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lauralynnwalsh's review against another edition
4.0
I don't seem to have annotated this when I read it, but I remember enjoying it. The date shown will be today, but that isn't when I read it. It was probably several years ago.
Good introduction to SF for kids.
Good introduction to SF for kids.
art_cart_ron's review
5.0
The Green Book was the perfect story at the perfect time for our family. Our daughter was a very early reader, and good chapter books that she could read that don't get into overly adult material - yet did not insult her intelligence - were hard to find. (if your impulse is to start listing them - we are avid readers, have no fear - we never ran out)
The child protagonists of this book were a great entry point for her - their intelligence was also something she appreciated. The Green Book was her gateway into reading longer form science fiction, of which she's become a fan.
Some reviews point out the fact that there are scientific inconsistencies... well, yeah - comics can be a good read, too, and getting hung up over where Spider-man's web is connecting and why Batman travels by rooftop doesn't seem to give anyone pause. Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek, anyone? As for boring? Never. Sadly - this is likely the effect of assigned reading in school, which does kill many a good book for many a reluctant student. Ironically - the fact that it is assigned at times, speaks well for it's quality.
Another aspect that we liked was the fact that the society facing peril were not reaching for supernatural reassurances as they coped with their problems. The secular nature of their worldview was one we appreciate, and made the story feel like it was grounded.
The child protagonists of this book were a great entry point for her - their intelligence was also something she appreciated. The Green Book was her gateway into reading longer form science fiction, of which she's become a fan.
Some reviews point out the fact that there are scientific inconsistencies... well, yeah - comics can be a good read, too, and getting hung up over where Spider-man's web is connecting and why Batman travels by rooftop doesn't seem to give anyone pause. Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek, anyone? As for boring? Never. Sadly - this is likely the effect of assigned reading in school, which does kill many a good book for many a reluctant student. Ironically - the fact that it is assigned at times, speaks well for it's quality.
Another aspect that we liked was the fact that the society facing peril were not reaching for supernatural reassurances as they coped with their problems. The secular nature of their worldview was one we appreciate, and made the story feel like it was grounded.
cinnamonly's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
One of my favorite childhood books which was my child's turn to enjoy at bedtime.
read_with_riley's review
4.0
This book was assigned to me in 3rd grade, and I remember having an assignment to ask each of my family members what book they would take on a journey like this book describes. The question has almost haunted me ever since--how could I ever choose just one book?
In this read through, 20 years later, I realized how much more science fiction there is in the story than the snippet about books I remembered! If you're in the mood for a little scifi, pick this book up!
In this read through, 20 years later, I realized how much more science fiction there is in the story than the snippet about books I remembered! If you're in the mood for a little scifi, pick this book up!
scostner's review
2.0
This is a short,easy read and would make a good book for a class novel study. The chapters and the overall book are short enough not to intimidate readers. Since there are only 7 chapters, you could even do a chapter a day and still finish up the unit within 2 weeks. Many different activities could be pulled in from various subject areas - discussing wants vs. needs, space travel, explorers, colonization, ecosystems and habitats, tools and inventions, etc.
taykah's review
5.0
fifth-grade-me's favorite book! I think I was also just so happy to have a school-assigned book where the protagonist was a girl, like me!
mellnico's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
zoanny's review
5.0
A wonderful introduction to science fiction. It's a classic story - colonising a new planet - told from the point of view of a very young girl. The style is simple, but the descriptions soar into glorious imaginative visions - so easy to imagine, and so beautiful to read. The planet is just the right blend of familiar and utterly alien, and the struggles and discoveries make perfect intuitive sense. There's a depth to the social relationships - and a LOVE of books within the story - that lifts this to a whole other level.
It's only 66 pages long, but I felt like I'd read a proper classic of the genre.
Jill Paton Walsh's writing is so vivid, rich and immediate - I swear she writes as though the printed word was a song.
It's only 66 pages long, but I felt like I'd read a proper classic of the genre.
Jill Paton Walsh's writing is so vivid, rich and immediate - I swear she writes as though the printed word was a song.
elllie's review
4.0
I read this book in 4th grade and LOVED it! I should probably re-read it again before giving it stars, but I just have great memories of this book and thinking about this book long after I'd finished it (which, to me, is a sign of a great book).