A series of short stories from the past and present told from the viewpoints of some of Strout’s familiar characters. Most of the stories connect to others in this book, tales of love, life, and forgiveness. Great for fans of Strout, but not an ideal book to introduce her characters.

My fav book!!

This was a silly book. I liked when they fell into the water ??

Helen Cartwright, 83 y/o, has returned to her family home in a small village in England after 60 years in Australia to die. Not that she has a diagnosis beyond being old. She has been back for 3 years, but returned still actively grieving the abrupt loss of her husband and the tragic loss of her son. She is very lonely and isolated. She does the same thing most days and memories do not give her comfort. Then she unwittingly brings a 5” male mouse into her house. He decides to stay with her and she decides to care for him. (This is not a talking mouse or an anthropomorphic rodent). To care for him she starts meeting a few people she can connect with as she moves from removing the mouse by trapping to naming Sipsworth and hoping wildlife rescue group will take him to making Sipsworth a housemate. Eventually it is revealed that Helen has done significant things. Slow start. A comforting book. Perhaps this book raises awareness of long term grieving, loneliness, sadness and isolation in people in our lives (or in ourselves).

it was amazing

We loved this intro to Shakespearean England and the time of Queen Elizabeth I! We blazed through it.

This book brings Jack and Annie to Australia. They obtain the final gift they need to help the dog Teddy and finish their four-part quest. We learned about kangaroos and there was a scary wildfire.

I loved this book because it was very funny and entertaining! It is about a girl who goes to Paris and runs into so many surprises on the way! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story!

Everyone knows Dog Man IS GREAT

Spy camp is the best book ever!