schumack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
tillytom's review against another edition
3.0
I can't remember the last time I read a book this quickly. This book was an emotional page turner with most chapters ending so you would continue reading. It is a mystery, but not the kind most books turn out to be. Yes, someone dies. And yes, Georgie, the main character, is trying to prove it is not her sister. But it isn't a clue-to-clue mystery. In fact, it is nothing like most mysteries. The mystery isn't needled the way most mysteries are because in this book, it's only a mystery to Georgie Burkhardt.
alissabar's review against another edition
5.0
I love westerns, and I love Mattie Ross from [b:True Grit|257845|True Grit|Charles Portis|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388885399s/257845.jpg|1320617]. This book's main character is feisty and stubborn and reminds me of Mattie. Georgie is 13 and is determined to find out what happened to her sister. She embarks on an adventure of a lifetime. The writing in this book is beautiful. Amy Timberlake has a way with words!
muddypuddle's review against another edition
2.0
This really was an okay story - and I'm not sure why I'm not more excited about it. I like that it was a mystery and historical fiction. Probably I'm so used to my adult mysteries that I wanted more in that department? The setting was excellent, a dusty town in Wisconsin in 1871. Time was tough to follow..people dying and marrying and the pigeons arriving all happened more closely together than the story made them seem. And I liked that the 13-year-old protagonist really did seem 13. Random thoughts, I know....
yapha's review against another edition
3.0
Georgie refuses to believe that the body the sheriff brings home belongs to her older sister Agatha. The only recognizable features are the beautiful dress made by her mother and the same color auburn hair. It is 1871, and Agatha has run off from their small town of Placid, Wisconsin. Unable to accept what everyone else believes is fact, George sets off to retrace her sister's steps and try to find the truth. Along the way, she learns a lot about herself, the people in her family and town, and the greater world as a whole. The book starts off slowly, but picks up once Georgie is on her journey. Recommended for grade 5-8.
stenaros's review against another edition
5.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
Horribly hideous title. Which is too bad, because this is an outstanding book. It's got a spunky main character, an interesting historical setting, good information about the passenger pigeon. Plus it's an adventure story, road-book, and a mystery with the tiniest bit of romance sprinkled in. Very well done. If only someone had counseled Ms. Timberlake about her damn title.
Horribly hideous title. Which is too bad, because this is an outstanding book. It's got a spunky main character, an interesting historical setting, good information about the passenger pigeon. Plus it's an adventure story, road-book, and a mystery with the tiniest bit of romance sprinkled in. Very well done. If only someone had counseled Ms. Timberlake about her damn title.
krismarley's review against another edition
5.0
I'm furious. Furious with the Newbery committee for choosing ALA darling Kate DiCamillo's typing squirrel book over One Came Home. What I especially like, aside from the strong, plucky female protagonist and the Midwest setting, is that Timberlake retells the story in several places to help young people follow the plot line. I think all K-12 readers, regardless of age or reading level, need this scaffolding. No need to be a fan of historical fiction. We know these students are rare. Anyone who loves a good adventure tale or mystery will love this book. #bookaday
jshettel's review against another edition
3.0
While I thought the first half of the book was a bit boring, it definitely picked up in the second half. Two strong girl characters, but not fully developed in my mind.
ajacks's review against another edition
5.0
Wish I hadn't waited so long to read this one. I think I thought it was going to be too harrowing, and while appropriately suspenseful, the mood/tone was just right: enough to keep me going, but not too much to make me put the book down unfinished. Glad I finally read it.
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I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.