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What the Moon Said

Gayle Rosengren (Goodreads Author)

3.92 · Rating details · 568 ratings · 129 reviews

It's the beginning of the Great Depression and nine-year-old Esther's father has lost his job. A move from Chicago to a farm in Wisconsin seems like a good idea, and in many ways it's the beginning of the happiest time in Esther's life. But it's also a challenging time, and the challenges are made all the harder by Ma's superstitions, which have such a powerful impact on t ...more

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Kindle Edition, 224 pages

Published February 20th 2014 by Putnam/Penguin

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May 22, 2014 Manybooks rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: ANYONE

Shelves: historical-fiction, book-reviews, childrens-literature, favourites-read

Although I originally read this exquisite and heartwarming novel in 2014, I loved Gail Rosengren's What the Moon Said so much, I adored it so much that I simply have not been able to pen and post a for and to me adequate review. Since the author is also a GR friend, I recently realised that I should really post a review, although I still think that any review I do post, will not even remotely come close to describing how much this book was and still is a pleasure and a joy to read (I have reread Although I originally read this exquisite and heartwarming novel in 2014, I loved Gail Rosengren's What the Moon Said so much, I adored it so much that I simply have not been able to pen and post a for and to me adequate review. Since the author is also a GR friend, I recently realised that I should really post a review, although I still think that any review I do post, will not even remotely come close to describing how much this book was and still is a pleasure and a joy to read (I have reread it at least five times since 2014 and each time, I love and appreciate it even more, and will more than likely continue to do so).

Now I think one of the main reasons that I enjoyed What the Moon Said so very much is the fact that the father is German and the mother Russian (or perhaps Russian Mennonite), but that even though the story takes place in 1930's America, there is no "all Germans are evil" presented and shown; it is simply a story about individuals, many of them of German background (and mostly farmers) trying to make ends meet, and how the whole community helps and sustains one another. While I do have some rather huge issues with the mother and her strict and uncompromising ways, I actually also very much appreciate the fact that the author has not shied away from depicting her as a character with faults and problematic, superstitious ideas (and one should indeed remember that the mother does, in fact, apologise and accept that she has made mistakes, and that alone, is worth gold in my opinion).

Yes, What the Moon Said is, indeed, truly wonderful (a real treasure and a perfect book for middle grade readers to read on their own or with their parents). And truth be told, I actually adored What the Moon Said almost as much as the Anne of Green Gables series and those who know me should realise that this is probably the absolute highest praise I can give to a children's book. Most highly recommended to anyone, and even many adults will likely find this book a lovely reading pleasure! ...more

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Feb 12, 2018 Leila rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: my-challenge-books, so-many-books-so-little-time, my-wow-books, children-to-young-adult

What the Moon Said

‘What the Moon Said’ is one of the best books I have read in a long time yet it is for eight to twelve year olds.
I found it a beautiful read set in the time of the great depression in America. The main character is little Esther and the themes in the book are centered on this child. Sometimes she is the narrator when for example she describes her bewilderment at some of the painful issues between her Mother and herself. Her Father is American and her Mother is Russian and is What the Moon Said

