Still Life with Tornado

Sixteen-year-old Sarah has lived in a household where domestic violence was present before she was born and throughout her life. When her estranged brother, who was abused by the father, returns, and her mother decides to finally leave her husband, Sarah’s father flies into a rage and is taken away by the police and the family is left to put the pieces back together and move forward. This novel, for grades 11-12, is best suited for individual students, as part of a literature circle exploring domestic violence, family relationships, and growing up. Social considerations were noted.