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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
A student recommended this to me. Incredibly well written -poetic and sad in a Of Mice and Men Steinbeck sort of way. Great for middle school and upper elementary but also for humans wanting to struggle through our own humanity.
SC Award Winner. Took a while to build momentum. I was a little irritated with the protagonist’s personality, but the revelations at the end were surprising and satisfying enough to overcome that.
Normally I’m a big fan of historical fiction, but Wolf Hollow just didn’t grab me. The plot was slow-moving, the book was long, and it took me forever to read. I didn’t like many of the characters, either. There were plenty of bullies, and a few gentle people that were often victims. While I especially didn’t like Aunt Lily, I think everyone knows someone exactly like her, so I was amused by her. She was one of the most memorable characters. Even though I didn’t particularly care for the book myself, it was a creative, well-constructed story and I could see it winning awards.
“And I decided that there might be things I would never understand, no matter how hard I tried. Though try I would.
And that there would be people who would never hear my one small voice, no matter what I had to say.
But then a better thought occurred, and this was the one I carried away with me that day: If my life was to be just a single note in an endless symphony, how could I not sound it out for as long and as loudly as I could?"
“I didn't tell him that I'd put his awful stories in boxes and stacked them on a shelf at the back of my mind. I could hear a quieter version of them still, from their dark place, through all the other business that occupied my brain, but I wouldn't unlid those boxes until I was ready to hear [his] stories again as they wanted to be heard.”
If you would like to distract me, just hand me a list of books that I should read. Although I have tried to winnow my reading interests down to a manageable level, I have not succeeded. Which is why at any time I might be reading essays, a romance, a biography, and some poetry. Which explains how I found Wolf Hall. It was on some list and caught my eye. I just never remember to note the list these books come from.
Juvenile fiction is not a regular read for me, but when I find a kids’ novel that I like, I zip right through it. There are some excellent writers around whose books are for kids. They don’t talk down to their audience. These authors respect their readers and give them (and adults) plenty to think about. I never read a book by Wolk before, but she is in this crowd. This was a well-written book that gave me much to contemplate.
I still haven’t figured out which list this interesting tale came from, but it has only encouraged me to see what other lists of good books are calling my name.
And that there would be people who would never hear my one small voice, no matter what I had to say.
But then a better thought occurred, and this was the one I carried away with me that day: If my life was to be just a single note in an endless symphony, how could I not sound it out for as long and as loudly as I could?"
“I didn't tell him that I'd put his awful stories in boxes and stacked them on a shelf at the back of my mind. I could hear a quieter version of them still, from their dark place, through all the other business that occupied my brain, but I wouldn't unlid those boxes until I was ready to hear [his] stories again as they wanted to be heard.”
If you would like to distract me, just hand me a list of books that I should read. Although I have tried to winnow my reading interests down to a manageable level, I have not succeeded. Which is why at any time I might be reading essays, a romance, a biography, and some poetry. Which explains how I found Wolf Hall. It was on some list and caught my eye. I just never remember to note the list these books come from.
Juvenile fiction is not a regular read for me, but when I find a kids’ novel that I like, I zip right through it. There are some excellent writers around whose books are for kids. They don’t talk down to their audience. These authors respect their readers and give them (and adults) plenty to think about. I never read a book by Wolk before, but she is in this crowd. This was a well-written book that gave me much to contemplate.
I still haven’t figured out which list this interesting tale came from, but it has only encouraged me to see what other lists of good books are calling my name.
Well written but the rating is mostly for reader response. What a horrible story! I am glad that the main character is good enough to have compassion and no real lasting anger for a psychopath but that is unbelievably mature for an 11yo. As a 30-something year old, I am not mature enough to feel any compassion for the events of the book as regards the bully. Also, the subject matter is pretty heavy for the 8-12 yo group. We are not talking about the typical bully here. This is a psychopath who has no feelings outside of what will get them what they want, which is usually to hurt others. And I am angry about the whole thing. I did like the friendship she shared with Toby and what that can teach kids about judging others. Blah, I need a comedy now!
I’d forgotten that children’s books could be like this—painful to read even as an adult. Or perhaps more painful to read because of it. A remainder, for me, that children are often more grownup than we think them to be, and capable of understanding more and being more than we expect.
I didn’t like this one as much as her other book “Echo Mountain”, but this is still a memorable story that I look forward to discussing with my book club.
Clean, juvenile historical fiction based in the 40s. It is a story that makes you think about bullying and mob mentality and manipulation. But also kindness and goodness and caring for the downtrodden. It also casts a light on the hardship veterans face after experiencing the horrors of war.
The only downside is that some of the story felt unbelievable and contrived. But definitely worth another read.
The only downside is that some of the story felt unbelievable and contrived. But definitely worth another read.
Wow, this is a dark book. It would have made me squirm if I had read it when I was 12. I'm not sure I enjoyed it now, at 24. I do like a dark story, but this had too many cruel moments and a bleak ending.