‘What the Moon Said’ is one of the best books I have read in a long time yet it is for eight to twelve year olds.
I found it a beautiful read set in the time of the great depression in America. The main character is little Esther and the themes in the book are centered on this child. Sometimes she is the narrator when for example she describes her bewilderment at some of the painful issues between her Mother and herself. Her Father is American and her Mother is Russian and is fanatical in her superstitious nature. This aspect of her character runs through the whole story causing Esther in particular problems in whether to believe them or not.
The large family, all girls except the youngest child, face the unexpected risk of poverty when the Father loses his job in the city and decides to put what savings they have into purchasing a farm out in the country
Little Esther, a dreamy imaginative child lives a dual life. When things are too hard for Esther to bear, she retreats into her private dream world where she can escape from the pain of reality often conversing with her beloved doll. This often gets her into trouble.
Esther longs to feel loved by her Mother who spends all of her days working hard to keep her family fed and clothed. Esther cannot seem to sense this love no matter how she tries to please her Mother. She is sure in her heart that she is not good enough to be loved and often makes unfavourable comparisons concerning her Mother’s attitude towards her elder sister and younger brother in contrast to how her Mother treats her.
This fear is manifested primarily in her relationship with her superstitious Russian Mother. Esther sees her Mother as someone who is always irritated, disappointed or even angry with her. In her mind she does not have her Mother’s approval, so to escape from this pain she retreats into her imaginary world where her Mother is all loving. She does endure a lot of emotional stress for because of her low self esteem for she herself does make many mistakes in her efforts in general to receive love. Esther doesn’t realise how often her hard pressed Mother is irritated by her own constant day dreaming when she should be doing things her Mother has asked her to do.

In the latter part of the book, the harsh conditions during the long hard winter escalates, causing the family and their animals to suffer general hardship. Hunger is their greatest enemy. Food has run out and the family are starving and in desperate need.
It is at this point that dramatic events now take place leading to Esther being returned to Chicago to stay with her big sister Julie.
It is in this latter part of the book; Esther finally begins to learn the truth about love and the acceptance of reality rather than forever escaping into her imaginary world with her beloved doll to find it. She discovers what it actually means to her alone, rather than having her big sister Julie's explanation. She discovers that love is not just about hugs and kisses. She at last learns that words can be the smallest part of loving.
The continuing struggle with the state of affairs on the farm now causes the whole family to have to come back to Chicago. This is where the author ties up all the loose ends to finish the story.
Earlier in the book, Esther had longed for her own Mother to give her hugs and kisses in the way her best friend received so many from her own stoic Mother. At the end of the book she learns that her friend’s Mother had left the family to run off with a lover.
She might not be so demonstrative and she causes issues with her superstitious nature, but her love for her family shines through all the hard work and dedication in the way she gives her whole life to keeping the family together no matter how hard the choices she has to make. She improvises, no matter what dark clouds of troubles swirl around them.
One small issue I do have with the ending is that it feels a little rushed. It is almost as if that now Esther’ problems are ironed out… she isn’t sure where to go next, for Esther is without doubt the major character. This is just my personal impression though and others might not agree with me.
I had a constant lump in my throat during most of the second half of the book and found myself fighting tears. I identified with this lonely little girl. She tries so hard to please her Mother as the story unfolds.
As a child and into my teens even, I also struggled with my perception of an undemonstrative Mother that I carried inside of me for various personal reasons. I seemed to be a disappointment to her no matter how hard I tried.
I recommend this book highly. I enjoyed it as an adult. It would also be ideal to read with your children or to them.
...more

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Jul 17, 2013 Liza Wiemer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc

An outstanding MG novel that I'm sure will become a favorite of students and teachers alike. I was completely captivated by this historical fiction novel, which takes place during the Depression. Esther is a young girl struggling to get her mom's approval and love. Her mom is very superstitious and these superstitions guide Esther's enter family, determining the good luck and bad luck they'll have. At times, it's frustrating, hurtful, and confusing for Esther, especially when she is forbidden to ...more

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Aug 22, 2017 J & J rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 18, 2013 Akoss rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-for-review, all-mg, 2014-debut-authors

What The Moon Said is to me, a story about the real meaning of love.
All through their challenges during the great recession, Esther tried over and over to make her mother show her that she loves her. She wanted her mother to hug her and tell her she loves her. In the end, after many hardships and tears and painful moments she realized things are never white or black.
I lost count of all the many moments I saw similarities between Esther's life and my own childhood. Some of them are too personal t ...more

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Jul 22, 2013 Jean rated it really liked it

