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The Truth of Me
The Truth of Me tells the story of Robbie, who loves spending time with his grandmother Maddy. Robbie loves the stories Maddy tells, and also how wild animals trust her enough to come right up to her.
But Robbie has always felt as if something is missing in his life--his parents don’t always act like they love him. Maddy helps him understand that an experience his mother had long ago is at the heart of the problem in his family. With this knowledge, Robbie finds the courage to try to make things right.
This poignant story celebrates how our unique “small truths” make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.
But Robbie has always felt as if something is missing in his life--his parents don’t always act like they love him. Maddy helps him understand that an experience his mother had long ago is at the heart of the problem in his family. With this knowledge, Robbie finds the courage to try to make things right.
This poignant story celebrates how our unique “small truths” make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2013
32 people are currently reading
1078 people want to read
About the author
Patricia MacLachlan
128 books809 followersPatricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and always carried a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she went to remind her of what she knew first. She was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb's Story; and Three Names, illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lived in western Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
March 28, 2024
Short but succinct. It was quite impressive to see an author whose writing is simple yet filled with meaning. The tone was introverted and thoughtful, very coming of age.
Although the ending was abrupt, it suited the book by focusing only on the protagonist’s inner journey and disregarding any potential progression for other characters and their relationship with the protagonist or adjacent storylines.
Although the ending was abrupt, it suited the book by focusing only on the protagonist’s inner journey and disregarding any potential progression for other characters and their relationship with the protagonist or adjacent storylines.
September 1, 2021
The book is very nicely written, but the story is not very believable. The parents of the main character only care about their concerts and not about their son. They leave him with his grandmother while they are on tour in Europe, even though they think she's not quite right in her head, and the boy finds out that she has a gift and animals trust her.
February 16, 2017
Another poignant and beautiful story by PM. I enjoyed it for personal reasons, for it's poetic nuances and for its kind understanding of the characters. Seriously though, her books are my fandom. While reading this book I was excited to reread it! #nerdalert
I'm looking forward to reading all of her oeuvre and rereading them until I know them by heart. Her stories are that good!
I'm looking forward to reading all of her oeuvre and rereading them until I know them by heart. Her stories are that good!
March 28, 2020
You won't get many long novels from Patricia MacLachlan. Her 1986 Newbery Medal winner, Sarah, Plain and Tall, is one of the shortest books to ever receive the award, at only fifty-eight pages in most editions. To tell an emotionally lasting story in the brief space Patricia MacLachlan takes for her books, one must be a keen purveyor of feeling, feeling that bleeds between the lines when words cannot convey the full truth of a life story played out authentically. This is the watermark of Patricia MacLachlan's writing, creating a foundation of emotion leading up to the greater truths one can just barely touch, but never grasp, no matter how many blocks are cemented upon the foundation. There is much to be felt that can't be explained concretely in any of life's most rewarding ventures, but the answers can usually be glimpsed, if only for a fleeting moment.
Robbie has felt like an unnecessary appendage in his family for some time. His mother and father are concert violinists, accomplished enough for their eccentricity (especially that of Robbie's mother) to be seen as a mark of genius, and droves of aspiring musicians show up at their door to audition anytime an opening in their group needs filling. Robbie's parents are so involved in the lively and challenging music scene, there isn't much time left to spend with their growing son, to show or even tell him they love him. So Robbie isn't too sad when he's sent to spend the summer with his grandmother, Maddy, harmlessly addled as his parents believe her to be. Maddy spins the craziest, strangest, most entertaining stories one could possibly believe about her escapades with animals in the wild, but true or not, she has her neighbor Henry (who also happens to be her unofficial boyfriend) around to help supervise, alleviating any concern from Robbie's parents.
