There is so much that is commendable in this story. It all starts with two students agreeing to be pen pals. One lives in Zimbabwe and the other outsiThere is so much that is commendable in this story. It all starts with two students agreeing to be pen pals. One lives in Zimbabwe and the other outside of Pennsylvania. They have very little in common. One comes from an upper middle class family while the other is living in abject poverty.
What touched me the most in this book was the innate goodness of the two people and the kindness and humanity that was displayed. These pen pals connected on a deeper level. Awareness was key for the girl. She "got" what it might be like to be hungry and not have clothes. It was quite the awakening. I commend the families, especially the Stoicsitz family who not only generously shared of their financial means, but they committed time and genuine effort in helping a family and a young man to survive and even to thrive if you will. This is also a story of tenacity and strong will. Education matters...so much to Martin who is incredibly bright and hungers to learn. He will do anything to stay in school and be at the top of his class. Inspiring. Ultimately, this book is a lesson in unconditional love. How gratifying it is to read something uplifting at this difficult time. I highly recommend it.
I am reading it because of my fourteen year old granddaughter. She wants to discuss it prior to writing her report on this book. I am honored that I am included in her life in such a meaningful way.
This is an adolescent book that we are reviewing in a book group. Actually, I expected to like it more. There are definite parallels to our current p This is an adolescent book that we are reviewing in a book group. Actually, I expected to like it more. There are definite parallels to our current pandemic; however, I felt like this was a narrative "telling" rather than creating an experience for me to truly "experience" this horrific historic time. My favorite character was the grandfather. He was his own person and I loved his consistency and his big heart. This is a quick read. I'm sure people will like it. I hungered for more layers....more
Granddaughters convinced me to read this. Quite sweet. Relationships truly matter. I think I was most taken with the family life and deep caring of t Granddaughters convinced me to read this. Quite sweet. Relationships truly matter. I think I was most taken with the family life and deep caring of the father and his three daughters. I also loved that they cooked together and expressed their love for one another through baking and meeting the physical needs of the family. This was a quick, light read that has young girls highly engaged....more
Drag, drag, drag. At first it was interesting...a baby getting her magic from nature and a slimy monster....Yes, fun! Then I soon became bored. I woulDrag, drag, drag. At first it was interesting...a baby getting her magic from nature and a slimy monster....Yes, fun! Then I soon became bored. I would love to understand why others rank this so high. Just not my genre I am guessing. Not something that called to me to share with my grandkids....more
A true story. My search continues for a book for my grandchildren to read together this summer. While I enjoyed her honesty, I most appreciated her inA true story. My search continues for a book for my grandchildren to read together this summer. While I enjoyed her honesty, I most appreciated her incredible support system...including her faith in God. She models resiliency. ...more
From the other reviews I gather that this book is a love/hate experience for many. I loved the premise that we choose how we respond to situations andFrom the other reviews I gather that this book is a love/hate experience for many. I loved the premise that we choose how we respond to situations and attitude does matter. Looking for a few books for a literature circle for grandchildren in order to introduce summer reading selections, this will be a good addition. The day I picked it up from the library, a granddaughter sitting in the car starting reading it and laughing. That was a positive indicator for me that this will be a good choice....more
Read this searching for a summer reading book for grandchildren to read together. It has some fun parts and the story told from two different perspectRead this searching for a summer reading book for grandchildren to read together. It has some fun parts and the story told from two different perspectives works well in this novel. It has potential; however, it is just a light summer read without the potential I was hoping to find for discovery and discussion. Probably ranked low on this one.
This is my favorite quote: "Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss…” He turned to me. “But every once you will find someone who’s iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare.” ...more
Yea! Here is a loud hoorah for adolescent literature - really heartfelt and well-done adolescent literature. Five cheers. I wish I knew how I happenedYea! Here is a loud hoorah for adolescent literature - really heartfelt and well-done adolescent literature. Five cheers. I wish I knew how I happened across this novel. I don't remember but how ironic that I saw someone else with exactly the same book in hand as I was ushering at a symphony performance one evening. Small world. I asked her what she thought and she replied, "The writing is exquisite. I am there in this story." I agree.
Reminiscent to me of other strong adolescent characters such as Auggie in Wonder, Mor, the main protagonist in this story, is eleven years old rather than Auggie's ten. Both are tender-hearted young men whose lives have cast them a overwhelming challenge and who have the internal fortitude and courage to meet the daunting challenges before them. For neither boy are the days easy. Both face despair and failures. There were postulates or axioms in Wonder whereas in this novel there is advice "whispered" by a deceased father. "When your heart is open it will continue to fill" is one example. "When you search for opportunity, it will find you." Who doesn't long to believe that deceased love ones are close by our current realm?
