Haven
by Beverly Patt

    HAVEN by Beverly Patt
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  11/3/09
    Publisher:  Blooming Tree Press
    Reviewed by:  Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Something always happens during Christmas that lasts in your mind forever. It could be that you received
    nothing on your Christmas list and wondered what in the world is wrong with Santa. Maybe you did receive
    everything on the list, and yet you still felt something missing.

    For Rudy Morris and Latonya Dennison, what they would remember the most about this Christmas is simply
    meeting each other.

    Every year, the Morris family would invite a child from The Haven, the place full of kids waiting to be put in a
    foster home, over for Christmas. This time, it just happens to be Latonya. What did they each wish for? Rudy
    wanted an ATV and Latonya just wanted a home. Unfortunately, neither received what they wanted.  Instead,
    an unexpected adventure and friendship was formed.

    Latonya has had trouble being selected for a foster home numerous times, as the requests have always been
    denied, with race being an unfortunate factor. Since the ones in charge are not willing to help Latonya, she must
    take matters into her own hands, with the help of Rudy and his friend Stark, of course.

    With what was supposed to be just a normal holiday season for Rudy, it quickly turns into a roller coaster ride
    that includes fixing up an ATV, a plot to run away, and confronting emotions that all are too scared to
    approach.

    Not wanting to give too much away, HAVEN is a riveting novel full of twists and action with the added passion
    to pull on any heartstrings. Beverly Patt creates a cast of characters that anyone who reads HAVEN will be
    able to relate to. Do NOT pass up HAVEN, as it is one novel that will leave a lasting impression. With this
    story, readers will quickly discover that their own family means so much more than they would ever admit or
    even believe.