Shelves: mg-fiction

A ring around the moon is an omen of bad things to come. Ten-year-old Esther doesn’t know whether or not she believes her Ma’s superstitions, but the moon’s warning seems to come true when her father loses his job in Chicago. The year is 1930 and the nation is in the grip of the Great Depression. City jobs are impossible to find. Esther and her family move to a ramshackle farm in Wisconsin to eke a living out of the land. There is no electricity or plumbing, but Esther is excited about the move. ...more

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May 26, 2013 Melissa Landers rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2k14

So bittersweet! I want to give Esther a hug...no, not just one hug...ALL THE HUGS! Knowing that Esther's book is based on the real experiences of author's mother made the story events hit so much closer. And I love the ending. Without giving away too much, it's hopeful but realistic. I'd recommend this book to fans of the "Little House on the Prairie" series. ...more

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Dec 19, 2013 Amanda Coppedge rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mg, read-in-2013

What a perfect historical fiction middle-grade novel--it is right on the nose for about age 8-10, the perfect next step for children who have outgrown books like Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House series. This will greatly appeal to fans of the Little House in the Big Woods series. I love the chapter heading art by Jonathan Bean ("Building Our House"). Lends itself to so many educational extension activities--sure to become a great favorite of teachers and homeschooling families. ...more

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Feb 15, 2014 Sandy Brehl rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: early-mg, fears, mid-20th-century, historical-fiction, communities, family, mg, mg-fiction, money, urban

This story combines the best of a classic vignette-based tale with elements seldom found in books for this age. Set in an early year of the depression, it spans life in a Chicago apartment and a rural SE Wisconsin farm community. Esther deals with some self-inflicted angst about not being loved as much as her siblings, but also faces the power and fears conveyed by her mother's strict adherence to old world superstitions.
Throughout it all she takes tentative steps toward maturity, gaining persp ...more

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Jan 06, 2014 Jen Downey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Esther is a sensitive endearing heroine in this beautiful piece of historical fiction. Not just an exploration of a time and place, but of a way of perceiving the world. Once ensconced with Esther, through good times and bad, I didn't want to leave her side.
...more

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May 27, 2014 Liz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Completely adorable. If you are a fan of the Little House books, you MUST read Rosengren's debut. You'll love Esther's adventures in depression-era Wisconsin! ...more

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Jul 21, 2015 Josiah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

When Gayle Rosengren's debut novel was immediately received to widespread acclaim and repeated mention of viability for the 2015 Newbery awards, I noticed the stir. Not every first-time novelist is greeted with the enthusiasm that met What the Moon Said. Nothing appeared especially groundbreaking or original about the basic story: A girl in 1930s Chicago has her life shaken up by the onset of the Great Depression and moves with her family to start anew on a Wisconsin farm, just about as vastly d ...more

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Feb 21, 2014 Terri rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

Original review found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/

3.5 stars

I received a copy of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

This book is definitely geared towards the middle grade demographic. Although I have not read a lot of stories for this age group I thought this was a really cute read. It takes place during the depression so it has the historical fiction aspect that I love in my reads. It gives the opportunity to educate young readers about the ti ...more

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Dec 01, 2013 Catherine Linka added it · review of another edition

If I had to choose one word to describe this book it would be "kind."

Esther wants so much for her mother to tell her she loves her, but Ma is not the demonstrative type. And Esther's journey is to learn that love is expressed in many ways.

Great for a snuggle in bed read aloud, as well as an accurate portrait of the struggles of an immigrant family during the Depression.

