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lilawood's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best books I've read this year. The true meaning of love, family and being young is in this pages.
kerryzielke's review against another edition
4.0
Hattie's life has been split into two time periods: before Adam and after Adam. In the summer of 1960, Hattie finds out that she has an uncle she had never met. Her Nana and Papa had a child late in life, and he was placed in a hospital because of mental illness. She is forever changed after her summer with her uncle who teaches her it is okay to be different.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
3.0
this is a story of a young girl that discovers she has an uncle that she never knew about. the summer he arrives proves to be a pivotal time in both their lives. this storyline is paralleled with the arrival of a circus in the small town. this is an ultimately heartbreaking story.
firxtly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Miss Brown lent me the classroom copy of her book and told me to expect to cry… I certainly did. I love Ann M. Martin’s writing and I love the 1960s. I hope I will keep the themes of this book in mind for the future and how to treat others. I hope this story stays with me and I can always look back fondly on how it was the first book I read in a school / classroom / practicum / teacher context
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Suicide
acdauz's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book Multiple times in 2004 as a 12 year old. I loved it. I thought it was one of the best books ever. I’m looking forward to re reading to see if it Holds up. I definitely remember crying and being so emotionally effected and attached to this book as a preteen.
roomforastory's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure where this was going to go, but it had a great ending.
erinmp's review against another edition
4.0
Hattie is eleven years old and has just started her summer vacation. It's her favorite time of the year--watching her father paint, reading book after book from the library, helping out in her family's boarding house, and taking her daily afternoon walks. This summer changes everything for Hattie when she is told that she has an uncle that she's never heard of. Uncle Adam is, well, different. His "school", really an institution, has closed and now Adam is to spend the summer until a new placement can be found. Hattie's not really sure what's wrong with him, but she doesn't really care because Adam is fun. He constantly recites dialogue from "I Love Lucy" and always greets her with a cheerful "Ho ho ho!" This summer turns out to be a giant learning experience for Hattie.
Really good coming-of-age novel. Teaches tolerance and compassion. Honesty and friendship. Ignorance and hate are also addressed. I liked Hattie's character and enjoyed seeing her growth. She's not too perfect--she definitely makes some mistakes, but she is simultaneously grown-up and a child at several points in the novel. I had no idea that Ann M. Martin wrote anything other than the Babysitter's Club books; nor that it could be so good!
Really good coming-of-age novel. Teaches tolerance and compassion. Honesty and friendship. Ignorance and hate are also addressed. I liked Hattie's character and enjoyed seeing her growth. She's not too perfect--she definitely makes some mistakes, but she is simultaneously grown-up and a child at several points in the novel. I had no idea that Ann M. Martin wrote anything other than the Babysitter's Club books; nor that it could be so good!
crippytay's review against another edition
5.0
This book was my first love. I painted my childhood bedroom in these colors. It helped me first process the suicide of my uncle. I will love it forever.