Robbie can learn from Maddy's words, and he can learn from Henry's low-key wisdom, but most of all he learns from the casual respect given freely between himself, Maddy and Henry. Does it matter if Maddy's outlandish tales about cavorting with wild animals are true? Does it matter if Henry believes them, or can a lack of belief be no stumbling block to their relationship if Henry doesn't let it be, if his understanding of truth allows him to see Maddy's stories for the truth they definitely contain, whether or not the events described in them actually happened? There may be absolute truths in life that shouldn't be bent, but there is also the truth of fiction, and it is indeed a powerful truth. For the influence Charlotte A. Cavatica has had down through the generations on every reader of Charlotte's Web who recognized they, like Wilbur the pig, were not truly "Radiant", but nonetheless needed a friend like Charlotte to love them unconditionally and be willing to give themselves up for them, whether or not they could ever possibly deserve such eternal loyalty; for those whose heart shattered into a thousand pieces at the tragedies endured by Georgie Burgess in A Lottery Rose, hardship heaped upon hardship until the weight would crush most seven-year-old boys, but not Georgie; for everyone who has sweated and convulsed at the dizzying stress Connor Lassiter went through while fleeing for his life from a Juvenile Authority determined to deactivate the famous Akron AWOL in Unwind; these characters and more, having affected the lives of billions, are as real as the family living next-door. "We all have our truths, Kiddo," says Henry on page thirty-one of The Truth of Me. "Some are big truths. Most times they're small truths. But those stories are Maddy's truths." To understand the truth of fiction, to see there can be as much veracity in a made-up story as in a factual recounting of a documented occurrence, is to free oneself to experience the full import of literature, or film, or story in any capacity by which it is delivered. The right fiction presented at the right time can do as much to change hearts as the biggest events in human history. As Robbie comes to adopt the relaxed outlook on life of Maddy and Henry, he sees, too, that there may be more to his mother's apparent emotional indifference toward him than he knows, and it isn't so bad having a great violinist for a parent. Especially when one has a Maddy and a Henry for backup. If we learn as much as Robbie does in this story—and it is my wish for everyone who reads it that they do—then The Truth of Me will be an experience that feeds the soul and lightens one's emotional load. How can one ask more of a book than that?
I love Robbie, whose quietly sweet presence made it easy for me to spend many moments in pause reflecting on what I was reading as the paragraphs passed beneath my eyes. With those introspective moments in mind, I want to thank Patricia MacLachlan for conceptualizing this story and putting in the effort to set it down on paper. It did good things for my heart. It made me smile. It gave me hope, and insight into myself, those closest to me, and even the people I don't know if I will ever understand. Not every book does all that. I would give two and a half stars to The Truth of Me, and that rating was close to rounding up to three. There isn't a person on earth who couldn't benefit from picking up this book and giving it a thoughtful read, and that is the best recommendation I know how to make.
Robbie has felt like an unnecessary appendage in his family for some time. His mother and father are concert violinists, accomplished enough for their eccentricity (especially that of Robbie's mother) to be seen as a mark of genius, and droves of aspiring musicians show up at their door to audition anytime an opening in their group needs filling. Robbie's parents are so involved in the lively and challenging music scene, there isn't much time left to spend with their growing son, to show or even tell him they love him. So Robbie isn't too sad when he's sent to spend the summer with his grandmother, Maddy, harmlessly addled as his parents believe her to be. Maddy spins the craziest, strangest, most entertaining stories one could possibly believe about her escapades with animals in the wild, but true or not, she has her neighbor Henry (who also happens to be her unofficial boyfriend) around to help supervise, alleviating any concern from Robbie's parents.
