Title: A Gingersnap Smile
Author: Dan E. Jackson Jr.
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc
ISBN: 1643492276
Pages: 192
Genre: Family Life Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Pacific Book Review
A Gingersnap Smile is a coming to age fiction book that will have the reader drown in strong emotions as one reads through the attention-grabbing book. The main theme in the book is fatherhood and the relationship between fathers and sons. The author through the main characters shows us how family life and relations can be difficult especially for people who ought to be close. Considering how short the book is, Dan E. Jackson Jr. did a splendid job with the narration. The story is told in the first person and the author’s style of describing events and characters is one of the things that made this book easy to read. I enjoyed every chapter and got to learn a few things about different parent personalities.
Will Rivers, one of the main characters, met his love in a rather awkward manner. The two did not hit it off immediately as they exchanged unpleasant words and showed their abhorrence for one another openly. Bobby Slater was a fun character. Not only was he different from the narrator’s other friends, but he also has a charming personality that will make readers really like him. I liked his curious mind and all the questions he asked about grandpa’s electric wheelchair the day he spent a night at Will’s place. Will’s friendship with Bobby was the most mesmerizing relationship in the book.
Bobby’s explanation of a neutral deed and how he explained it to his friend made him a distinct character. Will would later ponder about good deeds, bad deeds, and his friend’s concept of neutral deeds. The latter had me think about actions I would consider neutral. This was one of the occasions I found the author to be very engaging in the book. Dan E. Jackson Jr. wrote a book that the reader can easily connect with. The events and characters in the book may be fictitious, but the author’s purpose for writing the book is realized. One thing that you learn as you read the book is that you never stop thinking about basic things in family life. I had questions throughout my reading, trying to understand how Will and grandpa came to be. I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Gingersnap Smile even with the many questions I had. The symbolism of the book title was revealed later in the book.
The ending of the book was another great thing about the author’s writing style. The reader is left with suspense and the urge to read more. The ending quote, ‘if the person you love can’t be with you, your love for them holds your comfort’ was also lovely and deep. It is easy to enjoy this book if you love a slow plot. I recommend the book to readers who enjoy family life fiction and storylines that have mild drama. The conversations in the book were exciting too, especially when the narrator was speaking about his feelings.
