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Anna Solden #2
Listen for the Singing [First Edition]
As the world around her braces itself for World War II, a young Canadian girl with impaired vision prepares to begin public high school.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
5 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Jean Little
107 books194 followersJean Little is a Canadian author, born in Taiwan. Her work has mainly consisted of children's literature, but she has also written two autobiographies: Little by Little and Stars Come Out Within. Little has been partially blind since birth as a result of scars on her cornea and is frequently accompanied by a guide dog.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 30, 2024
NRTC
5+ stars & 8/10 hearts. Oh my heart. I was reluctant to read this because I love “From Anna” and I was afraid this would wreck it. But it is even lovelier than “From Anna.” It made my heart so happy to see Anna still Anna-ish, but happy, brave, & more loving. I was so happy to see how much kinder her family became to her. I loved her new adventures and friends, and I loved seeing old friends again. There was a mention of breasts (two sentences, easily skipped), & some mild language; also a mention of asking “God, or whatever power was out there” for something. I absolutely LOVE the message of this book—that speech about listening for the singing is one of the best things I’ve ever read! And Rudi. Oh my word, Rudi. From an annoying, irritating boy in book one, he becomes a loving, helpful big brother in this book. He and Anna understand each other so well and have a marvellous relationship. And yes, the book is heartbreakingly sad at times. But it’s also got Anna’s slightly sarcastic/naive humour. And it’s gloriously beautiful and heart-warming overall. <33
A Favourite Quote: “‘… you must have faith in the whole world. It is going to appear hard and cruel in the months to come, and many of us will lose hope. You, with your young eyes which see more clearly, must look deeper. Keep believing that, somewhere, there is goodness, beauty, joy, love. When you find them, share them with us. To me, the world is like that unhatched egg. Older people, embittered by suffering, will tell you that it is rotten, that it is not worth saving. But you must warm the world the way the mother bird warms her egg. Warm it back into life and love. It is terribly important that young people like you listen for the singing. Because when this world breaks open, the new world will be yours. And your faith in it and in yourselves will shape the future, will decide whether there will still be a song.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Relief opened inside Anna like the petals of a flower unfurling.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Ernst, if you were on your deathbed … I believe you would find something to quote. I remember those lines. Is it Othello or Hamlet?’
“Papa beamed at her as though she were one of his more backward pupils who had just stunned everyone by coming up with the right answer. “Hamlet. Act One. Scene—‘
“’Stop!’ Fritz said. ‘If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s Shakespeare. We had to do As You Like It last year and, boy, was it dull! Hardly any of it made sense, and it was so old-fashioned. He didn’t say anything that meant anything.’
“‘That a son of mine should speak that way of Shakespeare,’ Papa said, looking sorrowfully at Fritz.
‘Fritz grinned at him good-naturedly. ‘That a father of mine can’t fix a leaking tap!’ he said.”
5+ stars & 8/10 hearts. Oh my heart. I was reluctant to read this because I love “From Anna” and I was afraid this would wreck it. But it is even lovelier than “From Anna.” It made my heart so happy to see Anna still Anna-ish, but happy, brave, & more loving. I was so happy to see how much kinder her family became to her. I loved her new adventures and friends, and I loved seeing old friends again. There was a mention of breasts (two sentences, easily skipped), & some mild language; also a mention of asking “God, or whatever power was out there” for something. I absolutely LOVE the message of this book—that speech about listening for the singing is one of the best things I’ve ever read! And Rudi. Oh my word, Rudi. From an annoying, irritating boy in book one, he becomes a loving, helpful big brother in this book. He and Anna understand each other so well and have a marvellous relationship. And yes, the book is heartbreakingly sad at times. But it’s also got Anna’s slightly sarcastic/naive humour. And it’s gloriously beautiful and heart-warming overall. <33
A Favourite Quote: “‘… you must have faith in the whole world. It is going to appear hard and cruel in the months to come, and many of us will lose hope. You, with your young eyes which see more clearly, must look deeper. Keep believing that, somewhere, there is goodness, beauty, joy, love. When you find them, share them with us. To me, the world is like that unhatched egg. Older people, embittered by suffering, will tell you that it is rotten, that it is not worth saving. But you must warm the world the way the mother bird warms her egg. Warm it back into life and love. It is terribly important that young people like you listen for the singing. Because when this world breaks open, the new world will be yours. And your faith in it and in yourselves will shape the future, will decide whether there will still be a song.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Relief opened inside Anna like the petals of a flower unfurling.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Ernst, if you were on your deathbed … I believe you would find something to quote. I remember those lines. Is it Othello or Hamlet?’
