This is a Newbery Honor book. It is a historical fiction novel by first time author Jacqueline Kelly. I think I have a very very specific type of book, and it is one of the reasons I love children's books... they generally have a nice ending where all the loose ends are tied up. UGH, GRRR, and UGH again with THIS book. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it, once I got past the part of a girl with an apron looking thing on the cover and it being set in a remote part of Texas in 1899 (which is usually not my cup of tea). The evolution of Calpurnia was clever and humorous at times. It has some great moments of sibling love and annoyance (which being the oldest of 4 I can relate to). It was also very touching to read about the bond that formed between the grandfather and his only grandchild, errr, granddaughter as he mistakenly says once.
The only problem I have, goes with the kind of stories I like the best. It is totally a personal opinion... I just like happy endings where we know what happens and such. I love movies that have epilogues about what the characters did or became in the future. I like books, like Harry Potter, that show us everyone made it out okay.
Just a fair warning, although this is a marvelous book, don't expect that kind of ending!
The only problem I have, goes with the kind of stories I like the best. It is totally a personal opinion... I just like happy endings where we know what happens and such. I love movies that have epilogues about what the characters did or became in the future. I like books, like Harry Potter, that show us everyone made it out okay.
Just a fair warning, although this is a marvelous book, don't expect that kind of ending!