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kerasalwaysreading's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book as a child and I loved it. It was my favorite book. I would like to read it again and see what I could take from it at this age.
jenilyn's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a long time since I read this book and it completely caught me off guard. I think of Maclachlan's books as being light and easy to read. While this one was an easy read, it certainly wasn't light. She paints the time following the death of a baby with carefully deep strokes. The story is mostly focused around the family's oldest child, Larkin, and how she seeks to name the baby (and also her grief). As the family struggles with the death of their baby (mostly by ignoring it), another child is given to them to care for until her parents can do so again. Initially hesitant to do so, the family and their community come together to raise the child in their midst. After the child is reclaimed by her parents, Larkin helps her parent to see the importance to dealing with all the loss they've experienced.
This description seems sad, but I found the book to be lovely in its description of community and family. I think it would be beneficial for many children to read, but enjoyable as well.
This description seems sad, but I found the book to be lovely in its description of community and family. I think it would be beneficial for many children to read, but enjoyable as well.
thebookcure's review against another edition
4.0
This is her best book by far. It should be read as much as Sarah Plain and Tall.
dinoreader84's review against another edition
4.0
Oustanding, heartbreaking, amazing book. Such great characters and a book that will be able to be reread many times as my 7 year old grows and he will get different things from it each time.
bucketheadmary's review
4.0
I loved the twelve-year-old boy in the story but his name was "Lalo" and I don't know what that means or how to say it so I can't name my next son after him.
bri_skywall's review
3.0
I read this when I was probably 9 or 10 and have a distinct memory of it being the first book that made me cry. Rereading it now was just as heart wrenching. MacLachlan expresses strong emotion and tension though she is not subtle in her symbolism and her topic and characters probably deserve more depth. However, she keeps it simple for her intended younger audience. The strength and seriousness of emotion in this book seem a healthy sadness for children trying to understand and express their own feelings.
adrienner's review
3.0
I listened to the audiobook in one day on my commute. I have about an hour commute each way. I did have an extra run to the bank added in.
The story is predictable but enjoyable for a mindless listen. My mind is quite engaged during the day so the release for listening to something that requires no thought is sometimes nice. The story-telling from the 11 year old's point was interesting. There was a cycle to the story-telling. Again, it led to the predictability, but several cycles turned during the story.
This particular audio book is quite the production with lots of background music and sounds. The addition is enjoyable. The voice of the narrator is soothing. She does the other voices well. I would definitely listen to this narrator with other books.
The story is predictable but enjoyable for a mindless listen. My mind is quite engaged during the day so the release for listening to something that requires no thought is sometimes nice. The story-telling from the 11 year old's point was interesting. There was a cycle to the story-telling. Again, it led to the predictability, but several cycles turned during the story.
This particular audio book is quite the production with lots of background music and sounds. The addition is enjoyable. The voice of the narrator is soothing. She does the other voices well. I would definitely listen to this narrator with other books.
adrienner's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audiobook in one day on my commute. I have about an hour commute each way. I did have an extra run to the bank added in.
The story is predictable but enjoyable for a mindless listen. My mind is quite engaged during the day so the release for listening to something that requires no thought is sometimes nice. The story-telling from the 11 year old's point was interesting. There was a cycle to the story-telling. Again, it led to the predictability, but several cycles turned during the story.
This particular audio book is quite the production with lots of background music and sounds. The addition is enjoyable. The voice of the narrator is soothing. She does the other voices well. I would definitely listen to this narrator with other books.
The story is predictable but enjoyable for a mindless listen. My mind is quite engaged during the day so the release for listening to something that requires no thought is sometimes nice. The story-telling from the 11 year old's point was interesting. There was a cycle to the story-telling. Again, it led to the predictability, but several cycles turned during the story.
This particular audio book is quite the production with lots of background music and sounds. The addition is enjoyable. The voice of the narrator is soothing. She does the other voices well. I would definitely listen to this narrator with other books.
authorstalker's review against another edition
5.0
I needed something to read at 4am and I'm on a middle grade nostalgia kick, so I grabbed this off the shelf. When I was little, I borrowed BABY from the library so often that my parents bought me a copy. Picking it up last night for the first time in probably 20 years (oh god, I'm old) was wild; I was pretty much in tears from the description of spice cake batter and tap dancing on blue/green tiles all the way to rock, paper, scissors - if you've read the book, you know what I mean.
It is as perfect as I remembered: heartbreaking but funny, a quick read that is masterfully written, just an entirely wonderful book. And can we talk about the names? Larkin, Lalo, Byrd, Eunice, Rebel, Marvella.
ALSO, I had a pet bird in junior high, and I completely forgot that I named her after a character in this book (RIP Sophie). In conclusion, I highly, highly encourage everyone to re-read their childhood favorites. It's a trip!
It is as perfect as I remembered: heartbreaking but funny, a quick read that is masterfully written, just an entirely wonderful book. And can we talk about the names? Larkin, Lalo, Byrd, Eunice, Rebel, Marvella.
ALSO, I had a pet bird in junior high, and I completely forgot that I named her after a character in this book (RIP Sophie). In conclusion, I highly, highly encourage everyone to re-read their childhood favorites. It's a trip!