Steven Herricks novel “The Simple gift” is a free verse text that communicates the key ideas about the simple things in life and how much a little act of kindness can make a difference huge difference in someone’s life. As young readers we are receptive to texts that reflect our own concerns and experiences in life. Herrick fosters our understanding of how we can adapt to new places, new circumstances and new people in our lives. The exploration of transitions in the novel is the most relevant to us. Herrick utilises his characters to portray the development of identity, the move from childhood to adulthood and the capacity of relationships with others to act as catalyst for a change. The effectiveness of the text written in this type of form for a young adult audience helps us emphasize what each character in the novel is being put through and the hardships and struggles we can relate to in life.
Belonging is a multifaceted concept that involves interisitc aspects of human nature that are reliant on a individual’s social, political and interpersonal relationship. A sense of belonging is developed through overtime and is explored in Steven Herrick’s text. In Herrick’s Novel we see as the readers how an interaction with others can lead to a sense of belonging.
