Anola Pickett

George is twelve and living in a time that is very confusing to him. It is 1918. The US is involved in WWI, women want to vote, his brother is against fighting in a war, his best friend's family live with an abusive father, and his neighbor is targeted because her last name is of German origin. There are so many thoughts and ideas swirling around him and it's hard for him to figure out who is right and who is wrong.

This book gave me many things to think about. One prevailing thought is that I am glad I live in a time where women can vote and express their thoughts and feelings. I am also grateful that we now have laws against abuse. The priest made a comment that startled me because it is foreign to today. The idea was he was there to save souls, not bodies when a nun confronted him about the abuse. It shows how much the world has changed in the last 100 years.

George is a great character. He likes to goof off and have fun with his best friend, Jimmy. He does stupid stuff and gets in trouble. But when faced with a serious situation, he rises to the moment and does noble deeds. He becomes Mrs. Schmitt's protector when she needs one.

This is a great coming of age story. I highly recommend.… (plus d'informations)

4 STARS

I love the cover of this book. I was not sure what the US Life Savers Service was that Primmy wanted to join. Boy life was different in the 1913's. This is a charming look at life on a Whisper Island for 12 year old girl. Primmy has goals to save lives and work as a US Life Savers Service like the rest of her family does. She is always told that girls can't do that.

I like the characters. Primmy is 12 and lives with her two older brothers and her father. Her mother left her and her two half brothers. Every once in a while Primmy receives postcard from her mother.

Whisper Island is a small island and everyone knows everyone's business. Most in a caring way.
Primmy hangs out with two boys around her age when she is not cooking, cleaning for her family. She does get in lots of trouble with not finishing tasks first.

Primmy finds ways to help even when everyone tells her she can't do something because its too hard she is only a girl. She remembers first aid that her father and mama Lu have taught her.

Her mother sends her first letter to Primmy and wants her to take the mail boat over and stay with her at a hotel. Primmy really does remember her and wonders why she left her. She is excited that her mom wants to meet her for her birthday.

I did not want to put the book down. The book takes place in just one season. It is a fast read.
It is a clean book and is geared for middle school age but is a book all ages can enjoy. It shows Primmy learning lessons about what qualities she wants to have and not have.

I was given this book to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. Sweetwater (July 9, 2013) 240 pages ISBN-13: 978-1462111671… (plus d'informations)