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ruthie_the_librarian's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was the first book in my Mr B's Emporium book subscription (a lovely gift, from a lovely friend) and what a good pick for me it was! If you don't know about their book subscription service, you can sign up for a delivery of hand-picked books, and after filling in a questionnaire, they will hunt out authors and books that they think you might enjoy. This one hit a lot of spots for me - it's a children's book, it's a Japanese translation, it's funny and mysterious...
It's a good translation, I felt - sometimes works translated from Japanese can feel a bit stilted somehow, but this one flowed well, and most especially in the 'Daisy' section, where I would never have guessed it was a translation.
The 'Daisy' sections were my favourite parts, and I was completely gripped reading the story. I had a small book of similarly styled fairy tales when I was growing up, which I used to read over and over, and this section very much had the feel of that book, and I loved the illustrations alongside of it too.
It has some funny moments, and often has the feel of a Ghibli movie. I could see it working really well as an animation, especially the fractious relationship between Kazu and an elderly lady in the story.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read, and probably not something I would have come across by myself as I think so I'm really glad it was sent to me. I'm very much looking forward to my next book from Mr B's!
It's a good translation, I felt - sometimes works translated from Japanese can feel a bit stilted somehow, but this one flowed well, and most especially in the 'Daisy' section, where I would never have guessed it was a translation.
The 'Daisy' sections were my favourite parts, and I was completely gripped reading the story. I had a small book of similarly styled fairy tales when I was growing up, which I used to read over and over, and this section very much had the feel of that book, and I loved the illustrations alongside of it too.
It has some funny moments, and often has the feel of a Ghibli movie. I could see it working really well as an animation, especially the fractious relationship between Kazu and an elderly lady in the story.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read, and probably not something I would have come across by myself as I think so I'm really glad it was sent to me. I'm very much looking forward to my next book from Mr B's!
staticmemories's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
puterica's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.5
wngrdleviosa's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
this middle grade ghost/mystery story had major Studio Ghibli vibes!
it's a fantastical story within a ghost-mystery story that tells of second chances and living a life without regrets. it has illustrations on several pages too, which make it even more enjoyable to read!! ⋆˙⟡ 🐈⬛ ྀ
it's a fantastical story within a ghost-mystery story that tells of second chances and living a life without regrets. it has illustrations on several pages too, which make it even more enjoyable to read!! ⋆˙⟡ 🐈⬛ ྀ
purging's review
lighthearted
mysterious
4.5
Cerita fantasi ringan tentang seorang anak bernama Kazu yang ingin membantu ‘arwah’ untuk melakukan hal-hal yang terlewat semasa hidup.
Meskipun genrenya misteri dan ada hantu-hantunya, membaca buku ini sangat menyenangkan. Diceritakan melalui sudut pandang anak kecil, kamu dibawa untuk melihat dunia dari sudut pandang mereka yang kadang terlewat oleh orang dewasa😂😂.
Meskipun genrenya misteri dan ada hantu-hantunya, membaca buku ini sangat menyenangkan. Diceritakan melalui sudut pandang anak kecil, kamu dibawa untuk melihat dunia dari sudut pandang mereka yang kadang terlewat oleh orang dewasa😂😂.
herials's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I have never read translated Japanese fiction before, and I’m so glad a children’s book was my first! The style was a bit different to what I’m used to, but still really lovely! This is a quiet story that I would say would suit older middle grade readers, just because of the concepts that are dealt with. I also loved the story within the story and the illustrations paired with it.
This is a quiet novel, charming and heartfelt, for fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service and The House with Chicken Legs.
This is a quiet novel, charming and heartfelt, for fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service and The House with Chicken Legs.
quokkaboba's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
“Everybody in this world gets one lifetime, Kazu. One chance. We all try to live in such a way that we have no regrets.”
i had heard this book to be like a Ghibli film, and it was. such a pure, refreshing summer read taking us readers through a small town in Japan and it’s festive temples. a ghost story of a sort, following Kazu, a 5th grader on an adventure with his friends, working on his school summer project.
the characters were heartwarming, loved the bickering between a certain granny and the mc, and the friendships Kazu had. i also really liked the idea of a story within a story; both were so distinct from each other that i almost wished the magazine novel was an entire book in its own.
“People have to live as if there is no second chance—so they’ll make the most of every day.”
magic, summer, ghosts, adventure, friendship. TEMPLE ALLEY SUMMER, a middle grade book that is so good i read it in an afternoon.
i had heard this book to be like a Ghibli film, and it was. such a pure, refreshing summer read taking us readers through a small town in Japan and it’s festive temples. a ghost story of a sort, following Kazu, a 5th grader on an adventure with his friends, working on his school summer project.
the characters were heartwarming, loved the bickering between a certain granny and the mc, and the friendships Kazu had. i also really liked the idea of a story within a story; both were so distinct from each other that i almost wished the magazine novel was an entire book in its own.
“People have to live as if there is no second chance—so they’ll make the most of every day.”
magic, summer, ghosts, adventure, friendship. TEMPLE ALLEY SUMMER, a middle grade book that is so good i read it in an afternoon.
skyturtles's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
beebliofiles's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
erilynko13's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0