Book Review of MY NAME IS RIVER by Wendy Dunham & a Giveaway

by Sally Matheny

(My Name is River by Wendy Dunham)

If fictional worlds merged, I bet twelve-year-old, River Starling, in My Name is River, would pal around with Opal, the little girl in Because of Winn-Dixie. Both girls have similar spunk and curiosity.

However, the author, Wendy Dunham, masterfully presents River with the “class dork” for a friend. Since River is running low on camaraderie and has been assigned to do a class project with him anyway, River decides to give Billy a chance. Besides, her Gram always says, “If you judge a book by its cover, you may miss a Hemingway.”

Billy, a patient, kindhearted, handicapped student embraces life with a positive attitude. Experience has taught him how to adapt when necessary and persevere until a job is done well.

On the other hand, River impatiently waits on the answers she has about her life—like where are her birth parents, and her adoptive parents, for that matter. What can she tell people when they ask about her name? And what will happen to her if something happens to Gram?

Set in 1983 in West Virginia, River’s friendship with Billy grows deeper as they work on their school project, deal with a school bully, and as they search for answers to serious life questions.

My Name is River is a Christian, 144-page, chapter book published by Harvest House Publishers for readers ages 8-13.

Not only is it written with a Christian worldview, but also since Billy’s dad is a pastor, the reader is privy to hearing a clear message of the gospel presented in the story.

Readers will relish River’s honest and humorous viewpoint of the church, especially since she’s never attended church before.

     "I decide that even though they're technically called pews, I'm still going to call them benches. I don't think a word like pew is nice enough for a place like this."    - stated by River in My Name is River

I highly recommend this wholesome and entertaining book. I think girls may like it best, but boys will find value in it as well. Readers will “discover the unforgettable story of one girl’s search for a place to call home.”

I look forward to reading the sequel, Hope Girl, later this summer. But for now, I’m giving away a copy of My Name is River. Who wants to win this delightful book?

All you have to do to enter is make sure your name is on my email list. You can do this by entering your email in the sidebar on the right where it says, “Follow by Email.”

Once on the email list, you’ll receive updates from this blog, which is usually just one, but occasionally two per week. I hate spam. Don’t you? That’s why I will never share your email address with anyone for any reason.

That’s it. Easy as pie, right? I’ll place all the names from my email list in the drawing and will announce the winner on July 3.

If you'd like more information about My Name is River check it out at:

Amazon, Harvest House Publishers, or anywhere books are sold. 

While we’re waiting, I’m curious. What are your kids reading this summer?


KAREN B., FROM KENYA, you won the book! I'll contact you about where I should mail it. Congratulations!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author in return for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255