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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I read the first 80 pages and LOVED it. I was ready to champion it for Battle of the Books. I hadn't been this excited about a book in a while.
Upon hearing other reviews, I skipped to the end. It takes an unexpected, out of left field turn that changes the whole story for me.
Still a good read, but not the rave I was hoping for.
Upon hearing other reviews, I skipped to the end. It takes an unexpected, out of left field turn that changes the whole story for me.
Still a good read, but not the rave I was hoping for.
Fun story. It began as an interesting mystery but then once a big twist was revealed in the second half it lost some of its magic for us.
I really enjoyed this, though reading it as an eBook from the library meant that I kept forgetting it and checking it out again.
This was such a cute book. A joy to read, though at times felt a bit slow. It transports the reader into a story of mystery and intrigue, speckled with Christmas, smugglers, magic, and a boat full of unique characters.
I agree with others in that I wish I had read it during the winter/Christmastime. The atmosphere is fantastic! I loved the house and its grounds so much. Good mystery, good secrets, nice story of adoption and belonging. This was the kind of book where I had to read the last chunk all at once because it got very exciting and shocking!
What a cute book and great way to introduce young kids to the idea of role-playing games and isolated, closed-circle mysteries. I honestly couldn't keep the characters straight though, so I don't know if a kid would be able to. The reveals were pretty fun though and the story was interesting. The pacing seemed slightly off in the second half of the book but that could just be my preference with how the story was structured.
Rich characters and expertly crafted plot with a twist thrown in for good measure makes Greenglass House a must-read. Middle grade readers will have to sit up straight to keep the intricate details of this thoughtfully written tale together. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Kate Milford for graciously skyping with my students.
Thanks to Kate Milford for graciously skyping with my students.
*UPDATE* This is an all time favorite now and I read it every year.
*UPDATE* Just finished rereading and I stand by it. A fantastic book!
WOW! I decided this year I wanted to read more middle-grade, and thus far had been pretty disappointed. I started to question if the lacking in depth and emotion was just what middlegrade had to offer... and then I read this book!
I can't praise it enough. It was wholesome and cozy, but the mystery had twists and the characters had depth. I was shocked at times and on the verge of tears from how heartfelt this story was. I can't wait for my kids to read this and to continue the Greenglass house stories.
Oh and don't skip the authors note at the end!!
*UPDATE* Just finished rereading and I stand by it. A fantastic book!
WOW! I decided this year I wanted to read more middle-grade, and thus far had been pretty disappointed. I started to question if the lacking in depth and emotion was just what middlegrade had to offer... and then I read this book!
I can't praise it enough. It was wholesome and cozy, but the mystery had twists and the characters had depth. I was shocked at times and on the verge of tears from how heartfelt this story was. I can't wait for my kids to read this and to continue the Greenglass house stories.
Oh and don't skip the authors note at the end!!
This was a very delightful read, especially timely over the Christmas season. It gets full marks for atmosphere: I love the feeling of winter, the picture of this grand old house now filled with guests (it's a kind of B&B for smugglers). I love the relationship between Milo and his adoptive parents - it's so nice for once to read about a secure and loving family. It took a little while to get going, and I thought the plot was not quite as well structured as it was trying to be, but on the whole this was a thoroughly enjoyable book with the flavour and quality of "old fashioned" children's books.
This was a very sweet and mildly magical book. It gave me similar vibes to TJ Klune’s writing, but this is a middle grade book rather than adult. The pacing was quick and the mystery very intriguing. I loved the setting of such a unique house and the twist at the end. I was in a bit of a reading slump and I really enjoyed this. 4*