“Papa beamed at her as though she were one of his more backward pupils who had just stunned everyone by coming up with the right answer. “Hamlet. Act One. Scene—‘
“’Stop!’ Fritz said. ‘If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s Shakespeare. We had to do As You Like It last year and, boy, was it dull! Hardly any of it made sense, and it was so old-fashioned. He didn’t say anything that meant anything.’
“‘That a son of mine should speak that way of Shakespeare,’ Papa said, looking sorrowfully at Fritz.
‘Fritz grinned at him good-naturedly. ‘That a father of mine can’t fix a leaking tap!’ he said.”
August 15, 2021
Huge disappointment, when I picked it up I thought it would have been a semi decent book, even though I never read the first book. That being said, it easily could have been a stand alone novel much like the first.
The way the situations were described were leaving something to be desired, and none of the new characters were overly interesting.
That being said, if you read the first one and liked it, picking up the sequel might not be a bad idea.
The way the situations were described were leaving something to be desired, and none of the new characters were overly interesting.
That being said, if you read the first one and liked it, picking up the sequel might not be a bad idea.
November 6, 2014
YOU GUYS THERE IS A SEQUEL TO FROM ANNA!! I loved that book as a kid - I still love that book. It's perfect. I can't believe I didn't know there was a sequel until last week. I'm so glad the hold came in fast.
So, Anna is starting high school, the same one her siblings attend and not a sight saving one - and thanks to a move, Isobel is now at a new school so she has to navigate it and new friendships all on her own. It's also 1939 and WW2 is just beginning, which is not a good thing for a German immigrant family. I loved seeing Dr Schumacher and Miss Williams and how these kids matured - and luckily they did, because they were awful to Anna in the first. I liked seeing Rudi in college and how their relationship developed, and I loved seeing Anna's disability portrayed so beautifully in that the focus was on her and not the disability. There were some great conversations about it that I wish kids today would read instead of the othering that comes up so often these days. But the thing at the end with Rudi, I'm not really sure why that happened. I think it's clear that it wasn't an accident, it was because he was German, but I don't get the narrative point. (Though the best line was when if he asked if the lady was staring at him and Anna told him she had no idea!)
Overall, I liked it and I'm glad I read it, but I'm going to stick with From Anna.
So, Anna is starting high school, the same one her siblings attend and not a sight saving one - and thanks to a move, Isobel is now at a new school so she has to navigate it and new friendships all on her own. It's also 1939 and WW2 is just beginning, which is not a good thing for a German immigrant family. I loved seeing Dr Schumacher and Miss Williams and how these kids matured - and luckily they did, because they were awful to Anna in the first. I liked seeing Rudi in college and how their relationship developed, and I loved seeing Anna's disability portrayed so beautifully in that the focus was on her and not the disability. There were some great conversations about it that I wish kids today would read instead of the othering that comes up so often these days. But the thing at the end with Rudi, I'm not really sure why that happened. I think it's clear that it wasn't an accident, it was because he was German, but I don't get the narrative point. (Though the best line was when if he asked if the lady was staring at him and Anna told him she had no idea!)
Overall, I liked it and I'm glad I read it, but I'm going to stick with From Anna.
December 24, 2024
3.5⭐ for a solid sequel. But this book didn't hit me as hard as the first one.
