Member Reviews
*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review,all opinions are my own *
For me, this is the kind of story that you will only like if you like middle grade books and calm stories where the focus is on the characters' emotions.
The story itself is very good, but slow, even though a lot of things happen I feel like it's kind of everyday book where you follow the everydaylives of the characterse even thonthey lufe are interesting sometimes it can get a little bit broing, so its not a book that you can read in a day even tho is a small book.
We follow the lives of these brothers and even though they go through a lot it can get monotonous, but I liked it.
It was actually a good reading experience even though it took me a while to read it because, as I said, sometimes the book got slower.
But I do recommend it, it's a good book and a good story.
What a wonderful, delightful, heartwarming tale, one that still discusses issues in a thoughtful, empathetic way.
The Byrne children - Fish, Dory, and Pike - are attempting to navigate the World War II landscape without their mother, who passed before the story's open, and their father, who took up the call to fight overseas. This is not easy, cannot be easy, and Albus doesn't make it look so: she tackles head-on what the children are dealing with. Life is hard enough, but they have to contend with an uncertain world - and a new landlord that certainly wants to speak to their father! Can they stick together during such tumultuous times?
I absolutely loved this. Dory was such a vivacious, tenacious protagonist. We get this mostly through her lens and how she shares her problems with the Statue of Liberty, attempting to find an empathetic ear amidst all the turmoil going on in her life. She also embarks on a quest to unearth whatever is inside the abandoned floors above a restaurant near the Fulton fish market; I think we all need these moments of escape and discovery, and it was an honor to walk alongside Dory on her journey.
The narrator of this book was also fantastic; I'm not sure if it's common in middle grade or not, but I love how the narrator had a discussion with reader, often breaking the fourth wall to discuss the action. I thought this worked really well and added a layer of camaraderie between all parties involved. Albus also peppered her pages with great vocabulary that I appreciated, and I also have to commend her for a decision regarding something in the book. To say else would be a spoiler, but it's a bit of a "trick" - hopefully, Albus knows what I'm referring to! I thought it was brilliant, and I smiled after I realized it. "Oh, that was good."
Sweet, charming, uplifting - we need more books like this, for sure!
Kate Albus knows how to write wholesome sibling dynamics. I couldn’t help but love and care for these young characters. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for what historical middle grade she comes out with next.
A great historical fiction on a topic not seen often in middle grade. I really liked the focus on family.
I loved this sweet story about this young family! Kate writes beautifully haunting stories that leave impressions on our hearts.
After adoring A Place to Hang the Moon, I liked, but didn't love Albus's second historical middle grade novel. This one was also set during WWII, but instead of the English countryside, it's set in Manhattan. I liked the main character Dory who is irrepressible and gets into her share of jams. I loved her for her imperfections and she brought to mind comparisons to Edmund, the middle child, in APTHTM. This book was still very good, but it lacked the magic of the author's first novel.
Let's discuss the newest book from Kate Albus, who in my opinion, is writing some of the best middle-grade novels of recent years. I adored A Place to Hang the Moon, and Nothing Else But Miracles, manages to capture those same, heartwarming feelings.
Dory and her brothers are on their own after their father enlists in WWII. Trying to avoid being caught by the authorities, Dory finds them a hideout in an abandoned hotel, accessible only by a dumbwaiter. Albus creates characters that feel so real. Dory is impulsive, but determined, and we see her learn to adjust to the newfound responsibility that has been thrust upon her in her father's absence. The sense of found family between Dory, her brothers, and the neighbors that help them in their time of need will warm your heart to the core. I highly recommend this book to both children and adults!
WWII on the Homefront - Pop has enlisted so his elder son won't have too. The seventeen year old i left in charge of his two younger siblings. Everything should be fine...until the landlord dies and the new landlord takes an instant dislike to them and turns them into the city Childs Protective Agency. When Pop's letters stop after D-Day, the kids start to worry that their lives will never ever be the same.
Charming middle-grade historical fiction. This novel echoes many of the vibes that I adore in Kate Albus’s debut novel, "A Place to Hang the Moon": a trio of supportive siblings who were left to fend for themselves must present the appearance of having a legal guardian, so as to avoid being sent into foster care. It’s not as dire as it sounds, since the eldest is a very responsible boy, almost a man, who takes good care of his younger sister and brother. I absolutely love their camaraderie and supportiveness of each other. And the dialogue is wonderful.
Both novels share the same historical timeframe, World War II, but the setting couldn’t be more different. Now we’re living in New York City, which of course feels very different from the English countryside setting of "A Place to Hang the Moon". Although not without its charm, especially in scenes inside the century-old abandoned hotel hideaway, the NYC atmosphere in this novel didn’t appeal to me that much. I loved everything else about it!
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy historical fiction, lovely prose, great characters, and middle grade fiction that’s perfect for pre-teens, teens, and grown-ups alike.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Margaret Ferguson Books for a digital advance review copy. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Three siblings must cope with loneliness, fear, and worry during WWII when their father leaves for war and they must pretend he still lives with them. Our viewpoint character is middle sibling, Dory, a tough-minded, caring, slightly dreamy, and adventurous girl. She is deeply worried about their father, whom they have not heard from or received any money from in a while.
