sandraagee's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. It's kind of like a spunky [b:Little House in the Big Woods|8337|Little House in the Big Woods (Little House, #1)|Laura Ingalls Wilder|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1266449708s/8337.jpg|1200805], full of lots of great description that really paints a picture of what it was like to be a kid in that time and place. I'm fascinated by Bo's two fathers and the way they both work together in this unique co-parenting situation.
rachelb36's review against another edition
1.0
The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and are the reason I picked this book up in the first place. It's too bad the text wasn't as wonderful as the pictures!
This is supposedly geared for kids aged 8-12, but I didn't feel the content was appropriate. I had to edit a lot of this book while reading it out loud to my nieces.
There is quite a bit of profanity (something that I don't like even in adult reads, but is completely unacceptable in a children's book). There are references to "good time girls," cannibalism, and a paragraph stating how much the children liked to look at National Geographic magazines to see the photos of naked people. (Why include this...?)
There is also an underlying anti-Christian theme. In addition to the evolution references and the instances of God's name taken in vain (which aren't terribly uncommon in any book), at one point a character says, "If there's a heaven, which I doubt..." (p.153) And when the school is described, it's contrasted with a Christian school and the author states, "At the mission school, they had learned nothing but the catechism and Bible verses, which they didn't think were very useful." (p. 186)
The book had no plot, but was written more "memoir" style - each chapter was a little story of what happens in Ballard Creek and descriptions of the people who lived there. Normally, I like this kind of book, but I think that they need to have a strong theme that connects the stories, and this book lacked that.
This is supposedly geared for kids aged 8-12, but I didn't feel the content was appropriate. I had to edit a lot of this book while reading it out loud to my nieces.
There is quite a bit of profanity (something that I don't like even in adult reads, but is completely unacceptable in a children's book). There are references to "good time girls," cannibalism, and a paragraph stating how much the children liked to look at National Geographic magazines to see the photos of naked people. (Why include this...?)
There is also an underlying anti-Christian theme. In addition to the evolution references and the instances of God's name taken in vain (which aren't terribly uncommon in any book), at one point a character says, "If there's a heaven, which I doubt..." (p.153) And when the school is described, it's contrasted with a Christian school and the author states, "At the mission school, they had learned nothing but the catechism and Bible verses, which they didn't think were very useful." (p. 186)
The book had no plot, but was written more "memoir" style - each chapter was a little story of what happens in Ballard Creek and descriptions of the people who lived there. Normally, I like this kind of book, but I think that they need to have a strong theme that connects the stories, and this book lacked that.
compass_rose's review against another edition
4.0
Read aloud to the 6yo. We both enjoyed it. Bo is a sweet five year old and we liked following her around her town and cast of characters that make up her community-family. The setting is 1929 Alaska, a gold mining village. Hoping for a sequel. (oh! just found that there is one!)
mychaelann's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful, sweet tale. Like a "Little House in the Alaskan mining town". Just won the Scott O'Dell historical fiction.
zombeesknees's review
5.0
An absolutely charming tale about a spunky little girl in 1920s Alaska who just happens to have two papas: big strapping gold miners named Arvid (the Swede) and Jack (the black blacksmith-cum-cook). Bo's a sweet, loveable little girl who learns both Eskimo and English and gets into a variety of small adventures and scrapes. Jack and Arvid are an endearing, caring pair, and the descriptions of life in the Alaskan wilds are fun and well-seasoned with realism. A Little House in the Prairie for a new generation.
yapha's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this year in a life of a young girl at a mining camp in the 1920s at the end of the Alaskan gold rush. Bo is growing up with two Papas, Jack and Arvid, who adopted her when she was given up by her mother, a former "good time girl" in a mining town. Bo's best friend is an Eskimo boy named Oscar. Together they enjoy visiting everyone in their community. The small town of Ballard Creek is half Eskimo and half miners, divided by the creek itself. Everything is presented matter-of-factly through Bo's eyes. This is her world, and there is no judgement placed on her two fathers (whatever their relationship may be), the former "good time girls," the Eskimos, or any of the fairly eccentric miners. It is portrayed as a sweet, wonderful world, where people truly helped one another, for no one could survive alone on the Alaskan frontier. Recommended for lovers of historical fiction, especially first and second graders who are reading well above grade level. I agree with the reviewers who say it is like Little House in the Big Woods, except set in Alaska. It has a very similar feel, except that the Eskimo culture is appreciated and respected.
(Note: the "good time girls" are explained as women who used to dance with the miners, so everyone would have a good time.)
(Note: the "good time girls" are explained as women who used to dance with the miners, so everyone would have a good time.)
bibliotexas's review
5.0
Wonderful! Sweet and charming story about a small Alaskan mining town. Perfect read for someone looking for a Little House type historical fiction book. Reading about 1920s Alaska in Bo's world was refreshing and fun. Beautifully written and descriptions are not watered down for younger readers.
abigailbat's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this story, perhaps because I recently read a nonfiction book about the 1897 Klondike gold rush that sets the setting of this tale. Someone called it Little House on the Prairie but with more spunk and I'd agree with that. The story is very character and setting-driven, which was fascinating to me, having just read about the Klondike. And I'd love to read more about Bo and Grafton. But sigh. A major flaw for me is the lack of author's note or any sources cited. That's critical to me when considering historical fiction, especially historical fiction that incorporates multiple cultures (as the Eskimos are included in this story).
thenymphsvoice's review
3.0
It was cute, meandered around a bit with the story and ended somewhat abruptly like.