I knew the 1960 edition first. I like the extra chapter in this one that the author was forced to leave out when the book was originally published. I I knew the 1960 edition first. I like the extra chapter in this one that the author was forced to leave out when the book was originally published. I think it fits and it rectifies the too large gap of time during the year. I do own both editions and treasure them. Both editions survived my recent huge book cull....more
It’s extraordinarily rare when almost immediately I know when I’m reading a 5 star worthy book. This is one of those very few books. I knew right awayIt’s extraordinarily rare when almost immediately I know when I’m reading a 5 star worthy book. This is one of those very few books. I knew right away with this book. I wish I could give this book 6 stars. It’s one of the best books that I’ve ever read.
Excellent! Well written, great storyteller, engaging, Thought provoking. Horrifying. Humorous at times. A wonderful variety of topics about the same basic subject.
I’d like to read more books by this author so I’ll look at her novels and if their stories appeal to me I’ll definitely add them and hopefully get to them and read them.
There is a list of works consulted included at the end of the book.
I thought that she might lose me in the last 10 pages but nothing could diminish the impact of the thoughts the author puts into these essays and I enjoyed even these last pages.
In spoilers because this is NOTHING to do with this book and I hate to take attention away from its contents but (view spoiler)[ the musings here reminded me that much is the same for Native Americans (re the book The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer that I read recently, and the Buffy Sainte-Marie songs I’ve known since I was 13) and other groups that have faced discrimination and violence against their peoples. (hide spoiler)]
Brilliant book and I’d like to recommend it to all readers or at least all non-fiction readers or at least all who have Jewish heritage or know anyone who’s Jewish, but really almost all readers.
The author is a LibraryThing author. I would like it if she also became a ŷ author member.
ETA: This is the text of the first chapter and maybe my favorite chapter. I think that it's brilliant and thought provoking:
This was so good I feel like crying. One for my favorites shelf!
Charming! Engaging. Three children, siblings each with a unique personality and all enThis was so good I feel like crying. One for my favorites shelf!
Charming! Engaging. Three children, siblings each with a unique personality and all endearing. It’s a lovely story!
A page-turner!
Orphans. Check. Characters who like books & reading, and literary references. Check. Historical fiction. Check. WWII era. Check. England. Check. Check. Check. Check.
There were some upsetting things but they were made a bit less upsetting to read because of the way the kids reacted. In one particular case the fact that the children involved were as upset as I was really helped the situation feel more endurable.
Some quotes that I loved (some in context):
“It is often the case that, at times of great anxiety, when the diversion of a good story should seem most welcome, one is least equipped to focus one’s mind on reading.�
“Fibs, you must know, are entirely acceptable when they serve the purpose of getting one to the library.�
“The librarian chuckled. “I suppose there are rather a lot of orphan stories out there.� “Why do grown-ups write so many of them?� William asked. “I hadn’t really thought about it,� Mrs. Müller confessed. “Perhaps they think children fancy the notion of living on their own, without adults to tell them what to do. It’s quite daft, if you think about it, isn’t it?”�
““Besides which, I really ought to send her a book instead. Though she’s not much of a reader.� She paused. “Evidence as to her character.”�
“The librarian took this all in, standing by the fire and observing the children for a while, letting the silence be. Somehow, it didn’t feel awkward, the way silences often do. Perhaps librarians are more used to quiet than most.�
There are two pages at the end with the list of books read by the children in the book, presented as book recommendations from William, Edmund, and Anna, the three children.
The two pages Acknowledgements section was touching.
Recommended for: all the usual suspects!!! I will be sending out recommendations. I suggest NOT reading the book description field before reading the book. *sigh* It’s not as though there are major spoilers but as I was reading I noticed that I wished I had gone into the book more blind than usual about what would happen. Not too far in it’s predictable what will happen at the end but it was lovely being absorbed in the story and waiting and seeing as events unfolded.
ETA: There is some wonderful humor also! I loved the vegetable gardening too. I’m so determined not to give any spoilers that I don’t want to say too much. Some readers might not appreciate the predictability that is there but it was fine with me....more
This is a beautifully written book and a brilliantly told story. It’s an extraordinary book and I’m putting it on my favorites shelf.
