Reviews

The Root Cellar by Janet Lunn

quantum_singularity's review

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5.0

I really liked this book when I was a young(er) person.
Mostly because I loved it in books when female characters would disguise themselves as boys.
Drag drag drag omg.

laranda's review

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adventurous emotional slow-paced

3.0

A neat old story, not quite what I was expecting since the root cellar didn't play a big part, but still a good read. Haven't been taken to that era before in my readings.

jjcbelle's review

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2.0

I think if I had read this book as a 12 year old, I might have enjoyed it. I really liked historical fiction at that age, especially with the time-travel aspect, and I think I could have empathized with the main character. Unfortunately, reading it for the first time in my (late) 20s, it was not such a good fit. I found Rose whiney and melodramatic, and found myself having very frustrated conversations at her in my head. I usually enjoy kids books, but I think this is just not one that translates well to people over 12.

situationnormal's review

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5.0

2020 Review:
This book had almost 0 elements in common with what I remembered from my childhood--the only things I clearly remembered were the Civil War setting and being stuck in the wrong place in time. I also had a strong image of a girl standing beside a river with blooming trees which...sort of...is in here?

I don't love it as much, re-reading as an adult, and I'm not sure quite what it was that enamored me with it so much as a child, but I did really enjoy it on re-read. It has that comforting writing style I associate with children's books from the '70s-'80s mixed with some good old historical fiction. Didn't have the satisfying ending I was looking for, but it was sort of cute in a kitschy way so I'll let it be.

Original review:
I've read this one twice because I always forget what a book is about after a few months have gone by, but I remembered loving it. Now I don't remember it, again, and still remember loving it. So I imagine it's up for a re-read soon. I want to get my hands on a copy...

salicat's review

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4.0

This was my favorite book when I was twelve. I dug it out of the basement a few months ago and re-read it. This time, I still liked it, but thought it was a bit sappy at parts. Hence the four stars. My twelve-year-old self would have given it five stars. Still a great read. I'll pass it along to my unborn children.

faithfullymoonstruck's review

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emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

celestemarin's review

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5.0

This is one of my favorite books ever. Or was when I was 12. I just came across it by accident so decided to add it. My edition did not have pictures.

amyjoy's review

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3.0

I first read this in fifth grade, and it made enough of an impression on my that I sought it out after reading [b:The Freedom Maze|11013228|The Freedom Maze|Delia Sherman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1315239826s/11013228.jpg|15932304], which has a similar premise. Rose is a bit of a pain in the beginning, but I don't entirely blame her; she is 12, her grandmother (the only family she's ever know) just died, and she's been shuffled around other family members for a few months. Who wouldn't be kind of annoyed by life? The plot actually had me a bit worried about how Rose would get back to her own time, and the ending was so sweet.

marenjane123's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

exurbanis's review

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5.0

A favourite of mine and of my daughter for decades.