Scan barcode
evaseyler's review against another edition
2.0
Having thoroughly enjoyed "Skating Shoes" a few months back, I decided to try another pair of shoes. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much, but I did like it. I found Posy to be completely annoying; Petrova was my favourite. I also was amused at the idea that the girls didn't want to be film stars because that wasn't how one became famous. Fascinating that the film profession back in the day was looked upon so lightly.
shainaseideneck's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
toriedawn1's review against another edition
5.0
Three very different girls who are bonded through sisterhood and shared experiences. I loved how very different they all were and how much everyone in the book tried to make the best out of some rather bad situations. This book held my attention the whole way through (which as it is written for children is extremely important).
I would definitely read this book again.
I would definitely read this book again.
erika_is_reading's review against another edition
1.0
Read this alongside my 10-year-old but we both gave up, around the same point. The play embedded in the book was just too odd; it wasn’t clear what the author was trying to accomplish. Found the writing a bit too disjointed, too.
misajane79's review against another edition
4.0
After seeing the recent movie adaptation a few weeks ago, I realized I probably haven't read this since I was a kid. Stayed up way too late last night getting into it.
This book is such a delight. Set in the depths of the Depression, this book has a touch of reality thrown in with the pure fantasy of becoming stars. The girls felt real to me, and I really devoured this one. Stayed up late several nights to finish it. One of these days, I'm just going to have to buy it.
This book is such a delight. Set in the depths of the Depression, this book has a touch of reality thrown in with the pure fantasy of becoming stars. The girls felt real to me, and I really devoured this one. Stayed up late several nights to finish it. One of these days, I'm just going to have to buy it.
marcia_94's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
Just as magical this time around.
shepherdess94's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
chicafrom3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Pauline, Petrova, and Posy Fossil are three orphans who grow up together in a home full of love and financial insecurity; they vow to put their self-chosen name of Fossil into history books by making a mark on the world and also help their adored guardian Sylvia stay financially afloat until her great-uncle (the guy who adopted the three of them and then peaced out) returns. They end up recruited into a performing arts school, as that's the one avenue available for legal child labor; Pauline discovers she loves acting and has a natural gift for it, Petrova loathes the whole thing and would rather be messing about with cars and planes, and Posy is a ballet prodigy understood by very few. Much self discovery goes on. A classic children's novel from the 30s, it remains an absolutely charming period piece; it has aged but not deteriorated. The three Fossils are distinct and well-drawn characters who are neither perfect saints nor obnoxious monsters, walking a much more reasonable line of sometimes being selfless and wanting only what's best for others vs sometimes throwing irrational tantrums because you can't have the thing you want right now (oh Pauline's mini-arc during Alice In Wonderland, it's a delight), and each of the adults is given their own motivation and foibles; Sylvia's steadily increasing anxiety about money could easily be two-dimensional but it's balanced by her love for her family and her desire to give the kids the best possible childhood; every time she refuses to take money they've earned it insists on them buying themselves a treat, it's a lovely moment. I have a lot of nostalgic love for this novel. I'm delighted to find it's still earned.