How I hope Ms. Albus keeps writing middle grade novels! Her characters are well-developed, her plots are compelling, and her writing is superb. . .all without inserting any agendas that is all too common in literature for kids "these days".
Fish, Dory, and Pike Byrne's father has been called to fight in WW II. He asks Fish, who is seventeen years old, to watch over twelve-year-old Dory and eight-year-old Pike. (Their mother had died.)Pop also vows that the neighborhood of Lower East Side will take care of them. Fish and the neighborhood do take care of the family, but when a new landlord moves into their apartment, he despises the Byrne kids and suspects that they are living there without a parent. Where can they go to escape the orphange?
I loved being immersed in NYC Lower East Side during WW II. Ms. Albus weaves in interesting tidbits. I did not care for Dory (I am tired of fiesty girls in books). She also lied a lot. Although he was a minor character, I liked Pike the best. Fish was also admirable.
Ms. Albus talks directly to the reader throughout the novel, which is a new techinque for her. She also mentions a diamond that is hidden in a wardrobe unbeknownst to Dory. Dory does not discover it by the end of the novel . . .it makes me wonder if Ms. Albus is writing a sequel. I had wanted Dory to find the diamond!!
Consider/discuss: lying, stealing, Dory's friend Vincent kisses her on the cheek . . .she says he may do it again sometime! -a budding, sweet romance develops between them as the novel progresses-nothing inappropriate.
*Highly recommend (for 4th grade and older)
-Borrowed from the library.
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