Set in 1906 against the backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy," this Printz Honor Book effortlessly weaves romance, history, and a murder mystery into something moving, real, and wholly original.
Read More
Set in 1906 against the backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy," this Printz Honor Book effortlessly weaves romance, history, and a murder mystery into something moving, real, and wholly original.
Read Less
Add this copy of A Northern Light to cart. $9.48, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Perfection Learning.
Add this copy of A Northern Light to cart. $36.69, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Perfection Learning.
In 1906, teenager Mattie Gokey discovers her true self by unraveling a murder mystery.
The story is beautiful, and the growth of the characters is poignant and touching; you feel like you're experiencing every situation and growing right alongside Mattie.
The reason I give the book 2 stars? The bad language and mature content. (It's certainly an adult book.) If only the plot could have been crafted with a few scenes and words omitted...
Other than that, I truly loved the story. Mattie is a girl who inhales words; every single day she finds a new one in the dictionary, and learns to use it in her daily life. She wants to pass her high school exams and go to college, although her pa is set against the idea.
The one person who understands her desires is Miss Wilcox, the schoolteacher, who tries to urge Mattie into continuing her education. It it's rawest form, the story touched me in the same way that Jo March does (in Little Women). In comparison, I see 2 girls (Mattie Gokey & Jo March), who just want to spend time connecting with words.
And then... there's Royal Loomis. If ever I wanted a fictional girl to fall in love, this was the boy I wanted her to fall in love with. He is a beautifully-created character, and I always couldn't wait for his next appearance in the book.
I'm saddened that I have to give such a great-quality story only a 2 star rating, but the issues mentioned above ruined my bliss.
Dreamymia
Dec 16, 2008
Wonderful book
I really enjoyed this book. It was not as good as the Tea Rose or the Winter Rose, but if you like both of those, I would still recommend reading this one as well. It is still very uplifting and heartfelt.
