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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Very charming story that read much like a fairytale. There weren't any surprises but the heartwarming bits came thick and fast. If I have a complaint, it's that the names are so similar it was hard to keep track: 2 Jans, a Jana, a Janus, and a Janka for instance. And in one family, Lena the mom, Lina and Linda the daughters. I was asea more than once due to name confusion. I wish I'd read this when I was 9, but I'm glad I read it at this late date.
When I asked my mom what her favorite book was (for a reading challenge I'm doing this year), she listed this book as one of her childhood favorites.
I can see why. It's adorable, with Dejong definitely being able to narrate the moments that kids feel are most serious and their honest thinking about them. That's really what I loved about this book most: a really authentic portrayal of a child's thought process without judgment.
However, I think I've spent far too much time lately reading YA fiction. I'm so used to action from the beginning and continuing with purposeful peaks and valleys that this book definitely dragged, even from the beginning. Again, I know this is more a reflection of me than the author, but I mention it here for those who may have been indulging in the same diet of formulaic reading I have been for the last few years now. Come to this book with an eye for enjoyment and description and you won't be disappointed.
I can see why. It's adorable, with Dejong definitely being able to narrate the moments that kids feel are most serious and their honest thinking about them. That's really what I loved about this book most: a really authentic portrayal of a child's thought process without judgment.
However, I think I've spent far too much time lately reading YA fiction. I'm so used to action from the beginning and continuing with purposeful peaks and valleys that this book definitely dragged, even from the beginning. Again, I know this is more a reflection of me than the author, but I mention it here for those who may have been indulging in the same diet of formulaic reading I have been for the last few years now. Come to this book with an eye for enjoyment and description and you won't be disappointed.
Yaaaay! I love it when I find one of my childhood favourites :D
I quite enjoyed this, I read it several times as a kid. A sweet poignant little tale of a little girl and her endeavor to bring storks back to her little village. I seem to remember a bit of drama in the plot as well!
I quite enjoyed this, I read it several times as a kid. A sweet poignant little tale of a little girl and her endeavor to bring storks back to her little village. I seem to remember a bit of drama in the plot as well!
This was a sweet story that managed to just dance back from becoming sentimental. It is very distinguished in its interpretation of theme, with the entire village being necessary for to accomplish the final goal. On the first page the old people and the very young children are dismissed as "not very important" compared to the schoolchildren. Yet by the end of the book everyone comes together, and it is only through everyone's unique input that the storks return.
Each character was well-drawn with his or her own motives and personality. I particularly liked Janus. His turnaround was a little quick, but at the same time I fully believed in his chance to go from "useless" to informal leader, so I'll forgive the initial conversation with the boys.
The setting was also distinguished. This was not any particular coastal town, it was Shora, a small village in Holland with particular needs and customs.
I did find that there was a lot life-threatening actions taken just to get the storks. There were several times - getting the wheel, putting it on the school, getting the storks - when adults were perfectly happy to put children's lives in danger. That part didn't quite ring true from a realistic perspective, but it sure ratcheted up the tension and action!
Each character was well-drawn with his or her own motives and personality. I particularly liked Janus. His turnaround was a little quick, but at the same time I fully believed in his chance to go from "useless" to informal leader, so I'll forgive the initial conversation with the boys.
The setting was also distinguished. This was not any particular coastal town, it was Shora, a small village in Holland with particular needs and customs.
I did find that there was a lot life-threatening actions taken just to get the storks. There were several times - getting the wheel, putting it on the school, getting the storks - when adults were perfectly happy to put children's lives in danger. That part didn't quite ring true from a realistic perspective, but it sure ratcheted up the tension and action!
This story was read to me and my brother as a child. I read it again to see if I liked it any better as an adult. With its parallel chapters following different children a plotboard for this story would be interesting to see.