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ajsterkel's review
4.0
Likes: I adored this book. It’s well-written, and I appreciate the skill that went into crafting it. There are a lot of different threads in this story. The plot goes in a thousand directions, but the author manages to pull it all together in the end. I’m impressed. Since there’s so much going on, this novel could have easily become a confusing mess.
Even though this is historical fiction, it’s timely. It’s one of those historical books that demonstrate how history never dies. In the US, we’re still dealing with the same stupid garbage that we’ve always been dealing with. We’re still having conversations about who’s American and who deserves to be in this country. We’re still judging immigrants without knowing anything about their lives. This novel shows that you shouldn’t jump to conclusions about people. Just because a German man likes cameras and pigeons doesn’t mean he’s a spy.
The main character, Gusta, is a sweet, mature eleven-year-old. She’s quiet, but she’s brave. She has strong friendships and tries to let justice, love, and fairness guide her behavior, which makes her a compelling character to read about. Also, I could relate to her eyeball struggles. Even my eye doctor was shocked at how terrible my vision is. It was nice to read about a character who has the same problems as me.
If you read this book, don’t skip the author’s note at the end. It explains that this story was inspired by the author’s mother’s life. It’s interesting to learn about the real person behind the fiction.
Dislikes: Underdeveloped secondary characters. Gusta’s bully, Molly, is especially flat. I didn’t believe Molly’s sudden change in behavior. She spends 300+ pages being awful to Gusta (and everybody else), but then she changes her mind and decides to be nice. It’s nice that she’s not a jerk anymore, but why?
This novel is great for adults, but I think kids would struggle with it. It’s a big book, and it reads like a big book. The plot is plodding. There is a lot of exposition and not a lot of action. There are so many plotlines that it sometimes feels directionless. I think kids would get frustrated.
The Bottom Line: If you’re an adult (or a patient child) who loves well-written historical fiction, I recommend giving this one a try. I enjoyed it.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense? I have a blog for that.
Even though this is historical fiction, it’s timely. It’s one of those historical books that demonstrate how history never dies. In the US, we’re still dealing with the same stupid garbage that we’ve always been dealing with. We’re still having conversations about who’s American and who deserves to be in this country. We’re still judging immigrants without knowing anything about their lives. This novel shows that you shouldn’t jump to conclusions about people. Just because a German man likes cameras and pigeons doesn’t mean he’s a spy.
The main character, Gusta, is a sweet, mature eleven-year-old. She’s quiet, but she’s brave. She has strong friendships and tries to let justice, love, and fairness guide her behavior, which makes her a compelling character to read about. Also, I could relate to her eyeball struggles. Even my eye doctor was shocked at how terrible my vision is. It was nice to read about a character who has the same problems as me.
If you read this book, don’t skip the author’s note at the end. It explains that this story was inspired by the author’s mother’s life. It’s interesting to learn about the real person behind the fiction.
Dislikes: Underdeveloped secondary characters. Gusta’s bully, Molly, is especially flat. I didn’t believe Molly’s sudden change in behavior. She spends 300+ pages being awful to Gusta (and everybody else), but then she changes her mind and decides to be nice. It’s nice that she’s not a jerk anymore, but why?
This novel is great for adults, but I think kids would struggle with it. It’s a big book, and it reads like a big book. The plot is plodding. There is a lot of exposition and not a lot of action. There are so many plotlines that it sometimes feels directionless. I think kids would get frustrated.
The Bottom Line: If you’re an adult (or a patient child) who loves well-written historical fiction, I recommend giving this one a try. I enjoyed it.
Do you like opinions, giveaways, and bookish nonsense? I have a blog for that.
thomasmannia's review
4.0
A lovely book with a lovely plot and lovely characters. I have no complaints.
markma's review
3.0
I had very high expectations for The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbet, as I love middle grade books and historical fiction. But this book did not meet those expectations. This book follows Gusta as she is sent to live with her Grandmother in Springdale while her father flees the country, accused as a communist, and her mother finds a job. Her prized possession is her French horn which is part of her family heritage, but in the letter sent to her grandmother her mother suggest selling it if they run low on funds. At her new school and her new home Gusta struggles to be true to herself but also figuring out what she thinks is the right things to do. This book took on a lot of topics, like what it means to be an American but I felt like it did not go as in-depth as it could have.
the_fabric_of_words's review
5.0
Picked up this one, thinking of the time my two kiddos recruited a violist to play with them at our state fiddle contest. I was delighted to be in tears so quickly!
The MC's relationship with her french horn is beautiful. As a family of string players, I had never considered how hard it must be to make the horn play the correct notes, or to feel it vibrate in your bones.
The story tackles poverty, workers' rights and fear of German "aliens" right before the U.S.'s involvement in World War II. Characters navigate the complex social and familial ties and norms of the time period in a way that is true to heart.
Wonderfully well done!
Visit my blog for more book reviews, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The MC's relationship with her french horn is beautiful. As a family of string players, I had never considered how hard it must be to make the horn play the correct notes, or to feel it vibrate in your bones.
