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cornmaven's review
5.0
A beautifully written, compassionate story of the inner life of a foster care child who longs to be reunited with her birth mother. It's also a story about bending the rules when the rules won't lead to the correct conclusion, about facing facts even when facts are not great, about forging a new path with a stranger.
The owl in the story is the all seeing observer, watching carefully over Marin as she tries her best to find her mother. Crowder does a wonderful job of giving life to Marin's character and a good supporting cast of adults who tread carefully with her because of what they know or how new they are to the role of parenting. Bad foster homes figure in the mix, as well as an adult who believes Marin needs to know the truth.
I only quibble with one detail: Marin would never have been able to access a Social Security database to try to find her mother, nor census records, given that the latest census open to the public is 1940. Some editor should have caught that.
Other than that, it is a story touched my heart.
The owl in the story is the all seeing observer, watching carefully over Marin as she tries her best to find her mother. Crowder does a wonderful job of giving life to Marin's character and a good supporting cast of adults who tread carefully with her because of what they know or how new they are to the role of parenting. Bad foster homes figure in the mix, as well as an adult who believes Marin needs to know the truth.
I only quibble with one detail: Marin would never have been able to access a Social Security database to try to find her mother, nor census records, given that the latest census open to the public is 1940. Some editor should have caught that.
Other than that, it is a story touched my heart.
ajay913's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
jwinchell's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I'm new at reading books that skew to the younger end of middle school to mid-late elementary grades. I feel bad that I didn't rate this higher--Marin is an orphan, after all--and I am an admitted newbie to books for this demographic. It lacked the substance I needed to really care about Marin and to buy into the owl. I was happy for her in the end, so my crusty heart does feel the middle grade feels after all.
librariandest's review
3.0
I think Melanie Crowder is a great writer. This sort of fanciful portrayal of foster care and adoption just couldn't hold a candle to [b:Forever, or a Long, Long Time|30531524|Forever, or a Long, Long Time|Caela Carter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1481942537s/30531524.jpg|51057131], which explored the toll of foster care with much more emotional depth. Crowder's book is shorter, less complex, and features an anthropomorphized owl, which may make it more appealing for some young readers.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
A great MG title about a girl in foster care looking for her mother, a woman who wants to be her mother, a rigid social worker who decides to give them a chance, and an owl observing everything. The book has a lyrical feel to it and for such a short book, it still manages to flesh out its 4 POVs well.
ambersbooks's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Marin's life hasn't been easy: she remembers her mother literally giving her away and foster care hasn't even begun to give her love or care. Then, through a couple of coincidences, she ends up with Dr. Chang, a single doctor who really wants a daughter (and possibly a cat) to love. There are lessons learned, etc. but ultimately it's a happy ending. My quibble is with the owl - huh? Although it does make for a great cover!
Copy provided by publisher.
Copy provided by publisher.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
I loved how the story was written with the different narrators and what each narrator contributed to the story. The quick pace had me finishing this book quickly, yet it already landed a spot in my heart.
balto_hon's review against another edition
2.0
I am leery of putting this one in my classroom library where I always have students that have experience with the foster care system. I absolutely believe that we need books about that experience but this one felt uncomfortably Orphan Annie or Pollyanna-ish.
yapha's review against another edition
5.0
Another book that I put off reading because of a non-enticing cover and descriptions that don't do it justice. When will I learn? I would rate this more as a 4 1/2 stars -- I could have done without the owl.
Marin has been in the foster care system since her mother abandoned her when she was 4. She has moved from home to home in San Francisco over the past eight years, but has never given up hope of her mother coming for her. When she learns that her mother is about to give up parental rights forever, Marin sets out to find her, even though this may mean losing the possibility of a forever home. This is a quick read, but a powerful story nonetheless. The perspectives alternate between Marin, her potential adopted mother, the case worker, an owl, and the tectonic plates under San Francisco. (Seriously.) Marin's chapters are particularly powerful and readers will identify with her longing to be found. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
Marin has been in the foster care system since her mother abandoned her when she was 4. She has moved from home to home in San Francisco over the past eight years, but has never given up hope of her mother coming for her. When she learns that her mother is about to give up parental rights forever, Marin sets out to find her, even though this may mean losing the possibility of a forever home. This is a quick read, but a powerful story nonetheless. The perspectives alternate between Marin, her potential adopted mother, the case worker, an owl, and the tectonic plates under San Francisco. (Seriously.) Marin's chapters are particularly powerful and readers will identify with her longing to be found. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.