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What Members Thought
Multiply manipulative. The actual writing is competent enough, but the characters--and the plot--I can't find anything nice to say. The book is its strongest in the uncomfortable-to-read beginning where Carley has trouble adjusting to her new home. But that's all over much too soon, and there are eventually TWO denouements that don't work. One deliberately withholds information from the reader in order to create and then resolve drama, and the other is cheesy. The author seems to be leading the
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Heard about this book from several friends on twitter, and how right they were to be recommending this book!! An amazing read that requires a box of Kleenex in spots, especially at the end.
A great look at a very unique foster family situation.
A great look at a very unique foster family situation.
I hated this book, all up in my heartstrings, pulling all over the place and being lovely and sweet and tough and real. The sarcastic humor of the kids was right on, and I wish my students were just a squeak older so I could read this to them. I'm sure this book is being compared to The Great Gilly Hopkins, but for my money, I think it should be read with THE HUMMING ROOM.
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There were a lot of things I loved about this book (Carley's resiliency being one, the honest complexity of her emotions being another), but I was very bothered by what I saw as inaccuracies in its representation of the foster care system - inaccuracies that greatly changed the plot from what I think it could (or arguably should) have been. Thankfully Shelley Chandler, a social worker here on GoodReads, has written up her observations about where things appear to be off, which saves me from havi
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Carley's journey was so genuine - and beautifully written. I literally was lost in this book. Can't wait to put it in middle school readers' hands!
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Mar 05, 2013
Robynn
marked it as to-read
Recommended by http://byhopewesteer.wordpress.com/ Tales of an Elementary School Librarian
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Jan 02, 2013
Kate Hastings
marked it as to-read
This sounds a LOT like Road to Paris...
Really enjoyed this middle grade novel about a girl, Carley, who is suddenly placed in foster care after a fight with her mom and stepdad. The family she's placed with is unbearably perfect and getting adjusted is a struggle - but she manages. In fact, maybe she gets a bit TOO settled?
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Summer 2012 #bookaday #29
Jun 04, 2012
Kristin McIlhagga
marked it as to-read
Jul 03, 2012
Dest
marked it as to-read
Jul 22, 2012
Margo Jantzi
marked it as to-read
Aug 17, 2012
CLM
marked it as to-read
Feb 07, 2013
Melissa Thomson
added it