This is a childrThis is a beautifully written book and a brilliantly told story. It’s an extraordinary book and I’m putting it on my favorites shelf.
This is a children’s book about an almost 13 year old girl, narrated by her. I was completely invested in her character and her story and also in the stories/lives of some of the other characters in the book. As an eleven or twelve year old this book would have been lifesaving for me and I’d have loved it at ages nine and ten too.
This would have been a one day/one reading session book except that I started reading very late the evening before the day I finished it.
I cried at the end and felt like crying many times throughout the book. It’s a fantastic book for children ages 9-13. Adult alert: sensitive children and young children (under age 11) and the children who could most benefit (with experiences at all similar to the narrator) from reading this story or having it read to them, their adults might want to consider if its power would be helpful or detrimental. I would personally err on the side of recommending this book to most children. It would make a wonderful read aloud, both one to one and with groups.
We eventually learn the girl’s real last name but not her first name and that was fine, even though I wanted to know. I liked how the future is left open ended. I believe that this story is nearly perfectly told. At least I cannot think of anything different that would have improved the book. It is a terribly sad story but one that’s also funny and charming and hopeful and endearing. I love the brief on the train relationships and how meaningful and powerful they are and how they significantly impact everyone involved.
A top notch children’s book that most adults should be able to thoroughly enjoy.
I have positive feelings for trains. I was predisposed to enjoy this book. I loved riding trains when I was young. I rode the California Zephyr several times from Northern California to Chicago and back, a different route than the Southern California to Chicago this girl rides. I also rode other routes. This book inspired me to finally add a “trains� shelf and I don’t know why I hadn’t created a “trains� shelf before now. One of my first ever favorite books was The Little Engine That Could and I’m sure I’ll find plenty of books that belong on my new “trains� shelf.
“The best kind of people are people who feel, and who hold hope in their hearts. Even if it sometimes means being hurt and disappointed. Even if it always means being hurt and disappointed.�
“Lots of things that are worth seeing aren't happy things.�...more
This sequel starts right up where book 1 left off; the 2 books make up 1 story. I think it keeps getting better and better. I do think it’s important This sequel starts right up where book 1 left off; the 2 books make up 1 story. I think it keeps getting better and better. I do think it’s important to read book 1 before reading book 2.
I stayed up very late to finish reading. All the way through it was a hard book to put down. It’s a page-turner.
I’m considering adding it to my favorites shelf. It’s definitely a solid 5 star book for me. How often is a sequel even better than the first book?! Here it is, and I also gave the first book 5 stars.
It’s a masterfully and beautifully told story.
It has an incredibly appealing voice in the main character narrator Ada and a writing style that I love.
All the characters are brought vividly to life. The plot and its pacing is perfection.
I loved the newly introduced character Ruth and enjoyed the increased depth to many other characters, particularly the adults.
I continue to love Susan, a nearly perfect natural therapist and mother and appreciate how she’s shown as flawed and not actually perfect. I loved how one thing about her past was resolved.
Ada is a great character to root for and I did. This account shows a healing from trauma that is realistically shown, optimistic but not at all unrealistic.
The single page author’s note at the back talks about two aspects of WWII that were a bit cryptically woven into the story and was a welcome addition. It’s a must read additional page.
This book is intense but always stays appropriate for middle grade readers (and young adult readers) despite the sometimes heavy subject matter, including WWII and its causalities and the realities of civilian life during the war, the Holocaust, child abuse and neglect, traumatic loss, adult sexual and romantic relationships (far off the page), and other such things. It might not sound like a children’s book but it is, though unlike the first one I think it is also a young adult book, although it’s one that I think can be enjoyed by all ages. Both books are all ages appropriate and I think will appeal to some adults who don’t normally read books for younger readers.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy any of the following: coming of age stories, stories about WWII especially as it impacted England and the Jews, horse lovers, cat lovers, family stories including atypical family stories, orphan stories, and stories where both child an adult characters grow and change in a realistic way.
