my take: this is a great younger read … probably younger than the typical “young adult.” it won the newbery award for 2011.

it’s set in 1936 with flashbacks to 1917 … it touches a bit on world war I, but otherwise is not a war story. which i found refreshing. it’s set in small town kansas at a time when it was the melting pot of america.

i cried at this one … much like how i cry every time in the anne of green gables video when she tells the dying matthew that she just wanted to belong somewhere. i was waiting to see if the heroine abilene would find ‘home’.

my source: clare vanderpool will be at the festival of faith & writing in april 2012

my take: wonderful. great feel good read (especially for younger readers)