...more

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Feb 16, 2014 Dacia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I won this book from Goodreads.................It was actually better than I thought it would be, It was a very interesting story, It was absolutely worth reading, I would actually like to read more books by this author :)

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May 10, 2016 Jenny rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Loved all the historical details of life in Chicago and life on a Wisconsin farm from the point of view of 11-year-old Esther. Favorite quote: "Home was more than a place. Home was family." ...more

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May 22, 2019 QNPoohBear rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grades-historical-fiction

Almost ten years old and small for her age, Esther longs for her mother's love, but her mother remains cool and harsh towards Esther. Ma seems to love Esther's older sisters and younger brother, but not Esther. It's older sister Julia who provides love and sometimes money for the younger children to have a happy childhood. Life in Chicago in 1930 isn't easy so when Pa loses his job, the family moves to a farm in Wisconsin. Esther is excited to finally have animals and eager to do as many chores Almost ten years old and small for her age, Esther longs for her mother's love, but her mother remains cool and harsh towards Esther. Ma seems to love Esther's older sisters and younger brother, but not Esther. It's older sister Julia who provides love and sometimes money for the younger children to have a happy childhood. Life in Chicago in 1930 isn't easy so when Pa loses his job, the family moves to a farm in Wisconsin. Esther is excited to finally have animals and eager to do as many chores as possible to earn her mother's love. Esther's Ma is wedded to her old world superstitions and is afraid of everything. When she makes a prediction based on a sign or makes a pronouncement, it is so or must be obeyed . Life on the farm is full of animals, and chores, school and friends. Esther tries hard to understand her Ma, but she still longs for hugs and kisses like her best friend Shirley's mother.

2.75 stars

I would have liked this book so much more if Esther's realizations at the end were not so pronounced and mature for a 10 year old. I know an almost 9 year old and a 10 1/2 year old and neither one of them would come to the conclusions Esther does at the end. I hate when books for children hammer home the message in that way. Also Ma's constant superstitious nonsense drove me crazy. I get that she's a peasant farmer from Russia and therefore uneducated, but it's rather repetitive. I have mixed feelings about the SO obvious allusions to Little House in the Big Woods and even some to Anne of Green Gables. While the author has THE BEST taste in books, the allusions were way too obvious and made me roll my eyes a bit. My nieces, unfamiliar with my favorite books, wouldn't get the "Easter eggs" hidden in the story. On the plus side, I was so curious where the plot was going and how the author was going to resolve Esther's situation with Ma, I skipped ahead to the end before I stayed up all night reading.

I found Esther a little annoying. Her constant need for attention drove me crazy. I didn't find her willful, just a normal little girl trying to earn her mother's love and I found that very sad. Esther's mother is absolutely crazy. I was waiting for her older daughters need to laugh and say "Oh Ma! No one in America believes in that stuff anymore" but they seem to buy into it too. I liked Bethany's family. They're loving and cheerful and don't believe in silly superstitions. Esther's Pa is kinder but he adds to the problem by not checking his wife's behavior even when he's asked to intervene. He's otherwise a kind, hard working man and I liked him. Violet is your typical middle grades novel older sister. Violet is obedient and kind of a goody goody but when push comes to shove, she sides with Esther. Julia is kind and sympathetic to Esther but she lives her own adult life and can't do much to help.

This book is best read by 9-12 year olds interested in historical fiction. ...more

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Mar 21, 2014 Becky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: awesome-books-for-tweens, tween-book-club, country-bumpkin

I really enjoyed this book! I was considering this book for my tween book club, and after reading it, I think it would be a excellent choice.

Esther Vogels is a young girl living in Chicago in the year 1930, during the Great Depression. Esther and her older sister, Violet, spend their free time enjoying going to the movies and playing like normal children. They realize so many people are suffering during this time, but their father has a good job, and everything seems fine. Their mother, wisely p I really enjoyed this book! I was considering this book for my tween book club, and after reading it, I think it would be a excellent choice.

Esther Vogels is a young girl living in Chicago in the year 1930, during the Great Depression. Esther and her older sister, Violet, spend their free time enjoying going to the movies and playing like normal children. They realize so many people are suffering during this time, but their father has a good job, and everything seems fine. Their mother, wisely planned ahead and did make cut backs in case of the the hard times falling onto the Vogels. Ma is superstitious and sees a bad sign in the moon. Then Pa loses his job, and the family makes a tough decision. They leave their apartment in the city and buy an old farm in Wisconsin. The oldest sister, Kate, is married and stays in the city. Julia, the next oldest stays with her, leaving the three youngest children, Violet, Esther, and Walter to move to the farm. Esther finds a dog, Mickey, left by the previous owners and surprisingly is allowed to keep him!