I loved so many parts in this book. I found so many things meaningful. One fun and creative thing I thoroughly enjoyed (bottom half of page 294/second page in chapter 47 in the U.S. hardcover edition) was (view spoiler)[ I loved how Ada realized the black outs did not have to be gloomy black on the inside and how the kids painted the insides to match how the outside of the house(s) looked without the black outs on, bringing nature/the outside/light back into the house and making the rooms look much more cheerful. (hide spoiler)]
I’ve added some other books by this author to my to read shelf and hope to get to them. I’m a fan....more
While still reading, I reserved the sequel and intend to read it soon. I was emotionally invested in this story and its many characters.
This is a briWhile still reading, I reserved the sequel and intend to read it soon. I was emotionally invested in this story and its many characters.
This is a brilliantly done middle grade novel. It’s a page turner! It is an extremely well deserved Newbery Honor book. I’d have been happy had it won the Newbery Award.
Ada is a great character! She’s smart and resourceful and brave and caring and loyal and observant, and inspiring. She’s also been horribly traumatized and is dealing with the ramifications of her experiences and her situation. It’s a pleasure to watch her progress.
I love Susan Smith! I might even like her better than I like Ada. She’s a natural therapist, a wonderful (foster) mother, and she is also dealing with past losses. I appreciated how her grief over her housemate and best friend Becky’s death is described but while it was obvious to me as an adult reader and might be to today’s children (but not to children when I was a child) that those two had a sexual relationship, that Susan is a lesbian, but because nothing sexual about the relationship is delved into, it’s not the focus at all, and is conveyed in a way that will go over many readers� heads, and that’s fine. Because even though this story is about Susan and about Ada’s brother Jamie, and about quite a few other interesting characters, primarily this is Ada’s story.
I also loved the cat character and the pony character. I was worried for a while that I wouldn’t like the way the pony was treated, but it ended up okay for me. (Even though I’m an outlier and like it when dogs and cats and horses are treated as friends and not used in any way. Of course here, riding the pony was not for financial gain at all. As far as other owners & horses included in the story, they’re not a main part of the plot, and I was also very aware of the sensibilities of this time and place.)
Ada’s and Jamie’s mother was horrible, yet believable. I thoroughly enjoyed how things ended regarding her and her children.
This was also an excellent historical fiction story. It touched on WWII including the Blitz and the bombings in Kent, the area of England closest to the fight on the continent. My heart sank when the airfield was constructed where it was.
This is a fine book for ages 9 and all the way up. It does get intense at times around issues of war and child abuse, issues of abandonment and neglect, but I think it manages to stay a solid middle grade novel that can also be enjoyed by adults and teens. The two main children go from age 10 to 11 and from age 6 to 7.
Highly recommended for fans of books that include: historical fiction, coming of age novels, foster care, child abuse, physical disability, childhood trauma, cats, horses, country living/small town living, issues of poverty, WWII English history, books that show characters overcoming obstacles, and stories about characters caring for one another in various ways.
This will be enjoyed by independent readers but it would also make a great read aloud book parent or older child to one or more children and also for teachers/classrooms and other group settings....more
I read this book for the first time when I was nine, and unlike many books I loved back then I believe I read it only once or twice. I just reread it,I read this book for the first time when I was nine, and unlike many books I loved back then I believe I read it only once or twice. I just reread it, finishing on 2/25/11, for a March 2011 discussion for the Children's Books group’s Fiction Books Club, one of the months chosen to read a classic vs. contemporary book. I’d remembered enough to give it 5 stars but not enough to review it, though I recalled the gist of the story well enough. I’m so glad I reread it now, nearly a half century after my first reading!
I have no idea which library edition(s) I read as a child. I own a nondescript paperback edition. I bought the Norton critical edition but didn’t have time to read it for the group discussion. This Tasha Tudor illustrated edition was the book I was able to borrow from the library so this is the edition I read for my reread, the first in decades. And I did enjoy the illustrations.
I should probably have thought more carefully and waited at least a short time before I wrote a review, given that I’ve already waited nearly a half century, but I felt like writing a bit down when the reading experience was fresh in my mind.
I’m in danger of waxing rhapsodic. It’s not my favorite book/children’s book, but it’s a comfort read for me and I enjoyed it enough for it to make my favorites shelf.
Despite some anachronisms, a last chapter that doesn’t impress me as much as I would have hoped, this remains an almost perfect book for me, and therefore I’m ill equipped to write a decent review.
