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23rd out of 89 books
—
52 voters
I'll Watch the Moon
by
Ann Tatlock
Award-winning novelist Ann Tatlock once again lovingly crafts a story that will touch readers' hearts while illuminating a powerful spiritual truth. I'll Watch the Moon is the story of Catherine Tierney, angry at a God whom she no longer believes exists, and her painful journey back to faith. It is also the story of her friendship with Josef Karski, who teaches her how to...more
Paperback, 399 pages
Published
June 1st 2003
by Bethany House Publishers
(first published 2003)
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This book was a recurrent emotional tug - a child inflicted with polio battles the disease in an iron lung, a single mother trying to provide for her two children after her estranged husband dies, and a former survivor of a Jewish concentration camp endeavors to leave his tragic experiences behind in order to rebegin life in America. Depressing as each storyline is, Tatlock blends them all into a truly endearing story of hope, reawakening and pure friendship. The relationship between Nova and Jo...more
This is one of those little treasures that seems to have gotten little attention, but deserves more. The setting is 1948 in a small town of Minnesota. Nova is 9, and loves nothing as much as being with her brother, Dewey. Surprisingly, he enjoys her tag-along company and is just the perfect big brother. But there are dark days ahead, for Dewey gets the "crippler" polio, and Nova is left to battle her fears and hopes on her own. Of course, she's not quite alone. In the boarding house where she li...more
Beautiful! There is a lot of heartbreak in this book, but it is not depressing at all. It explained so well the concepts of faith in God and giving our will up to His greater understanding. I also learned a lot about life in America post WWII and during the polio epidemic. Highly recommended read!
I had many favorite quotes. Here are a few...
"But then what do you do?"
"I pray for strength."
The words were simple, straightforward. Josef pushed against the floor with one foot and the swing moved back...more
I had many favorite quotes. Here are a few...
"But then what do you do?"
"I pray for strength."
The words were simple, straightforward. Josef pushed against the floor with one foot and the swing moved back...more
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I usually take forever reading a book, but I couldn't put this one down. I fell in love with the characters and wanted to learn more about them. This book is written through the eyes of a young girl whose family consists of her widowed mother and brother who are living with the mother's sister in a boarding house in the post-World War II, polio scare era. The young girl sees changes in her mother as her mother becomes acquainted with a Polish man who is a boarder, a survivor of Aushwitz and Dach...more
This is a weeper, so if you're in the mood for a good cry, this book should do it for you. Yes, there are some tragic descriptions of WWII and concentration camps, but the real emotion comes from the stories after: how hope and faith overcomes such devastation, and makes life more than the bad things. It helps people bond and love and care. I enjoyed the cast of characters in the boarding house, especially Nova and her family, including her brother (polio), her mother (divorce), and the other re...more
This was a very touching story of a family that had to endure some difficult struggles as they were thrown together in a very different living situation. (I'm really not trying to give anything away). I really have not read much about these issues, but definately have seen movies. The most touching part of this book was the letters that were written back and forth between a brother and a sister. So real, so loving, so cute. I loved the fact that the sister always signed her full name to the end...more
First of all, this book is fluff reading. It is good fluff, clean and upliting.
The take away from this book for me was that God is working in many individual ways to bring each of us to him.
The other thing I have not stopped thinking about from this book is a story told several times in the book. Here is the story:
"There was a rabbi who lived in Poland a long time ago. I think hundreds of years ago. And one day he was out with his students having a picnic or something up on a big hill that overl...more
The take away from this book for me was that God is working in many individual ways to bring each of us to him.
The other thing I have not stopped thinking about from this book is a story told several times in the book. Here is the story:
"There was a rabbi who lived in Poland a long time ago. I think hundreds of years ago. And one day he was out with his students having a picnic or something up on a big hill that overl...more
I am always happy when I picked up a book that is not on the Best Seller list or recommended by anyone, and find a story that holds my interest from page one. This is a lovely story told my a young girl. I loved the descriptions of her family, her friends and the residents of her mother and aunts boarding house. You have to love a story when you can feel their emotions and visualize thier descriptions. I am a poor book reviewer- couldn't say how well it's written, I didn't even notice if there w...more
I needed a break from my usual 'action packed' dystopian books that I've been reading alot lately, and this book was exactly what I was looking for. This book to me was a breathe of fresh air and just left me with a big smile after reading it.
Although the characters in this book faced so many hardships, it wasn't a sad or depressing book. Ann Tatlock did such a wonderful job writing this novel. I am so glad I happened to find this book, and I can't wait to read more of Ms. Tatlock's work.
Although the characters in this book faced so many hardships, it wasn't a sad or depressing book. Ann Tatlock did such a wonderful job writing this novel. I am so glad I happened to find this book, and I can't wait to read more of Ms. Tatlock's work.