July 7, 2013
I think I must not have read this one as a child, probably because I was reading Jean Little books when I was seven or eight and this one focuses on Anna's first year or so of high school. But I'm glad I picked this one up with the rest of the lot, because it was good to see how things turned out for Anna and the other Soldens. Now that World War II has actually begun, things get tricky for Anna and the other Germans living in Canada (and, I'd imagine, any other country on the side of the Allies.) I like the way the larger political events are balanced with Anna's own personal life--even a war cannot completely wipe away the everyday struggles of a high school student, or of anyone else who still has a home and family and friends to deal with. The troubles that come in this book are on a larger scale than before, but they are still met with a realistic blend of discouragement, strength, and optimism. I've really enjoyed getting reacquainted with Jean Little's work and I will look out for more of her books in the future.
November 22, 2008
This is a sequel to one of my favorite books, From Anna. It is of the same high quality as its predecessor and follows Anna into high school and the beginning of World War II.
May 11, 2010
Considering the terrible title (I mean really, you can't help but go in with low expectations), homegirl pulled it off. It helps that she's a fantastic writer and storyteller.
July 21, 2020
Continuing my Jean Little summer kick. I remember reading this one as a kid, but it didn't make me want to re-read as often as the prequel, From Anna (which I read many times). I gave it 5 stars for the beautiful writing and characters, but the numerous plot coincidences should lower it a bit.
Anna has come into her own as she enters high school, and she makes some good friends (I'm pretty sure Maggie deVries is mentioned in another Little book -- see note below!) and finds ways to cope with her schoolwork. The implication is that she is exceptionally bright, so that it takes only some minor assistance to work around her vision issues and be successful in high school. An anti-German teacher becomes an ally due to his own poor vision, a Home Ec teacher hands Anna some knitting to do (badly) in place of the sewing that she can't handle, Papa tutors her in French and writes out all her vocabulary words with large type, and Rudi (her oldest brother, and enemy from the first book) helps with Algebra and history. This all wraps up very neatly, but is a positive ending to the academic struggles Anna had as a young child.
The parallel story of how the Solden family of German refugee immigrants to Canada emotionally handle the beginnings of WWII is deeper, but again there are convenient coincidences: Rudi loses his vision in a stupid accident with cleaning fluid (I did think that as more injured soldiers returned home, he might find more companionship and support from them, but also that he would also feel foolish because he never even finished his basic training as a sailor), and Anna is poised to help him adjust by learning Braille, using talking books, and finding helpful resources (and a seeing eye dog is mentioned as a solution, a question that I had!).
Anyway, Little has clearly managed to explore two aspects of Anna's story further, and has told us part of how she herself managed in school with low vision. And I appreciated the WWII issues raised far more as an adult.
I Googled "Maggie de Vries Jean Little" to see what books she appeared in, and found the following article. Maggie is the name of Little's niece and sometimes editor, and her younger sister Sarah, presumed murdered, is clearly the model for the mother in Willow and Twig. Jean Little and her sister, Maggie's mother are/were raising Sarah's kids. I had wondered where that darker story came from, and the pieces are clear here. Little made herself into a blind author uncle, but the basics of the story are very similar.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/...
Anna has come into her own as she enters high school, and she makes some good friends (I'm pretty sure Maggie deVries is mentioned in another Little book -- see note below!) and finds ways to cope with her schoolwork. The implication is that she is exceptionally bright, so that it takes only some minor assistance to work around her vision issues and be successful in high school. An anti-German teacher becomes an ally due to his own poor vision, a Home Ec teacher hands Anna some knitting to do (badly) in place of the sewing that she can't handle, Papa tutors her in French and writes out all her vocabulary words with large type, and Rudi (her oldest brother, and enemy from the first book) helps with Algebra and history. This all wraps up very neatly, but is a positive ending to the academic struggles Anna had as a young child.
The parallel story of how the Solden family of German refugee immigrants to Canada emotionally handle the beginnings of WWII is deeper, but again there are convenient coincidences: Rudi loses his vision in a stupid accident with cleaning fluid (I did think that as more injured soldiers returned home, he might find more companionship and support from them, but also that he would also feel foolish because he never even finished his basic training as a sailor), and Anna is poised to help him adjust by learning Braille, using talking books, and finding helpful resources (and a seeing eye dog is mentioned as a solution, a question that I had!).
