Scan barcode
spencer0o7's review
3.0
I wanted to read this book since I just got my first american girl doll after waiting for like 7 years and cause it works perfectly for my challenge of only reading books by black authors this year. This book is fine. I read it in 2 days (could’ve been less but im lazy) but I still enjoyed it. There are some problems though like specifically the way it tackles black topics. Like why does Melody sometimes ask questions that just feel so wrong? Of course I understand that she’s 9 and won’t understand big words but occasionally she’ll need an explanation for things that a regular 9 year old black child especially in 1964 should understand. The way the characters speak also really bothers me
arundlestl's review
3.0
I don't like the new format of the American Girl books. I really enjoyed the smaller books; they were easier to manage.
This book didn't have much of a moving plot, and I found myself getting bored and putting it down frequently. Which is unfortunate because I was so excited to finally have a girl from Freedom Summer! I just wanted more action.
This book didn't have much of a moving plot, and I found myself getting bored and putting it down frequently. Which is unfortunate because I was so excited to finally have a girl from Freedom Summer! I just wanted more action.
ashes_book_cave's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
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? No
3.75
reginalibrorum's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
impybelle's review
4.0
First things first, I figured I'd read maybe a chapter or two of No Ordinary Sound before putting it down and getting some sleep. Yeah, no. I read straight on through to the end. So the story is definitely compelling and hard to put down. Melody, as a character, is a sweetheart and I hope others love her as much as I already do.
That said, if you enjoy your AG characters to be a bit flawed, Melody might not be for you. She's good at everything (little old ladies ask her opinion on gardening, she's got an impressive voice, she's crafty!) and I know that as a kid, it got a little bit tiring when every main character was just The Best. But Melody's never mean about it, nor does she even seem to realize just how good she is (and not in that false modesty sort of way).
I'm not sure why it feels different tying Melody's story to a specific historical event (the Birmingham Church Bombing) versus just having it be set against the backdrop of war (see: Felicity, Addy, Caroline, Molly) but it does. Part of that might be intentional, in that the attack shakes Melody to her core and reading about how it affects Melody should also affect the reader, especially since similar things still happen today.
In any case, No Ordinary Sound is definitely worth a read, even if you're not an AG fan already.
That said, if you enjoy your AG characters to be a bit flawed, Melody might not be for you. She's good at everything (little old ladies ask her opinion on gardening, she's got an impressive voice, she's crafty!) and I know that as a kid, it got a little bit tiring when every main character was just The Best. But Melody's never mean about it, nor does she even seem to realize just how good she is (and not in that false modesty sort of way).
I'm not sure why it feels different tying Melody's story to a specific historical event (the Birmingham Church Bombing) versus just having it be set against the backdrop of war (see: Felicity, Addy, Caroline, Molly) but it does. Part of that might be intentional, in that the attack shakes Melody to her core and reading about how it affects Melody should also affect the reader, especially since similar things still happen today.
In any case, No Ordinary Sound is definitely worth a read, even if you're not an AG fan already.
bookishstone's review
I picked this book up to prepare for a program coming up in November. I thought I'd at least read the book of the girl I'd be doing a whole program over. It wasn't bad. I think Patrick does a great job of making it kid friendly while also diving into several darker parts of the 1960s. Melody's story is an important one. Patrick does a great job of showing the civil rights movement as well as other aspects of the 1960s. It was a great middle grade book. I haven't read an American Girl book since Samantha wayyy back in the day so this one was a lot different. I'm glad they decided to do a book about this time period and the issues covered within these pages. This book is great for kids 8 and up. Also, it says American Girl but even boys can read it and get something from it. I doubt many will but the ideas within the book are worth it for any child.
panda_incognito's review
5.0
I found this at the library and was surprised that American Girl had released another new historical character so soon after Maryellen. I checked this out and was thoroughly delighted with it, because even though I still think it's silly for the company to proclaim a book a classic at the moment of its printing just to fit with the rest of the series redesign, this is a fabulous novel that could stand alone in excellence even apart from the American Girl company. Set in the Civil Rights Movement, it deals with big, difficult topics in a child-appropriate way and never sacrifices good storytelling just to make a point. The characters are charming and distinctive, the storylines are interesting, and the emotional appeal is masterfully done without seeming manipulative. I am thoroughly impressed with this book on every level, and look forward to reading the sequel.
Many books that deal with big topics end up winning awards and being much-loved by adults but do not reach children effectively. This book is different, because you don't need a grown up perspective to see value in this book. It treats the times and topic truthfully while still remaining friendly to young readers, and is grounded in ordinary life a child can relate to: the small concerns and childhood dynamics make the big picture issues come through in a real and personally affecting way. I am amazed by how good this book was, and even though I wish I could have read it as a kid, I'm so happy it exists now.
As a sidenote, I appreciated the book's inclusion of Christianity as a core aspect of the family's life. I expect books to be politically correct and ignore any potential religious leanings of the characters, but because this book was about a black family in the 1960s, it included church as an integral part of their life and portrayed it in a real, vibrant way without being preachy or snide. All throughout the book, there were quotes from different hymns, and that delighted me.
Many books that deal with big topics end up winning awards and being much-loved by adults but do not reach children effectively. This book is different, because you don't need a grown up perspective to see value in this book. It treats the times and topic truthfully while still remaining friendly to young readers, and is grounded in ordinary life a child can relate to: the small concerns and childhood dynamics make the big picture issues come through in a real and personally affecting way. I am amazed by how good this book was, and even though I wish I could have read it as a kid, I'm so happy it exists now.
As a sidenote, I appreciated the book's inclusion of Christianity as a core aspect of the family's life. I expect books to be politically correct and ignore any potential religious leanings of the characters, but because this book was about a black family in the 1960s, it included church as an integral part of their life and portrayed it in a real, vibrant way without being preachy or snide. All throughout the book, there were quotes from different hymns, and that delighted me.
More...