Loved this little bio for kids! As a Little House fan, I will read anything I can get my hands on (for adults or youth) written about Laura and her faLoved this little bio for kids! As a Little House fan, I will read anything I can get my hands on (for adults or youth) written about Laura and her family. I thought it did a great job of filling in the gaps the series didn't cover and clarified some things for me. Lots of good additional information and written in a pleasing style. The cute illustrations reminded me of those by Helen Sewell, the artist before the delightful Garth Williams....more
For me, this was such a worthwhile read. Other reviewers complain about author's privilege and so-called name-dropping, but those people were his commFor me, this was such a worthwhile read. Other reviewers complain about author's privilege and so-called name-dropping, but those people were his community. And what you realize is that money and success doesn't insulate you from harm. The Dunne family experienced deep sadness. This was also a history lesson, slice of life from a certain time period. Loved it....more
This book is fascinating and I thank Michael Finkel for the entertainment he provided me. Yes, reporter Finkel's behavior was perhaps over the top, orThis book is fascinating and I thank Michael Finkel for the entertainment he provided me. Yes, reporter Finkel's behavior was perhaps over the top, or unethical in the end but isn't that what journalists do? What an intriguing conundrum Christopher Knight's story is. And ultimately very sad. It was not the adventure story I expected. I recently read Finkel's book "The Art Thieves" and didn't find the telling of it nearly as compelling, interesting case though it was. ...more
As memoirs of crappy childhoods go, this book stood out for me! I could not put this down.
Nina's mom is scar-covered from the neck down, and it is yeaAs memoirs of crappy childhoods go, this book stood out for me! I could not put this down.
Nina's mom is scar-covered from the neck down, and it is years before Nina hears the story of why. Even after she does, so many mysteries remain. No one in the family talks about it - many things are off conversation. Nina and her little brother also don't understand why they move all the time. Nina is aware of her mom's deep spiritual connection, but to what diety? She seems to practice many different beliefs, from new age to catholicism, and so Nina too believes, yet doesn't believe, what her mom does. Most of her life is lived in poverty with her mom and brother, yet summers are spent with her very wealthy father and his family. They seem to love her, but don't want to know about her life the rest of the time. DOES ALL THIS SOUND CONFUSING FOR A CHILD? You can bet it is.
Somehow, with this background, (and she had messed up teenage years!) Nina manages to grow up to be an accomplished writer, and I loved her book! Her writing was beautiful. She was great at foreshadowing and creating suspense. I like how she included her interior thoughts about how she grappled with making sense of her world. She also backed up her experience with research references she later found to shed light on various topics which I found interesting. ...more
Unique concept, and great beginning. When studious main character Lee doesn't get the work placement she expected despite being the top of her programUnique concept, and great beginning. When studious main character Lee doesn't get the work placement she expected despite being the top of her program, I was very curious how she would make out. But then came parts that I had a hard time with, one of which was suspending disbelief that the human population didn't know what loneliness was, didn't have a word for it. I think I also might disagree with the author as to how you would actually define that concept. To be social awkward is not the same as being lonely. But this book had many good points, and I will read future books of Charlee Dyroff for sure!...more
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