This historical novel just keeps getting deeper. From the Spanish influenza epidemic and WWI to the moon landing, a lot of everyday human history plays out but quietly--not in a blockbuster trilogy sort of way. The narrator is a young girl trying to figure out how the various events of her history have affected her and how they will shape her future. Her evolving religious exploration is an important part of the process.
I loved this book. It had every element of my favorite books: characters that are endearing and unforgettable, a bit of history (including a Holocaust survivor!), and a message of faith and inspiration. I loved the different ways each character dealt with pain and suffering and how each taught the others in their experiences and differences. The relationships in the book are unforgettable - especially that of Nova, the child narrator and Josef Karski, the Holocaust survivor.
Two favorite quotes:...more
Two favorite quotes:...more
Wonderful book and very well written. A bit too much reality for me sometimes, so I had a hard time separately my own life's experiences, but really a must read. Story is about a young girl who experiences much love and many heartbreaks in her young life and the lives of those people who surround her and their tremendous influence upon her based from their own amazing lives.
This historical novel begins in 1948 in St. Paul, Minnesota and is narrated by nine-year-old Nova "Tag" Tierney. Her brother Dewey gets polio and must be hospitalized. Her father is dead, and she longs for a new pa. Maybe Joseph, a survivor of German prison camps and a resident of her family's boarding house might be the one. Lots going on in this book (Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918, the Holocaust, polio, child abuse, cheating husbands). It is "Christian" fiction, but not heavy-handed, this...more
This is my kind of book! A well written, history based story, that is also uplifting and faith promoting. The story takes place in Minnesota, during the 1940’s polio epidemic, and it masterfully explores the spiritual journey of those dealing with immense pain, suffering, and loss. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
“I decided that faith must be the strongest thing in the world, because an ounce of it can change the course of an entire life.” Nova Tierney
“And if I curse God, Mrs. Tierney? Wha...more
“I decided that faith must be the strongest thing in the world, because an ounce of it can change the course of an entire life.” Nova Tierney
“And if I curse God, Mrs. Tierney? Wha...more
Family with troubles in the late 1940s. Very good writing style. Simple story telling technique. Liked the characters. Main flaw for me was that she tried to cover too many big themes in one book. War, holocaust, polio epidemic (the main plot driver), child sexual abuse, death, abandonment..sounds grim but, it is not.
A wonderful book with sweet and endearing characters. I love stories that are historically accurate. I guess I thought that after WWII everything was great. The cold war, the polio epidemic, and dealing with the aftermath of the war certainly caused its' share of angst. A beautiful memorable story.
Wonderful love story about a girl who is determined to get a new father. She can't decide between the next door neighbor whose wife left him during the war, or one of their boarders who was held in a concentration camp. The trials they go through. How her mom is able to love again. Loved it!
This is probably one of my more favorite books that I have "read" (I actually listened to it)in a long time. I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed the history brought into it, and I loved the development of the characters as their lives are influences by one character in particular.
I wish I could put my finger on why I thought this book was just "ok," as opposed to "I liked it." It was predictable. I liked learning about iron lungs and such. The characters & plot were positive. It just didn't sweep me off my feet.
Through the eyes of a young girl we meet many different people and appreciate them for what they are. Her experience with the trials of her mother and brother is a spiritual test and is enlightening. I enjoyed this book.
This book was a joy, treat, inspiration, and was so thought-provoking. One of the best I've read in years. I felt so grateful for my life after devouring this book in two short days. I'll definitely read it again!
If you like movies like "Stand by Me" and "Sandlot" you will love this book. Written in the same style as these movies is a touching book about a girl, polio and a Polish Auschwitz survivor. One of the best books I've read in a long time.
Absolutely amazing book! It altered the way I look at the world/experiences/people. It is a beautiful book. On par with The Hiding Place except that it's ficitional.
A story set in the late 1940s, where Nova Tierney, a preteen is having a challenging life. What she learns about those years changes her life for the better forever.
Loved this insightful book! And I love historical period literature - I learn a lot from it. But the biggest takeaway is a fresh view of God's perspective.
I loved the book.There is something different about this book.It delineated human emotion common to all.I want to read more from this author.
Aug 18, 2012
Lori
added it
Great book for discussion- historical fiction that really describes the polio epidemic and post WW2. Strong relationships and faith.
I read this years ago and I still think about it. It taught me about children and how they perceive the hard things adults go through.
Full of reasons why you should hold onto faith, and hope for better tomorrows. A book with a positive tone for once. What a exceptional find!
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“There is so much of suffering that I will never even begin to understand. But I am content in believing that I don't even have to understand why the story unravels the way it does so long as I know that in the end everything will be all right.”
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9 people liked it
“I only know that one day you wake up and realize it doesn't hurt quite so much. Until then you can put yourself in the hands of God- He'll see you through. You can take it from someone who knows, dear. I've found his hands to be an easy place to rest.”
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7 people liked it
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