Robbie can learn from Maddy's words, and he can learn from Henry's low-key wisdom, but most of all he learns from the casual respect given freely between himself, Maddy and Henry. Does it matter if Maddy's outlandish tales about cavorting with wild animals are true? Does it matter if Henry believes them, or can a lack of belief be no stumbling block to their relationship if Henry doesn't let it be, if his understanding of truth allows him to see Maddy's stories for the truth they definitely contain, whether or not the events described in them actually happened? There may be absolute truths in life that shouldn't be bent, but there is also the truth of fiction, and it is indeed a powerful truth. For the influence Charlotte A. Cavatica has had down through the generations on every reader of Charlotte's Web who recognized they, like Wilbur the pig, were not truly "Radiant", but nonetheless needed a friend like Charlotte to love them unconditionally and be willing to give themselves up for them, whether or not they could ever possibly deserve such eternal loyalty; for those whose heart shattered into a thousand pieces at the tragedies endured by Georgie Burgess in A Lottery Rose, hardship heaped upon hardship until the weight would crush most seven-year-old boys, but not Georgie; for everyone who has sweated and convulsed at the dizzying stress Connor Lassiter went through while fleeing for his life from a Juvenile Authority determined to deactivate the famous Akron AWOL in Unwind; these characters and more, having affected the lives of billions, are as real as the family living next-door. "We all have our truths, Kiddo," says Henry on page thirty-one of The Truth of Me. "Some are big truths. Most times they're small truths. But those stories are Maddy's truths." To understand the truth of fiction, to see there can be as much veracity in a made-up story as in a factual recounting of a documented occurrence, is to free oneself to experience the full import of literature, or film, or story in any capacity by which it is delivered. The right fiction presented at the right time can do as much to change hearts as the biggest events in human history. As Robbie comes to adopt the relaxed outlook on life of Maddy and Henry, he sees, too, that there may be more to his mother's apparent emotional indifference toward him than he knows, and it isn't so bad having a great violinist for a parent. Especially when one has a Maddy and a Henry for backup. If we learn as much as Robbie does in this story—and it is my wish for everyone who reads it that they do—then The Truth of Me will be an experience that feeds the soul and lightens one's emotional load. How can one ask more of a book than that?
I love Robbie, whose quietly sweet presence made it easy for me to spend many moments in pause reflecting on what I was reading as the paragraphs passed beneath my eyes. With those introspective moments in mind, I want to thank Patricia MacLachlan for conceptualizing this story and putting in the effort to set it down on paper. It did good things for my heart. It made me smile. It gave me hope, and insight into myself, those closest to me, and even the people I don't know if I will ever understand. Not every book does all that. I would give two and a half stars to The Truth of Me, and that rating was close to rounding up to three. There isn't a person on earth who couldn't benefit from picking up this book and giving it a thoughtful read, and that is the best recommendation I know how to make.
December 19, 2016
Robbie feels like the odd man out around his professional musician parents, but with his grandmother, Maddy, he can always be himself. Robbie's parents are skeptical of Maddy because of her insistence that she can communicate with animals, but Robbie has always believed in her special abilities. When his parents go on tour with their quartet, a camping trip with Maddy gives Robbie his first glimpse into her uncanny bond with wildlife, and an emergency teaches him that everyone has his or her own personal truth, including Robbie himself.
This short chapter book is written in haunting, spare prose that sets it apart from a lot of other books of its length and reading level. Though it is not explicitly a fantasy story, it has elements of magical realism that make the reader feel just slightly ill at ease, as though one is not quite sure what to expect, or what is true. The reading level is probably much lower than the maturity level needed to truly appreciate the tone and subject matter of the story. Robbie's doubts about his mother's love for him, and his own personal encounter with Maddy's animal friends raise existential questions that might be a bit much for a second grader, but would certainly be interesting to slightly older kids, and even adults.
Serious readers who love animals will be the most likely audience for this book, but from a librarian's point of view, I think it is also a great option to offer to adults who are learning to read late in life, or who are learning to read English as a second language. The vocabulary is basic enough for a beginning reader, but the subject matter addresses interesting adult topics without talking down to an adult reader. Teens and other older kids who read below grade level will also appreciate having a more sophisticated story written in a style accessible to their abilities.
Read-alikes for this book include Ivy Takes Care by Rosemary Wells and White Fur Flying, also by Patricia MacLachlan.
This short chapter book is written in haunting, spare prose that sets it apart from a lot of other books of its length and reading level. Though it is not explicitly a fantasy story, it has elements of magical realism that make the reader feel just slightly ill at ease, as though one is not quite sure what to expect, or what is true. The reading level is probably much lower than the maturity level needed to truly appreciate the tone and subject matter of the story. Robbie's doubts about his mother's love for him, and his own personal encounter with Maddy's animal friends raise existential questions that might be a bit much for a second grader, but would certainly be interesting to slightly older kids, and even adults.
Serious readers who love animals will be the most likely audience for this book, but from a librarian's point of view, I think it is also a great option to offer to adults who are learning to read late in life, or who are learning to read English as a second language. The vocabulary is basic enough for a beginning reader, but the subject matter addresses interesting adult topics without talking down to an adult reader. Teens and other older kids who read below grade level will also appreciate having a more sophisticated story written in a style accessible to their abilities.
