Coming of Age Author:Valerie Mendes When her mother is killed in a riding accident, nine-year-old Amy is traumatized. Mute, unable to remember the incident, and haunted by a nightmare she can’t explain, she clings desperately to her father. Six years later, the chance discovery of a postcard gives Amy the clue she needs to uncover the truth about the past. It takes her to Italy, a... more »nd to a stranger. Was he her mother’s lover—or her murderer? The threads of the past lead inexorably back to the present, as she gradually recalls those horrific moments she thought were forever buried. Finally—and in more ways than one—Amy comes of age.Atmospheric and thought-provoking, this beautifully written novel by Valerie Mendes has a rich understanding of families, separation, love, and friendship. The author, who has also written books for younger children, is the mother of film and theater director Sam Mendes.« less