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What Members Thought
Rounded up. Really a 3.5, I think. The writing is clear and strong, descriptive. The story is inventive. Details are wonderful.
But the age of the protagonist feels confused to me, even for 1952. And the "bad guys" and politics feel flat and simplistic, for a book which has attempted to address such matters. It's as if Meloy intended to get into these issues in a more serious way, but then lost steam (or her initial project was edited into a simpler one). Also, I struggled here, as I do with a lo ...more
But the age of the protagonist feels confused to me, even for 1952. And the "bad guys" and politics feel flat and simplistic, for a book which has attempted to address such matters. It's as if Meloy intended to get into these issues in a more serious way, but then lost steam (or her initial project was edited into a simpler one). Also, I struggled here, as I do with a lo ...more
It's 1952 and Janie has just been forced to abruptly move from sunny Los Angeles to cold, gray London after her parents are targeted as Communist sympathizers. Janie hates London until she meets Benjamin, the son of the local apothecary, who wants to be a spy and pulls Janie into spying on an employee of the Soviet embassy. It's all good fun until they see Benjamin's father make contact with the Russian, and everything gets very real very fast. Benjamin's father disappears at the hands of a si ...more
I almost wish I'd read this one in print instead of listening to it - the narration is competent, but it never quite added anything to the story. I suspect the illustrations in the print version might have added more. My only quibble with the narration was that her accents occasionally crept over into the narration.
The story itself is a promising blend of historical fiction and fantasy, with the potential to explore larger political themes. I loved the bits of the book that set the stage - the s ...more
The story itself is a promising blend of historical fiction and fantasy, with the potential to explore larger political themes. I loved the bits of the book that set the stage - the s ...more
This is a fast read that has wonderful elements to hook readers - adventure, suspense, magic, and even some light romance. I think it will encourage young readers to investigate this time period a bit more to find out more about the Cold War and the fear and suspicion that surrounded everyone at the time.
Fun fantasy with a historical fiction angle.
Fun fantasy with a historical fiction angle.
I read this book because it showed up on Anderson Bookshop's mock Newbery list. While I might not put it in my 5th grade classroom because I think its intended audience is slightly older, I am so glad I read it. Lots of fun intrigue.
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Maybe it's because I don't know how the revision of a real book happens, but I don't understand how an otherwise solid book could have made it to publication with Janie's parents being such a weak link. Worthwhile, and the action is speedy.
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"Follows a fourteen-year-old American girl whose life unexpectedly transforms when she moves to London in 1952 and gets swept up in a race to save the world from nuclear war."
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Started very strong...but once the bird-morphing started...it kinda lost me.
Oct 26, 2011
Astrid Lim
rated it
liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
british,
fantasy,
historical-fiction,
children,
young-adult,
illustrated,
adventures,
world-war,
series,
europe
It's good, but not as good as I expected. There are a bit of flaws and loopholes and some inconsistencies, especially about life in London in 1952, somehow I can't be convinced that it's really the right period.
The characters are a bit flat as well, I can't remember them long enough to actually like them (except for Pip). As the narrator, Janie is decent but not outstanding. The romance part is a bit annoying even though not that bad.
Overall not a favorite but I will still read the sequel. ...more
The characters are a bit flat as well, I can't remember them long enough to actually like them (except for Pip). As the narrator, Janie is decent but not outstanding. The romance part is a bit annoying even though not that bad.
Overall not a favorite but I will still read the sequel. ...more
RL 740
Dec 25, 2011
Laura5
marked it as to-read
Jan 11, 2012
Dest
marked it as to-read
Jul 19, 2012
Sarah
marked it as to-read
May 04, 2014
Sarita
marked it as to-read
Dec 18, 2022
Jen
marked it as to-read