Anyway, Little has clearly managed to explore two aspects of Anna's story further, and has told us part of how she herself managed in school with low vision. And I appreciated the WWII issues raised far more as an adult.
I Googled "Maggie de Vries Jean Little" to see what books she appeared in, and found the following article. Maggie is the name of Little's niece and sometimes editor, and her younger sister Sarah, presumed murdered, is clearly the model for the mother in Willow and Twig. Jean Little and her sister, Maggie's mother are/were raising Sarah's kids. I had wondered where that darker story came from, and the pieces are clear here. Little made herself into a blind author uncle, but the basics of the story are very similar.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/...
January 28, 2022
“Listen for the singing” is a sequel to “From Anna”, which is also as poignant, touching, and lovely as the first book.
I love seeing how the relationships between Anna and her older brothers and sisters develop, especially with Rudi. Two people were always against each other (Rudi was the one who teased and disparaged his little sister, calling her “Awkward Anna”, in fact), now become like-minded souls, understand each other, help each other, and support each other. Besides, Anna also does well in her new school with the help from her dear new friends and teachers, and with her bravery. I can see an amazing maturity inside Anna. I appreciate that Anna herself suggests her wishes about the test to teacher Lloyd, a grumpy one, regarding her vision problem, and also the straight talk with him about German and World War II. Teacher Lloyd is such an impressive and surprising character. In my opinion, “Listen for the singing” has a more beautiful development in humanity than “From Anna”, about family, school, and country.
And yes, the speech of “listen for the singing” is the most wonderful and meaningful message of this book, one of the most amazing one I have ever read. Such beautiful words made me keep reading again and again and again. "To me, the world is like that unhatched egg. Older people, embittered by suffering, will tell you that it is rotten, that it is not worth saving. But you must warm the world the way the mother bird warms her egg. Warm it back into life and love. It is terribly important that young people like you listen for the singing."
I love seeing how the relationships between Anna and her older brothers and sisters develop, especially with Rudi. Two people were always against each other (Rudi was the one who teased and disparaged his little sister, calling her “Awkward Anna”, in fact), now become like-minded souls, understand each other, help each other, and support each other. Besides, Anna also does well in her new school with the help from her dear new friends and teachers, and with her bravery. I can see an amazing maturity inside Anna. I appreciate that Anna herself suggests her wishes about the test to teacher Lloyd, a grumpy one, regarding her vision problem, and also the straight talk with him about German and World War II. Teacher Lloyd is such an impressive and surprising character. In my opinion, “Listen for the singing” has a more beautiful development in humanity than “From Anna”, about family, school, and country.
And yes, the speech of “listen for the singing” is the most wonderful and meaningful message of this book, one of the most amazing one I have ever read. Such beautiful words made me keep reading again and again and again. "To me, the world is like that unhatched egg. Older people, embittered by suffering, will tell you that it is rotten, that it is not worth saving. But you must warm the world the way the mother bird warms her egg. Warm it back into life and love. It is terribly important that young people like you listen for the singing."
April 15, 2021
Mình sẽ chờ tác phẩm tiếp theo của Jean Little do Nhã Nam xuất bản.
Mình đã thắc mắc tại sao tựa đề cuốn sách là “Chờ nghe tiếng hót”
Gấp trang gấp cuối cùng lại, mình đã tưởng tượng trong đầu cảnh anh em Anna, Judi ngồi ngoài sân, thưởng thức một ngày nắng đẹp và cùng nhau trưởng thành.
Anna đã trưởng thành thật nhiều. Phải chăng những người từng bị tổn thương và tự cô lập mình khỏi thế giới xung quanh, một ngày khi thoát ra khỏi vỏ ốc kiên cố của mình sẽ có sự thấu hiểu chân thành và cảm thông với nỗi đau khổ của người khác hơn hết.
Mình đã im ắng thật lâu khi Anna bảo rằng Judi bị mù và cảm xúc bên trong của anh cũng tăm tối dần đi.
