I have lots of books sitting here waiting to be reviewed but I finished this one yesterday and I loved it so much that it skipped the queue! Greenglass House by Kate Milford is everything I've ever wanted in a middle grade story, both kid-me and adult-me. This story has
- smugglers
- thieves
- local history
- mysterious maps
- role-playing games
- like, a million mysteries
- an adoptive family
- Christmas
- snow
- a creaky old house with an attic full of goodies and stained glass windows
- evening stories by a fireplace
- folktales
The way this all comes together is brilliant. Milo is the Chinese adopted son of the Pines, owners of Greenglass House, a smugglers' inn on the east coast. It's the first day of his winter vacation and he's excited because the inn is usually empty at this time of year, which means free time for him and his parents. Unexpectedly, though, guests start showing up and they are a strange bunch. Luckily, a friend also shows up for Milo and they begin a private role-playing adventure that eventually gets put to use in solving some very real mysteries.
I told my husband around mid-book that we would have both LOVED this book as a kid. I loved it now. I think Z will love it. I want to read it again and again. I want to go to a smugglers' inn and search through the attic. And ... I want to start reading as many other Kate Milford books as I can get my hands on.
Seriously in love,
K
p.s. I posted about another great middle grade book, Each Little Bird That Sings, today at The Estella Society.
OkAy, I got this book from the library and you've convinced me to read it IMMEDIATELY.
ReplyDeleteDo it! I didn't even mention some of the awesome secret stuff that's in it because it's that chock-full of goodness. :)
Deletei knew you would love this!
ReplyDeleteIt was SO good! I am really happy that books like this are being written. :)
Deleteyay, so glad you loved it too :D Now we need to get Jenny to read it. It's totally a Jenny book, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteJENNY!!! Read this book ASAP! Then we can all be fangirls together!
OKAY! I cannot resist y'all when you team up like this and get all specific about ME definitely reading it. I did not totally love the other Kate Milford book I tried, Boneshaker, but I will try this one. I trust you and Ana.
DeleteI haven't read Boneshaker so my love is solely based on this book alone.
DeleteThis book sounds so good! I think it's tough for a middle grade novel to really satisfy an adult reader, so the fact that this one did makes me extra curious. On my list now, thanks to you!
ReplyDeleteI think it was a combination of some heavier subject matter (what constitutes a family) and some great vocabulary and a really vivid setting. I loved it (if you couldn't tell!).
DeleteSo glad you liked it! You haven't read The Boneshaker yet? you're in for another treat!
ReplyDeleteBoneshaker is one I've always meant to pick up and just didn't for no particular reason (except time, probably). Now I'll definitely get to it!
DeleteSmugglers! And a beautiful cover. That's pretty much spot on the sort of thing that I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is gorgeous! I really wish this house was real -- although I'm sure you could find similar places hidden around the east coast. For now, as a westie, I'll just read this book again!
DeleteGuess what I came home with today? Yep...this book :p I'm in the middle of two other books, but I'm really tempted to just start this one right now too :p I may need you to email me a list of your favorite books because you have never steered me wrong! Maybe we should swap mandatory reading lists ;)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I can't wait to see what you think of it.
Delete(And I'm starting that list in my head ...)