Kindred Souls in Mock Newbery 2026

Apr 22, 2012 Susie rated it it was amazing

From the cover picture until the end, I liked just about everything about this book. (Although I wish I knew how old Jesse and Lida are; never saw mention of it.) I'm not big on lots of descriptive prose, and MacLachlan wastes few words; a lot happens although the book is relatively short. There is such a sweetness about the entire story. When Jake describes their daily walks as predictable, rather than boring, and his brother decrees, "He's old and nuts. You're young and nuts," you can see that ...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Rachel rated it really liked it

picked MacLachlan's book, Kindred Souls, off the shelf for two reasons. One, it was short and I didn't have very much time to read a book. And, two, because I loved the title. It reminded me of Anne in Green Gables, when Anne Shirley first explained kindred spirits to me. Anne described kindred spirits as being two souls who are bonded, best friends, a person whose interests or attitudes are similar to one's own. I saw the illustration on MacLachlan's book of an old man with a child holding han picked MacLachlan's book, Kindred Souls, off the shelf for two reasons. One, it was short and I didn't have very much time to read a book. And, two, because I loved the title. It reminded me of Anne in Green Gables, when Anne Shirley first explained kindred spirits to me. Anne described kindred spirits as being two souls who are bonded, best friends, a person whose interests or attitudes are similar to one's own. I saw the illustration on MacLachlan's book of an old man with a child holding hands, and I thought, this will be a great book about friendship. And it was.

However, after reading (and bawling with) Kindred Souls, you find out that its really stands out as a sweet, but real, book about life and death, about youth and age. The protagonist of the story, Jake, loves his grandfather, who goes by Billy. He goes on walks with him every day to visit the area on the farm where Billy's old sod house used to be built. Jake thinks, "Billy is eighty-eight years old, and I don't worry about him dying. He will live forever."

One day, Billy asks Jake to help him build another sod house. Jake argues, "But what if I don't want to build a sod house." In response, Billy says, "You will, because we're kindred souls, you and I."

After some time spend discussing the sod house and whether or not Jake really wants to build it, Billy gets sick and has to go to the hospital. In an attempt to help Billy get better and keep him well, Jake enlists his family to help him build Billy a new sod house. Billy is overjoyed with the sod house, and spends most of his days there until the following fall, when he is found inside his house in a rocking chair as the sun sets.

This is a beautiful book to help your child understand grieving. Machlachlan talks about death and life very poignantly with the simplest of terms, but she also does it respectfully so that no child will feel like she is babying them with her interpretation of grieving. Instead, she makes the reader feel what Jake is going through with his words and actions. Many children (and adults) will be able to relate.

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Mar 25, 2012 Karen Arendt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: independent-reader, middle-grade, realistic-fiction, grandparents, family

Patricia MacLachlan has a way of taking a tough subject of death and making it accessible and understandable for childrenJake and his grandfather, Billy, are very close. It is summer, and they spend all their time together. One day a dog appears, and it seems like Billy has been waiting for this dog to come. Billy gets sick and needs to enter the hospital. While Billy is hospitalized, Jake and his siblings build a sod house for Billy to enjoy when he returns home. There are many stories going on ...more

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Jan 08, 2013 Dolores rated it liked it

I have very mixed feelings about this one because of the ending. I loved the book. Loved the relationship between Jake and his grandfather and I loved the wonderful supportive family and what they do to help Billy let go. BUT. This is a book for younger readers. I thought the ending was too abrupt. Younger readers could use a little "more" to help them understand that in creating that safe space for his grandfather, Jake gave him the most difficult and generous gift of all--permission. For a you ...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Samantha rated it liked it

A story about life and love as shared between a grandfather and his grandson. When grandfather Billy falls ill his grandson Jake builds him a sod house like the one he lived in as a child.

A simple picture of a beautiful relationship and of the sorrow that comes with saying goodbye. A quick read and a good one for opening a discussion about death with a child. Recommended for grades 3-5.

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Oct 12, 2012 Charlotte rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s-chapter-books

Tender, touching book. Beautifully written. I appreciated this as an adult. My grandmother lived with my family and I was the only one left at home. This is about a boy and his grandfather. Touches on issues of the elderly, old age, death etc. I'm not sure if kids would love it as much as I did. ...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Gina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: children-s-books

I loves this book. It took me less than an hour to read. What a wonderful story about a young boy and the relationship he has with his grandfather.

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Oct 06, 2012 Sharon rated it really liked it

Shelves: animal-dog, a-fiction-middle, family, death-grief, grandparent

A multigenerational story to which many can relate. A close bond exists between 88 year old Billy and his grandson, Jake, but Billy has a very special request. On the family's farm, the sod house where Billy grew up is falling apart. Would Jake please rebuild the sod house for Billy? This is one of MacLachlan's most simple story lines, but for me it was very emotional, so you might want to keep the tissues nearby. ...more

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