Scan barcode
bbingham's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
mirable's review against another edition
5.0
SLJ review:
Gr 6-9-Gary Schmidt's Newbery Honor and Printz Honor winning book (Clarion Books, 2004) gains a new dimension in this recording. Prejudice and intolerance are a way of life in this fictional tale set into the historical reality of 1912 Maine. Turner Buckminster has very recently arrived and already he can't stand the small coastal town of Phippsburg. Within the first few days, the town's unfavorable impression of him is set; not only is he unable to hit a baseball thrown the Maine way, but he acts in a manner unbecoming to a minister's son, earning himself a summer's worth of playing hymns on the organ for crotchety Mrs. Cobb. Ostracized by most of the town's inhabitants, Turner meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, who lives on nearby Malaga Island, which was settled by former slaves. Turner and Lizzie become fast friends despite resistance from the town as well as from Turner's minister father, who is already feeling the backlash of his son's transgressions from his new congregation. Phippsburg town elders and Turner's father wants the residents of Malaga to leave so that their town can be turned into a tourist hot spot, and they're willing to do just about anything to make that happen. Schmidt's lyrical language describing the seasons and the sea breeze makes the setting come to life, making it another character that weaves its way throughout the entire story. Flashes of humor, temper, and an aching melancholy, along with a variety of Maine accents for the assorted townsfolk color veteran actor Sam Freed's narration of this title that should be in all libraries.-Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
Gr 6-9-Gary Schmidt's Newbery Honor and Printz Honor winning book (Clarion Books, 2004) gains a new dimension in this recording. Prejudice and intolerance are a way of life in this fictional tale set into the historical reality of 1912 Maine. Turner Buckminster has very recently arrived and already he can't stand the small coastal town of Phippsburg. Within the first few days, the town's unfavorable impression of him is set; not only is he unable to hit a baseball thrown the Maine way, but he acts in a manner unbecoming to a minister's son, earning himself a summer's worth of playing hymns on the organ for crotchety Mrs. Cobb. Ostracized by most of the town's inhabitants, Turner meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, who lives on nearby Malaga Island, which was settled by former slaves. Turner and Lizzie become fast friends despite resistance from the town as well as from Turner's minister father, who is already feeling the backlash of his son's transgressions from his new congregation. Phippsburg town elders and Turner's father wants the residents of Malaga to leave so that their town can be turned into a tourist hot spot, and they're willing to do just about anything to make that happen. Schmidt's lyrical language describing the seasons and the sea breeze makes the setting come to life, making it another character that weaves its way throughout the entire story. Flashes of humor, temper, and an aching melancholy, along with a variety of Maine accents for the assorted townsfolk color veteran actor Sam Freed's narration of this title that should be in all libraries.-Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
juani's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mochavonbee's review
3.0
Not sure what to say about this one. The first half of the book was well-written but run of the mill and seemed very predictable and similar to many other stories. In the second half nothing was predictable and the consequences were far more serious and long-term than the first half had me prepared for. While I'm glad I persisted with the book to reach the surprises the author had in store, I'm not too sure what I think at the end of it. Parts of this book are very strong but the beginning is slow. 3 stars may not be a fair assessment, but 2 isn't enough and 4 feels like too much...
authorisasauthordoes's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.75
shewhoknows10kthings's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
4.0
Nice story with themes of race relations, prejudice, and the power of money. Very funny in parts. Listened to the Audio Version.
imbookingit's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed listening to this book.
In this book, Turner learns that adults don't always do the right thing, but that doesn't stop his attempts to do so.
Thinking back on it, the book could be seen as heavy on the lessons, but the story was about Turner learning them, and they were well balanced with the more adventurous aspects of the story.
For the most part, Turner seemed like a real kid to me. Perhaps he was a little too good to be true, but he wasn't perfect. I liked seeing how he grew as the book continued. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch. . Just as I'd start to think that although they were interesting, they were also flat, one of them would surprise me with some character development.
I'll recommend this book to my 11 year old. I actually wish I'd saved it for our upcoming road trip, I'm not sure I'll want to listen to it again that soon.
In this book, Turner learns that adults don't always do the right thing, but that doesn't stop his attempts to do so.
Thinking back on it, the book could be seen as heavy on the lessons, but the story was about Turner learning them, and they were well balanced with the more adventurous aspects of the story.
For the most part, Turner seemed like a real kid to me. Perhaps he was a little too good to be true, but he wasn't perfect. I liked seeing how he grew as the book continued. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch. . Just as I'd start to think that although they were interesting, they were also flat, one of them would surprise me with some character development.
I'll recommend this book to my 11 year old. I actually wish I'd saved it for our upcoming road trip, I'm not sure I'll want to listen to it again that soon.
borrowedandbacklist's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5