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mbrandmaier's review against another edition
4.0
Ellie feels the weight of blame from her family for her father’s accident, though she keeps the truth about what really happened to herself to protect her siblings’ feelings.
They have moved from town to the mountain after losing everything in the Great Depression. Ellie befriends a hag and learns to heal wounds both physical and emotional.
They have moved from town to the mountain after losing everything in the Great Depression. Ellie befriends a hag and learns to heal wounds both physical and emotional.
hellastrong's review against another edition
4.0
Lots to like in this book, but I never connected that much with Ellie. Maybe I just couldn't identify that much with her quiet, thoughtful, settled approach. I liked her, I just needed her to have a meltdown or two to really relate to her. Loved the setting and the story elements though.
caseysilk's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful children’s book that takes place during the Great Depression.
sarahbowling6608's review against another edition
4.0
This was very close to a 5⭐️ book. It tugs all the heartstrings. It captures so many of the nuances of human emotion—good and bad. It was gripping from start to finish.
My only hesitation is that Ellie is often straight up defiant and ends up being right. I can see the beauty in the way her relationship with her mother stretches and changes throughout the book but that’s through my adult perspective. Her disobedience works out in the book, but she did a lot of dangerous things that could have ended very differently in a not-storybook world and I would be loath to encourage that attitude in my own kids.
CC: disobedience, infected wounds in detail, a bit of mystical “feeling” around the art of natural healing, some people think there’s a hag/witch, death/grief and the ugliness that often comes with grief, dad in coma
My only hesitation is that Ellie is often straight up defiant and ends up being right. I can see the beauty in the way her relationship with her mother stretches and changes throughout the book but that’s through my adult perspective. Her disobedience works out in the book, but she did a lot of dangerous things that could have ended very differently in a not-storybook world and I would be loath to encourage that attitude in my own kids.
CC: disobedience, infected wounds in detail, a bit of mystical “feeling” around the art of natural healing, some people think there’s a hag/witch, death/grief and the ugliness that often comes with grief, dad in coma
nickeyrc's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
There's a lot to love about this poignant read. It's set in an interesting place in a fascinating era, for one. Another is the intriguing characters—they're flawed but likable. Ellie is especially sympathetic because her concern is so rarely for herself. While this novel might not have a lot of appeal for a modern MG reader, it's one I quite enjoyed. There's enough action to keep it moving forward at a steady clip, the characters are well-drawn, and the prose is lyrical and lovely.
jessicamwhite's review against another edition
4.0
"I'm not fond of maybes," Cate said. She watched Captan sniff Quiet's little head. "What is, is."
"Whether it's true or not?"
Cate huffed. "Tell me what true is."
I thought about that. "I know a million true things."
"As do I. And a million I can't explain, though they're real. And quite a few I can't believe, though they happened. Whether they should have or not."
She looked at my father in the bed next to where she sat. "Here's a true thing, and a good one." (p. 308)
"Whether it's true or not?"
Cate huffed. "Tell me what true is."
I thought about that. "I know a million true things."
"As do I. And a million I can't explain, though they're real. And quite a few I can't believe, though they happened. Whether they should have or not."
She looked at my father in the bed next to where she sat. "Here's a true thing, and a good one." (p. 308)
carolineroche's review
5.0
Lauren Wolk writes wonderful books, rich in character and folklore. The author is a worthy successor to Harper Lee. I read and loved her previous book, Wolf Hollow, and this book is equally as wonderful. Ellie is an appealing heroine and the entire cast of characters are beautifully drawn and totally believable. I can see why this book is on the Carnegie shortlist this year - a must-read!