It’s a very well written story.
I feel great fondness for Mary, for Colin, for Dickon, for Susan Sowerby (Dickon’s mother), Martha, Ben Weatherstaff, and even Dr. Craven. I don’t think I appreciated any of them as a child as much as I do now.
I particularly loved the robin, and I did also when young. I was used to seeing them from my bedroom window and around the neighborhood and liked them at least as much as I did the hummingbirds.
I’d forgotten how there is not just flora therapy but fauna therapy too, and I was smitten with all the animals. Vivid memories from childhood came to mind as I was reading; I think most children who have access to it (I did) are often attuned to the natural world.
While it’s not unique to tell a story of healing (emotional and physical) through nature or through tending to and caring for others/plants/animals, this story does so in such a lovely way, with such immediacy I sometimes felt as though I was right there, within its pages.
What’s not to love, at least for me?! Secrets, gardens, nature, animals, friendship, hope, self-determination, nurturing, and some intangible qualities, so much that seems to leap off the pages of this book.
It’s funny but during this reading I noticed some of what could be considered current new age thinking and beliefs, and those usually drive me up the wall, but here, it’s believable and soothing and exhilarating and magical. I love how Colin uses the word “Magic� and how it’s understood and accepted by those around him. I appreciate how this book shows that the most simple things and joys are extraordinarily ordinary, and necessary for humans to flourish.
I think I appreciated the whole book even more now that I am an adult. It touched me enough that I put it on my favorites shelf. It doesn’t surprise me a bit that this classic has survived and thrived....more
Reading this book contained and gave me absolutely everything I love about reading. It encompasses everything I love about the reading process. I loveReading this book contained and gave me absolutely everything I love about reading. It encompasses everything I love about the reading process. I loved it so much I know I won’t be able to write a coherent or worthy review; there’s no way for me to do this story justice, except to recommend it to many, many people I know, something I’ve already started to do.
Not only couldn’t I conceive of not giving it 5 stars, it also easily made my favorites shelf.
It’s an outstanding book. Anything accurate I say will sound like hyperbole, I am sure.
I cried more with emotion than I have for all but another handful of books.
It’s a book to savor. It’s completely absorbing. It’s very hard to put down. Great storytelling!
It’s heartbreaking, heartwarming, there’s lots of pathos, but there is also plentiful humor, including humor that often comes unexpectedly, at least for me; many times during some of the most poignant moments, I'd find something hilarious. I chuckled a lot, and smiled at something on nearly every page. . It broke my heart yet lifted me up. I also learned so much, especially about Hawaiian history and culture and about the settlement on Moloka'i. It’s a fabulous book.
I’m so grateful my book club agreed to read this (okay, I finally bullied them into it) because it had been on my to-read shelf for forever, but having to read it for the group forced me to get to it.
I cared tremendously about so many of the characters, particularly Rachel Kalama, but really most of them are compelling. The settings are so spot on amazing and as I reader I really felt as though I was there, every step of the way.
It’s about a life/lives and never for a moment does the experience of being with them feel less than 100% authentic. Rachel: every moment with her feels genuine, everything about her and how she is makes sense at every stage of her life.
I absolutely loved all the Hawaiian words interspersed throughout, all with their English counterparts right with them so their meaning was always apparent.
And, if this historical fiction book couldn’t be more perfect, there is an author’s note at the end where the author lets the reader know a few real people a few characters were based on and lists the sources used for the research done to in general recreate the time and place. A stellar job was done, as far as I can tell. There are a bunch of books, and information about them, listed in the back of this novel, and I am tempted to read some of them, but honestly, this book sated me; even though it was fiction, I feel I couldn’t have come away with more edification from any non-fiction account; that’s how good this novel is. Every time I thought it was amazing, something else happened that made it even more so. Over and over and over again.
