Book Review

A Girl of the Limberlost

I'm sure you are probably wondering where in the world did I get the recommendation to read this book. Well, it was part of the Christmas gifts from Joanne. She had several gifts for various friends and family. And I knew who should receive what gift, but this one left me clueless. I knew it wasn't for me - it's too young. I wondered if it was for Laura, but I thought she's at that teenager age where reading is not a priority, especially with a boyfriend in her life. And it hit me a few weeks ago. Mom always had various kids from the neighborhood come by to visit. She was just one of those people that adored kids, and they adored back. And since most kids in our neighborhood were needing some sort of love and attention, in any form or fashion, she was there to give it. Be it listening, giving them things, letting them swim or play basketball, or pool, she seemed to want to give as much of her love to them. And most of them needed it. And one little girl in particular came to mind - Michelle. She came over to the house after the funeral services and just simply hung out. Walked in the door, and made herself at home. She was at that young impressionable age - probably 12 or 13 - and Joanne being Joanne - listened to her and probably made Michelle feel good about herself, since at that age - it's all about being self conscious and unsure.

About this book - I almost couldn't read it - I felt it would be sacrilegious as if I were trespassing against something I wasn't comfortable with. But I wanted to know why Mom had this book for a young girl to read, when I never read any of these books while growing up in the bookstore. So I read it. And it was definitely a young genre for me. It started out well, but got a little sappy sweet - but remember - it was written in the 1910s - buy a man no less about a young girl growing up. And there were some portions that didn't flow together into the next era of the young girl's life, and some of the relationships were a bit fanciful. It was okay - I'm sure as a young girl I would have loved it, but not at this age. Maybe it's because as I've gotten older I'm a little less fanciful myself.