The story tackles poverty, workers' rights and fear of German "aliens" right before the U.S.'s involvement in World War II. Characters navigate the complex social and familial ties and norms of the time period in a way that is true to heart.
Wonderfully well done!
Visit my blog for more book reviews, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
mslibrarynerd's review
5.0
I am a sucker for kids stories that feature labor organizing and a strong message against fascism.
jbrooxd's review
5.0
I was prepared to endure this one because I had to read it, but I generally don't like historic fiction. But I adored Gusta and this whole story! Gusta has a great voice and I loved her spunk. I learned things about 1941 and the impact of the war on America even before we were drawn into it. This pulled all sorts of emotions out of me. This would be a hard book to describe briefly because there is SO MUCH going on. It might be too much - or too long - for some readers to hang with it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!
backonthealex's review
4.0
It's 1941 and Augusta "Gusta" Hoopes Neubronner, 11, is on a bus traveling with her French horn from New York City to Springdale, Maine by herself. She wasn't always by herself, but she had to leave her parents for financial reasons and go to live with her grandmother in Maine. Gusta's mother had remained in NYC working. Her German-born father had traveled with her until he had to abruptly get off the bus in Portland, Maine when two men boarded looking for him. Gusta's father is a union organizer, an accused communist, and therefore a wanted man.
To Gusta's surprise, her grandmother, Clementine Hoopes, and her Aunt Marion Hoopes run a small orphanage in their house and were not expecting her. Nevertheless, after reading the letter Gusta's mother sent with her, they welcome her into the house and pretty soon she is assimilated into their daily routine. She quickly becomes friend's with Josie, an orphan already in high school, and her cousin Bess, who lives nearby. Gusta settles in at school as well, but when it is discovered how really nearsighted she is, she is sent to an oculist, Mr. Bertmann, a German immigrant, to have her eyes tested and get a pair of glasses. To pay for them, Gusta will work in his shop a few afternoons a week dusting, helping with his accounts, and taking care of his beloved carrier pigeons.
Gusta also loves playing her French horn, but her grandmother doesn't see the value of music and forbids her to practice at home. Gusta's Aunt Marion has always won a blue ribbon for her jam at the county fair, something her grandmother brags about often. Josie suggests the three friends form a band and enter the Blue-Ribbon Band competition at the county fair next summer, hoping to win and change Gusta's grandmother's mind about music, it is an idea met with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Josie introduces Gusta to the high school music teacher, Miss Kendall. Miss Kendall is impressed enough with her playing to let Gusta join the high school orchestra. Miss Kendall also takes a real interest in Gusta's French horn, recognizing its value immediately. She is also the sister of Fred Kendall, owner of Kendall Mills, a man who treats the Hoopes women with contempt.
Gusta, who knows something about union organizing, decides to help her Uncle Charlie. He had been injured in at work accident at Kendall Mills and is not longer able to work unless he has an operation the family can't afford. Gusta invites a labor organizer to Springdale to organize the Kendall family's factory and hopefully get some compensation for Uncle Charlie.
And then there is the war in Europe. Though the United States is still not in the war yet, patriotism is running high in Springdale. A new airfield is about to open and the Springdale Aviation Committee is sponsoring a contest for the best patriotic essay on the theme "A Vision of American on High." And snooty classmate Molly Gowen is starting a Real Americans Club with the help of the Women's Patriotic Society of Springdale and she's made it clear that Gusta is not qualified to join because of her German father. Nor does all this misplaced patriotism bode well for Mr. Bertmann and his carrier pigeons, as you can imagine.
Oh yes, there is also a magic wish that threads through this story, an belief that Gusta holds on to tightly in her new living situation.
I had a little trouble getting into The Orphan Band of Springdale at first, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. And I won't kid you, this is a big book - 448 pages long - and I know it looks like there's a lot is going on in it, and that's probably because a lot is going on. But eventually it all comes together and long hidden truths are exposed, including a family secret in the Hoopes household that will leave you gobsmacked.
Gusta is a very likable character, well developed and with an wonderful internal dialogue that really lets her personality shine through. She is also a girl with a well-developed moral compass, thanks to her parents, and alway just wants to do the right thing. And it is through her goodness that the hidden secrets and nativist patriotic agendas are ultimately exposed and truth is illuminated. Hence, Gusta's new glasses serve as a metaphor for events in the novel or as her father described it "the way the sun catches things out against the darkness of a coming storm: "the clear light of trouble." (pg 29)
The Orphan Band of Springdale is a thoroughly satisfying novel, with a kind of comforting heartwarming old fashioned sensibility as it explores themes of family, truth, misplaced patriotism, otherness, and, finally, forgiveness. The book I had trouble getting into turned out to be just that book I wanted to read.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing me with a copy of this book.
