea: In this moving account of a tiny infant’s premature birth and first challenging weeks of life, a family is sustained by their Catholic faith.

Prose: The prose is simple, but effective. Bob Krech's descriptions of his daughter, who was born weighing less than a pound, and of the struggle for survival that ensued, are vividly realistic.

Originality: Many of the details of this incredibly tiny infant’s early weeks of life are deeply touching. The wholehearted teamwork of the family and medical staff is inspiring, although not every reader will relate to the passages touching on the author's religious experiences. The book strikes many notes that will be familiar to readers of Marie Killilea’s ‘Karen.’

Character/Execution: The story follows a dual trajectory; the growth of the infant Faith, and the growth of her father’s faith in God as his daughter’s seemingly miraculous clinging to life and ultimate blossoming into a healthy, happy girl and young woman occur. The Afterword, as written by the adult Faith, reveals her to be a charming, intelligent young woman with a mind of her own and a deep love for her father and family.

Date Submitted: December 22, 2020