Keeper of the Doves

By Betsy Byars

Book Overview

For aspiring writer Amen McBee, life at the end of the nineteenth century with her four older sisters (Augusta, Abigail, and the "Bellas," twins Annabella and Arabella) is full of adventure. There are visits from Grandmama, who teaches them how to use the new Kodak cameras, and there are plenty of places to explore on the family estate, the Willows. There is also a new baby to look forward to-and everyone hopes Papa's prayers will finally be answered and this time Mama will have a boy. The only trouble in Amen's life is Mr. Tominski, the strange old man who lives in the woods and keeps a trained flock of doves. The Bellas warn Amen that the dove keeper is not to be trusted but Amen's father insists that Mr. Tominski wouldn't hurt a soul. Who is right?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670035769
• ISBN13: 9780670035762
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Viking Children's Books
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Good Start

I think this book has a good start but I also think that the dad overeacted when he found out that Amen was a girl!!

Keeper of the Doves

The book is very different than any book I have ever read. It is about a girl who has three sisters when she is born and her dad really wants a son. All of the children's names have to start with an A. So her name is Amen. She was the fifth one born after her older sister died after 9 days of living. Her and her sisters are all scared of their neighbor Mr. Tominski, a mysterious man that saved their father from death. Mr. Tominski is the keeper of the doves behind an old church. There are some sad parts. But I would still recommend this book any day.

The best book you will ever read

I loved this book!This book is about Amie and a man named Mr Tominski. He had doves in a nearby chapel. He trained his doves. This story is placed in 1899 in Kentuky. One day Amie meets Mr Tominski in the grave yard. Amie has a camera. Mr Tominski talks in German. He was pointing at himself. Amie said do you want me to take a picture of you? Mr Tominski shook his head. Amie took 2 pictures of Mr Tominski. This book is about differences. I recommend this book to anybody!!!