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fuzzyhead's review against another edition
5.0
Washed ashore in a leaky skiff as a newborn, Crow is raised by a kind man living a solitary life on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. After turning twelve, Crow begins to wonder where she came from, and slowly unravels the mystery of her origins. Beautifully written and moving.
pencil_to_the_temple's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
I still have no idea how to pronounce Penekesse
breakfastgrey's review against another edition
3.0
This one was sweet, if a bit dull at parts. Its central mystery is resolved far too easily, but there are some nice wrinkles in the storytelling to help it from feeling too safe and formulaic.
erockwell729's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
bickie's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the setting and descriptions of life on the Elizabeth Islands in the 1920s. I'm not sure whether this book had enough 1920s detail to make it historical fiction, however; it felt timeless. The book starts out with a lot of details that will feel unfamiliar to most readers: the main character lives on an island after having been found in a washed-up skiff by a man named Osh, who named her Crow. We learn a little bit about Osh's background, but not too much, and by the end of the story still don't know much. Same for Miss Maggie. Part of the message of the book is that it isn't all that relevant; what's important is where they are living now, and with whom. Both Osh and Miss Maggie have left undesirable circumstances to make lives for themselves that they want to live. Crow's investigations into her own past result in unintended consequences, including a lot more attention from the police (which Osh steadfastly avoids) and from a very angry, entitled, strong bad guy who poses a very real physical threat. Touches on adoption and whether non-biological families are "real" (yes!). Best for ages 10-12 [identity questions, menace and peril, somewhat challenging text]
highjynxs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
klemily's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.25
Read with Elise. Good story about an islander finding where she came from with a lesson on leprosy.
melrosebreed's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic novel by Wolk. I am so happy to have discovered her this year.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
Crow has lived all of her twelve years on a tiny island in Massachusetts with Osh - the man who found infant Crow floating in a basket. With the help of Miss Maggie on the neighboring island, Crow has had a wonderful childhood. The only thing she can't quite explain is why folks on the bigger island generally avoid her. Curious Crow spots a fire on an even more remote, uninhabited, island one evening and she begins to question her origins. Her story will capture kids looking for adventure and mystery while teaching a bit about leprosy and what it means to be family. The ending is quite satisfactory - Crow gets many of her questions answered but also has to learn to live with the idea that not all situations have neat resolutions. Wonderful story with great pacing - loved it. I read the ARC - due to be published in May 2017.