LEONARDO'S HAND
Wick Downing
Houghton Mifflin
Young Adult
ISBN: 0618078932
201 pages

Thirteen-year-old Leonard Smith, known as Nard, is living in a wastewater culvert when his caseworker suggests the Swedenborge Pig Farm as an alternative to juvenile hall. Nard chooses the pig farm. Anna Swedenborge lives in the old farmhouse with pigs, chickens, Farley, and Farley's daughter Julie. The farm is set right in the middle of a wealthy suburb, and the local bank wants desperately to buy the property.

Nard has always looked out for number one --- himself. Therefore, when the mysterious Hand shows up, he figures he can use it to his advantage. However, Nard is now caught up in this family, the first people who have shown him love, understanding, and trust.

Julie, a dancer and gymnast, needs an operation on her back so she can continue to dance. Anna needs to save her home from unscrupulous investors, but it looks like she might have to sell in order to pay for Julie's operation. In addition, everyone is trying to keep crazy Farley out of jail. To add further to their problems, a neighborhood gang is terrorizing the family.

If Nard, with the help of the Hand, wins an inventor's contest, will he share his winnings with his new family or will greed take over? Although the problems facing the Swedenborges seem insurmountable, the problem facing Nard is even bigger, and what he decides will affect the rest of his life.

LEONARDO'S HAND is captivating fiction. Wick Downing has successfully merged fantasy with the real-life issues that many orphans face as foster children. These often include loneliness, lack of love and trust, plus their inability to believe in themselves.

LEONARDO'S HAND is Wick Downing's second novel for young people. His first, KID CURRY'S LAST RIDE, was written under his given name of Warwick Downing. Mr. Downing lives in Denver, Colorado. He is a three-time winner of the Colorado Author's League Top Hand Award for fiction.

   --- Reviewed by Audrey Marie Danielson

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