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gschwabauer's review against another edition
4.0
More of a 3.5, actually.
McKay's writing is lovely, as usual, but I felt this book needed a little more time and space than it was given. Nonetheless, it's always a pleasure to spend time with the Cornwallis family. They feel just as vivid in this book as they have in all the others. Plus, Binny's friendship with Gareth is my favorite part of the Binny books, so I was glad to see him get a bit more page time in this installment.
My biggest complaint was
McKay's writing is lovely, as usual, but I felt this book needed a little more time and space than it was given. Nonetheless, it's always a pleasure to spend time with the Cornwallis family. They feel just as vivid in this book as they have in all the others. Plus, Binny's friendship with Gareth is my favorite part of the Binny books, so I was glad to see him get a bit more page time in this installment.
My biggest complaint was
Spoiler
the weirdness with the "bare lady" tin. I understand children are fascinated by the forbidden, often in an innocent way, but it was an uncomfortable addition, particularly when Dill seemed to be taking a kind of perverse pleasure in the images and trying to get James to do the same. The throwaway line about the calendar he liked looking at left a bad taste in my mouth – I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to find it funny or just sad.honeypossum_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
bookwormbev17's review against another edition
5.0
Binny has certainly cast a spell on me, from the moment I met her in her first adventures. This time she has a need for money to buy a special gift for her Mum, when a windfall appears unexpectedly. Having taken the cash she realises that it's more a problem than a solution. The new neighbour seems to have supernatural powers and omniscience and Pete the builder has lots of good ideas. All of the familiar characters are here to savour and envelop the reader in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Please don't think this is stale or formulaic though; far from it.
What accomplished writing, so easy to read, and yet so skilfully handling those little problems that grow out of proportion to fill our lives. Beautiful language and everyday at the same time. This is truly reading for pleasure.
What accomplished writing, so easy to read, and yet so skilfully handling those little problems that grow out of proportion to fill our lives. Beautiful language and everyday at the same time. This is truly reading for pleasure.
tashrow's review against another edition
5.0
Binny’s family has been concerned with money since her father died. They live in a house that is far too small for all of them, her sister has sold all of her possessions to pay for flute lessons, and her mother works extra shifts all of the time. So when Binny sees a large amount of money left behind in an ATM, she grabs it and takes it. Does that make her a thief or just lucky? Binny soon discovers though that she can’t spend the money without others asking lots of questions. So she hides it, then hides it again and again until she can’t remember where she hid it! Meanwhile, Binny’s neighbor seems to be putting curses on all of them, like Clem’s flute breaking and James losing his best friend over buried treasure. As Binny realizes she has to be honest about the money, she has to find it first and figure out just who may have taken it.
This is the third Binny book and it’s just as charming and fantastic as the first two. McKay has a gorgeous way of writing, showing her characters and families complete with messy homes, money problems, and everyday woes. She always gives her characters lots of heart and big imaginations so that even normal days turn into adventures and bad decisions turn into mysteries.
As always, McKay’s families are ones that you want to spend even more time with. Readers will want to climb behind the couch with James, explore Clem’s bare but lovely room, share the birthday cake, and explore the beaches. The love in this family overflows the pages, even when they are distracted with their own problems. In fact, a hallmark of McKay’s books are that the children do the figuring out and realizations, not the adults. It’s a refreshing look at the power of children when they are given plenty of freedom.
Another winner from McKay! If you haven’t met Binny yet, make sure to start with the first since they are all such a treat. Appropriate for ages 8-12.
This is the third Binny book and it’s just as charming and fantastic as the first two. McKay has a gorgeous way of writing, showing her characters and families complete with messy homes, money problems, and everyday woes. She always gives her characters lots of heart and big imaginations so that even normal days turn into adventures and bad decisions turn into mysteries.
As always, McKay’s families are ones that you want to spend even more time with. Readers will want to climb behind the couch with James, explore Clem’s bare but lovely room, share the birthday cake, and explore the beaches. The love in this family overflows the pages, even when they are distracted with their own problems. In fact, a hallmark of McKay’s books are that the children do the figuring out and realizations, not the adults. It’s a refreshing look at the power of children when they are given plenty of freedom.
Another winner from McKay! If you haven’t met Binny yet, make sure to start with the first since they are all such a treat. Appropriate for ages 8-12.
ejderwood's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely! It felt a little more adult than the first two, perhaps because the constant money struggles felt so relatable, but I really really enjoy how Hilary McKay can just make you disappear into the child's POV, so even though you know distantly what's going on with the grown-ups, what's actually important is obviously taking care of a pigeon or not getting murdered by your seven year old friend because you buried his spider-man figurine. Genius.
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