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tami_provencher's review against another edition
4.0
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.
readerchloe_3's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
scostner's review against another edition
3.0
This story was a hard one for me to finish. Andersen's fairy tale of the Nightingale is one I remember from my childhood - and it was never one of my favorites, because it made me sad. Nightingale' Nest did the same thing. There is so much sadness packed into Little John's life - the death of his little sister, his mother's depression and delusional state, his father's drinking, the constant worry about money and being evicted...it seems like it never lets up. And there is this poor boy trying to deal with all of it, like telling his best friend that he has outgrown video games because he doesn't want to admit his father pawned his Nintendo to pay bills. Meeting the foster girl, Gayle, he is reminded of his little sister and wants to protect her, to have a second chance. But kids are often powerless to change the circumstances they find themselves in, especially when they are up against the most wealthy man in town. Mr. King's obsession with Gayle's voice is just one more thing for Little John to deal with. Despite the magical appeal of Gayle's singing, the rest of the characters and setting are very believable. You have to persevere to the end of the book to see how the tangle of needs and desires plays out, but you will probably find yourself satisfied with the ending. And you might just spend a bit more time appreciating the birdsong around you this spring.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
couillac's review against another edition
4.0
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.
jillcd's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this 4 stars but I am unsure how many kids will like it and stick with it. I really enjoyed this fairy tale spin- off but wonder if kids are familiar with the original story. This would make for a good book club book- to analyze and dissect.
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my goodness, I love fairy tale retellings aimed at middle graders. When I saw a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Nightingale pop up on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it, even though I am not totally entirely familiar with the origin story.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
larskat's review against another edition
3.0
This poor kid's life sucks. I'm sure the ending was supposed to inspire hope, but the fantasy element for the happy ending left me feeling even more despair for kids with shitty lives who will most likely never have that Magical happy ending.
whattiea's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes the writing felt overblown, too teenage-angsty, but I'm giving it a pass because I think there was real grief and frustration for these characters. (Though Mr. King's "cage" and other metaphors WERE overblown, what!) There wasn't a single one-dimensional character, even the clearly "bad man," was written with some sympathy--and that made the tension all the more potent. The bad choices, broken promises, and badly-handled grief were pretty real, and I could feel the same hopeless tearing Little John faced. I'm proud of him.