Read-alikes for this book include Ivy Takes Care by Rosemary Wells and White Fur Flying, also by Patricia MacLachlan.
January 14, 2014
I'm going to tell you about the book The Truth of Me. It's about a family who lives by the woods and the mother owns her own band. So one day the mother and father had to leave because mother had a concert and had to be with the group that was in her band. The two kids had to stay with there grandmother madly why the there parents ahead to leave. A few days after the parents left Henry wanted to go tot he woods so they went and they also took Ellie the dog. Madly his grandmother was making supper at the woods with a fire and all a suddenly she fell over a log. Henry was getting more woods for the fire and he looked back and say his grandmother laying on the ground so he rusted over there and tried to help her get up but she couldn't. Then Henry looked back and there was a black bear staying there so he didn't move. So why he was sitting there by his grandmother he called Ellie over to him. Then he wrote and note and tied it to Ellie's collar and told her to got get dr. Robert for help. Robert did not want to leave grandmother by herself. So Ellie took off after Dr. Robert over the hills then a little bit later here come Ellie and Robert. Then Robert was moving grandmother ankle around and foot to see if it was broken he told Henry that it was broken and that he was going to make a split for her tell tomorrow when they could get to the hospital. Tom is honeys neighbor who lives down the street from him and he lost his dog. So honey took Ellie down to tom so tom could see Ellie seen he lost his dog. Tom was happy to see Ellie then Henry and Ellie left after a little bit because it was making toms blood pressure to go sky high because he was petting Ellie. By makayla
December 17, 2021
This is a sad story and a magical story. Robert is a boy whose parents are professional musicians. Their lives revolve around their music, not around Robert. When they leave for two months on their summer tour, Robert is left with his grandmother, Maddy, who is beginning to show signs of dementia.
This is fine with Robert – he loves spending time with his grandmother. Yes, she is a little unusual. She sometimes forgets to make dinner, and she has a magical gift for communing with wild animals, but that is what makes her special in his eyes. Times with Maddy are never boring.
One night, when they are out camping in the woods, Maddy injures her ankle and can’t walk. Robert must find a way to bring the neighborhood doctor to Maddy, but he is afraid to leave her. Wild animals abound in the forest, and a bear and a bobcat have already found their campsite and are moving in closer. Can Robert trust them not to hurt Maddy?
Later that night, Maddy finally shares with Robert the story of his mother’s childhood and why she finds it so hard to show her love for him. Knowing the truth about his mother allows him to start discovering his own truths and become the person he wants to be. This is a classic Patricia MacLachlan story: warm, brief and a quick read at only 114 pages. Recommended for grades 2-4.
Reviewed by Laura Lieske, Youth Services, Vernon Area Public Library
This is fine with Robert – he loves spending time with his grandmother. Yes, she is a little unusual. She sometimes forgets to make dinner, and she has a magical gift for communing with wild animals, but that is what makes her special in his eyes. Times with Maddy are never boring.
One night, when they are out camping in the woods, Maddy injures her ankle and can’t walk. Robert must find a way to bring the neighborhood doctor to Maddy, but he is afraid to leave her. Wild animals abound in the forest, and a bear and a bobcat have already found their campsite and are moving in closer. Can Robert trust them not to hurt Maddy?
Later that night, Maddy finally shares with Robert the story of his mother’s childhood and why she finds it so hard to show her love for him. Knowing the truth about his mother allows him to start discovering his own truths and become the person he wants to be. This is a classic Patricia MacLachlan story: warm, brief and a quick read at only 114 pages. Recommended for grades 2-4.
Reviewed by Laura Lieske, Youth Services, Vernon Area Public Library
July 15, 2013
The Truth of Me is a gentle story. I was thinking about how all Patricia MacLachlan books make me feel calm. I like how they just make me stop and think. Robert is going to stay with his grandmother while his musician parents are on tour. That’s great with Robert because it means he’ll be spending each day with his two summer best friends; Ellie, his dog and Maddy, his grandma. She is special.
Maddy has powers all her own. Powers that other people don’t have.
