The territory of Dear Elijah is the remarkable search-for-self in Rebecca's mind, and this turbulent inner life is depicted with a compassionate gravity that gives the novel universal appeal for young readers. Even adults will recognize in Rebecca's plight their own difficult struggles to understand the unreasonableness of life and death. Rebecca's mind conducts an extended correspondence among Elijah, God, and her family. She chooses to write to Elijah the Prophet because she finds God intimidating. The Elijah of Jewish tradition is a man with mystical powers and, being human, seems easier to converse with than God.

Rebecca imagines playing games with Elijah, confiding in him, asking him for advice, asking him for help, and joking around with him. She even becomes irritated with his sense of humor. Much of the power of the narrative comes from the irony of Rebecca's interaction with Elijah; he is a father...