I came across this great new book at a Charlotte library after I had locked myself out of a car and was waiting to be rescued. After checking out my cI came across this great new book at a Charlotte library after I had locked myself out of a car and was waiting to be rescued. After checking out my crochet pattern books, I found I had stranded myself for a while, so I wandered back in to the lower floor (which happened to be the juvenile department) and headed for the H stacks. I'm a major Margaret Peterson Haddix fan after being introduced to her years ago by a friend who's a Children's Librarian.
Haddix is always a good choice if you're looking for a quick read or a suspense that will be reliably clean and thought-provoking. She brings up realistic problems and conflicts for her characters, whether they are preteens or teens, that young people reading her books could identify with, and sometimes, but not always, adds thrilling supernatural events into their lives!
The major themes of the book are friendship and family dynamics. The plot revolves around an 11-year-old girl who just moved into a new town a few states away, where she discovers a mystery. There are discussions about transitioning from childhood to young adulthood, as well as theories about time travel. The characters are so lifelike and believable that I found the resolutions of the various conflicts to be almost therapeutic. I also appreciated the positive portrayal of a dad. Males typically are not major positive characters and usually are in the background, indifferent to kids, and often stereotypically immoral, even in kids' books (like in One For the Murphys). There are a lot of good men out there who genuinely care about kids and dream of having their own families to be involved in.
There is no doubt in my mind that Haddix writes from an authentic faith in Christ, because she brings ordinary Christian kids into her stories who are like real kids you'd meet at church. Though lots of U. S. American kids of all colors attend church every week, you almost never find church or church figures mentioned in intermediate fiction published in the past few decades, even if it's about a nice family like the Penderwicks. Haddix doesn't need to have a special publisher or to spend chapters preaching at the reader to bring up this topic in her stories. It happens "organically," as they say. Regardless of whether you include a sermon or Bible verse, hope and positivity are valuable to all young readers, and you'll find that here, when you may not be expecting it....more
Not sure what I really think of this book. It's a little depressing more than it's funny, especially all the cruel male authority figures (the principNot sure what I really think of this book. It's a little depressing more than it's funny, especially all the cruel male authority figures (the principal and Mr. Lewis). It assumes that being a stay-at-home wife and mother leads to cluelessness and defeat, is something to be overcome. It's a book as moody as an adolescent going through puberty. It's also too reminiscent of The Vision of the Anointed for my liking (see Thomas Sowell).
I'm not sure what the context would be since it was published in 1974 and I'm reading it in 2019. The school board did not really object to an innovative and successful teacher, according to the book, but yet they did? Creative instructors were not desired in 1974? The only actual objection was to her response to...the Vietnam War, I guess? The reason for her ideological "protest" was never explained. Typical of the Anointed.
The meaning is lost in translation from 1974 to 2019, though perhaps was never there to begin with, but despite this, Marcy is a likable, relatable young teen in either generation. The book pointed out that both of her parents contributed to her lack of self-respect, including both her overeating as well as inability to express herself. She improves in both ways over the course of the book through having a caring mentor and by reading a bunch, in order to develop her own unique ways of thinking. I wonder if there is still such a thing as bibliotherapy; sounds fascinating.
P.S. Why are the latest editions advertised by a skinny girl on the cover? Guess the publisher didn't understand the book, either....more
Very funny and truly captured the voice of a 9-year-old boy, Peter, of the title. Even though it was originally published in 1972, it would be every bVery funny and truly captured the voice of a 9-year-old boy, Peter, of the title. Even though it was originally published in 1972, it would be every bit as valuable and relatable to today's preteens.
Back in the mid-1980s, I remember kids, particularly boys, in my 4th grade class reading these Fudge books and loving them. Our family couldn't afford to purchase many books, I didn't go to public school, and both of my parents worked full-time so trips to the public library rarely if ever happened to me at that age. I was also fairly well sheltered by my parents from books found in "secular" culture, or that they figured were not good quality. Which is fine. This book is sheer entertainment, even for me, a grownup. It's the "junk food" of intermediate reading material.
