By Cynthia Rylant (1986)This book is one of the most touching and amazing books that I have read this entire semester. The book is about a 13 year old boy, Peter Cassidy. Peter is growing up in a small NC town when a traveling preacher enters his life. Peter is an only child and while his parents love him very much, they don't share their sons beliefs in God and his need to find a relationship with him. Peter becomes mesmerized by the Preacher and decides to run away from home and go with the Preacher. Peter is let down when the Preacher disappears and leaves town with the girl from the drug store. Peter doesn't let this incident move him away from his belief in God. He knows that the Preacher is the one who let him down not God. The book gets its name from the fine white dust of a shattered ceramic cross.
Oh my goodness I can't get over how entranced I was in this story. I could not put it down once I started reading it. I had a hard time deciding which type of novel I would read this week and I am so glad I chose one from my author study. Cynthia Rylant is one of my new favorite authors! I have loved every book that I have read from her and this one was no exception. This would be an amazing book to use in class to show that you don't have to have the same beliefs as your parents and friends, what a hero is and that sometimes you do idealize the wrong people and they let you down. The most important lesson I think this book teaches is that YOU are the only person who can define your personal value system.
This book is definitely for the upper grade students. It was very touching and I cried in a few parts of it, but it is definitely worth the read even as an adult. I am so glad that I chose to read this novel and I may re-read it when I have the time!
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