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27 July 2012

Review and Giveaway: The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech

The Great Unexpected
Summary and image from Amazon:
I had big thoughts to match the big wind. I wondered if we find the people we need when we need them. I wondered if we attract our future by some sort of invisible force, or if we are drawn to it by a similar force. I felt I was turning a corner and that change was afoot.
In the little town of Blackbird Tree live two orphan girls: one Naomi Deane, brimming with curiosity, and her best friend, Lizzie Scatterding, who could talk the ears off a cornfield. Naomi has a knack for being around when trouble happens. For she knows all the peculiar people in town—like Crazy Cora and Witch Wiggins and Mr. Farley. But then, one day, a boy drops out of a tree. The strangely charming Finn boy. Then the Dingle Dangle man appears, asking all kinds of questions. Curious surprises are revealed—three locked trunks, a pair of rooks, a crooked bridge, and that boy. Soon Naomi and Lizzie find themselves zooming toward a future neither could ever have imagined. Meanwhile, on a grand estate across the ocean, an old lady whose heart has been deceived concocts a plan. . . .
As two very different worlds are woven together, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech celebrates the gossamer thread that connects us all, and the great and unexpected gifts of love, friendship, and forgiveness.

I love Sharon Creech's books.  Each of them revolve around different aspects of family, but are totally different.  The Great Unexpected, to me, shares that family comes in many forms, doesn't always have to be the people you are born with, and that no matter what, your family watches out for you. 

The voice of this book is so different.  I'm in awe of Ms. Creech's talent in creating a totally different voice for each book.  I'm a stickler for voice.  I hate reading a MG or YA book that has child characters speaking uncharacteristically like adults, and on the flip side, I hate reading MG or YA books that have kids that "try too hard" to sound like kids.  Ms. Creech was able to write like a kid actually sounds, and even picked up on the small town way of talking. 

I wondered how both stories were going to tie together, and then be resolved.  I liked how the townspeople of Blackbird Tree were involved in the ending, as well.

This is one of those books that I have a hard time explaining why I like it...because I like it SO MUCH!  You know the type of book I mean (Wonder, The One and Only Ivan, The Tale of Despereaux), where you just want to say--"READ IT!  It's wonderful!  I shouldn't have to tell you why!  Just DO IT!" 

And now, for the giveaway!  HarperCollins was kind enough to send me two ARC copies of The Great Unexpected (thank you so much!  I really appreciate it!).  I'm keeping one copy for my classroom library, but would love to give the other copy away to one of you lovely people!

I don't want to make it too complicated, so please completely fill out the form.  Open to US residents only (sorry, but its really expensive to ship overseas)  The giveaway will run for two weeks, until August 10th.  So, as soon as I wake up on August 11th, I'll be picking a winner using a random number generator.

Good luck!

1 comment:

  1. Creech is one of my favorite authors - she really makes her characters believable.

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