Scan barcode
samvdp's review
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
3.75
elitheradguy's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emkoshka's review
4.0
Periodically, I find myself reaching for childhood favourites to assuage my adult anxieties with a good dose of nostalgia. And when I hit such a patch at the beginning of this week, this was the first book that came to mind. I loved it as a child, lapped up the TV series (which I'm delighted to see is now on YouTube for bingeing) and adored the book just as much this third time round. The story is captivating and the characters utterly charming, but what impresses me most as an adult reader is the way Robin Klein never talks down to her young readers; there's more than a few words in this book that might have the average adult reaching for a dictionary! It's an extremely well-written book that I actually find more rewarding to read now, as an adult, because of its warmth and sophistication and humour. Along with Emily Rodda's Finders Keepers and The Timekeeper, this will continue to be a stalwart on my shelves and one I'll return to again and again whenever I need a pick-me-up.
More...