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libecky's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet and thoughtful, about 3 different girls each dealing with their own problems and how their lives intercept with the help of a librarian and a treasure box.
buffalojenn's review
5.0
In a touching, gentle middle grade novel, three ten year old girls grapple with big changes as they get ready for the new school year. Shy, anxious Grace, misses her best friend, the first girl her own age she made a strong connection with, who moved across the country to Boston. Jada, along with her dad, makes a big move to Salt Lake City, leaving the East Coast behind for an unfamiliar city. And Malia adjusts to her new role as a big sister, with her mom in the hospital on bed rest. What brings the girls together? Well, some might call it a little bit of magic in the form a treasure box in the library's lost and found, but others might notice a certain children's librarian recognizing some girls in need.
I'm a sucker for middle grade stories that deal with friendship. So many of them are about friendships on the fritz, but instead of taking the familiar path, Vickers focuses on the just as important beginning. Friendships flickering on the edge of chance encounters, and possibility. I love these three girls, all of them dealing with different challenges, but bravely and sensitively. I loved seeing how the arts -- creative writing, painting, and music -- play a role in bringing them together.
I'm a sucker for middle grade stories that deal with friendship. So many of them are about friendships on the fritz, but instead of taking the familiar path, Vickers focuses on the just as important beginning. Friendships flickering on the edge of chance encounters, and possibility. I love these three girls, all of them dealing with different challenges, but bravely and sensitively. I loved seeing how the arts -- creative writing, painting, and music -- play a role in bringing them together.
ivygracewild's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best middle-grade novel I've read in a long time, and I've been reading a lot of them. I love the characters! I love the way the story interweaves their lives. I love the air of mystery that permeates the tale, plus the authenticity of the characters and their growth. Written in third person, this book has just a slight old-fashioned feel and appeal, but I think that adds to the magical aura of the plot, and I think young readers today will be easily able to immerse themselves in this story. Oh, and I also enjoyed the setting! The author particularly brings to life the Salt Lake City public library, which is on my list of libraries to visit some day!
typographic_whimsy's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beckyb16's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story of three girls who are lonely and struggling and how their lives intersect all because of a librarian (that part I loved!!). The girls are all struggling for different reasons and while I thought they felt real and the characters were likeable, the ending felt stilted and contrived. Maybe our younger readers will find it satisfying, but as an adult, I did not. I had hoped for an ending that didn't feel quite so rushed and forced.
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
This is an incredibly charming book. The nuances of the girls, the complications they face, and the processes of working through them will appeal to both kids and their parents. Loved it.
channywax's review
Loved this one. Beautiful story of friendship. I loved the treasure box SO much and wish every young girl had one. Handing this to my 10 year old. I know she'll love it too.
sc104906's review
3.0
3 girls have trouble making new friends, but through a magical book/secret box they find a connect in each other. Grace's only friend moved away. She is extremely shy and is worried about making new friends in school next year. Malia's mother is having a baby, so she will be attending school next year instead of being homeschooled. Jada and her father moved away from New York and her grandmother. She misses her old home immensely and worries that her absent mother will not be able to find her.
This was a beautiful diverse story that speaks to the many apprehensions that children have when going to a new school or experiencing a new environment.
This was a beautiful diverse story that speaks to the many apprehensions that children have when going to a new school or experiencing a new environment.
lady_mair's review
3.0
(3 1/2 STARS) A sweet, enjoyable read about friendship. There were a few more “conveniences” than I might have preferred, but I think the book’s intended audience of middle-graders would absolutely love this.