Jack and Lizzie (Robert’s school time best friends) know this, too. They have met Maddy.
“Maddy had gifts,” says Lizzie.
“Do you mean magic?” I ask.
“No. Gifts,” says Lizzie. “That’s different. Remember when she was here and the birds came down from the trees to see her?”
“And a fox came?” says Jack. “It came right up to her? The animals seem to know that she is safe.”
“They want to be close to her,” says Lizzie. “That’s her gift. They trust her.”
During the summer, Robbie (what Maddy calls him) discovers a bit about his gifts and a bit about the truths that make him who he is. It’s nice to know what makes you a special person in the world. I wonder what your small truths are.
Maddy has powers all her own. Powers that other people don’t have.
Jack and Lizzie (Robert’s school time best friends) know this, too. They have met Maddy.
“Maddy had gifts,” says Lizzie.
“Do you mean magic?” I ask.
“No. Gifts,” says Lizzie. “That’s different. Remember when she was here and the birds came down from the trees to see her?”
“And a fox came?” says Jack. “It came right up to her? The animals seem to know that she is safe.”
“They want to be close to her,” says Lizzie. “That’s her gift. They trust her.”
During the summer, Robbie (what Maddy calls him) discovers a bit about his gifts and a bit about the truths that make him who he is. It’s nice to know what makes you a special person in the world. I wonder what your small truths are.
May 19, 2013
I received an ARC through Goodreads Firstreads:
Heartwarming story about a boy who learns to understand his relationship with his parents and grandmother. Robert spends a lot of time with his grandmother because his parents are busy with their music. Some feel that his grandmother is strange, or different. Robert doesn’t care. When something happens, Robert proves that he can do what needs to be done and start caring for those who have always cared for him.
Great story for elementary school and a good one for a read aloud. Could generate a lot of discussion.
Heartwarming story about a boy who learns to understand his relationship with his parents and grandmother. Robert spends a lot of time with his grandmother because his parents are busy with their music. Some feel that his grandmother is strange, or different. Robert doesn’t care. When something happens, Robert proves that he can do what needs to be done and start caring for those who have always cared for him.
Great story for elementary school and a good one for a read aloud. Could generate a lot of discussion.
January 19, 2014
Increasingly I am drawn to the writings of this gifted author.
Robbie is the only child of musician parents. Feeling that they enjoy their music much more than him, he is drawn to to his grandmother who understands him.
When he parents travel on tour, he and his dog Ellie stay with grandmother Maddie.
A simple tale, with wonderful emotional insights, the author tells of Robbie's self discovery through the love shown to him by his grandmother and her male friend Henry, which provides a springboard of insight into his mother.
A sheer delight!
Robbie is the only child of musician parents. Feeling that they enjoy their music much more than him, he is drawn to to his grandmother who understands him.
When he parents travel on tour, he and his dog Ellie stay with grandmother Maddie.
A simple tale, with wonderful emotional insights, the author tells of Robbie's self discovery through the love shown to him by his grandmother and her male friend Henry, which provides a springboard of insight into his mother.
A sheer delight!
August 25, 2013
I adored this book! It was a quick read, but so much delight packed in to this lovely book. Easy for a younger child to read, but I am not sure they would truly understand the relationship between the boy and his mother. So sad, yet so beautiful. The ending brought tears to my eyes. I will be sharing this book with the counselor at my school to possibly help those students who feel unloved and unwanted.
November 11, 2020
GRL - Q
Short quick read about a boy who feels almost estranged from his parents. Robbie goes to live with his grandmother for the summer while his parents travel to play their music worldwide. The story is mainly about Robbie's special relationship with his grandmother.
It's a sweet story but it doesn't suit my purpose. Some of the ideas and themes are slightly abstract and may provide difficult for Q level readers.
Short quick read about a boy who feels almost estranged from his parents. Robbie goes to live with his grandmother for the summer while his parents travel to play their music worldwide. The story is mainly about Robbie's special relationship with his grandmother.
It's a sweet story but it doesn't suit my purpose. Some of the ideas and themes are slightly abstract and may provide difficult for Q level readers.
