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morgakar's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe 3.5 stars. It's a very good story and really well-written, but there is no major plot points and it was a bit slow.
sunny76's review against another edition
5.0
Have a box of Kleenex handy. This book was written by an out-law of an out-law of my cousin's daughter (my cousin's daughter's ex-husband's first wife). I have never met the author, but I have met two of her girls. I liked the premise of the book, but didn't expect to love it - published for young adults. This is a great read though. If you like Kris Radish, read this. If you like Sandra Kring, do not pass go without reading this... I especially recommend this if you liked The Book of Bright Ideas. The stories are different, but this book brought me back to The Book of Bright Ideas. A little girl has moved and moved and moved with her mom, her mom dies, and the little girl has to live with family she has never met. It's a story of growing, family, and fitting in.
thisgrrlreads's review against another edition
4.0
Death and family are handled so well in this book. Grace's growth after her mother's death is slow, hard but ultimately worth it. Unlike some of the other dead parent books I've read recently, this one didn't seem to have drama for drama's sake. Definitely a quiet book that's not for everyone but so well-written.
literacydocent's review against another edition
5.0
My heart is full from reading this beautifully crafted story of loss, friendship, family, and finding your way when the world seems to have been turned upside down. The plot captures you from the very first line, the characters envelop your heart, and the setting makes you feel like you've found home. When I reached the last page, I returned to the start, not wanting to say goodbye to Grace. Beautiful from beginning to end...and more post-it noted passages than I had post-it notes! The "secret hum" of this lyrical prose will stay with me for a long time.
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE SECRET HUM OF A DAISY on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399163937
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order THE SECRET HUM OF A DAISY on IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399163937
didyousaybooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars for this book about grief and new beginnings.
What I appreciated was the fact this book is about family and friends, as the MC is 12 years old.
Truth be told, stories about the loss of a loved one are not rare, far from it but when the story feels sincere and true, can you ask for more?
There is nothing original about it, because death, and mourning touch everyone (not talking about fictional characters here) and are part of life.
Of course, in novels, most of the departed loved ones were artists and original souls of some kinds, and it is the same in The Secret Hum of a Daisy. I don't mind because I like to think such people exist.
I'd say The Secret Hum of a Daisy is a sweet and loving story about growing up and finding your place.
Also, the side characters were fleshed out and brought a lot to the book.
And because of the closeness of the setting, it really reminded of Gilmore Girls, the tv show.
A little less lof craziness and a very dead mom but still, it crossed my mind more than once.
You might want to borrow it at the library to give it a try ;)
What I appreciated was the fact this book is about family and friends, as the MC is 12 years old.
Truth be told, stories about the loss of a loved one are not rare, far from it but when the story feels sincere and true, can you ask for more?
There is nothing original about it, because death, and mourning touch everyone (not talking about fictional characters here) and are part of life.
Of course, in novels, most of the departed loved ones were artists and original souls of some kinds, and it is the same in The Secret Hum of a Daisy. I don't mind because I like to think such people exist.
I'd say The Secret Hum of a Daisy is a sweet and loving story about growing up and finding your place.
Also, the side characters were fleshed out and brought a lot to the book.
And because of the closeness of the setting, it really reminded of Gilmore Girls, the tv show.
A little less lof craziness and a very dead mom but still, it crossed my mind more than once.
You might want to borrow it at the library to give it a try ;)
fatimashah's review
4.0
This was recommended to me by a Book tuber and I must say I don't usually read middle grade but I loved this. There was a wealth wisdom running through the pages and there were times I had a lump in my throat.
tashrow's review
5.0
Grace can’t stand being near the river, because that’s where she found her mother’s body. It was right after they had argued about moving once again. Grace wanted to stay where she finally felt at home, but her mother wanted to move again. Now Grace has been sent to live with her mother’s mother, a grandmother she has never known. She only wants to return to the family she and her mother had been staying with last, but she has to come up with a plan to escape. In the meantime, Grace starts to find clues to a treasure hunt, similar to the ones her mother did for her every time they moved to a new town. Is it her mother creating a final path for her daughter to find a home? Or could it be that Grace is just seeing patterns where there are none?
Holczer shows great depth and richness in this her first book. In this character-driven novel, she excels at the relationships she builds between her vividly drawn characters. Grace is a character in search of a place to call home, but unable to see a home when it is right in front of her and unable to register the love being shown her. She is complicated in a very organic way, her reactions honest and true. The same is true of the grandmother character who radiates frankness but also regret for what happened over the years with her daughter. She is a very complex adult character, particularly for a book for middle grade students.
Holczer’s writing itself is straight-forward, allowing a sturdy framework for these character to relate to each other within. The writing rings with confidence and Holczer asks deep questions about death, what dead people can communicate to the living, and what makes a family. The answers are not simple and are not easily arrived at. They come about very naturally and one must wait to see what the truths are and where the characters will arrive in this beautifully paced novel.
Rich, organic and special, this middle grade novel offers us all a view of what a second chance at family can be. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
Holczer shows great depth and richness in this her first book. In this character-driven novel, she excels at the relationships she builds between her vividly drawn characters. Grace is a character in search of a place to call home, but unable to see a home when it is right in front of her and unable to register the love being shown her. She is complicated in a very organic way, her reactions honest and true. The same is true of the grandmother character who radiates frankness but also regret for what happened over the years with her daughter. She is a very complex adult character, particularly for a book for middle grade students.
Holczer’s writing itself is straight-forward, allowing a sturdy framework for these character to relate to each other within. The writing rings with confidence and Holczer asks deep questions about death, what dead people can communicate to the living, and what makes a family. The answers are not simple and are not easily arrived at. They come about very naturally and one must wait to see what the truths are and where the characters will arrive in this beautifully paced novel.
Rich, organic and special, this middle grade novel offers us all a view of what a second chance at family can be. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
wenwanzhao's review
3.0
I must admit that I was disappointed at the effort it took me to read this book. I thought that this book would captivate me once I started reading. It did not. The place the story started seemed very awkward. I was not sure how Grace reunited with her grandmother as they were not in contact with each other. It was hard to keep going with this book because the plot was very confusing. As they slowly revealed the past of Grace's mother and the secrets she kept, I was still unsure of what the point of the book was. However, I admired the secondary characters, and the symbolism they showed in the book. I myself being a lover of cranes; the bird they speak of quite often in the book. The ending was decent, and the way they tied things up did not leave me feeling lost. Overall, while this book was not the best I had read, it was alright.
kitandbooks's review
4.0
4.5 stars, I loved the story and the characters. I almost gave it 5 stars but didn't feel as attached to the book as I wanted to but it's a beautiful story that everyone should read.
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