Barbara Blakey

Oh hey I won a First Reads thingy.I made a mistake with this book. I read the author bio before I read the book, and I decided that I don't agree with the author about some things, so I was going to be disappointed in the book. I shouldn't have done that, because I liked the book a lot. Remember to make decisions in the proper order.The book has a rustic feeling similar to the feeling in Bridge to Terabithia, which has less of a connection to the current events of its period. I think this book has a great concept and way of connecting to the history in it. Bertie's worries, environment, and family are realistic and good. Her intimidating father and grandfather are true. The threat of "the woodshed" is duly terrifying, and its outcome is genuinely surprising. Her brave big sister Tami who moves into the camper out back so she can write a play over summer vacation is awesome.And Bertie, poor Bertie. She is a really good kid, though she has lessons to learn about courage. The main letdown of the story, I think, may largely be the fault of the flap copy: the promise of Bertie confronting "an ugly truth about herself" isn't quite met by the end. Still, her serious anxiety and massive sensitivity are extraordinarily relatable and useful for the story, and my heart went out to her. I hoped she'd have a great sympathy for herself when she is older.… (més)