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A review by listen_learn
Courage for Beginners by Karen Harrington
5.0
Not sure this would have gotten five stars if it didn't find me at just the right time, it probably would have been a 4 or 4.5, since I'm picky with my 5 star ratings, but it did and so it is.
I think one of the best things about the story was its voice. The author was consistent, from beginning to end. I could definitely believe that an imaginative twelve year old was telling me this story, and because of that consistency the growth Misty experiences and her changing perspectives on the world are believable.
Another thing I liked was the quirky details: a morning with air balloons, the way certain labels were capitalized, eccentric neighbors, her mom's love of growing things, the irony of her mother being a painter, her idealization of Paris and other stuff I'm forgetting.
Here's a quote to show you some of what I mean:
"But not they are all smiling and happy as the paint color Lemon Yellow. I have to take a moment to see what my eyes see.
Wrapped presents. A tall chocolate cake with twelve candles. One for each year I haven't been anywhere else but here.
"Happy Birthday, Mysti!" Dad says. "Twelve, huh? Make a wish!" welve years from now, i will be in France. That is my wish. Poof, the candles are out and my wish is a smoke signal to the universe."
I would recommend this to people who want to read about finding courage in small ways and a story about an ordinary girl dealing with family issues with aplomb.
I think one of the best things about the story was its voice. The author was consistent, from beginning to end. I could definitely believe that an imaginative twelve year old was telling me this story, and because of that consistency the growth Misty experiences and her changing perspectives on the world are believable.
Another thing I liked was the quirky details: a morning with air balloons, the way certain labels were capitalized, eccentric neighbors, her mom's love of growing things, the irony of her mother being a painter, her idealization of Paris and other stuff I'm forgetting.
Here's a quote to show you some of what I mean:
"But not they are all smiling and happy as the paint color Lemon Yellow. I have to take a moment to see what my eyes see.
Wrapped presents. A tall chocolate cake with twelve candles. One for each year I haven't been anywhere else but here.
"Happy Birthday, Mysti!" Dad says. "Twelve, huh? Make a wish!" welve years from now, i will be in France. That is my wish. Poof, the candles are out and my wish is a smoke signal to the universe."
I would recommend this to people who want to read about finding courage in small ways and a story about an ordinary girl dealing with family issues with aplomb.