Second Sight

newborn brother and an invalid mother. "A choice coming-of-age story, whose telling is subtle and whose writing is vivid."— Booklist. "A many layered story of near tragedies and funny incidents, family history and bonds, and a girl who comes to understand her family and how much she loves each member of it."—School Library Journal. Dr. George Ella Lyon (b. 1949) was raised in Harlan, Kentucky, and has lived in Lexington since she finished her PhD. in English at Indiana University. She is one of the most prolific and popular contemporary writers of children's books set in the Appalachian region. Second Sight Some call it superstition But I know what I know. My mother had the second sight. Knew in her bones when a night-stranger would appear. Wrung the head off a chicken Before we could see the dust of the preacher's car. Sometimes her visions presaged death. Once in her eighth month, She felt the child's spirit leave her womb; The baby did not move again. The second time, she saw, in a great garnet cloud, The family seated for supper, The boy's place empty. Some called it a curse; But she said it was a gift, Like divining water with a willow branch Or stanching blood with a Bible verse. —Evelyn Bales 90 ...