<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<GoodreadsResponse>
	<Request>
		<authentication>false</authentication>
		    <method><![CDATA[]]></method>
	</Request>
	<review id="44858177">
    <user id="947145">
    <name><![CDATA[Janessa]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Alpine, UT]]></location>        
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/947145-janessa]]></url>
    <image><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1250668454p3/947145.jpg]]></image>
  </user>
    <book>
  <id type="integer">3041813</id>
  <isbn>0312378866</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780312378868</isbn13>
  <ratings_count type="integer">176</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">82</text_reviews_count>
  <title>Brooklyn Bridge</title>
  <average_rating></average_rating>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3041813.Brooklyn_Bridge</link>
<author>
  <id type="integer">4057</id>
  <name>Karen Hesse</name>
  <ratings_count type="integer">7812</ratings_count>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">1427</text_reviews_count>
</author>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Jan 30 09:48:53 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Jan 30 10:00:23 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Initially I was put off by the character of Joseph Michtom: a priveleged boy whining about his good fortune.  But Hesse positioned Joseph in such a unique and compelling historical setting -- Brooklyn at the turn of the 20th century, where immigrants struggle for their piece of the American Dream, baseball is becoming the national pastime, and Coney Island is the great equalizer with its entertainments that beckon all who have the dime to get through the gate.  So at first, I read in spite of Joseph.  But that didn't take long to change.  Joseph experiences so much growth in this story.  It was wonderful to see that happen, and made me glad that we started where we did.  I would have liked to see more of the sub-story of Stephen from the outset, and better fleshing out of the 'bear' on Joseph's back, but it really was such a rewarding story to read.  The last three endpapers are so colorful and fun that I wonder why the publisher didn't include more throughout the book -- those pages really evoke a wonderful tone an feeling.]]></body>
    <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/44858177]]></url>
</review>

</GoodreadsResponse>