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kkamin3's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished this book, and it reminded me so much of the "Little House on the Prairie" series. Marley and her family move from the big city to Maple Hill and discover everyday miracles; sap from trees, making goat cheese, colors of the seasons, and the well-being of their father. Definetly, a great book for wanting to be more self-sufficient myself, and it helped me learn about flowers.
ckeller48's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jselliot's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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? No
4.0
Another book I have fond memories attached to, and even if it doesn't fall under my top-tier favorites I've reread it a few times. The making of maple syrup as a process is also explained lovingly and in an engaging way for the age group of the target audience, and the author describes environment beautifully. It overall is a fun, if slightly flowery and lighthearted story with a quiet "get back to nature" push with a delightfully complex female protagonist considering the decade it was written in.
In retrospect, I would have liked to seen their dad get a little more attention and closure as a war veteran with PTSD after returning home from a POW camp. The book does have lovely art, though.
In retrospect, I would have liked to seen their dad get a little more attention and closure as a war veteran with PTSD after returning home from a POW camp. The book does have lovely art, though.
sammah's review against another edition
5.0
What an absolutely wonderful little surprise of a book! Going in I expected another dud (the Newbery winners are very hit and miss) but I was in for quite a shock with this one. This the story of a family who travel from their home in the city of Pittsburgh to the country home of the mothers grandmother. The father in the story is suffering from what we assume is PTSD after being a POW in WWII, and needs to give his life some direction now that he's returned. He also needs time and space to get well, and the move to the country proves to be just what he needs.
We see the story through the eyes of the young, and very naive, Mary who finds miracles in everything that nature has to offer. From sugar season to simple farming efforts, Mary's childish views on life, her fathers well being, her brothers growing up, and her mothers own childhood stories coming to life for them all is very lovely! I'm so glad I found this book through Newbery!
We see the story through the eyes of the young, and very naive, Mary who finds miracles in everything that nature has to offer. From sugar season to simple farming efforts, Mary's childish views on life, her fathers well being, her brothers growing up, and her mothers own childhood stories coming to life for them all is very lovely! I'm so glad I found this book through Newbery!
yhtak's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kslhersam's review against another edition
4.0
We finished this a few days late, but we did it! 3.5 stars. My kids didn't love it and neither did I, but it was pretty good. I love the idea of moving to the country and leaving the city and how it helped the dad. The writing was sometimes way too flowery though. Literally. The author spent pages describing flowers and plants, which my boys and I had no interest in. The middle of the book dragged, but we liked learning about the making of the maple syrup.
toad_maiden's review against another edition
4.0
This gets four stars for how much I enjoyed reading it and for how much I would have enjoyed it as a child. This is a quiet little "get-back-to-nature" story with a lot of flaws but also so much charm. Marly is a sensitive, complicated protagonist for a story of this era. The descriptions of rural Pennsylvania, with its flora and fauna, are captivating. Sorensen writes with a good deal of understanding into the minds and hearts of children, and the Krushes' illustrations are delightful. I know that this would have quickly become a favorite if I had read it as a child.
However, it has two main flaws. Although Sorensen makes a last-ditch effort at the end to undermine gender stereotypes, there is still a lot of 1950's "boys don't cry" nonsense here, and that kind of gender essentializing drives me (and most sensible modern readers) a bit nutso. Also, the plot conflict that I thought would be the meat of this story (that Daddy has returned home from a POW camp after the war with PTSD) is mostly tied up with a nice, fake bow within the first few chapters, which (1) leaves the author floundering for conflict later and (2) is completely unrealistic and unhelpful in its portrayal of a real emotional injury.
So, in some ways, I think this book fails at successfully making its point; however, I loved reading it so much that I don't really care.
However, it has two main flaws. Although Sorensen makes a last-ditch effort at the end to undermine gender stereotypes, there is still a lot of 1950's "boys don't cry" nonsense here, and that kind of gender essentializing drives me (and most sensible modern readers) a bit nutso. Also, the plot conflict that I thought would be the meat of this story (that Daddy has returned home from a POW camp after the war with PTSD) is mostly tied up with a nice, fake bow within the first few chapters, which (1) leaves the author floundering for conflict later and (2) is completely unrealistic and unhelpful in its portrayal of a real emotional injury.
So, in some ways, I think this book fails at successfully making its point; however, I loved reading it so much that I don't really care.
bubothereader's review against another edition
2.0
If this had just been a book about getting maple syrup, I would have liked it more. However, it included a graphic slaughter of mice, an abusive relationship between children and adults (no hitting, but lots of gaslight and emotional abuse—and the worse part is it's clearly not an intention from the author), and literally no diversity (which I have no space for in 2021). This book doesn't stand the test of time and I'm not compelled, mostly just annoyed.
petrauusimaa's review against another edition
4.0
I was completely surprised how much I ended up loving Miracles on Maple Hill. It was wonderful to read this old fashioned and sentimental story that resembles the feeling L.M. Montgomery's books leave me feeling. I love how it focuses on the family dynamics but also the hopefulness of life and beautifulness of nature. All in all, such a warmhearted and cosy read!
samcarlin's review against another edition
3.0
A good story. I liked it and it was nice to see the power of nature present in it. Timeless? Maybe. It definitely gives off too much of a girls can't do everything boys can do vibe to be considered timeless (but that can be forgiven considering it was written in the 1950s).