Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Nightingale's Nest is not simply a story; it is an experience. 12-year-old John is going to work with his father this summer. John's little sister, Raelynn, died in a tree-climbing accident a year ago. John's family used all their available funds (including savings) to pay for Raelynn's funeral and burial. They have sold everything of value they own and are struggling now to pay rent each month.
As many surviving older siblings do, John feels guilty that he was not able to save his sister, 'catch' her as she fell from the oak tree. His mother is so lost in her grief that on her worst days she speaks as if Raelynn is still alive. His father is angry and frustrated, often using what little money he earns on beer instead of rent. John has cut himself off from his best friend next door--desperately missing him but too embarrassed to admit they can't alternate houses to watch baseball or play video games because they can no longer afford cable TV and have sold his gaming system. John hopes that by helping his father at work he can contribute much needed funds and somehow begin to make up for Raelynn's death and the disastrous state in which it has left his family.
While working with his father cutting trees in the yard of the wealthiest man in town John hears a voice, singing from the sycamore tree next door. John is both mesmerized by and concerned about Gayle from the moment he meets her. She is small and he sees red marks he suspects are from Gayle's foster mother and her son. He feels a fierce need to protect her.
Mr. King is the owner of several Dollar Chain stores and is often called 'The Emperor' by the townspeople. He has also heard Gayle sing in her tree next door. He sees that John has a connection with the little girl and offers him $500 (which he knows John's family needs) to convince Gayle to sing for him in his home recording studio so that he may have a recording of her voice to listen to always. John has an uneasy feeling about it, but reasons that it's harmless, the money will help his family and he will stay with Gayle the whole time.
John makes a series of decisions many a 12-year-old would make in his position as he tries to help assuage his parents' grief over Raelynn's death, make them proud of him, help alleviate their financial struggles and protect Gayle at the same time. Predictably, the consequences of these decisions spiral into a situation beyond John's capacity to cope. When, in the midst of anguishing over what to do about Gayle, his father's drinking and his mother's apparent loss of touch with reality John realizes that other people outside of his family are aware of both his parents' behavior it is too much for him:
Based on Hans Christensen Andersen's The Nightingale, Nikki Loftin's modern reinterpretation Nightingale's Nest is both a brilliant tribute and an extraordinary story in its own right. Both John and Gayle draw the reader into their stories. as readers we,, in turn, almost without realizing it, takes Gayle and John into our hearts. And they will stay with there...even after we have finished reading Nightingale's Nest.
As many surviving older siblings do, John feels guilty that he was not able to save his sister, 'catch' her as she fell from the oak tree. His mother is so lost in her grief that on her worst days she speaks as if Raelynn is still alive. His father is angry and frustrated, often using what little money he earns on beer instead of rent. John has cut himself off from his best friend next door--desperately missing him but too embarrassed to admit they can't alternate houses to watch baseball or play video games because they can no longer afford cable TV and have sold his gaming system. John hopes that by helping his father at work he can contribute much needed funds and somehow begin to make up for Raelynn's death and the disastrous state in which it has left his family.
While working with his father cutting trees in the yard of the wealthiest man in town John hears a voice, singing from the sycamore tree next door. John is both mesmerized by and concerned about Gayle from the moment he meets her. She is small and he sees red marks he suspects are from Gayle's foster mother and her son. He feels a fierce need to protect her.
Mr. King is the owner of several Dollar Chain stores and is often called 'The Emperor' by the townspeople. He has also heard Gayle sing in her tree next door. He sees that John has a connection with the little girl and offers him $500 (which he knows John's family needs) to convince Gayle to sing for him in his home recording studio so that he may have a recording of her voice to listen to always. John has an uneasy feeling about it, but reasons that it's harmless, the money will help his family and he will stay with Gayle the whole time.
John makes a series of decisions many a 12-year-old would make in his position as he tries to help assuage his parents' grief over Raelynn's death, make them proud of him, help alleviate their financial struggles and protect Gayle at the same time. Predictably, the consequences of these decisions spiral into a situation beyond John's capacity to cope. When, in the midst of anguishing over what to do about Gayle, his father's drinking and his mother's apparent loss of touch with reality John realizes that other people outside of his family are aware of both his parents' behavior it is too much for him:
The knot grew bigger as anger started to balloon in my stomach. I'd given up everything--even my best friend--to keep my family's secrets. And it turned out that maybe there hadn't been a secret to keep.
