Ten-year-old Janey Larkin's family is struggling to make ends meet in California's Central Valley during the Great Depression. Janey and her family...
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Dec 04, 2008
The other John
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This is a tale about Janey Larkin, the daughter of migrant workers in 1930s California. They arrive at the San Joaquin Valley and set up housekeeping in an abandoned shack. Janey wearily settles in for yet another temporary home as her father works the cotton harvest. The story follows a few months in the family's life, showcasing some of the aspects of the workers' lives. It's a rather pedestrian and predictable tale, but Ms. Gates does do a good job of establishing the setting and making it se
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Feb 01, 2012
Lydia
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Blue Willow is most definitely a book from my childhood that stuck with me. It was the first time I had to work to read a book: not because the text was difficult, but because it gave rise to feelings inside of me that were sad and despondent, as I began to identify with the main character, a young girl who is living through the Depression.
The title refers to her one and only possession of worth: a Blue Willow plate. As her family moves from place to place she has learned to never expe More...
The title refers to her one and only possession of worth: a Blue Willow plate. As her family moves from place to place she has learned to never expe More...
Sep 13, 2011
Jennifer
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Excellent piece of children's literature! I read this in conjunction with my son's homeschool program, as we were studying the Southwest. The book involves a young girl, Janey, the daughter of migrant workers, who longs for permanence in her impoverished, unstable life situation. I was especially impressed with the spiritual insight this book gives. While not specifically a Christian novel, Janey clings to Scripture for security: "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and co
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Apr 16, 2011
Melissa
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There don't seem to be that many books about the Dust Bowl and migrant workers during the Depression, at least for kids. Bonus for this one--it was published in 1940, when these experiences and stories were still quite fresh.
Janey is really just waiting for a place she can call home. More than anything I've read about this time period, this book captures how hard it must have been for kids to always be on the move. She wants to make friends and belong but she can't--because they'l More...
Janey is really just waiting for a place she can call home. More than anything I've read about this time period, this book captures how hard it must have been for kids to always be on the move. She wants to make friends and belong but she can't--because they'l More...
Sep 08, 2009
Margaret
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This is a pleasant book for young girls. It is the story about Janey Larkin who is from a very poor family growing up in the San Joaquin Valley in California around the 1930’s. Her family hasn’t stayed in a place for very long because her father is a migrant farm worker who goes from place to place where work is needed. As they settle in their new home, Janey grows to love it very much and doesn’t want to move onto the next place in a few months.
I enjoyed this book. It was a ligh More...
I enjoyed this book. It was a ligh More...
Sep 12, 2011
Jael
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I picked this up at the library. Never heard of it or the author before, but I liked the cover art (different, older edition from this one). Yes, I'm that shallow.
HOWEVER... the story was really, really good. Well-written, concise, even profound while never being more than an age-appropriate children's story. I particularly could relate to Janey, having always been the Odd One. Very, very charming, and I'm going to see if there are more books by this author.
HOWEVER... the story was really, really good. Well-written, concise, even profound while never being more than an age-appropriate children's story. I particularly could relate to Janey, having always been the Odd One. Very, very charming, and I'm going to see if there are more books by this author.
Oct 09, 2009
Lynda
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The depression-era story of a Janey; a girl from a poor family who is constantly moving around while her father looks for work. She longs for a real home and a best friend. When her family hits rock bottom, Janey offers to sell her most beloved posession; the blue willow plate that used to belong to her great-great grandmother. I loved this story as a child and when I read it again as an adult. One of my favorites.
Feb 25, 2009
Susan
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I loved this book so much that I bought it for
Elizabeth as a gift when she was young with a
real place setting of Blue Willow China.
My sister in-law, Jane Ann had a full service for 12 -the real stuff
from England..... I know she never used it once before she died.
I think of her though for some reason when I think of this book
Elizabeth as a gift when she was young with a
real place setting of Blue Willow China.
My sister in-law, Jane Ann had a full service for 12 -the real stuff
from England..... I know she never used it once before she died.
I think of her though for some reason when I think of this book
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Jan 25, 2012
Debbie
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This was a nice story about what it was like during the depression and how people were migrants during that time. There are big themes of independence, trustworthiness, and friendship. It might be good to read this to contrast with a book like Esperanza Rising, which also is set in a migrant farm community but in the 60s.