“Chờ nghe tiếng hót” chính là niềm hi vọng vào những điều tốt đẹp dù thế giới ngoài kia ra sao.
“Niềm tin là khi con nghe được tiếng hót trước khi quả trứng nở ra”
Như những gì thầy Appleby đã nói:
“Với thầy, thế giới giống như quả trứng chưa nở kia. Những người l���n tuổi đã nản long với đau thương sẽ nói với các em rằng thế giới đã mục rữa rồi, rằng nó không đáng được cứu vớt. Nhưng các em phải sưởi ấm cho thế giới này như chim mẹ sưởi ấm cho quả trứng của nó. Ủ ấm để nó trở lại với cuộc sống và tình yêu. Điều vô cùng quan trọng là, những người trẻ như các em hãy chờ nghe tiếng hót”
Mình đã thắc mắc tại sao tựa đề cuốn sách là “Chờ nghe tiếng hót”
Gấp trang gấp cuối cùng lại, mình đã tưởng tượng trong đầu cảnh anh em Anna, Judi ngồi ngoài sân, thưởng thức một ngày nắng đẹp và cùng nhau trưởng thành.
Anna đã trưởng thành thật nhiều. Phải chăng những người từng bị tổn thương và tự cô lập mình khỏi thế giới xung quanh, một ngày khi thoát ra khỏi vỏ ốc kiên cố của mình sẽ có sự thấu hiểu chân thành và cảm thông với nỗi đau khổ của người khác hơn hết.
Mình đã im ắng thật lâu khi Anna bảo rằng Judi bị mù và cảm xúc bên trong của anh cũng tăm tối dần đi.
“Chờ nghe tiếng hót” chính là niềm hi vọng vào những điều tốt đẹp dù thế giới ngoài kia ra sao.
“Niềm tin là khi con nghe được tiếng hót trước khi quả trứng nở ra”
Như những gì thầy Appleby đã nói:
“Với thầy, thế giới giống như quả trứng chưa nở kia. Những người l���n tuổi đã nản long với đau thương sẽ nói với các em rằng thế giới đã mục rữa rồi, rằng nó không đáng được cứu vớt. Nhưng các em phải sưởi ấm cho thế giới này như chim mẹ sưởi ấm cho quả trứng của nó. Ủ ấm để nó trở lại với cuộc sống và tình yêu. Điều vô cùng quan trọng là, những người trẻ như các em hãy chờ nghe tiếng hót”
September 5, 2022
I started this book years ago and must admit I had trouble continuing it after the first 10 pages or so. It is for readers 9 - 12, and I’m an adult so I thought, I guess this book is not my cup of tea. The first scene was dynamite. It really grabbed me. Anna, who will be entering high school in the fall, is awakened during the night by her father’s footsteps. Then we learn why he is awake. From their home in Toronto, Canada, this German Jewish family hears on the radio that Britain has declared war on Germany.
Recently I picked it up again and enjoyed reading it to the end. This book deals with three major themes: a young girl’s anxiety about entering the teen-age years, how this 13 year-old navigates through life in spite of her visual disability, and how a recently immigrated German Jewish family to Canada deals with discrimination and their feelings about their family and friends they left in Germany. As an adult, I could appreciate this story for its empathy for the characters’ struggles. Jean Little uses a fine brush in developing her characters and bringing them alive.
Recently I picked it up again and enjoyed reading it to the end. This book deals with three major themes: a young girl’s anxiety about entering the teen-age years, how this 13 year-old navigates through life in spite of her visual disability, and how a recently immigrated German Jewish family to Canada deals with discrimination and their feelings about their family and friends they left in Germany. As an adult, I could appreciate this story for its empathy for the characters’ struggles. Jean Little uses a fine brush in developing her characters and bringing them alive.
June 24, 2023
Cuốn tiếp theo sau “From Anna”. Mình thích cuốn này hơn.
Anna lúc này đã lớn, đã dũng cảm đối mặt và đã cất tiếng nói của mình nhiều hơn trước những điều xảy ra trong cuộc sống.