I talked with a friend as I was reading this book, and she reminded me that either our fourth grade teacher or his brother, who at the time was a Christian missionary in the Philippines, had worked on Moloka’i, working with the residents who had Hansen’s disease. That bit of information solved a puzzle for me: I couldn’t remember why when I was nine and ten I was fascinated by and afraid of leprosy, couldn’t remember how I even knew about the disease. And, I’m sure it’s one of the reasons this book appealed to me as soon as I knew about it; I was fascinated. So, yes, I had a predilection for being able to enjoy the subject of this novel. But, I highly recommend this book to anyone who ever enjoys historical fiction novels, coming of age novels, cross cultural stories, stories with child protagonists, anyone interested in Hanesn's Disease or the history of medicine, or anything about Hawaii and/or its history, and all readers who can appreciate a gripping story....more
This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I first read it in 1962 when I was 9. I still enjoy the story, and all of Madeleine L'Engle's books fThis is one of my favorite books from childhood. I first read it in 1962 when I was 9. I still enjoy the story, and all of Madeleine L'Engle's books for that matter, but I think it's probably somewhat dated; kids today might not enjoy it that much, unless they are reading it as a period piece. It's the story of a family told from the point of view of the 12 year old daughter. This is the first book about the Austin family, just as A Wrinkle In Time is the first book about Meg Murray and her family. In L'Engle's other children's books these 2 families tend to run into each other and I find it great fun to keep up with them.
And this is one time where I think the original cover (that I just uploaded and changed my reivew to this edition) should not have been changed. It's beautiful and timeless....more
This is one of my favorite books. The daughter of Clifton Fadiman can write! These are wonderful essays about life, family, and most importantly, abouThis is one of my favorite books. The daughter of Clifton Fadiman can write! These are wonderful essays about life, family, and most importantly, about books & reading. All are interesting & written beautifully, and they also have a lot of warmth & humor. This is a book worth owning to be able to reread certain essays every once in a while.
This book is a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys reading, books, and language....more
I first read this in 1966 when I was 13 and in the 8th grade and it became my favorite book and remained my favorite book throughout high school. I reI first read this in 1966 when I was 13 and in the 8th grade and it became my favorite book and remained my favorite book throughout high school. I reread it many times, although it's been years since my last reading.
This is a story of a young woman ages 16-19 who is suffering from severe mental illness (in the book she is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia) in a mental hospital.
My understanding is that this book is based on a true story and the hospital was Chestnut Lodge and the psychiatrist was Frieda Fromm-Reichmann. Reading it now, it seems as though the main character, Deborah, was probably actually suffering from major depression with psychosis and not schizophrenia at all � but that hardly matters.
It’s a good story about making an effort, one's ability to change, hope, and friendship, and it’s written with a lot of empathy for all of the characters.
And I admit that I so identified with Deborah that I didn't even absorb that fact of her psychosis; I took the descriptions as metaphor.
This is a beautifully told story that is basically about love. Important messages about family, friendship, being different, and standing up for what'This is a beautifully told story that is basically about love. Important messages about family, friendship, being different, and standing up for what's right. Sci-fi for kids. It says 12 & up but most 9 to 11 year olds enjoy it also. L'Engle introduces concepts from science, philosophy, music, etc., with great imagination. And it's been one of my favorite books since I was 9 and my 4th grade teacher read it to the class. Then my 5th grade teacher read it to us. And then I bought the book for myself, and I still have that copy. I'm always surprised when people are not as enthusiastic as I am about this book. I always cry with emotion at exactly the same place near the end of the book...won't give anything away here. I reread this one every few years and it's a special experience each time.