August 18, 2016
This is a super short read--I read it on my Kindle and it felt more like a short story. Which made me a little sad, because I think it has some wonderful characters (I love Grandma Maddy and Dr. Henry) and an important theme (feeling unloved by your family). Definitely meant for younger readers, but I would have loved a longer, more fleshed out version.
July 4, 2013
A very special story about a boy, his dog, and some very special adults (grandmother, and a doctor/friend), coming of age, and lessons of life - will make a very nice read aloud. No dogs dying in this one.
December 5, 2018
This was so much sweeter then I was even expecting! I loved all the characters and the ending!! <3
This was my 500'th review! =D
This was my 500'th review! =D
April 29, 2019
Robbie and his dog, Ellie, are spending the summer at Grandmother Maddy's house. He's been having a tough time of things lately, struggling with self-confidence as well as feeling neglected by his parents. He feels they are too distracted with their careers, causing both to be rather dismissive with him. Robbie has always found comfort in Maddy's stories and easy-going nature, so this could be just the thing his mind needs.
Maddy's friend (and Robbie's doctor), Henry, also makes several appearances over the course of the story. Even if Robbie is not all that chatty about what's going on, Henry can still sense the hard time the poor kid is going through. Maddy and Henry team up and find ways to work with Robbie over the summer, patiently teaching him important, emotionally anchoring lessons about life, the most transformational being when Henry encourages Robbie to discover what his "small truths" about himself are.
My heart broke for Robbie, reading of how desperate he was to hear "I miss you", "thinking of you", anything from his parents. There are some sad conversations in the story but MacLachlan balances it nicely with a cozy, quiet feel to the rest of the scenes. There's just the right touch of fun and subtle humor to make this quick little read a comforting story to curl up with on the porch one lazy afternoon. There's also a sweet little Bridget Jones-esque moment when Robbie mentions to Maddy that Henry said he liked her just as she is and Maddy gets misty-eyed hearing this.
Maddy's friend (and Robbie's doctor), Henry, also makes several appearances over the course of the story. Even if Robbie is not all that chatty about what's going on, Henry can still sense the hard time the poor kid is going through. Maddy and Henry team up and find ways to work with Robbie over the summer, patiently teaching him important, emotionally anchoring lessons about life, the most transformational being when Henry encourages Robbie to discover what his "small truths" about himself are.
My heart broke for Robbie, reading of how desperate he was to hear "I miss you", "thinking of you", anything from his parents. There are some sad conversations in the story but MacLachlan balances it nicely with a cozy, quiet feel to the rest of the scenes. There's just the right touch of fun and subtle humor to make this quick little read a comforting story to curl up with on the porch one lazy afternoon. There's also a sweet little Bridget Jones-esque moment when Robbie mentions to Maddy that Henry said he liked her just as she is and Maddy gets misty-eyed hearing this.
July 4, 2017
I read this book with my youngest son after seeing it on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award List. It was a quick read and we both really enjoyed the story. It is about a boy named Robert who is spending some time at his grandmother's house while his parents are performing in a concert tour. Robert feels disconnected from his parents but really feels an attachment to Maddy (his grandmother), Ellie (his dog) and Henry (Maddy's friend.) During this story Robert learns some "small truths" about himself and about his family as well.
http://366andmore.blogspot.com/2017/0...
http://366andmore.blogspot.com/2017/0...
June 15, 2017
Robbie is an only child. His parents are musicians, his mom a violinist, his dad a conductor/composer, and Robbie feels like he is sometimes overlooked. His parents travel during the summer and Robbie gets to spend the summer with his grandmother, Maddy. Maddy is a fun grandmother. Once they had doughnuts for dinner! Maddy's specialty is being able to communicate with animals. This magic is experienced on a camping trip.
A sweet story. I thought this might be a good partner books with "The Wild Robot."
A sweet story. I thought this might be a good partner books with "The Wild Robot."
December 9, 2017
Short & sweet. About a boy's relationship with his dog, his grandma, his mom, the forest, & his own heart.
Weirdly, this is my first Patricia MacLachlan. I've never read "Sarah, Plain & Tall" (I know, I know!). I chose this one to talk to my kids' book club about, since it's on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award List. It's heartwarming & I got teary-eyed, but it didn't make any sort of lasting impression on me. It felt more like a short story than a novel.
