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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I must have read this in 1984 or 85 because I was tracking my books fairly closely in 1986 and 87 but don't see this book mentioned in my journal from those years. I really enjoyed this and have remembered it for decades.
This is one of those quiet, reflective books to pick up up and read again, every decade or so, in order to check in with yourself and your thoughts on mortality and doing the right thing. But a warning: it stays with you. It forces you to confront your feelings about death, and life. But there is also a deep beauty in the sadness and in the truths spun throughout this deceptively simple story. 3.5
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I never read this as a kid and would have LOVED it. My 7yo was dubious at first (I think the movie-tie-in cover threw him off), but a few chapters in and he was hooked.
I read this to my students as required reading for our curriculum, and while I see the significance, I didn’t enjoy this that much.
However, it’s a beautiful story and my students loved it.
However, it’s a beautiful story and my students loved it.
This book is so divine, but the ending really broke my heart...
This cozy, short 139 page read was extra special because it was recommended to me by my husband-who is not that much of a reader (work in progress!), but he read it as a kid and still remembers it fondly.
5⭐️
I loved this. The language was so beautiful and I think it was a really interesting concept. I know this is meant to be more of a kid’s book but I’m not sure I would recommend this for a kid because, although they might not grasp the concept of death and eternity, if they do I think this is maybe too existential crisis-y for a kid. I would recommend this for someone older who is trying to get back into reading or starting to read as a hobby. It’s short, less than 150 pages, and each chapter is really short too (one was literally 3/4 of a page long) so you can rack up that feeling of accomplishment really easily. I’m not sure I’d say this is a favorite book now but I did really enjoy it and I’m sure I’ll be rereading it at some point in the future.
I loved this. The language was so beautiful and I think it was a really interesting concept. I know this is meant to be more of a kid’s book but I’m not sure I would recommend this for a kid because, although they might not grasp the concept of death and eternity, if they do I think this is maybe too existential crisis-y for a kid. I would recommend this for someone older who is trying to get back into reading or starting to read as a hobby. It’s short, less than 150 pages, and each chapter is really short too (one was literally 3/4 of a page long) so you can rack up that feeling of accomplishment really easily. I’m not sure I’d say this is a favorite book now but I did really enjoy it and I’m sure I’ll be rereading it at some point in the future.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book as a kid, but again just yesterday as an adult ELA teacher. This is powerful. Students should still read it.