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Product Description
Quill & Quire
If Sharon Jennings’ Home Free, the first volume in Second Story’s new Gutsy Girl series is a sign of what’s to come, then hurrah. This short, sharp story sets the bar high for its followers: it’s subtle, wise, and energetic, an honest picture of childhood perceptions and the sort of nuanced fortitude it takes simply to mature. An 11-year-old in the 196os, Lee Mets is a spirited mixture of gossip and curiosity, frustration and creativity. She strives to get along with her repressive Presbyterian mother, negotiate schoolyard politics, and pursue her dream of becoming a writer. When she first hears that an orphan her age is coming to live with neighbours, Lee is thrilled. She thinks Cassandra will be a figure of romance and a kindred soul, à la Anne of Green Gables. And even though Cassandra isn’t quite what Lee expected and refuses to talk about her parents, she does turn out to be an invigorating friend. Together, they stage a play, share opinions of other kids, and ponder adults’ mysterious expressions and taboos. When Lee’s father dies of a heart attack, though, Cassandra shares the shameful story of her “orphanhood,” and the girls find consolation in each other. Jennings’ novel has numerous strengths: Lee’s strong, intelligent narrative voice, simultaneously direct and multilayered in meaning; a period setting in the 1960s that’s convincing without drawing attention to itself; and, most notably, a main character whose innocence, sturdy perceptions, and thirst for knowledge ring true to childhood experience.
Review
Subtle, wise, and energetic; an honest picture of childhood perceptions. (Quill & Quire )
An excellent exploration of the meaning of friendship. (Canadian Teacher Magazine )
The brand new “Gutsy Girls” series from Canadian publisher Second Story Press promises to be lively, funny, engaging and original. Judging by the debut novel Home Free it will truly live up to that expectation! (Children's Bookwatch )
An excellent exploration of the meaning of friendship. (Canadian Teacher Magazine )
The brand new “Gutsy Girls” series from Canadian publisher Second Story Press promises to be lively, funny, engaging and original. Judging by the debut novel Home Free it will truly live up to that expectation! (Children's Bookwatch )
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
funny, sad, but hopeful,
By
This review is from: Home Free (Paperback)
Funny, nostalgic, and sad but hopeful, this book made us explore a range of emotions. My 9-year-old daughter loved it. Home Free allowed us to talk about topics perfect for her age group: friendships, loss of a loved one, and pursuing one's dream.Leanne Mets (Lee) is an 11-year-old spunky, outspoken but naïve girl who wants to follow her dream of becoming a writer. It's summertime in the 1960s, school is out, and a girl moves next door to her family. She is an orphan and Lee wants her to be a kindred spirit just like in Anne of Green Gables, her all-time favourite story. But it is also the summer that changes everything for Lee. A summer that teaches Lee what it means to be a true friend, not to take her parents for granted, and to use her gift of writing. Written in the first person, Lee's voice is compelling. We are right inside her head and the author captures her young voice so well, I could see why my daughter was eagerly drinking it all in. I loved Lee's voice too, and I certainly related to her because it brought back memories of my childhood when I read voraciously and dreamed of becoming a writer. The topic of sexuality comes up subtly and is dealt with so well that it speaks volumes not only of the author's finesse in handling such a topic but of the era in which it takes place. This book is a great mother and daughter summer read, and I highly recommend it for the book-loving girl in your life.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet,
By
This review is from: Home Free (Paperback)
In Home Free, Leeanna Mets shares the story of one memorable summer in the 60's when: she met a kindred spirit, decided to follow her dreams, and her whole world was changed in an instant.Even though she's only 11, Lee knows that she wants to be a writer. Unfortunately, her mother thinks good girls should grow up to be nurses or teachers. As an avid reader whose favourite book is Anne of Green Gables, Lee has developed a romanticized idea of what life would be like as an orphan. But when Cassandra moves in next door, Lee learns that real life isn't like her books. Told in Lee's voice, Home Free focuses on that time when something as simple as putting on a play with your friends could bring you immense joy. But no matter what age you are, when tragedy strikes your world comes crashing down, and yet somehow life must go on. This sweet story will touch young readers - especially girls who have struggled to fit in. Older readers will be reminded of childhood friends and summers filled with possibilities.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended reading and a popular addition to community library fiction collections for young readers,
By Midwest Book Review - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Home Free (Paperback)
Specifically written by author Sharon Jennings to appeal to girls ages 9 through 12, the brand new 'Gutsy Girls' series from Canadian publisher Second Story Press promises to be lively, funny, engaging, and original. Judging by the debut novel "Home Free" it will truly live up to that expectation! Leanna Mets (known as Lee to her friends and family) is a twelve year old girl with an ambition of becoming a writer. Cassandra is an orphaned girl who moves into a house across the street from Lee who is at first glance convinced the two of them will be great friends. But Cassandra is less than impressed with Lee's overtures because of her fascination with Cassandra's orphan status. It takes a tragedy in Lee's own family and an uncovered truth about Cassandra's past to bring the two girls together. Author Sharon Jennings is an original and talented storyteller who brings her memorable characters to life with a novel that is deftly crafted to engage intense reader interest from beginning to end. "Home Free" is highly recommended reading and a popular addition to community library fiction collections for young readers.
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