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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Wonderfully written story that deals with themes of bullying. It’s a bit dark for a children’s (YA) book; I know the author did not intend for it to be a children’s book. There were several plot twists that kept the story going, and Annabelle was a different kind of heroine.
Geeze.
This book was good.
I have to say that Betty was one of the most disturbing book characters I've ever read. I don't know if I like it or dislike it, so I'll say that here, but I was so bothered by the character that I started this book three times before I read it in one day just because she filled me with dread. So, there's that to know about it. Even though the main protagonist is 11 years old, the themes seemed very mature. It reminded me in a lot of ways of To Kill a Mockingbird, for that and many other reasons.
Likes: Interesting plot; I was continually compelled to read to find out how things would turn out. The characters seemed well developed, except for perhaps Betty. I wish I knew more about what made her so rotten, but perhaps that's part of what made her so scary is that some people just are cruel without a reason. There's a beautiful quote towards the end where Annabelle recalls an April frost, and how Bette was both the frost and the blossoms. *shudder.
Dislikes: Not much to say on this point; I'd just be nitpicking.
This book was good.
I have to say that Betty was one of the most disturbing book characters I've ever read. I don't know if I like it or dislike it, so I'll say that here, but I was so bothered by the character that I started this book three times before I read it in one day just because she filled me with dread. So, there's that to know about it. Even though the main protagonist is 11 years old, the themes seemed very mature. It reminded me in a lot of ways of To Kill a Mockingbird, for that and many other reasons.
Likes: Interesting plot; I was continually compelled to read to find out how things would turn out. The characters seemed well developed, except for perhaps Betty. I wish I knew more about what made her so rotten, but perhaps that's part of what made her so scary is that some people just are cruel without a reason. There's a beautiful quote towards the end where Annabelle recalls an April frost, and how Bette was both the frost and the blossoms. *shudder.
Dislikes: Not much to say on this point; I'd just be nitpicking.
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really intense story with a frightening bully. Would recommend for 5th grade and up
A well written and compelling story, compared frequently in reviews to the classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. The time period is post WWII and the setting is a rural community. The main character, Annabelle, is forced to make some difficult decisions when a hard young girl comes to Wolf Hollow and changes everything. Annabelle is called upon to protect those that she loves from the bullying and falsehoods spread by the new resident. She has hard decisions to make and lives ultimately rest on her small shoulders.
This is a wonderfully morally complex novel. It's perfect for middle schoolers just beginning to understand that they may know the truth but they may not be able to get everyone to see it.
Beautiful story of a girl coming of age in rural PA
Strong storytelling and prose, the story of Annabelle and how she copes with a bully and a misfit loner in her life. Enjoyed the story and the characters, as well as the setting in rural PA sometime during WWII.
Strong storytelling and prose, the story of Annabelle and how she copes with a bully and a misfit loner in her life. Enjoyed the story and the characters, as well as the setting in rural PA sometime during WWII.
Touching, thoughtful and masterfully written. "The year I turned twelve, I learned how to lie." From these first thought-provoking words, Lauren Wolk pulls readers into this coming of age story, set in 1940's rural America. Annabelle's struggles with the importance of honesty and integrity when the town gets caught up in a web of lies. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, Wolk's tale of perception versus reality is stunning. Reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and A Painted House by John Grisham
I don't know why I'm always surprised when I read a Middle Grades novel that is both beautiful and poignant. You'd think I'd have read enough to know by now that reading a MG novel is a worthy pursuit even for adult readers. This one was stunning. Highly recommend for all of my MG teachers and librarians out there.
What a beautiful, true, and heartbreaking book. Hard to read and harder to put down.