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1st out of 4 books
—
3 voters
The Callender Papers
Think carefully...
That's the advice Jean Wainwright always gets from her beloved Aunt Constance, Jean's guardian and headmistress at the boarding school where she lives. It's advice that proves valuable when Jean finds herself spending the summer far from home, sorting out family papers for the reclusive Mr. Thiel, a trustee of Aunt Constance's school and the widower of
...morePaperback, 261 pages
Published
March 1st 2000
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1st 1983)
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"People can be unimaginably foolish...and they can be unimaginably grand, at times."
—Aunt Constance, The Callender Papers, P. 9
"Men, and women too, are unpredictable creatures. You have seen little of this. I wonder now if your innocence is enough protection for you."
—Aunt Constance, P. 17
I would give two and a half stars to this book.
Cynthia Voigt has delivered a solid family mystery story that stretches back a full decade before this book begins, populated with strong, realistic characte...more
—Aunt Constance, The Callender Papers, P. 9
"Men, and women too, are unpredictable creatures. You have seen little of this. I wonder now if your innocence is enough protection for you."
—Aunt Constance, P. 17
I would give two and a half stars to this book.
Cynthia Voigt has delivered a solid family mystery story that stretches back a full decade before this book begins, populated with strong, realistic characte...more
I was a big Cynthia Voigt fan as a kid - but not her realistic fiction. Homecoming depressed me, although I think I worked my way through the whole thing. I much preferred stories with some mystery or fantasy to them, so The Callender Papers really worked for me then (as did Jackaroo: A Novel of the Kingdom, which I've yet to reread). Coming back to it as an adult, I know exactly why I enjoyed it then, but the mystery elements don't work quite as well because the ending felt obvious.
But here's...more
But here's...more
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Personally, I liked this book. It had a fun plot idea. I thought it was better at some points than others though.
The basic idea of the plot was that, a young girl went to live with a man for the summer in a small town, to help him with some work. While she was there, she began finding a deeper meaning to her work. Things began to come together, and fall apart in her understanding as time went on. As she digs deeper into her research, her life begins to be put on the line. Finally she uncovers...more
The basic idea of the plot was that, a young girl went to live with a man for the summer in a small town, to help him with some work. While she was there, she began finding a deeper meaning to her work. Things began to come together, and fall apart in her understanding as time went on. As she digs deeper into her research, her life begins to be put on the line. Finally she uncovers...more
Solid story about a 12-year-old girl in the late 19th century who spends a summer working for a mysterious and cantankerous acquaintance of her adoptive aunt. She's smart and plainspoken, but is believable as a 12 year old. The writing style didn't feel dated at all. Some of the plot twists seemed obvious to me early on, but I'm pretty sure I've read this one before (albeit probably at least 15 years ago), so maybe I'm just remembering the story from an earlier reading.
This was a good book and it seemed fairly classic. But I do have to say one thing, I found the plot highly predictable. It really was pretty obvious that she was the daughter all along and that Mr. Callender was trying to murder her. I even had a vague idea of what was going to happen before they even introduced half the characters. I'm definitely not saying it's not a good book, it totally was. But reader beware, you shall find no suspense (except in one scene) here.
In spite of its predictability, this YA mystery was a fun read. Kind of like a mini-Jane Eyre or The Secret Garden. I was amused by the main character's refrain about the importance of "thinking carefully." It was pretty cute, how devoted she was to the idea that thinking carefully could solve all of her problems. It made a funny contrast with how many things were actually beyond her understanding or control.
I got this when I was a little girl, about 5, at a book festival. It sat on my shelf for six years, dubbed as boring. When I opened it up, it drew me in. I loved the entire book, and the characters just jump out on you, real and diverse. I'm a minor still, so it actually appeals to me more than a thirty year old. Anyway, it is a beautiful book.
I found this book while browsing with my mom in the young adult section of the public library. The description caught my eye because the story was about a young girl who was charged with going though and organizing personal papers. I thought what a great author to write about record retention and the screening of archival papers !
Without revealing too much of the story which lead to my conclusions, I will say that being an older reader, I suspected the direction in which the plot was heading by...more
Without revealing too much of the story which lead to my conclusions, I will say that being an older reader, I suspected the direction in which the plot was heading by...more
I read this book in fourth grade. It was recommended to me by my teacher, Mrs. Stevenson. I remember that part, at least. The details of the story elude my memory. I remember not being enthralled but feeling like I was supposed to be.
