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ivonneq's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.75
Wonderful descriptions of nature.
crackercrumblife's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
karrie's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
kraley's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this would not have won a Newbery now, but it was a nice slice of country life. It was a sweet book and I did like getting to know more about syrup making. Some of it felt like they were flipping through a nature book and just wanted to list all of the things that one might see in a Pennsylvania spring. None of the characters were really well fleshed out and there was not really a story or climax. It was more reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie.
justicepirate's review against another edition
3.0
My sons told me they loved this book and each wanted to give it 5 stars themselves. I give it 3.5 stars because I am always a bit harsher of a critic with what I read.
A family moves into an old house that was owned by the grandmother of the mom of the story. I have to say this story is set in the 1940s or early 1950s or so? The father was a POW from what I assume was WWII based off of the very few drawings that are in this book. He has not been doing too well with his PTSD, but being in this new location has really helped him a lot. Marly is the main character of the story. She is a little girl who learns about finding small miracles around her. Also, they live in an area known for making maple syrup. A lot of the book talks about sugaring and the process of how to make maple syrup, so I made French toast when we finished the book which made my boys appreciate and understand the syrup they were eating in a new way.
This was definitely a well written book and good to read as a whole family, like we did.
A family moves into an old house that was owned by the grandmother of the mom of the story. I have to say this story is set in the 1940s or early 1950s or so? The father was a POW from what I assume was WWII based off of the very few drawings that are in this book. He has not been doing too well with his PTSD, but being in this new location has really helped him a lot. Marly is the main character of the story. She is a little girl who learns about finding small miracles around her. Also, they live in an area known for making maple syrup. A lot of the book talks about sugaring and the process of how to make maple syrup, so I made French toast when we finished the book which made my boys appreciate and understand the syrup they were eating in a new way.
This was definitely a well written book and good to read as a whole family, like we did.
amibunk's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book a little simplistic but very charming.
2023 update:
I reread this book because we were traveling in maple syrup country on vacation. It is still very charming.
2023 update:
I reread this book because we were traveling in maple syrup country on vacation. It is still very charming.
simplymary's review against another edition
5.0
I can't describe my happiness at finding another (Newbery Award) book that creates the same feelings in me as the Little House series. Told from the young girl Marly's point of view, it's a sweet story about a 1950s family who go to live on a family farm to help her dad get over harrowing war experiences. The details of nature: all the flowers, Maple Hill throughout the seasons, and the sugar sap season were a pure delight to read. I felt the author had a perfect handle on the true feelings of a little sister, good moments as well as challenges, and the friendships developed in the story are tender as well. This is a book I look forward to reading to my children when they're older. As an aside, the author is a descendant of pioneers and was born in Utah.
niniane's review against another edition
3.0
I've heard so much about this book, but I couldn't get into it. Maybe because it's meant for a younger audience. The main character seems like a pain in the butt. The only interesting character is the Dad due to his PTSD. I just couldn't bring myself to care about the N-th time of describing sap or trees or snow.