Calvin Sinclair is an average eleven-year-old kid. He is lonely and not happy with his parent´s decision to move from the city to the country. During the long, boring summer, he takes out his frustration on his six-year-old brother Sammy, by tricking him into doing unpleasant and sometimes dangerous things. There are some laugh out loud moments as Calvin takes advantage of his easy going, gullible little brother who will do anything his big brother asks him to do.

But Calvin´s world turns upside down when Sammy gets sick and is diagnosed with cancer. Around the same time he meets Aleta, a girl his age with problems of her own. How Calvin deals with a sick and terminally ill little brother and a new motherless friend, is very real and often heart breaking. He wants to spend time with his new friend in their secret place but feels guilty about ignoring Sammy. His little brother´s illness takes its toll on his parents’ relationship, causing more concern for Calvin. It’s a lot for a boy to deal with.

The author handles serious issues in a realistic but sensitive manner, skilfully told from the point of view of an eleven-year-old. Ultimately, from Ant to Eagle is an engaging story about the love between two brothers. As Calvin says on page one, “I loved my brother. I loved him more than I knew and more than I knew how to show. Sure, I picked on him, manipulated him, excluded him, neglected him, but deep down, I loved him. It’s hard to explain, so I’ll just leave it at that.”

This poignant story about love, loss, family and friendship will tug at your heartstrings long after you close the book.