Margaret Smolik Ordre des livres

The miracle of life finds expression in every living thing. Our spirits often lie dormant because of fear and hesitation to break out of whatever controls us. We dismiss our hopes and dreams and wait for years for them to grow within us and finally come to live. That is the story of Snowman Jacks Returns. Snowman Jacks and the Merry Rabbit are good friends even though their personalities are different. Rabbit is active every day playing with family and friends, digging burrows, or searching for food. Jacks, however, just stands in place no matter how often Rabbit encourages him to run and have fun. Finally, Jacks takes off and Rabbit is thrilled. Rabbit wonders if Jacks will return and knows he will miss his friend. Many months go by, and another winter arrives. Rabbit's desire to see Jacks again stays strong, and his faith that Jacks' spirit will revive comes true. Jacks' return shows that his spirit cannot die, and he vows to return every winter and enjoy life.

Like A Haystack brings to life events and forces that drove the author's family to be uprooted from their ancestral community in Croatia during World War II. It describes the family's background, their experiences in Austria after the war, and their emigration to the United States and to Iowa. In Like A Haystack the author contrasts life in Europe and in America. She highlights the endurance needed to survive war, poverty, suffering, and adapting to new cultures. She portrays people who do whatever it takes to achieve the American dream. The symbolism of a haystack is apt in that all of us are formed by many events that must be uncovered and accepted. Lynn Haakenson, an English teacher, commented, "This account is a fascinating memoir of the author's life in Croatia in WWII and her family's adjustment to life in America."