Weirdly, this is my first Patricia MacLachlan. I've never read "Sarah, Plain & Tall" (I know, I know!). I chose this one to talk to my kids' book club about, since it's on the Massachusetts Children's Book Award List. It's heartwarming & I got teary-eyed, but it didn't make any sort of lasting impression on me. It felt more like a short story than a novel.
August 30, 2017
Patricia MacLachlan has done it again, simple, sweet, and true. Every one of her books has brought me to tears. This one hadn't and I didn't think it would. And then came the last page, she got me again.
The subtitle: "About a boy, his grandmother, and a very good dog." And that is it. A summer with his grandmother and Robbie comes to understand his world a little bit better.
The subtitle: "About a boy, his grandmother, and a very good dog." And that is it. A summer with his grandmother and Robbie comes to understand his world a little bit better.
September 11, 2018
A touching story about a boy's relationship with his grandmother. She has a sort of magic and the boy wants to make it his own. I was disappointed with the ending and feel like it could have gone a bit further in developing the relationship and the consequences of the choices made. Great for younger readers.
September 20, 2018
I really enjoy all of MacLachlan's works. I felt a connection to the main character and was drawn into the story. It was a quick read. I felt it could have been longer and I could've learned even more about life and bonding with nature if it had gone on more. It was a fun staying away from home and having an adventure with family type of story.
November 26, 2018
Oh, the genius of Patricia MacLachlan's perception of young people learning, growing, and coming to understand and express their place in the world around them! The joy of her depiction of moments between family members or friends! The spare beauty of her prose!
All excellent reasons to pick up any juvenile fiction by MacLachlan.
All excellent reasons to pick up any juvenile fiction by MacLachlan.
November 8, 2019
This was a delightful story to read, as are all of Patricia MacLachlan's books. It was written in the same style as her Sarah Plain and Tall books which made it an easy, quick read with deep, heartfelt meaning.
This is a story of discovery in a young boys life - discovering why the people he loves act the way they do and how he will respond to them even when their actions hurt.
This is a story of discovery in a young boys life - discovering why the people he loves act the way they do and how he will respond to them even when their actions hurt.
December 22, 2020
I chose to read this one because I appreciated SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL.
This story is told in the first person...quite effectively... a gentle story of a dysfunctional family in which the young boy is the reconciler. It's perfect for middle-grade readers who love dogs and wild animals.
Hope Irvin Marston, author of EYE ON THE IDITAROD: AISLING'S QUEST.
This story is told in the first person...quite effectively... a gentle story of a dysfunctional family in which the young boy is the reconciler. It's perfect for middle-grade readers who love dogs and wild animals.
Hope Irvin Marston, author of EYE ON THE IDITAROD: AISLING'S QUEST.
July 6, 2021
One of my favorites thus far. MacLachlan's work usually contains a few main elements, a rescue dog, writing, a sense of place and a family experiencing a difficult period in their lives. She is a dear kindred spirit. As a family we are seeing her elements are present in most of her picture books as well. What a gem of an author to stumble across.
November 28, 2024
If a reader stopped about 2/3 of the way through this book, they could've replaced "violin" with "cell phone" and sadly it would fit into today's world for many adults. But that's not the whole story. I liked the healing aspect of nature and the importance of speaking and meeting with people directly. Even this "old" reader could appreciate the lessons of a YA book.
May 28, 2017
A beautifully written, touching story of a boy who doesn't not feel loved by his parents. He spends time with his wonderful grandmother and her friend, and comes to realize some truths about his life.
Patricia MacLachlan is a master of word craft, and the sparse, eloquent prose is to be savored.
Patricia MacLachlan is a master of word craft, and the sparse, eloquent prose is to be savored.
August 27, 2017
Patricia MacLachlan knows how to write a beautiful story.... she has a real sense of Robert's feelings about his parents and their leaving on a concert tour and also the specialness of his relationship with his grandmother..
September 19, 2017
Not bad! Patricia MacLachlan, well-known for her Newbery Medal winner Sarah, Plain and Tall, has written a sweet little story here. It's not deep, but I certainly appreciated how she tried to discuss the amount of time parents spend with their kids.
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