Here and There by Tamara Ellis Smith ill Evelyn Daviddi
Ivan loves music, all kinds of music. He is especially drawn to the melodic chirps, calls, and trills of birds in his backyard. Up in the branches of the pear tree, he coaxes the winged creatures with bird seed, identifying various neighborhood birds by the sounds that each species makes. Then something happens which disrupts his childhood and causes Ivan’s life to undergo a radical change. Dad moves out and into a new place. Ivan distinguishes the two dwellings by referring to the familiar home with mom as here. Dad’s new residence is there. Smith emphasizes the distinction Ivan makes between the two homes with the words here and there in bold face type. Over there at his father’s house, things are not the same. No pear tree. No customary surroundings. No mother. Ivan remains sullen and silent. He can't seem to successfully transition from the home of his early childhood to a different living arrangement with his father. |