"another dawn" by kathryn cushman

Grace Graham is a single mother raising her four-year-old son in California. When she returns home to Tennessee to help care for her father after knee surgery, she is forced to face her anger at her father, who she believes is responsible for her mother's death. When her son becomes ill, Grace must come to terms with the danger her choices have placed her son--and several other children--in, and she discovers she's not as different from her father as she'd like to believe.

Another Dawn is not your normal Christian romantic fiction. It deals with an incredibly controversial and weighty issue--vaccinations. Honestly, had I known what the topic of the book would be (the back cover copy only alludes to Grace's choices and doesn't mention vaccines), I probably wouldn't have read it. I'm glad I did, though. As a single, childless woman, I've never given much thought to vaccines, though I know a handful of parents who have chosen not to vaccinate their children, and I have heard of the theorized autism-vaccine connection. Another Dawn presents both sides of the debate--to vaccinate or not to vaccinate--in compelling fashion, and Cushman wonderfully describes Grace's agony as she comes to terms with the cost of her decision.

After finishing the book, I still don't know where I stand in regard to vaccinations, but I do know it's something I'll have to spend much time researching and praying about when I have my own children.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for more than a light beach read--this book is emotionally tough to read, but it's worth it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through their book reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."