Barbara MacLane is sixteen when big sister Rosemary(eighteen) announces her plans to marry boyfriend Greg.
Since Rosemary has been away at school, the Barbara MacLane is sixteen when big sister Rosemary(eighteen) announces her plans to marry boyfriend Greg.
Since Rosemary has been away at school, the family can only talk to her when she calls via payphone. Fortunately she does come home frequently -- usually with a suitcase full of dirty laundry. The MacLane family finds their household thinking mostly about the wedding and working through more than one obstacle (like a mishap involving Buster, the cat).
This classic from Beverly Cleary was first published in 1963. My copy has clearly been around since then and shows evidence of being well-loved. A note inside records a purchase price of $2.28. The library stamp is from my hometown library, the Carnegie-Viersen Library in Pella, Iowa.
One might think planning a wedding in the early 1960's would be totally disconnected from our 21st century ways. Think again! While there are some differences like online weddin registries and more elaborate receptions (Rosmary and Greg have cake and punch on the church lawn), many things remain the same. Getting the two sets of parents together, for example, as well as duplicate wedding gifts and those wedding day jitters -- just to name a few.
My wedding was 36 years ago. Our sons all got married in the last decade. I can verify that this book is not hopelessly out of date.
I am out with lanterns, looking for myself. ~ Emily Dickinson
Sofia and Holden are in different friend circles, different family types, different econoI am out with lanterns, looking for myself. ~ Emily Dickinson
Sofia and Holden are in different friend circles, different family types, different economic classes.
An encounter during a middle school dance throws them into an unlikely friendship. Both are out with their lanterns (metaphorically).
Shy, play-it-safe Sofia has a crush on a popular boy named Mark while too-cool-for-school Holden has aspirations to boost his social media. A glow up for Sofia, caught on video, could be just the thing for Holden to achieve his influencer goals.
A partnership is born. This will remind you of "The Things I Hate About You" scaled down to middle school. The drama is appropriately scaled for the age group.
I could relate to Sofia --the rule follower--and enjoyed her transformation. Although I doubt I would be able to replicate her skills on a skateboard. Holden alternates chapters with Sofia and it was a nice balance.
A shout out to the amazing Amina who brought this one to my attention. It is cute as a button!
Rounding up from 3.5. Thank you to Aladdin and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
Haste thee nymph, and bring with thee Jest and Youthful Jollity. . . ~ John Milton
To read the Betsy-Tacy series is an immersion in the early 1900's. THaste thee nymph, and bring with thee Jest and Youthful Jollity. . . ~ John Milton
To read the Betsy-Tacy series is an immersion in the early 1900's. The reader is welcomed into the Ray family with great jest and jollity. In this duo of books, Betsy experiences her Junior year of high school and her Senior year. The Crowd will soon be dispersing in the World as the class of 1910.
For four years they had been in high school together. Some of them had been together since kindergarten. Now they were being blown in all directions, like the silk from an opened milkweed pod.
At the beginning of each school year she begins a new diary. Those real-life diaries helped Maud Hart Lovelace to spin these stories for us. They are largely autobiographical with new names for all the folks and some tweaks here and there to enhance the flow of the story. Each of the books gives us background notes on Lovelace as well as specific notes for the book. There are photos as well from her personal scrapbook. Another notable component of this series is the introductions by famous personalities and authors. We begin this particular book with a note from Meg Cabot about her appreciation for the series.
With its "slice-of-life" views, lovable characters, engaging events, and solid footing in history; this series is one I would highly recommend for teens and all ages after.
All's well that ends well. ~ Wm. Shakespeare...more
The cast of clones from the first book are back in their own reality show: You, Me, and Us. They may look alike, but their personalities often clash mThe cast of clones from the first book are back in their own reality show: You, Me, and Us. They may look alike, but their personalities often clash making for interesting viewing.
The Snowglobe begins in disaster mode. You will be surprised at what disaster the weatherman draws out of the hat and what a problem it can be.
Meanwhile Jeon Chobaham(her name means "early summer night") is determined to finish what she started in the first part. Unfortunately she knows a secret about the ruling family and they don't want her to share. Who will win in the end?
I enjoyed the return of so many characters from the first book -- even those with small roles like Licorice, the taxi driver. There are also some fantastic plot elements like the mirrors that transport to many corners of the globe and the clothing with heat technology--so innovative!
While this one went on a bit long, I do feel like we got closure and that the world of the Snowglobe is improved and heading in a better direction. Thank you to Random House Childrens and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
What if you could leave your freezing cold village to live a dream life inside the Snowglobe? For Jeon Chobham it seems like the perfect solution. A fWhat if you could leave your freezing cold village to live a dream life inside the Snowglobe? For Jeon Chobham it seems like the perfect solution. A famous director offers her a chance to stand in as a weather girl and dangles a future in moviemaking.
Life in the Snowglobe is warm, but confusing. Soyoung Park does a good job of worldbuilding and the dome life comes alive. Too bad all is not what Chobham observed on the shows coming out of the Snowglobe. It is really not a surprise that reality TV is not so real.
The cover on this first book is absolutely gorgeous. I am glad I can move right into the sequel shortly. Especially since there are a few loose ends that need some clarity....more
It is hard to tell a love story and also the story of a people being torn apart.
This new release from Sarah Crossan transports the reader to Ireland in It is hard to tell a love story and also the story of a people being torn apart.
This new release from Sarah Crossan transports the reader to Ireland in 1846 when the potato blight was making its mark. Our main character Nell is just sixteen and starting a job 'up the hill' at the owner's mansion. When his heir takes note of her, they are both unexpectedly drawn to each other. Then life really starts to get complicated.
Written in verse, Nell's story and that of her family will grab your attention and you will feel like you are back in that desolate time in history. Will Nell, brother Owen, and parents finally have success on their plot of land? Or should they emigrate to America? So many tough decisions. A riveting and emotional read.
Thank you to HarperAudio and NetGally for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. The audio is a delight to listen to, but I also loved having a DRC from Green Willow Books and Edelweiss+ to view the verse on the page....more
A magic journal gives Gracie the opportunity to dream big. What she writes down, happens -- although she finds she needs to beware. As they say: RESULA magic journal gives Gracie the opportunity to dream big. What she writes down, happens -- although she finds she needs to beware. As they say: RESULTS MAY VARY.
While I was a bit disappointed with how the journal was portrayed in this one--I wish she had used it more!--there were some things I really liked:
✨Gracie and her journal stories made for compelling reading. Waiting with her to see what would happen kept those pages turning. ...more
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