I will look forward to reading all the "Fudge" sequels eventually! I'm in the middle of finding out about being hired as a 4th grade math tutor in the public schools, so I'm going back to children's books for a while. This is also the age range for which I would try to write fiction (ages 9-12), though children age 7 and up would probably be "old" enough to appreciate Peter's love-hate relationship with his naughty 3-year-old brother "Fudge."
I've known many 9-year-olds and 3-year-olds and these characters (including the kind stay-at-home mother and hardworking father) were just like real people. The review by Manybooks (and a few others) here is so idiotic, but I can't comment there without being "friends". What I would tell Manybooks (and other hypersensitive maxi-politically-correct reviewers all over the children's "classics" in GoodReads, who probably haven't known any real children):
This was a 9-year-old child's point-of-view of his perfectly normal, good parents; the events of his life at his nice apartment home in NYC and his good school; and also describes a 3-year-old boy's perfectly typical, annoying antics. There are no "morals" in it. These are ordinary people going through ordinary life (only I doubt that so many nuclear families live in Manhattan these days). I love how the immature but developing mind, and the simple pleasures and childish hurts of being age 9, were captured by the author. As an adult, you could understand the parents' POV in a different way, but clearly this was a 9-year-old's perspective of life. And though believable, many unlikely things happened due to the book's being a comedy. Manybooks' review is ridiculous because it is taking this tale of humor and entertainment as if it's a serious adult commentary on child abuse and neglect. Oh, brother....more
This might be a good book for we Generation Xers who grew up in the 1980s to read with our preteen offspring.
The characters were likeable and credibleThis might be a good book for we Generation Xers who grew up in the 1980s to read with our preteen offspring.
The characters were likeable and credible, which is a trademark quality of this author. It is also possible to learn some true values from the book, towards being confident, trying new things, being flexible with frustrating things you have no control over and making the best of it, not jumping to conclusions about others (superficially judging) but reflecting on who they really are, and respecting others despite their differences. A lesson in healthy relationships that you'll find here is that people are both good and bad. Looking for admirable role models or mentors outside of your immediate family is fine, but you will always have to face that nobody's perfect. I hope kids have opportunities to find such people within their communities.
The book also promotes a post-Christian indoctrination agenda, particularly the New Age Movement making its heavy influence on youth back 1987. Pluralism in its heyday. That is, "your truth may not be someone else's truth and that's okay and good, as long as you are kind people. There is no truth greater than yourself." But whose truth is it "to be kind"? And what is "kind"? A funny reference to Star Wars shows the author's careful analysis of these subjects. Nowadays, I believe we call this "moralistic therapeutic deism."
I believe parents should read every book their child reads and include this as a discussion point. I do not believe in banning any books. I think many kids would enjoy this story and would not necessarily hone in on just the occult parts. Stories from the 1980s offered more true-to-life characters and situations, which seems to increasingly fade from 21st century intermediate student options....more
Recommended to me by my data entry neighbor at Samaritan's Purse for the OCC Christmas season. Fairly interesting characters and some very funny linesRecommended to me by my data entry neighbor at Samaritan's Purse for the OCC Christmas season. Fairly interesting characters and some very funny lines to break up the serious subject matter.
The characters and situations make the main character seem older than 8th grade, more like a 14-year-old than a 12-year-old (which also doesn't make sense for halfway through 8th grade). I think the story is most appropriate for kids older than middle school.
I did not think the author presented males positively or some of the male characters consistently; seems like she is biased towards women and lacks competence in characterizing males and maleness. Examples:...more
If not for the elegantly composed sentences, I would give this One Star. The major conflict of the plot is something many readers have cited as unwelcIf not for the elegantly composed sentences, I would give this One Star. The major conflict of the plot is something many readers have cited as unwelcome or unbelievable yet overall they were impressed with the book. I was not.