I am shocked at the level of gang involvement and bullying in large cities and I suppose everywhere. Here is where the book reminded me of the adolescent biography Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North Korea. Whether it is Africa, Korea or America, gangs are prevalent and often created for survival. However, the ruthless nature of the survival techniques challenges my skill and expertise. How does one help these young people?
This novel is not saccharin nor does it simplify the challenges for Mor, the hero in this story. It dwells on numerous themes including the importance of family, true friends, loyalty, commitment, promises, courage and watching out for one another. This novel beautifully portrays the concept of "village" and how it takes an entire village to raise a child. It also shows the importance of not judging and of being kind and thoughtful. The village idiot may not be an idiot at all. There are so many issues in the novel: waste, greed, avarice, hate, tradition, ignorance, books, schooling, healing, starvation, creativity, etc.
Demba, the fisherman, healer and friend intrigues me. ..."Demba's rambles about fish, skies, muddy water, and moon slivers started to relax him. He found them as natural as the birds tweeting in the trees and as expected as the buzzing of a fly." I hope more books follow this one and that Demba remains an important character.
We definitely are "not alone" in life and we do need one another. This book is a profound reminder of that guiding principal. Can't wait to have grandkids read this one....more
Seldom do I write a "gushy" review, but as I am still wiping my eyes from just finishing this powerful novel, gush I shall. A few days ago, after receSeldom do I write a "gushy" review, but as I am still wiping my eyes from just finishing this powerful novel, gush I shall. A few days ago, after receiving an email from my daughter asking if I had read anything on a list of books she was thinking of getting for my ten year old grandchild, I realized that I had this book in my bag from the library. It is a mix of genre. It is fairytale combined with historical fiction. From the first page, I was enthralled.
Masterfully Pam Muñoz Ryan weaves together three different tales. Weaves she does, because this book resembles an orchestrated symphony performance. Themes resound through the novel and they are picked up and repeated in three different places and in three different ways.
Since this novel's thread is the power of music, I chose to order it on audible wondering if there would be any of the music played at all in the background as lyrics are printed on the text. Silly me. I just kept reading. Now I have a book that I can listen to at some other time, perhaps with grandchildren to pique their interest in the story.
The horrors of war, especially the prejudice and bias that is so prevalent even today, is brilliantly portrayed through the eyes of children. The undercurrent and melody of the composition is that "Your fate is not yet sealed. Even in the darkest night, a star will shine, A bell will chime, a path will be revealed."
What a lovely message of hope.
This is an adolescent novel that I will be highly recommending. It is a quick yet powerful read. I closed the pages uplifted. Despite the ugliness in the world there are stars shining. ...more
A chapter from fifteen Newbery Award winning books. Times have changed since this award was first given in 1922. I must admit, some books (chapters onA chapter from fifteen Newbery Award winning books. Times have changed since this award was first given in 1922. I must admit, some books (chapters only) dragged a little for me while others were immediately engaging. I question how genres seem to appear and disappear...like dystopian literature. I haven't looked to see if anything in that genre has been chosen as a Newbery winner. It was fun and rewarding to see the "strengths" of these fifteen Newberry girls....more
This book has potential and since I am a fan of The Scarlet Pimpernel, I was drawn to it. Dystopian with a heavy leaning to the French Revolution, th This book has potential and since I am a fan of The Scarlet Pimpernel, I was drawn to it. Dystopian with a heavy leaning to the French Revolution, the book did drag for me. There was clever dialogue. I was generous with my score. Not great...not bad...just lands solidly in between....more
Yes, yes, yes. I may be in the minority here because I am thrilled to find a book that I can recommend to grandkids and look forward to discussing wi Yes, yes, yes. I may be in the minority here because I am thrilled to find a book that I can recommend to grandkids and look forward to discussing with them. While I would classify myself as a true novice in this genre, I know that it will appeal to my granddaughters and I relish the opportunity to get with them and talk about their impressions. Several of them in the age category I would recommend for this book (9-12) read constantly, and I am thrilled to have read a book that perhaps they haven't. Lately our reads have been more historical fiction or nonfiction. This will be a fun reprieve. Of course I love the influence of the grandmother who has raised the protagonist. She is not exactly fashionable and appears beyond her prime; however, her influence is strong in Arianwyn's young (15 yr. old) life. After a very disappointing failure at a witch evaluation, Grandmother remarks, "I know