Based on Hans Christensen Andersen's The Nightingale, Nikki Loftin's modern reinterpretation Nightingale's Nest is both a brilliant tribute and an extraordinary story in its own right. Both John and Gayle draw the reader into their stories. as readers we,, in turn, almost without realizing it, takes Gayle and John into our hearts. And they will stay with there...even after we have finished reading Nightingale's Nest.
Nightingale's Nest by Nikki Lofton is a modern-day story of a boy, Little John, whose family is still reeling from the tragedy of losing Little John's sister several months previously. Not only are there emotional scars, but the event has left the family with little money, when they never had much to begin with. It is summer, and Little John is working with his father doing tree work for the town's richest resident-- an aloof and strange widower named Mr. King. It is while working in Mr. King's massive property that Little John encounters Gayle-- a tiny waif of a girl who is fostered to the not-so-kind Cutlin family. Gayle is not like anyone Little John has ever known. She sings with the purest voice he's ever heard, one that appears to make even the birds quieten to listen. Not only that, but she appears to have some type of power to help wounds and hurts heal. Little John is mesmerized by Gayle, but he isn't the only one. Mr.King has also been listening and watching, and he has an interest in Gayle's abilities that seems selfish and almost sinister. Little John soon finds himself in a terrible dilemma-- he can protect Gayle, or use her and her talents to benefit Mr. King and ultimately his family.
Nightingale's Nest is a book filled with several remarkable elements. It is beautifully written, with language that is carefully crafted to immerse the reader in the feel of the place and the characters. It is also a fine example of magical realism (a term that is new to me, though the idea isn't), and this is something very tricky to do well in a children's book. Given a child's developmental shift from what is concrete to abstract, this book pushes the reader to suspend disbelief, embrace possibilities, and come to terms with the ambiguities within the story that are not ever completely settled within the text. Unlike some other reviewers, I did feel like the characterization of Little John and Gayle was strong. I felt that I knew these two characters. It is harder to know Little John's mom and dad or Mr. King. I feel that this was intentional, though. It was part of that ambiguity that the reader has to confront and come to terms with. All three characters have qualities I found myself admiring, but others that either confused or repulsed me. Of course the parallels and allusion to Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Nightingale" were fascinating to a lover of literature.
All in all, Nightingale's Nest is a masterful and memorable book. My 4-star rating comes more from the fact that there is just so much sadness in the story than anything inherently lacking in the book or writing. It is a book I'm glad that I read, and one I'd enthusiastically recommend.
Nightingale's Nest is a book filled with several remarkable elements. It is beautifully written, with language that is carefully crafted to immerse the reader in the feel of the place and the characters. It is also a fine example of magical realism (a term that is new to me, though the idea isn't), and this is something very tricky to do well in a children's book. Given a child's developmental shift from what is concrete to abstract, this book pushes the reader to suspend disbelief, embrace possibilities, and come to terms with the ambiguities within the story that are not ever completely settled within the text. Unlike some other reviewers, I did feel like the characterization of Little John and Gayle was strong. I felt that I knew these two characters. It is harder to know Little John's mom and dad or Mr. King. I feel that this was intentional, though. It was part of that ambiguity that the reader has to confront and come to terms with. All three characters have qualities I found myself admiring, but others that either confused or repulsed me. Of course the parallels and allusion to Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Nightingale" were fascinating to a lover of literature.
All in all, Nightingale's Nest is a masterful and memorable book. My 4-star rating comes more from the fact that there is just so much sadness in the story than anything inherently lacking in the book or writing. It is a book I'm glad that I read, and one I'd enthusiastically recommend.
I loved this wink at Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale, but feel that many boys may not "get into" the story as much as I would like for them to. The writing was crisp, and it kept me-an adult reader-constantly guessing what would happen next.
I enjoyed this one, but I thought the plot was kind of predictable and Mr. King was so obviously bad, it was tougher to buy into.
Younger readers would probably enjoy it-
Younger readers would probably enjoy it-
A unique example of magical realism for middle grades that manages to ground itself in authentic emotions and the too-rarely seen reality of poverty. Little John is an entirely sympathetic, conflicted character, forced to make tough decisions and worrying too much about grown-up problems. While the adults in his life seem to fail him, they all have hidden complexity and even the Emperor vaccilates between appearing evil and pitiable. And Gale steers away from being too angelic, full of all the pouts and personality of a real young child.