Neither of the girls pictured on the beautiful cover seemed real or likable. Stella basically hates herself and is constantly trying to make herself worthy of approval. I have no clue how any adult reader found her to be a "strong, independent" character. I kept waiting for the "reveal," of Stella diagnosed with either autism or, most likely, OCD. OCD is not about being a neat and clean person, but it is about keeping things orderly and controlled, which gives a false sense of emotional well-being.
The setting and the plot never seemed congruent with any possible real life situations. Also, George, the supposedly mature late-middle-aged man, was consistently weak and stupid. Are we supposed to believe that he never personally checked on his decades-old friend, in a story whose theme purports to be Friendship?
I did not give up on finishing the book merely because I can't ever quit a horror once it's begun -- you know, to see what happened. Because this is very much a horror story, so some parents out there should beware if you find that genre inappropriate for your kids.
Nothing about this story was uplifting. Even if the horror doesn't bother a kid, the isolation and deep sadness page after page might get to them. I would not allow any children with a tendency towards melancholy (depression) to read this. However, suddenly at the end, our characters find hope, but it doesn't feel like a natural crop after the mental instability sown before it.
The author also seemed merely to be expressing her personal social commentary rather than telling a story. The time it takes to read the book could be better spent noticing forgotten people around you.
Could anyone out there tell me the opinion of a child they know who read the book? What did they like or dislike about it? I find reviews of juvenile books slightly odd when they do not consider the perspective of the intended audience.
I recommend a much more positive fiction for middle grade readers along the lines of Pennypacker's theme, which is, Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt....more
**spoiler alert** Please keep in mind that this is my review, built on my personal tastes, and won't necessarily be universally agreed upon.
I've notic**spoiler alert** Please keep in mind that this is my review, built on my personal tastes, and won't necessarily be universally agreed upon.
I've noticed that Konigsburg often places elements in her stories that are atypical for children's book. This one is a glaring example of her tendency. I'm frankly surprised that this one is categorized as a children's book. Maybe being published in 1976 made a difference, before "anything goes" behavior had brought so much harm? Perhaps because it was a "message" book about our "intolerant" past?
The story seems to go "above the heads" of most middle-grades readers. There was a lot of adult activity (divorce, alcoholism, adultery) that is relevant to the plot. The bulk of the story -- including all of the characters, the conflict, and the resolution -- revolves around adults. I just can't see how a kid would find this interesting at all. From perusing the reviews and having seen the Hallmark movie years ago, it seems as though grown ups enjoy this story more than kids.
I can see how many in the 2010s might understand the story to be a rebuke on the wealthy, but just remember the story's outcome: who inherits a fortune? Who runs the multimillion dollar corporation at the end? Who endows the private school? If you read this little book, please keep in mind that the accumulation of wealth receives equal portions of negative and positive....more
**spoiler alert** Incomplete review: I found a new middle grades author to admire and aspire to. I am so sad that she died young and so there are very **spoiler alert** Incomplete review: I found a new middle grades author to admire and aspire to. I am so sad that she died young and so there are very few other books of hers to read.
There is total ambiguity as to whether the dolls are talking or it's just Maggie, and in the end I lean towards believing it's Maggie's mind based on all the evidence that preceded her discovery "behind the attic wall."
She has a powerful imagination despite her loneliness and despair, and some of her hard heart (her protective wall against more pain) crumbles to lovable Uncle Morris. He never gives up on her, makes her see herself in new and positive ways, and therefore gives her hope. She trusts Uncle Morris and projects some of her new confidence and his personality into the characters of the dolls, who comfort her in the same way as Uncle Morris.
I understand disassociative disorder in children who have suffered abuse and neglect and abandonment, so Maggie is totally believable as a human being. I don't believe in dolls possessed by ghosts but I do believe Maggie is not a fictional character but a real person! :-]...more
Christian fiction given to be by Mr & Mrs Hall as a Sunday School prize, perhaps for saying memory verses. I remember liking this book but not having Christian fiction given to be by Mr & Mrs Hall as a Sunday School prize, perhaps for saying memory verses. I remember liking this book but not having access to any of the other Elizabeth Gail books....more
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