Incidentally, it may have been this book that inspired my desire to choose a book for each of my children where the main character shared their name. When I was 9 I had already picked all five of my kids' names. My second daughter was to be named Constance Marie, a...more
Incidentally, it may have been this book that inspired my desire to choose a book for each of my children where the main character shared their name. When I was 9 I had already picked all five of my kids' names. My second daughter was to be named Constance Marie, a...more
This wasn't quite as exciting as it's claimed to be. The story was thrilling, but a tad bit unrealistic. The main character is only twelve, but she's solving mysteries and having mature conversations that I found hard to believe - the author should have put her at least 5 years older because that's how she appeared. All in all, I did like how it the story resolved.
I read this years ago and it sounded so good that I thought I'd read it again. I was disappointed that the girl didn't actually go back into the past. She just discovers some family secrets- and secrets about herself- while sorting papers for a "family friend".
I Own this book and I love it and I do not remember when or where I got it but I read the whole thing and I cried somewhat when reading. If you have not read it I storngly you read it.
I have not read it anytime soon but I may in a few weeks or months again.
I have not read it anytime soon but I may in a few weeks or months again.
Such junior high school nostalgia. I hope I'll remember to read this when I'm 50 or 60 and just sit there and smile and remember how we were in B10 and I was in the inner U of the classroom in the third seat from the row facing the windows.
This was another one of the books I'm reading in my rediscovery of Voigt.
This was a pretty stable mystery, but I'm thinking I would have enjoyed more as a tween - especially since I had it figured out before half way through ;)
This was a pretty stable mystery, but I'm thinking I would have enjoyed more as a tween - especially since I had it figured out before half way through ;)
More of a children's/young teen's book but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Not much of a mystery (if you're an adult reading the book). I knew the answer the whole time but it was "interesting" how they played it out.
Not too bad.
Not too bad.
I read this multiple times as a kid and am re-reading it. I hope it's as good as I remember.
Update: It was as good as I remembered. I enjoyed the mystery and the writing.
Update: It was as good as I remembered. I enjoyed the mystery and the writing.
Very enjoyable read with good plot twists. Lead character has a head on her shoulders and takes time to think. A true puzzle solving mystery using thought and research.
A relaxed little mystery, told from the perspective of a (mature) 12-year old girl. It took a long time for the mystery part to become apparent, but the story leading up to it was still satisfying.
It's a bit strange that the adults seem to treat the young girl as an equal or contemporary in conversation, especially in the time period when (I believe) children were to be seen and not heard.
It's a bit strange that the adults seem to treat the young girl as an equal or contemporary in conversation, especially in the time period when (I believe) children were to be seen and not heard.
My mom found this on her shelves and recommended it. Cute and fun story. Perfect to read while nursing with constant interruptions at home.
Good book. I really like this author but it was really predictable. The plot is very interesting, just don't expect anything novel.
I teach school and this is a great period piece. It is a great mystery and every student I have suggested it for loves it.
Voigt rarely disappoints. Good little historical mystery of sorts with a fairly complex plot for a children's book.
Not the most exciting story ever, but a mystery that intrigues enough for one read-through.
I read this in my teen years as well and really liked it, although not as much as Jackaroo.
Again, read as an 8th grade student for the YSU English festival. I enjoyed the mystery.
Interesting book, but I liked some of her other books better. Still worth reading.
A little bit of mystery in a historical setting written for youth
I enjoyed this book, but I found it a bit predictable.
Clean and easy. Too young and predictable.
This author has always impressed me. She's a master at developing characters. It was fun to re-discover her after not reading any of her work for several years. I noticed in this book that she writes clearly and cleanly, but not with the elegance of a Phillip Pullman or the fiery, jaw-dropping poetry of Gormeghast which I'm also reading. She shines on her clean story line and beautiful character development.
I enjoyed this book immensely though the mystery part of it is something you will probabl...more
I enjoyed this book immensely though the mystery part of it is something you will probabl...more
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Cynthia Voigt is an American author of books for young adults dealing with various topics such as adventure, mystery, racism and child abuse.
Awards:
Angus and Sadie: the Sequoyah Book Award (given by readers in Oklahoma), 2008
The Katahdin Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Anne V. Zarrow Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Margaret Edwards Award, for a body of work, 1995
Jackaroo: Ratte...more
More about Cynthia Voigt...
Awards:
Angus and Sadie: the Sequoyah Book Award (given by readers in Oklahoma), 2008
The Katahdin Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Anne V. Zarrow Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Margaret Edwards Award, for a body of work, 1995
Jackaroo: Ratte...more
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“You must not let yourself become too respectable. Keep yourself a little wild. What is life for, if not for the living of it?”
—
9 people liked it
“People can be unimaginably foolish...and they can be unimaginably grand, at times.”
—
5 people liked it
More quotes…
