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mbpartlow's review
5.0
I fell in love with this book by the end of the first chapter. But then again, I'm a total sucker for books written from the POV of a child old enough to have some independence but not yet old enough to be having sex. The coming of age story, the sub-genre "the summer of." But this character is so delightful, so realistic, and the author does an outstanding job depicting the narrator's view of the world and the information she thinks she knows about life and love and sex and grownups.
Let's face it, I identified with the narrator to a ridiculous extent. :)
Let's face it, I identified with the narrator to a ridiculous extent. :)
msmagoo502's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tamgperkins's review
4.0
Very good book. Written from a little girl's point of view about her summer adventers and a child killer on the loose. She has a suspect in mind and makes the most interesting connections. Very intersting characters.
book_concierge's review
3.0
3.5 Stars. Kagen is able to put you into the 1950s and writes with a convincing 10-year-old girl's voice. But the "suspense" part of the novel is not quite up to par. I liked this book and think it's an enjoyable read, but it's not on the top of my recommendation list.
butlermarla78's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
serendipity730's review
1.0
I read 100 pages of this book and just couldn't convince myself to read another page more. When I read a blog post about the ending, I am glad I didn't waste another minute on this book. I couldn't get past all of the stereotypes and fact that the main characters were supposed to be 9 and 10 but seemed much older. Skip this one!
gingerliss's review
4.0
I read this in one day, to be honest, for me, if I manage to read a book in a day, it means it was a pretty good one (well either that or extremely short). I loved the characters voice, which is what makes the book such a gripping read. You pretty much fall in love with the main characters Sally and Troo from the very first page. Also loved the setting of fifties small town America. It kind of reminded me a little bit of some of the stories in the Alice Munro collection I've just read, themes like moving from the country to the city, childhood in post war times, etc. Although Munro's works are set in Canada, still a very similar feeling. The only thing that didn't let me give five stars to this book is that I knew from the very first moment that 'the killer' arrived on the page that it was going to be him, maybe that's the writer in me already looking out for the little signs and clue, I don't know. That just made the mystery part of the book a little less exciting for me. Great light holiday read!
jmj697mn's review
5.0
I am re-reading this book in preparation for the sequel being released on September 11. I can't wait!
9/3: Finished it last night and loved it just as much, if not more, than the first time. Now for the sequel. I hope it's as delicious as the first one.
9/3: Finished it last night and loved it just as much, if not more, than the first time. Now for the sequel. I hope it's as delicious as the first one.