You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I've read this book before and thought it was okay, but listening to it on our recent vacation gave me a new appreciation for it. I love Polly Horvath's work. It can be a bit quirky, but her tone and style is very distinctive, and I think I'm predisposed to it. My husband asked soon after it started if it was by the same author who wrote The Trolls, which we listened to on a trip last spring. Kathleen McInerney gave voice to Primrose, a very engaging young heroine. I like Horvath's strong, independent young women characters, and Primrose is definitely an independent thinker and quite determined. She believes that her parents are alive even though the whole town thinks they must have died in a storm at sea. She asks different characters at different times the question, "Haven't you ever just know something deep in your heart without reason?" Primrose manages to find a home and create family in nontraditional ways despite trying circumstances. I myself doubted that her parents could have survived, but wanted them to for Primrose's sake. She maintains hope against all odds -- is she naive or stupid or actually really smart, in the best way that children can be? The title comes from a restaurant, The Girl on a Swing, where everything is served on a waffle. The boys had fun for days after listening thinking of foods they wanted, or couldn't imagine, being served on a waffle. And they decided that if you just wanted a waffle, you'd need to order butter!
I have loved Polly Horvath's books since reading The Canning Season years ago (although it has been awhile since I had read one). This was a joy to read. Her characters are full of humor with quirky personalities. This is a story of young Primrose who has been left alone since her parents each went out to sea during a storm and neither returned. She goes through a number of people taking care of her during the book from Miss Perfidy (the neighbor her mother left her with), to her Uncle Jack, and Bert and Evie, a particularly lovely couple who take her in. I got a particular kick out of Miss Perfidy who kept walking out of the room as Primrose was speaking to her. The story is about finding what is important, what matters, and what makes a person someone you care about. Great middle grade read that would also make for a good read-aloud.
I just finished this book with my 10 year old daughter and we both loved it. It is very different than other books we've read with a very subtle and dry sense of humor through out.
This is a clever, quirky book for older children. I loved the main characters strength of conviction that her parents would return and also her unabashed judge of personality. She is smart and independent. Overall a fun, quick read.
What an odd little book. I signed this out thanks to my quest to read more Newbery/Newbery Honor books. This book definitely wins *some* kind of prize for "most digits lost by a child main character," at least out of the books I've read.
I just found out this is book 1...... maybe I'll give book 2 a shot to see what else could possibly happen.
I just found out this is book 1...... maybe I'll give book 2 a shot to see what else could possibly happen.
I tend to give books 5 stars if I loved them and read them multiple times when I was younger (as I did with this book!), even though if I were to read them again I might not like them as much. But this was one of my all times favorites in 5th grade!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
There was no real conflict and i expected more foster parents or something, but i like all the mention of food and recipes. It had a happy ending, so i am really happy about it.
A quirky book that I enjoyed up until an unsatisfying ending. Just not sure why the author chose the ending that she did. Otherwise it was similar to many other Newbery honor books in tackling the subject of how tough it is to be different as a kid.