The most memorable moment of the novel occurs right on the opening page. "When Jamie saw him throw the baby, saw Van throw the little baby, saw Van throw his little sister Nin, when Jamie saw Van throw his baby sister Nin, then they moved."

Coman's style has an almost hypnotic quality that reflects both the disbelieving terror as well as the simplicity of the viewer.

Showing us What Jamie Saw, the author has captured very effectively the simple world of a young child as well as his helplessness to understand the events and adults around him. Jamie is too young to do more than observe the adults—he is not able to interpret their thoughts and actions. When Patty panics at the fair, Jamie sees her only as looking "mean"; he is not mature enough to see her as a person who has fears...