Dory and her younger brother Pike are still in school, and it's Dory's job to take care of the two of them. Dory's older brother Fish finds a job as they need to pay the nasty landlord, who suspects they're living there without their father, and once confirmed, threatens to throw them out. The siblings have various adults around the neighbourhood who ensure the kids are fed and safe, but none of the kids mention to these adults that their landlord is trying to evict them.
Dory takes it upon herself to find them a different place to live, and on one of her adventures, finds an abandoned set of rooms above a restaurant owned by one of the father's friends. She convinces her brothers that they must move here, just till their dad comes home (she keeps wishing on the Liberty statue for their dad's safe return).
This book was much darker than I anticipated it would be, with the kids having to deal with their grief, worry and fear for themselves and their missing father, as well as their home. We see how cutthroat their landlord is, regardless of the circumstances of the building's tenants. It's a lot for these kids to deal with, including the idea that their dad may never return.
Author Kate Albus handles it beautifully, giving readers an occasionally scary but ultimately heartwarming story about kids in wartime having to deal with possible orphanhood, lack of money and shelter. The kids all show grit and resilience in a difficult and frightening situation. It's an emotional story, but well worth the read.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Inkfor this ARC in exchange for my review.
I could not put this book down, I was so proud of the kids for how they were fairing on their own but I was wishing their happily ever after would just happen
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this middle grade book.
I really enjoyed this book. My heart broke for these kids as they tried to navigate life on their own, and swelled as some unlikely neighbors showed up in the best way. I'm looking forward to having my students read this one!
Love love loved!!! After reading and loving the authors first book, A Place to Hang The Moon, I was really looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint! This was just the sweetest middle grade historical fiction book and I will be highly recommending it to everyone, young or old. I loved the relationship between the siblings and how even though they were going through something difficult they found joy in being together. The plot, the writing, the characters, the adventure, and just everything about this story…I loved it all! I already can’t wait for the next book by this author!
I am certain this will be an unpopular opinion but I didn't love this one. I was invested in the beginning but once I hit 30% I lost interest. I enjoyed the sibling relationships and seeing them manage while their Dad was away fighting in the war as well as the pop culture references during WW2. Real places in New York City featured prominently and the ending was touching but some of the scenes were just too descriptive and long for me and I was left wondering if lying and stealing were to be admired as they were not met with any consequences. It was also not particularly endearing to see such faith put in a statue but I understand the symbolism and it was nice to see a community working together. It would make an interesting book to read and discuss. I was an outlier with her other book so it may be a case of just not being an author for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read it in exchange for my honest thoughts.
A candid depiction of New York during the harrowing times of World War 2. This one will be a staple in our English unit within upper key stage 2. Absolutely brilliant.
This is the second book I've read by this author and she doesn't disappoint! Middle grade historical fiction that tells a story that will take you back to World War II, where you'll find sibling love, strong children as well as heartbreak.
“The possibility of miracles suddenly felt terribly important.”
Twelve-year-old Dory Byrne is ready for her pop to come home. He’s been fighting in World War II for six months now, and life gets harder for her and her two brothers every day he’s gone. When their mean landlord threatens to turn them into the city, the siblings look to the neighborhood for help. And when Dory finds a secret elevator and the abandoned hotel it leads to, it’s just the solution they need. But how long can they keep the secret? And what will happen if Pop never comes home?
Kate Albus’s NOTHING ELSE BUT MIRACLES is an awesome historical fiction middle grade about the home front, specifically in NYC, during WWII. It’s like The Boxcar Children meets Anne Frank, and I absolutely loved it! Each of the siblings are so different from each other, yet the sense of family and belonging between them just made my heart melt. You can tell Albus definitely did her research as well because it all feels perfectly accurate to the era. With amazing characters, a fun setting, and so many ooey-gooey feelings, this book is perfect for fans of WWII and sibling stories alike!
Content Warnings: War, mentioned death of a parent, abandonment
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
WOW! Kate Albus has created a masterpiece for middle graders everywhere! The historical pieces of this story are vivid and will help children learn as well as feel immersed in the story. The characters are especially interesting and remarkably likeable. I dare a reader to not feel apart of this family in someway. Teachers will need to add this book to their classroom libraries. A classic!
Albus’ debut novel, A Place to Hang the Moon, quickly made it to our top 3 favorite read-alouds of all time. The book is also highly recommended in many Christian homeschooling circles. To say I had high expectations for Albus’ next story is an understatement. A Place to Hang the Moon is a difficult story to beat.
Though Nothing Else But Miracles is a great story and I will probably read it aloud to my own children, it falls a little shy of being the recommendation it’s predecessor for a few reasons listed below.
If the content warnings don’t keep you from picking up this book, you’ll find the relationship between Dory and her brothers just delightful and the love they have for their dad is truly endearing.
Plenty of good can be found in this charming book and great starters for discussion about God being with us even in our darkest days.
Those who loved the author's A Place to Hang the Moon will find even more to enjoy in Kate Albus's new Nothing Else But Miracles. Dory's pa is overseas fighting the Nazis. Leaving her and her younger brother in the care of their 17yo eldest brother. When a villainous new landlord threatens their tentative home, Dory's quick wits and cunning may find a way to save the day, or cause more havoc. Kate is a master of character voice, and both the narrator's voice, and Dory are every bit enjoyable and believable. From treasure in a locked up hotel only accessible by a rickety old dumbwaiter, or first dance jitters, to seeing D-Day from the kids left at home's perspective, this book will keep you laughing, crying, and turning the page to find out what will happen next.