The blend of magic and reality is well-balanced, and this reader had no trouble believing in the few magical elements. I found the rather tidy ending to be in keeping with the fairy tale sensibility. This is a world that needs a bit of magic. While the story overall centers on financial struggles, the lingering effects of tragedy and loss, and the sometimes harsh reality of life even for children, Little John and Gale's connection, the still strong strands of old friendships, the concern and assistance that comes from neighbors, and the magic of Gale's escape keep the story ultimately hopeful and uplifting. Original and thought-provoking.
The blend of magic and reality is well-balanced, and this reader had no trouble believing in the few magical elements. I found the rather tidy ending to be in keeping with the fairy tale sensibility. This is a world that needs a bit of magic. While the story overall centers on financial struggles, the lingering effects of tragedy and loss, and the sometimes harsh reality of life even for children, Little John and Gale's connection, the still strong strands of old friendships, the concern and assistance that comes from neighbors, and the magic of Gale's escape keep the story ultimately hopeful and uplifting. Original and thought-provoking.
Little John is working with his father trimming trees for Mr. King during the summer. One day he hears the most amazing music. He discovers it is a little girl who sounds like a magical bird. She is an orphan living with Mrs. Cutlin whose property borders Mr. King's. Gayle is just like a little bird, more comfortable in the nest she built in the tree than on the ground. Over the next few days Little John and Gayle become very close. Little John needs something good in his life. His family is not the same since the death of his little sister. His dad is drinking a lot and spending their rent money on booze. His mom still talks to the little sister Raelynn as if she is still alive. They are about to be evicted and have no where else to go. So when Mr. King offers John $500 to bring Gayle to his house and let him record her voice, John accepts. Mr. King is a bit creepy but John doesn't think he would actually hurt Gayle. However, after he records her Gayle acts as if she has been wounded. She claims Mr. King stole her voice. There are a series of unfortunate events that leads to a horrible accident and the loss of the rent money. Little John has to make things right with his family and with Gayle.
I am still not sure what I think about this book. It was a very engaging story and one I really didn't want to put down. However, it is based on a fairy tale I am unfamiliar with, which made the story a little more difficult to understand. Magical realism is also not my favorite genre. With that being said I think it is a magical little book that will definitely find fans.
I am still not sure what I think about this book. It was a very engaging story and one I really didn't want to put down. However, it is based on a fairy tale I am unfamiliar with, which made the story a little more difficult to understand. Magical realism is also not my favorite genre. With that being said I think it is a magical little book that will definitely find fans.
Incredibly beautiful. Nightingale's Nest captures pain, guilt, and beauty in almost every character in this book. Loftin integrates fantasy with the authenticity and emotional rawness of "real life," and, like Gayle's voice, this story has a healing element in itself. Reader, by the time you reach the ending, you may find yourself wanting to let out a tiny sigh of satisfaction (and possibly many, many tears).
This is a hard book that just keeps getting harder.
Not hard to read or understand, but about hard lives . . .
Not hard to read or understand, but about hard lives . . .
I ran on, my feet feeling the soreness from my run the day before. My tennis shoes were getting tight again. Was I still growing? I hoped not; shoes were expensive.. . . and about the hard decisions those lives require, along with the emotional hardship that results.
She thought I was sick, maybe because of the sunburn. I did feel sick, and my face was hot.Thankfully, there is just enough magical realism to provide some hope and redemption.
I was sick, sure. Sick at heart. My stomach felt like I'd eaten bricks, my chest like one had landed on it and was crushing the breath out of me.
My face burned. I got up to go to the bathroom, and stared at it in the mirror. It looked just like I felt inside. Raw, blistered, red as the devil.
I wondered: Was it possible to be so ashamed of yourself, your face would stay red for the rest of your life?
Nicely written, but not the book for me. Almost all of the adult characters in this book were hideous or sad, and while that might be realistic, it's not really something I'm wanting to read about at this point.
Magical realism in a small Texan town setting with a small girl's amazing voice. This voice can heal even the worst heart - in forgiveness. At least that's the way I read it. It's really hard to tell all the layers of meaning in magical realism. But "my" middle school kids will let me know how they interpret it, I'm sure.