Blue Willow (Newbery Library, Puffin) (Paperback)

~ Doris Gates (Author) "JANEY LARKIN PAUSED ON THE TOP STEP OF THE SHACK AND looked down at her shadow..." (more)
Key Phrases: janey wondered, willow plate, buckskin bag, Miss Peterson, Bounce Reyburn, Janey Larkin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A little girl, who wants most of all to have a real home and to go to a regular school, hopes that the valley her family has come to, which so resembles the pattern on her treasured blue willow plate, will be their permanent home.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Later Printing edition (September 30, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140309241
• ISBN-13: 978-0140309249
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #215,889 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read-Aloud for the 6-10 crowd, September 14, 2000

By	Footnotes Bookshop "footnotes" (Wilmore, KY USA) - See all my reviews

I began reading this book aloud to my daughters, ages 6 and 7. I was very impressed with the quality of writing, and the plot held the attention of all three of us. The best read-alouds are the ones in which the children beg for "one more chapter" and the adult reader enthusiastically complies. This book met both criteria.

The most impressive aspect of this book was its ability to be a very upbeat, positive story while not shrinking away from the sad details of poverty. The family was uncomfortable and sometimes sad in the midst of poor housing, a starvation diet, and ill health, while still enjoying the stability and joy of an intact family. It also has a wonderful (but slightly unbelievable) happy ending.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice children's book with a happy ending!, February 26, 1999

By A Customer

This is a nice story about a young girl who yearns for a home that she can call her own. Janey travels with her father and stepmother to wherever her father can find seasonal work.Her most valued possession is a Blue Willow plate that belonged to her mother, who died when she was young. Finally the family settles in a place where Janey makes friends, but it is inevitable that they will have to leave when there is no more work. When her mom falls ill, Janey departs with her precious plate. This story has a happy ending where good triumphs over bad, and there is a great focus on the love between family members. It's a little sappy, but we can all use that kind of ending now and then

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking, November 28, 1999

By	"tcarson" (NE Penna.) - See all my reviews

I enjoyed reading this book with my 8 year old daughter. It is a very touching story about a family who lives on the move and does not have many of the things that families take for granted...like a real home, friends, the reassuring familiarity of school and daily routines. It is a thought provoking look at a very different sort of life. I think it made my daughter appreciate some of the things she just assumed that everyone has. It's an advanced read. More of a book to read together as the words are somewhat difficult and the storyline sometimes needs some explanation. But the characters are wonderful and good triumphs over evil in the end. We love a happy ending! I'm sure we will read it often over the years.