When I first picked up the book, I thought it would be more about the depression, but in actuality it is a story of a young girl trying desperately to obtain her mother's love and affection. Ma is from Russia, and her beliefs in superstitions control her life. I will be honest.....I hated Ma. I understand her position, especially when we learn her story and why she is the way she is now. I just felt she was downright nasty to Esther. She did not treat the other children as harshly as Esther, which made Esther feel unloved and unwanted by her mother. She spends the whole book trying to be a good girl and win her mother's affection. This was heartbreaking to me. I wanted to reach through the book and slap the mother, reminding her she had five children, and she should learn to treat them equally. Readers do learn why she is the hardest on Esther, which I do understand her fears, I felt it did not give her the right to be so cold to her daughter. Her superstitions constantly were confusing and hurting Esther, especially when she was forbidden to play with Bethany, the only girl that really befriended her.

Without giving away the story, I will add this much...Esther does learn a very valuable lesson about love. She realizes it comes in all forms. In the beginning of the book she had on ideal image as to what her mother should be, basing it on Mrs. Rubenstein, her city friend's mother. She thinks her mother should be like Mrs. Rubenstein and eventually realizes love shows itself in many forms. As an adult reader you can tell that Ma loves Esther very much, but has trouble showing her.

Very deep book and one I think that should be read by middle grade readers. This being the authors first book, I hope she writes more! ...more

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Oct 11, 2014 Brenda added it · review of another edition

It's 1930 in Chicago, Esther has been living here with her Ma, Pa, and sisters and brothers. When the Great Depression hits, everyone is losing their jobs, Pa included. The Vogel family decide to move to a farm in Wisconsin thinking they can make a fresh start leaving two of the daughters behind. Country life turns out to be disappointing as the farm turns out to be more challenging then they thought, it has an outhouse, there's no ice box or electricity and tending to the animals and crops is h It's 1930 in Chicago, Esther has been living here with her Ma, Pa, and sisters and brothers. When the Great Depression hits, everyone is losing their jobs, Pa included. The Vogel family decide to move to a farm in Wisconsin thinking they can make a fresh start leaving two of the daughters behind. Country life turns out to be disappointing as the farm turns out to be more challenging then they thought, it has an outhouse, there's no ice box or electricity and tending to the animals and crops is hard work. Esther is eager to take on the challenge, she wants to prove to Ma that she can be worthy of her love by helping out and make her proud of her. Maybe then Ma will show her the same affection as her friend Shirley's mom does. Ma was born in Russia and therefore has many superstitions and signs that she believes in. Spider's before breakfast means good luck, buttoning a shirt incorrectly or putting your shoes on a table are bad luck. Ma's signs guide her, but sometimes her signs interfere, especially when Ma says Esther can't be friends with Bethany because she has a mole on her face that makes her "marked" or dangerous.

Esther is a very creative and imaginative girl. She daydreams about life in the country with her family and lovely images of fields, bubbling brooks, orchards and barns filled with animals. It was very easy to relate to Esther's feelings of hopefulness and also relate to her struggles to leave best friends and trying to make new ones. Esther is seen as a very lonely girl who draws comfort in the dog that she finds, playing with her doll and writing letters to her older sister. Her relationship with her mother is heart wrenching. Esther accurately portrays a girl who believes that her mother doesn't love her as much as her siblings. Everything she seems to try makes her mother seem like she is less and less proud of her. Esther makes mistakes, and her thoughts reflect that of a girl at this age. Esther isn't able to take into account her mother's European upbringing and history as reasons for not being as affectionate with her. I was delighted when Esther finally came to realize that Ma's lack of overt displays of affection didn't mean that she loved her any less just that "love was actions more than words." What The Moon Said gives an accurate description of one family as they navigate through the Depression and its hardships. It will appeal to children who enjoy historical fiction similar to Little House on the Prairie. ...more