Oh, and I so love the original book cover art that's on the book I own. Leaves all to the imagination unlike the various newer covers....more
A friend who’d read this, gave me a copy to read in the summer of 1976 and I was riveted. I love the true story of a man who goes to study wolf behaviA friend who’d read this, gave me a copy to read in the summer of 1976 and I was riveted. I love the true story of a man who goes to study wolf behavior for the Canadian government and finds the unexpected. I got very attached to those wolves, and learned a great deal about wolf behavior. I don’t want to give away what happens, but want to say that although most of the story is very entertaining, told with great wit, and has many very humorous parts, I did cry also. I’ve reread this book several times and never cease to enjoy it. Readers 11 & up can enjoy this book....more
I loved this book. It’s about an intelligent, imaginative, dramatic, kindhearted, and resourceful New York girl named Susan and her adventures “at theI loved this book. It’s about an intelligent, imaginative, dramatic, kindhearted, and resourceful New York girl named Susan and her adventures “at the top� This takes place in New York in the early 1960s and goes back about 100 years. It’s an adventure tale for girls. Interesting that in the early 60s the author and Susan were talking about how the pace of life was too fast and there seemed to be longing to long ago more peaceful times. This is a fun read and I’ve read it many times. One of my favorite books from childhood and worth a reread at least once every decade....more
In my opinion, this is by far the funniest and most brilliant cartoon collection out there. This 2 book set contains all the Far Side cartoons that GaIn my opinion, this is by far the funniest and most brilliant cartoon collection out there. This 2 book set contains all the Far Side cartoons that Gary Larson created, and there are some real gems in here. (I also have all the earlier Far Side books as well. I've been a huge fan from the beginning.) Exceptionally funny and intelligent....more
I really enjoyed this book (and enjoyed the lecture I attended when the author talked about the book and answered questions.) He talks about 4 crops: I really enjoyed this book (and enjoyed the lecture I attended when the author talked about the book and answered questions.) He talks about 4 crops: apples, potatoes, tulips and marijuana, and the interactions between them and humans: history, culture, human psychology, and science, etc. I knew nothing much about botany and have never been particularly interested in that branch of science, but this book was a very easy read and I found it extremely fascinating. Gave it as a gift on a couple of occasions after I read it....more
This was my favorite book the year I was 12; I read it that year too many times to count. It remains a favorite book of mine. (I’d already seen the moThis was my favorite book the year I was 12; I read it that year too many times to count. It remains a favorite book of mine. (I’d already seen the movie when I was 9 or 10, and while it’s an excellent movie, I highly recommend the book.) It’s not a dated story if you think of it as a period piece. I love the bright, early reader Scout and her ethical lawyer loving father Atticus. Many other interesting characters as well, including the neighbor determined to get off drugs before she died-that one stuck with me. This is the best book ever about the power and consequences of making morally correct choices and living with integrity. Beautifully written with great descriptions of southern life in depression era America. This is an extraordinarily intelligent coming of age story, told from a child's point of view.
ETA: After my last reread (I still can’t attempt to write a good review but) I wanted to add: I always forget how funny this book is; it’s very funny. Scout is a hoot. Also, I get something new from every reread! It’s a masterpiece. The movie is great too, but the book is a masterpiece. I suspect when I read it at age 12, I identified with having an older than average father. This time I liked Miss Maudie and Jem more than I ever have before, although Scout and Atticus remain my favorite characters. I can’t write a good review of this; it’s too important a book to me. Ditto the 3 other books I’ve also read more than 100 times....more
My mother got this for us when I was 8 and it was first published in 1961. I still own that original edtion and it is not in great shape due to multipMy mother got this for us when I was 8 and it was first published in 1961. I still own that original edtion and it is not in great shape due to multiple readings. This is as much an adult as a children's book. Although I loved the story right away, it was more meaningful as I got older and I understood all the plays on words and deeper messages. Still worth rereading every decade or so as an adult, and it remains one of my favorite books. It's a very witty book. I'm a sucker for maps, however basic, and there is a map (of the pretend world written about) in the inside covers of the book. A very good fantasy with a very real heart....more
This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I read it around the time I read Stuart Little and The Wind in the Willows and it won hands down. It�This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I read it around the time I read Stuart Little and The Wind in the Willows and it won hands down. It’s the one I reread many times from age eight to the present. It’s a beautiful fable, and it doesn’t talk down to kids, yet even young kids (as long as they’ve been introduced to the concept of death) can enjoy it. All the characters are interesting, and I thoroughly enjoy the story. However, it sure didn’t help me be any less frightened of spiders. I also believe it did not help me on my eventual path to vegetarianism and veganism, even when I was nine and I was introduced to another favorite book: Meet The Austins where after the family reads Charlotte’s web the nine year old daughter Suzy thereafter refuses to eat pig; if that made an impression on me about not eating animals, I was not conscious of it at age nine. But this is one book I have no reservations recommending to everyone. Beautiful language, ingenious plot, humor and pathos.
And, in my opinion, the very best second to last line of any book ever written: “It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.� What’s not to love?! ...more
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