Tình bạn, tình anh chị em, tình thầy trò đã nâng đỡ Anna rất nhiều, để cô bé có thể thể hiện bản thân mình, học tập và giúp đỡ những người khác.
Sự tử tế của Anna đúng là điều tuyệt vời, và vẫn là Anna sâu sắc, tinh tế, có tình yêu lớn với mọi người.
Cuốn này làm mình rưng rưng khóc nhiều lần, chế độ độc tài và chiến tranh như một cơn bão ngoài xa chưa ập đến nước Anh hay chính nơi Anna sống, nhưng nó bao trùm tất cả bằng sự ảm đạm, buồn bã, tức giận và sợ hãi. Nó làm những nhân vật trong truyện dường như nghi ngờ giá trị tồn tại của bản thân, họ phải lựa chọn một cách sống để đối mặt.
Vẫn nhẹ nhàng, ấm áp và đầy sự tin tưởng như tập sách trước, tiếng chim vẫn sẽ hót dù phía dưới là chiến trường là tiếng súng. Bên cạnh nỗi đau và sự mất mát, vẫn còn sự cố gắng cho sự sống trong từng khoảnh khắc.
Mình siêu thích tập này luônn.
Anna lúc này đã lớn, đã dũng cảm đối mặt và đã cất tiếng nói của mình nhiều hơn trước những điều xảy ra trong cuộc sống.
Tình bạn, tình anh chị em, tình thầy trò đã nâng đỡ Anna rất nhiều, để cô bé có thể thể hiện bản thân mình, học tập và giúp đỡ những người khác.
Sự tử tế của Anna đúng là điều tuyệt vời, và vẫn là Anna sâu sắc, tinh tế, có tình yêu lớn với mọi người.
Cuốn này làm mình rưng rưng khóc nhiều lần, chế độ độc tài và chiến tranh như một cơn bão ngoài xa chưa ập đến nước Anh hay chính nơi Anna sống, nhưng nó bao trùm tất cả bằng sự ảm đạm, buồn bã, tức giận và sợ hãi. Nó làm những nhân vật trong truyện dường như nghi ngờ giá trị tồn tại của bản thân, họ phải lựa chọn một cách sống để đối mặt.
Vẫn nhẹ nhàng, ấm áp và đầy sự tin tưởng như tập sách trước, tiếng chim vẫn sẽ hót dù phía dưới là chiến trường là tiếng súng. Bên cạnh nỗi đau và sự mất mát, vẫn còn sự cố gắng cho sự sống trong từng khoảnh khắc.
Mình siêu thích tập này luônn.
November 9, 2023
Many years ago I sat on my back porch on a sunny summer day, this book in hand. I had met Jean Little and she personally signed my copy in very large, very black letters. As I turned the last page the tears ran down my face and I wished that I could write like Jean could. Fast forward to this week when I finished reading Listen for the Singing once more. No tears this time but a wonderful feeling of satisfaction at having finished the book about fifty years later and still loving it. The story is of a German family who escaped to Canada to avoid living in Hitler's Germany and the way their personal family was affected both close to home and across the ocean. The main theme of the story centers around Anna and her terrible vision which affected every aspect of her life. I loved the way Anna came to grow into her situation and to affect the others in her life.
The book is Young Adult but doesn't really seem so with the serious themes it takes on. I particularly loved my memories of Jean and this book and the fact that I still think it is a terrific story. Well done, Jean Little.
The book is Young Adult but doesn't really seem so with the serious themes it takes on. I particularly loved my memories of Jean and this book and the fact that I still think it is a terrific story. Well done, Jean Little.
March 15, 2023
One of my favorite books of all time, I read this as a young adult. For the first time in my life, I met a character who was me. I am not in the world of the blind, nor am I in the world of the normally sighted. In school, everyone could see better than me. How well I could relate to Anna explaining to her friends, “I don’t see what I’m not seeing so I don’t know I’m not seeing it.”