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Apr 03, 2014 Cindy Hudson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Esther’s Ma pays attention to a lot of signs to keep her family safe. Frequent occurrences, like seeing a ring around the moon or a spider before breakfast, have to be analyzed to determine whether they will bring good luck or bad. And when it comes to Ma, Esther feels like she always needs good luck.

The family lives in Chicago at the start of the Great Depression, but when Pa loses his job, they all move to a farm in Wisconsin. The place is run-down, has no electricity or indoor plumbing, and r ...more

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Aug 05, 2014 LauraW rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: from-library, middle-grades, tween, historical-fiction

Well, I finished it and I am still trying to figure out why I found the book a bit more problematic than I expected. One of my Goodreads friends described it as being like Anne of Green Gables, only about the Depression era. I guess one of the things that troubles me about this - and perhaps my respect for Anne of Green Gables colored my perception of this book - was that Anne was continually striving to be honest and good. She had trouble measuring up, but she was usually completely honest abou ...more

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May 11, 2014 Mary Sanchez rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, debut-authors

Esther Vogel lives in Chicago during the early part of the Great Depression with her Russian immigrant parents and sisters. Life is good with movie serials, ice cream shops, and her friend, Shirley, but Esther wishes her mother was more affectionate like Shirley's mother, instead of being so superstitious about everything. However, her mother's beliefs about the ring around the moon bringing bad luck do come true and Esther's father loses his job. Pa and Ma decide use the money they have saved f ...more

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Feb 20, 2014 Nancy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: won-from-first-reads, reviews, 2014

Esther loves living in Chicago. It's the Depression but her hard working immigrant parents have provided a warm and safe home for their family of seven. Pa works hard at Zeigler's Laundry to provide for the family and Ma guides them with firm no nonsense wisdom and a large dose of the superstitions she learned in her homeland of Russia. But Pa looses his job and the family makes the hard decision to move to a farm in Wisconsin where they think life will be more sure. Soon our cheerful and bright ...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Quizzler rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult

What the Moon Said (which I have read twice) is an absolutely terrific Middle Grade historical fiction book, with one of the best main characters, vibrant & lovable Esther, in recent Middle Grade literature. And so skillfully written, with just the right voice for someone of Esther's age, a perfect structure (flows seamlessly from scene to scene, chapter to chapter), and truly beautiful use of language. A great mother-daughter relationship book. Also, because it is written so well and at an age- ...more

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Apr 17, 2014 Lynn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history, juvenile-nf

How do we tell the difference between superstition and accepting life as it is? Esther struggles with this question as we all do. We all want to step over the crack or throw salt over our shoulder now and then, "just to be sure" and then we have something besides life itself or ourselves to blame when things go wrong.

The contrast between employment opportunities during the Depression and today would be an interesting talking point with youngsters. I wonder if children of unemployed parents would ...more

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May 25, 2013 Christine rated it it was amazing

Gayle Rosengren has drawn from her family's history during the Great Depression to write this sweet, tender, realistic story about a girl's struggle with her relationship with her mother and dealing with change in circumstances. The characters are well-drawn and, as a reader, I loved this family. [Warning: it's a two-hanky read.] The immigrant mother's superstitions were fascinating in how they affected decisions and created dilemmas for this family. The language and content make this story acce ...more

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Apr 14, 2014 Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s, 2014, historical-fiction

Growing up in the early years of the Great Depression is hard for Esther. Her parents, both immigrants, decide to buy a farm in Wisconsin and leave Chicago behind. Esther makes the best of the move, accepting their new farm, out-dated house, and hard work. She also tries to understand her mother and does everything she can to earn her mother's affection. The story traces the ups and downs of Esther's determination to help her family, make friends, and do her best in school.