you've had a hard day but you are starting to behave like one of those spoiled Highbridge brats," she said angrily. After Arianwyn apologies grandmother continues, " Do you remember the first time you selected a book? she asked. The memory was as crisp as if it had been only moments ago. It was the day her father had headed off to rejoin the army, leaving her behind with Grandmother. "I couldn't sleep...," Arianwyn muttered. "I was scared. You brought me down into the shop. I was wrapped in a thick blanket and you told me to close my eyes and select a book. I didn't know what you meant." All the walls had been lined with books; books were tucked under windows and over doorways, piled and stacked on chairs, tables, and the floor. Just like today. . . . "Why don't you try it now?" . . . She waited and allowed her breathing to slow. After a few moments there was a flash of light; it pulsed like a heartbeat. She reached out her hands toward the light and made another step forward. Another pulse of light and another step, and so on. She could feel the closeness of the shelves. The musty smell of the books filled her nose, warm and familiar. She stopped. Her hands reached out. There was a rush of air; her skin fizzed, and then she felt something solid and cool slide into her waiting hands. She grasped the book tightly. It was thick and heavy, not fairy tales this time she guessed."
Delightful beginning for a girl who has had her hopes and dreams smashed and her world turned topsy turvy. This is a book that will appeal to those children who have faced disappointments. It is a book about friendship, loyalty, courage, integrity, kindness and tenacity. Between the growing up elements are some truly creative creatures...almost like those straight out of an early Harry Potter book. The book hints at darkness but it is not pervasive. There is plenty of action, lots of learning and reflection and a world open to abundant possibilities and future adventures. Yes, I am a happy reader. I have something to recommend which puts a smile on my face and warms my heart. New genre for a change...nice!...more
I am a novice in this genre and will probably remain so. With that said, I did think that with some really great editing this novel had potential. Th I am a novice in this genre and will probably remain so. With that said, I did think that with some really great editing this novel had potential. The author has ideas, some good ideas; however, the novel is sketchy and not well developed. Both of the main characters have nine lives. The action in the novel occurs often from their mistakes and misdeeds rather than from valor or well thought out plans. Really? I would roll my eyes at times. Really? The novel is definitely set-up for sequels. I won't be reading the next nor recommending it to my grandchildren.
Ho hum. I expect more from a Beehive nominee. Boring for me. Simple and I mean simple writing. Not much action until at least half way through. Flat cHo hum. I expect more from a Beehive nominee. Boring for me. Simple and I mean simple writing. Not much action until at least half way through. Flat characters for the most part and well, in case you can't guess, I really didn't love it. Not something I will be recommending to family....more
Grief...death...living...communicating and ultimately loving. These are some comprehensive themes for a ya book. At first I questioned, "Why such abu Grief...death...living...communicating and ultimately loving. These are some comprehensive themes for a ya book. At first I questioned, "Why such abundant use of the f word?" It seemed excessive to me and I wondered if this was how the author first set-up fringe kids? For the most part the characters in this novel are the ciphers in a school. They don't stand out. However, they are geeks or weird in someway and ultimately they find one another.
There are strong adult roles in this novel and I especially liked the hippie aunt who was streetwise and honest in her dealings with her niece. There was a bucket of pain in this novel. Superficially you might say that books were the glue in the novel; however, it was really notes and communication and honesty that people were willing to share their feelings. As an adult I was drawn to the second-hand bookstore. I enjoyed the references to what the main characters were reading and discussing. Many of the lives in this ya book centered around reading.
The charm and the unique feature of this book and the bookstore was the Letter Library. The books in this section were dearly loved, read, written-in, shared but never sold. They stayed so that others could exchange feelings and insights through notes and letters tucked into the pages of the book. The author cleverly incorporated the action in the story through this section of the bookstore.
It made me appreciate Goodreads even more. When I first discovered an on-line source where readers around the world could share their thoughts and perceptions of books, I was elated. Here were suggestions for new books and in-depth reviews of books cherished and loved...and even reviews on books not so dearly loved. Heaven! I have met some remarkable people through this tool and I am grateful. I identified to this little second hand Australian bookstore and its patrons and family. Good read...except excessive language.
This is an author worth noting. I plan to read more by her....more
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