In 1986, incredible Jean Little wrote me the longest letter I have ever received, sharing her thoughts about living with a visual impairment. I mourn her passing, but she has left us a legacy. Jean wrote characters whose personalities came to life. They were real.
In 1986, incredible Jean Little wrote me the longest letter I have ever received, sharing her thoughts about living with a visual impairment. I mourn her passing, but she has left us a legacy. Jean wrote characters whose personalities came to life. They were real.
December 5, 2021
Wow I was so worried this book was going to be bad as many reviews claimed it was. I actually really enjoyed it. This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for 5 years and I finally decided to open it and give it a try. I loved From Anna and I loved this book. I found at times I could relate to Anna as I was the same in 9th grade. Full of anxiety and sucked at math. I also was told by my teacher to ask for tutoring from my mathematician brother and was so afraid he’d make fun of me which I thought was funny. I’m so glad I took time to read this book and do recommend to any from Anna fans.
May 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this continuation of Anna's story. I like how her time in her 'Sight Saving' class had given her skills to navigate not only the coursework, but the friendships of high school. I love that she was able to figure out how to be a blessing to her family, especially to Rudi.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
January 31, 2024
This was a very full book, packed, as usual, by Jean Little. The trials faced by Anna and her family are many but they are faced with courage, honestly and patience. Thanks to the student at my school who recommended this read!
November 9, 2017
I didn't totally love it unreservedly, but pretty darn good.
November 13, 2021
Read this book in 5th grade and it has since become my comfort read. Loved the story, writing style, all of it!
April 28, 2024
cảm động và nhân văn.
luôn thích đọc sách thiếu nhi là thế vì sự nhân văn này.
luôn thích đọc sách thiếu nhi là thế vì sự nhân văn này.
May 3, 2025
một cuốn truyện nho nhỏ và đáng yêu
December 5, 2025
Not quite as moving as From Anna, but still an enjoyable, worthwhile read.
November 26, 2025
Hay! Yêu! 🧡🧡🧡
October 30, 2023
An excellent sequel to one of my favorite children's books. I was pleased to find this sequel also well written and rich with theme.
April 8, 2024
A delighful read, like of Jean Little's.
It's lovely to revisit Anna, a little older and wiser, but still Anna. Interestingly, the twins don't seem to have grown up as much, but Gretchen and Rudy have. I love how Anna is so determined to help with Rudy, even though he treated her so unkindly before. And how Rudy realizes how badly he treated her and attempts to make things right.
Writing style is a slow-paced book, but continually moving. And Little doesn't suddenly drop one plot to follow another, each plot is tied back in and continues to the end of the book.
The book mentions war, a side character being hurt, and blindness.
It's lovely to revisit Anna, a little older and wiser, but still Anna. Interestingly, the twins don't seem to have grown up as much, but Gretchen and Rudy have. I love how Anna is so determined to help with Rudy, even though he treated her so unkindly before. And how Rudy realizes how badly he treated her and attempts to make things right.
Writing style is a slow-paced book, but continually moving. And Little doesn't suddenly drop one plot to follow another, each plot is tied back in and continues to the end of the book.
The book mentions war, a side character being hurt, and blindness.
January 28, 2014
I recently ordered a copy of Jean Little's "From Anna" for my son to read and decided to purchase the sequel, "Listen to the Singing" as well. I loved "From Anna" as a child but had somehow missed this continuation. (I can only assume my local library never ordered it, so I never knew it existed.) As always, Jean Little creates vivid characters whose actions and emotions ring true. This story was not quite as gripping as the original, but I was happy to spend time again with Anna and her family. Jean Little is a natural storyteller, and I'm glad to see her books haven't entirely disappeared.
Read
October 12, 2016I reread From Anna recently and enjoyed the weep it provided. It was then I learned that Little wrote a sequel. It's believable and right except that Little changed Anna's favorite apple, from a Pippin Sweet (I'm pretty sure) to a McIntosh, which has never been and could never be anyone's favorite.
April 14, 2015
A great squeal to the first book but even if you haven't read the first one you can read this one without being confused
February 2, 2022
Beautiful. First book to make me shed actual tears I can remember.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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