dlberglund's review against another edition
2.0
She is a great writer, but I did not love this book. I read enough of her blog entries to know that this book is supposed to explore the unseen connections between us all, even across time and space. She is such an amazing writer that I can overlook some plots twists or conceits, but I was not satisfied with the connections and paths laid to them. I would also imagine that many younger readers would have a hard time connecting to the settings given. Maybe I'm the one missing something, but this book was a miss for me.
valeriew's review against another edition
2.0
Really??? It's going to end like that?!?!?! I don't even know what to say about this book. There were so many half side stories that never came to anything. Lizzie was so annoying. Naomi was a thoughtful girl. I felt bad for her. Nula was one of those amazing people you hope everyone gets a chance to meet. What was the deal with Finn? I couldn't tell if this book was realistic fiction or if it was fantasy... who knows!
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
This is not my favorite Sharon Creech book, but it's still pretty good.
hgraybrown's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of two girls and the ways their small world is intertwined with another world far away. It is about love and friendship and family. I would recommend this book to girls in grades 4 through 6.
k8tiger's review against another edition
1.0
I don't get the love for this book. The story is incredibly boring, the characters are more like caricatures (especially the odious Lizzie Scatterding. Lar-dee-dar.), and, overall, I found myself asking, "Who cares?". While I don't mind character studies, there does need to be some compelling action or person to keep things moving along. There is none here. The supporting cast of this book are so thinly drawn that it's bizarre that Creech seems to expect readers to care even more about them at the end of the story. Sybil's "revenge" makes little sense and the issue of Finn boy is never resolved. Who was this book meant for? I'm heading up a book discussion group for the local schools and I'll be curious to know if the kids could even relate to or understand parts of this story.
msmelisa's review against another edition
4.0
I can imagine it would be hard to follow if you read it in several sittings because it jumped around quite a bit (although the different style texts helped.) I can also imagine that as a kid I would have had a hard time connecting the dots but as an adult I loved it!
britomarte's review against another edition
5.0
Sharon Creech is one of the best children's writers I've ever read. This book brought her magic and whimsy and delight, her excellent prose, but something felt a little missing. As I write that, though, I'm thinking of all the little parts that came and went and tied together, of how she wove all the characters across two ponds.
It was no Chasing Redbird, but it was still a wonderful story.
It was no Chasing Redbird, but it was still a wonderful story.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
5.0
I want more books like this one. A book that is beautifully written, has quirky characters, humor, mystery/adventure, makes you care what happens, and even has sad parts. Sharon Creech has done it again. If the Newbery committee overlooks this book I might cry. Can't wait to share this book with kids this fall.
ryannreads's review
5.0
Naomi Dean lost her parents young though is happy living with an older couple who've taken her in. The first Great Unexpected thing that happens is when a boy named Finn falls from a tree. She and friend-and-fellow-orphan Lizzy have a variety of adventures during the summer (helping unfortunate souls, cleaning the barn). As the story progresses through Chreech's usual mix of ups and downs, we find the world is connected in many unexpected ways.
This audio production was brilliant--capturing Creech's beautiful language and the Irish characters both. Loved!
This audio production was brilliant--capturing Creech's beautiful language and the Irish characters both. Loved!