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Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't put this book down!
Review: Faith Sullivan has the ability to write about her characters in such a way that everything they feel is transferred to you, the reader. I'm not one to show a lot of emotion while reading a book, but this one had me both laughing and on the brink of tears. The story is told from eyes of 6-year old Lark, who lives in a train depot with her strong mother and semi-abusive, gambling addict father, during the depression. The book has several storylines, with the main one being between Lark and her mother who long for a house of their own, the Cape Ann model in particular. Her father's continual gambling debts threaten to sabotage their plans until her mother starts a typing service from their home in the depot. Lark has to deal with learning catechism for her first confession and communion, her bed-ridden, pregnant Aunt Betty, befriending a WWI hero who has lost his sanity because of the war, and her two best friends, Beverly, who lives in poverty, and Sally, whose mother suffers from depression. This novel is a humorous, poignant look at a child's world where everything is changing quickly beyond her control and causing her to call on reserves of strength that only growing up can bring.
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Summary: My most favorite book ever
Review: I absolutly love this book. I found it one day while hiding in my school library, and I was hooked. The story is told in a serious, yet inspirational, fun-loving way. The story is told through Lark, a six year old girl who is young and hopeful and happy, and yet facing many issues, from the depression, to her father, and her own beliefs. There are so many ups and downs, hopeful moments, and sad moments, scary moments. In the end, it doesn't completely END, it doesn't just finish, it leaves you thinking about the story, wondering, yet content and hopeful. This is a must read, check it out!
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Summary: A real surprise!
Review: I checked this book out at the library without ever having heard of it or the author, but was I ever impressed! The story is told from the perspective of young Lark, who is about 6 when the story begins. She is the only child of a strong willed mother and often abusive father, living in Minnesota during the depression. Lark's mother is making do, living in the train depot where her husband works, saving every penny she can so that one day they can build their own house. Lark and her mother have decided on a Cape Ann style house, but everytime they get enough to make a down payment on it, her father ends up gambling away every bit of it. He is a devout Catholic and Lark is trying so hard to study to be confirmed, but no matter how hard she tries, he finds fault with her. It's Lark's mother who keeps her going. She is a woman ahead of her time, figuring out a way to make money on her own, she learns to type and starts her own business. They befriend a man named Hilly who is a hero from the war, but has come home with a shattered mind. He has the personality of a young child and Lark loves to go to his house and read to him. She and her mother always remember Hilly on his birthday and Christmas, much to the disgust of the father. This story is so great, because the author has really gotten into the mind of a child. I laughed out loud at some of the true things that Lark thought, and felt angry and sad right along with her when her father beat her. This was such a good book that I am ready to start on the next one by the same author. I would recommend it to any age reader.
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