Recommended for grade ...more

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Apr 06, 2014 Czechgirl rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I so loved this book. Every time when something bad happened in the story, I would think, "Oh, I wish the author wouldn't turn the story this way." But then the author wrote the lesson to be learned or the good that came the family's way, I would then think, "I loved the way this story turned out to be." The story was well-thought out. The story of this family made you appreciate what you had, but of course, the main character, Esther, learned the same thing. ...more

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Apr 20, 2017 Pop Bop rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

An All-of-a-Kind Family is A Long Way From Chicago in a Little House on the Prairie

That title is a mashup of the Sydney Taylor books, the Richard Peck books, and of course Laura Ingalls Wilder. And that's fine because that's great company for this particular book.

Here, though, we add a superstitious and seemingly strict and cold Russian Mom, and a confused daughter who just wants some affection and a hug. We find out why Mom is distant with our heroine Esther, and we have an upbeat, if implausi An All-of-a-Kind Family is A Long Way From Chicago in a Little House on the Prairie

That title is a mashup of the Sydney Taylor books, the Richard Peck books, and of course Laura Ingalls Wilder. And that's fine because that's great company for this particular book.

Here, though, we add a superstitious and seemingly strict and cold Russian Mom, and a confused daughter who just wants some affection and a hug. We find out why Mom is distant with our heroine Esther, and we have an upbeat, if implausibly sweet, ending.

The best part, though, is we have a fine sense of coping in Depression era America, we have a spirited and good-hearted heroine, and we have a fine example of family love and support during trying times.

The book is episodic, which actually slots it in comfortably with the style of the books noted above. There are happy tales, sad tales, a bit of adolescent confusion, and a strong sense of sibling support and guidance. The mother/daughter relationship is explored, and celebrated in an indirect sort of way, although not in great depth.

This struck me as early middle grade. Esther's obsession with her Mom's apparent withholding of affection, while understandable, was a bit of a slim foundation for an entire book. While there was humor, it was not in the puckish Peck style, but broader and more easily grasped. The historic angle, involving both city life and farm life, was described in broad strokes which were effective, and most mostly designed to give a young reader a general sense of the ups and downs of the good-old-days. None of this is intended as a criticism, I just want to suggest that this is sort of a starter book for a young reader interested in the life of a family at this time in these circumstances.

And of course it helps that Esther is smart, spirited, a bit willful, resourceful, a soft touch for a stray dog, and a good friend. These are fine qualities and Esther would be a fine companion for any reader. She is observant and understanding enough to offer real rewards to a careful reader, and the episodes in her life are amusing enough for any reader. This is a gentle, quality find.

(Please note that I purchased this book for full price, at my granddaughter's strong recommendation. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.) ...more

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Jan 19, 2019 Meg rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Illinois author Gayle Rosengren's first book is a historical fiction story about the depression in the 1930's. Esther is a ten year old with three older sisters and one younger brother. She is happy with her life in Chicago because her father has a good job and she enjoys her school. When her father loses his job, his parents are forced to make a decision that will change Esther's world. They buy a farm in Wisconsin. Esther feels like a pioneer girl because they have outside bathrooms, no runnin ...more

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Mock Newbery 2022: August Read - What the Moon Said	19	186	Sep 18, 2014 07:41PM

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About Gayle Rosengren

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Kerine Wint is a software engineering graduate with more love for books than for computers. As an avid reader, writer, and fan of all things...

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“Love was actions more than words. And not just easy actions like hugs and kisses. It was hard ones, like sticking by someone in bad times, not just in good. It was working for them, even when you were tired. It was putting their needs first, even before your own. It was taking care of them when they were sick. It was forgiving them when they disappointed you. It was protecting them and teaching them.” — 13 likes

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