Feb 02, 2009
Melissa
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Doris Gates is an author that was routinely on our required reading lists in elementary school. I loved her books and read many of them but Blue Willow was my favorite. I found my copy at an antique store and was quite happy to pay the price for it. The illustrations by Paul Lantz are beautiful. Recommend
Dec 11, 2010
Aunu
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Buku ini telah menyadarkan saya bahwa hidup penuh dengan perjuangan. Bahkan hanya nutuk memperoleh tempat tingal yang layak. Kita harus tetap berpegang teguh pada mimpi yang kita usahakan agar terwujud. Dan karena mimpi itu terwujud hanya dengan usaha.
Mar 10, 2010
Lauren
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Soooo far in this book it is mostly boring. Two girls have very different difference. they try to fight but in a kind way, but someitmes it doesnt sound like that. I hope the book will get interesting very soon
Mar 25, 2010
Isabella
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I learned that friendship is more valuable than anything you own.
This is a great book that teach you that friendship can be more valuable than a plate. I like this book because she finds her first friend in her life.
This is a great book that teach you that friendship can be more valuable than a plate. I like this book because she finds her first friend in her life.
Feb 06, 2009
Maggie
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This was my favorite book when I was in 4th grade. I read it over and over again. Not sure what I would think as an adult, but it is probably worth the couple hours it would take to read it!
Feb 22, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. It really makes you appreciate what you have when you look at this girl, and how she was so thankful for just the small things. Refreshing, good read. :)
Sep 25, 2009
Single Worst book I have EVER read in my entire life. I had to read it for TAG and I almost gauged my eyes out. The first and pretty much only book I've fallen asleep during.
May 29, 2009
Innocent, ageless book form a girl's perspective during the Dust Bowl. I like the fact Janey is old, yet young at the same time because of the kind of life she has to live.
Jul 01, 2010
Blue Willow is the perfect book to jump start a young girl to read, instead of watching TV. Even though this book was written over sixty years ago. The struggles Janey had are not any different then many girl's of today. It is how she deals with these over whelming problems that will teach young girl's a valueable lesson. I have purchased a book for my eleven year old granddaughter to read.Jenny, a little girl, who wants most of all to have a real home and to go to a regular school, hopes that
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Jan 05, 2009
Amy
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I remember reading this years ago, but it was good enough to stick out in my mind! Good job of recreating the setting of the hardships of the 30s
Oct 16, 2009
Meredith
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Violet's 2009-2010 reading page: http://happyheartsmom.typepad.com/sweetn...
Aug 10, 2011
I read this as a kid, and remember being really moved by the family's heartache and Janie's ingenuity.
Jan 22, 2010
Lacey
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This was our homeschooling bookclub selection. It was a little slow, but we did enjoy the story. I give it a 2 1/2.
May 13, 2009
Suzanne
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I read this book I think in fourth grade and I loved it. I did a book report and got an A. I have never forgotten it.
Nov 03, 2011
Cody
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I really loved this book. It was pretty cute and I remember re-reading it, it meant that much to me.
Jan 07, 2012
Sandy
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This was one of my favorite childhood book. It reminds us that home is where the heart is.
Jun 06, 2009
Valory
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This was one of my favorite books when I was about 10 years old; I read it over and over again.
Oct 01, 2011
Susann
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9-25-11: Re-read for the VSC discussion. I would love to know more of Mom's back story and read an adult novel from her point-of-view.
8-8-08:
"Come in and rest a minute," she said, just as if she had known Janey all her life. "These books are here for you to look at as long as you care to."
A lovely book that I first read in 1985, because my reading teacher, Ms. Whitman, suggested I read more of the "classics." Janey's friend, Lupe, reminded m More...
8-8-08:
"Come in and rest a minute," she said, just as if she had known Janey all her life. "These books are here for you to look at as long as you care to."
A lovely book that I first read in 1985, because my reading teacher, Ms. Whitman, suggested I read more of the "classics." Janey's friend, Lupe, reminded m More...
Aug 24, 2008
Ginny
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A touching story set in 1930s California about the young daughter of a migrant farm worker. The extreme poverty of the family makes every possession and every happy experience stand out as something very special, often taking on almost magical proportions. Janey loves her blue willow plate because it is the only beautiful thing she owns (actually the only object she owns at all) but also because it represents home and permanence. Great characters and descriptions of agricultural life in 1930s
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Nov 05, 2011
Abigail
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It was a wonderful, sad and sweet story and I could realate a little bit.
