Truth be told, for a middle grade novel original published immediately or at least pretty soon after the Great Depression (and on which Blue Willow is thematically based) Dorothy Gates' Newbery Honour winning story of hardship, struggle, family perseverance and triumph over the odds reads surprisingly modern (presenting, featuring exceedingly well developed, finely nuanced, both internally and externally rich and intensely realistic both main and supportive characters and with even chief villain Bounce Reyburn appearing as not just typecast and cardboard-like) and with an emotionality of feeling that flows deeply, touchingly and above all believably, realistically. This story gave us a good insight into the lives of people who were forced to travel around for work and the impact this had on their families lives. The story was predictable but the last minute resolution was extremely enjoyable and had a very satisfying conclusion. We leave Janey in the spring, her life having changed dramatically from when we first met her on the steps of the shack. We enjoyed Janey's developing friendship with Lupe, a Mexican girl who's family live in the shack opposite, we enjoyed Janey's relationship with her non biological mum, and of course Bounce Reyburn the baddie of the story livened things up with our desperate hope he will get found out! We did have to stop the book several times to say 'for goodness sake, tell someone!' We really liked the character Miss Peterson, who is teacher at the camp school, we wondered if this was paid for by the government ?
Janey longs for some permanence and finds the only constant thing in her life is nature and the seasons and her treasured willow pattern plate that had once belonged to her biological mother.Īlthough the start was slow and for us the story lacked the magical qualities of our recent read The Velvet Room, which followed a similar theme, we soon became involved with the characters and storyline.
She has moved once again with her dad and step-mum, although once having a ranch of their own, due to failed harvests through drought, they now have to travel around for seasonal work and barely earn enough to live on.
4.5 stars.The story starts in September, with Janey Larkin sitting on the step of a shack.
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