boffybeau's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
lorathelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I did not expect the awesome mystery this book had. It was so awesome because it was solvable. And when kids read books, it's great when they realize they can figure out what's going on and solve the mystery! So that was just a lovely bonus.
I originally picked up this book to booktalk for teachers. I was pairing fiction and nonfiction titles and I chose "Shutting Out the Sky" by Deborah Hopkinson about tenements and immigrants in the early 1900s in New York City. This Avi book was the perfect match for it. Avi really did describe the tenements and the dirt and famine and extreme poor conditions that people suffered then quite well. Yet with that mysterious element, and great character development this book became fantastic.
I originally picked up this book to booktalk for teachers. I was pairing fiction and nonfiction titles and I chose "Shutting Out the Sky" by Deborah Hopkinson about tenements and immigrants in the early 1900s in New York City. This Avi book was the perfect match for it. Avi really did describe the tenements and the dirt and famine and extreme poor conditions that people suffered then quite well. Yet with that mysterious element, and great character development this book became fantastic.
mhlackman's review against another edition
Good story for children, probably ages 10+. Really enjoyed it. Historical fiction!
wiseowl33's review against another edition
4.0
Good story. A bit predictable, but glad Willa found a good home with Maks and his family. Quite a contrast to the life of kids these days.
iffer's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars for me, 3+ for kids
I really enjoyed Avi historical fiction books as a kid. I remember buying several with my allowance money from the Scholastic book order forms.
With City of Orphans, Avi shows that he's still at it, being unbelievably dependable when it comes to writing engaging children's historical fiction. That said, this novel didn't "sparkle" in any way for me. I just found it solid. The characters were fine, and the historical information was appreciated, but this actually felt "fine" or "okay" (but not bad) to me as an adult. I think that kids would find it interesting, though, especially as read in conjunction with learning about this period in their social studies classes.
I really enjoyed Avi historical fiction books as a kid. I remember buying several with my allowance money from the Scholastic book order forms.
With City of Orphans, Avi shows that he's still at it, being unbelievably dependable when it comes to writing engaging children's historical fiction. That said, this novel didn't "sparkle" in any way for me. I just found it solid. The characters were fine, and the historical information was appreciated, but this actually felt "fine" or "okay" (but not bad) to me as an adult. I think that kids would find it interesting, though, especially as read in conjunction with learning about this period in their social studies classes.
peterparkerslabpartner's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
zoepagereader's review against another edition
3.0
I read this one for my school’s Battle Of The Books . It was fine. Nothing special. I didn’t really understand most of the MC’s decisions. I. Never really got into this. I read this book because the MC is a newsie, and Newsies is one of my all time favorite musicals, but there was hardly any. newsie-ing. There were maybe 3 paper hawking scenes and they all had the exact same dialogue.
aprater's review against another edition
3.0
A quick read, cute premise and plot. The children often spoke broken English which was expected but the narrator too seemed unable to slip into formal language making reading feel choppy and disjointed. This book would be a good example of informal register for kids.
casehouse's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Vividly paints a picture of life in New York City in the late 1800s. Lots of adventure and excitement. I didn't love the rough. clipped language the person who is telling the story used. I listened to this book, and the narrator handled this as well as he could have, I imagine. I'm not sure if this would have come off differently on paper.