To Gusta's surprise, her grandmother, Clementine Hoopes, and her Aunt Marion Hoopes run a small orphanage in their house and were not expecting her. Nevertheless, after reading the letter Gusta's mother sent with her, they welcome her into the house and pretty soon she is assimilated into their daily routine. She quickly becomes friend's with Josie, an orphan already in high school, and her cousin Bess, who lives nearby. Gusta settles in at school as well, but when it is discovered how really nearsighted she is, she is sent to an oculist, Mr. Bertmann, a German immigrant, to have her eyes tested and get a pair of glasses. To pay for them, Gusta will work in his shop a few afternoons a week dusting, helping with his accounts, and taking care of his beloved carrier pigeons.
Gusta also loves playing her French horn, but her grandmother doesn't see the value of music and forbids her to practice at home. Gusta's Aunt Marion has always won a blue ribbon for her jam at the county fair, something her grandmother brags about often. Josie suggests the three friends form a band and enter the Blue-Ribbon Band competition at the county fair next summer, hoping to win and change Gusta's grandmother's mind about music, it is an idea met with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Josie introduces Gusta to the high school music teacher, Miss Kendall. Miss Kendall is impressed enough with her playing to let Gusta join the high school orchestra. Miss Kendall also takes a real interest in Gusta's French horn, recognizing its value immediately. She is also the sister of Fred Kendall, owner of Kendall Mills, a man who treats the Hoopes women with contempt.
Gusta, who knows something about union organizing, decides to help her Uncle Charlie. He had been injured in at work accident at Kendall Mills and is not longer able to work unless he has an operation the family can't afford. Gusta invites a labor organizer to Springdale to organize the Kendall family's factory and hopefully get some compensation for Uncle Charlie.
And then there is the war in Europe. Though the United States is still not in the war yet, patriotism is running high in Springdale. A new airfield is about to open and the Springdale Aviation Committee is sponsoring a contest for the best patriotic essay on the theme "A Vision of American on High." And snooty classmate Molly Gowen is starting a Real Americans Club with the help of the Women's Patriotic Society of Springdale and she's made it clear that Gusta is not qualified to join because of her German father. Nor does all this misplaced patriotism bode well for Mr. Bertmann and his carrier pigeons, as you can imagine.
Oh yes, there is also a magic wish that threads through this story, an belief that Gusta holds on to tightly in her new living situation.
I had a little trouble getting into The Orphan Band of Springdale at first, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. And I won't kid you, this is a big book - 448 pages long - and I know it looks like there's a lot is going on in it, and that's probably because a lot is going on. But eventually it all comes together and long hidden truths are exposed, including a family secret in the Hoopes household that will leave you gobsmacked.
Gusta is a very likable character, well developed and with an wonderful internal dialogue that really lets her personality shine through. She is also a girl with a well-developed moral compass, thanks to her parents, and alway just wants to do the right thing. And it is through her goodness that the hidden secrets and nativist patriotic agendas are ultimately exposed and truth is illuminated. Hence, Gusta's new glasses serve as a metaphor for events in the novel or as her father described it "the way the sun catches things out against the darkness of a coming storm: "the clear light of trouble." (pg 29)
The Orphan Band of Springdale is a thoroughly satisfying novel, with a kind of comforting heartwarming old fashioned sensibility as it explores themes of family, truth, misplaced patriotism, otherness, and, finally, forgiveness. The book I had trouble getting into turned out to be just that book I wanted to read.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing me with a copy of this book.
libscote's review
4.0
I didn't love this quite as much as Cloud and Wallfish, but I really loved that book. It would have taken a lot to come close.
Gusta has been sent to live with her grandmother in rural Maine while her father is on the run and her mother works to earn enough money to maybe take her back. Her father is German but also a union organizer, two things that aren't great to be in the early 1940s. Gusta learns a lot about herself, her family and life in this coming of age tale.
The Maine setting felt true to me, which is fantastic to find in a book. Sometimes books get Maine wrong, and as a native, I am very picky. I also grew up about 40 minutes from where this book is set, which is a fun connection. I also loved how vivid Nesbet made the other characters. The dairy wars were one of my favorite parts. I also appreciated Gusta getting glasses, and what that was like.
Readers will love learning about Gusta and Maine in the early days of WWII.
Thank you Kirsten Cappy and Curious City for the ARC.
Gusta has been sent to live with her grandmother in rural Maine while her father is on the run and her mother works to earn enough money to maybe take her back. Her father is German but also a union organizer, two things that aren't great to be in the early 1940s. Gusta learns a lot about herself, her family and life in this coming of age tale.
The Maine setting felt true to me, which is fantastic to find in a book. Sometimes books get Maine wrong, and as a native, I am very picky. I also grew up about 40 minutes from where this book is set, which is a fun connection. I also loved how vivid Nesbet made the other characters. The dairy wars were one of my favorite parts. I also appreciated Gusta getting glasses, and what that was like.
Readers will love learning about Gusta and Maine in the early days of WWII.
Thank you Kirsten Cappy and Curious City for the ARC.
wordnerd153's review
4.0
It took me over 100 pages to really get into the story and care about the characters, but I am really glad I pushed through because the book was lovely. Beautifully descriptive writing and an intriguing story.