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emileereadsbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
This is a classic book, but I did not enjoy Margaret Thursday as a character. She is a bit too whiney and entitled for no reason. She does grow on you, but I just wasn't invested enough.
mariattp_'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
2.0
riellareads's review against another edition
4.0
Thursday’s Child is an adorable historical fiction book following orphan, Margaret Thursday by Noel Streatfeild. I knew Noel Streatfeild from her “Shoes” books. I had read Ballet Shoes, Dancing Shoes, Theater Shoes, and Theater Shoes. They were some of the books I really enjoyed reading in elementary school, so I was very excited to have the opportunity to read Thursday’s Child! Margaret Thursday is an orphan, who finds herself at an orphanage after the money supplied for her keep runs out. The orphanage turns out to be awful, with a harsh matron where the children are badly treated. Along with her friends, Margaret must find a way of escape!
Margaret was such a fun character! She was very confident and had such drama in her! She was also really kind and connected to people easily. And I loved her friends. They were all so sweet and seemed very realistic. Lavinia, Peter, Horatio and all the rest of the characters really made the story so interesting. I did not relate to Margaret as much, but I could empathize with her and relate to the other children in different ways.
The story was very interesting. I liked watching the progression and it felt well-paced. Within a few chapters, I was already invested in the story! It is not a very action-packed book, but more an unfolding of the story of Margaret’s life. It has an older style of writing, with 3rd-person narrative and slightly different language than young readers may be accustomed to. It is also set in turn-of-the -century England, so there may be some unfamiliar references there as well. This story is the first in Margaret’s adventures, so while it offers some conclusions, not everything is made clear.
Overall, this was a really fun and cute book that I would suggest to readers in mid-to late elementary school, who enjoy historical fiction!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
Margaret was such a fun character! She was very confident and had such drama in her! She was also really kind and connected to people easily. And I loved her friends. They were all so sweet and seemed very realistic. Lavinia, Peter, Horatio and all the rest of the characters really made the story so interesting. I did not relate to Margaret as much, but I could empathize with her and relate to the other children in different ways.
The story was very interesting. I liked watching the progression and it felt well-paced. Within a few chapters, I was already invested in the story! It is not a very action-packed book, but more an unfolding of the story of Margaret’s life. It has an older style of writing, with 3rd-person narrative and slightly different language than young readers may be accustomed to. It is also set in turn-of-the -century England, so there may be some unfamiliar references there as well. This story is the first in Margaret’s adventures, so while it offers some conclusions, not everything is made clear.
Overall, this was a really fun and cute book that I would suggest to readers in mid-to late elementary school, who enjoy historical fiction!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
jager123's review against another edition
5.0
I must have read this a hundred times as a kid. God I’ve missed it.
evaseyler's review against another edition
2.0
There was something about this one that just... didn't sit well with me. It was well-written, but the main character was really annoying thinking she was somebody so special and deserving of all kinds of attention.
felinity's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
I read this as a child many years ago, but it wasn't one of my favourite Streatfeild books. Because of that, I didn't remember anything about the story at all as I came back to it, so everything felt new which was nice. Margaret is one of those insufferable children who overdramatises everything, and yet at the same time you know she is an abandoned orphan and so you have sympathy for her. And whilst she's sometimes a pain, she's also incredibly loyal, and her willingness to take punishment to protect other children in the orphanage is lovely. Margaret isn't the whole focus to the book, however, and I also really like the other three children who feature.
It's very much a story of its time, and it depicts a world where social class is hugely important, and has a massive impact on people's lives, which must seem strange to children reading now. But it really captures this era, and how life was in a large house with staff. My favourite parts, however, are those on the canal. That part of the story is funny, and also absolutely fascinating. I love the talk of the children being leggers, and all the different things you learn about canal life.
This still isn't in the league of Ballet Shoes, but Noel Streatfeild writes really, really engaging stories that are very readable and more-ish.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
It's very much a story of its time, and it depicts a world where social class is hugely important, and has a massive impact on people's lives, which must seem strange to children reading now. But it really captures this era, and how life was in a large house with staff. My favourite parts, however, are those on the canal. That part of the story is funny, and also absolutely fascinating. I love the talk of the children being leggers, and all the different things you learn about canal life.
This still isn't in the league of Ballet Shoes, but Noel Streatfeild writes really, really engaging stories that are very readable and more-ish.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
pencils's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
auscaz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
lottiesaahko's review against another edition
2.0
Oh no, I'm so sad! I love Noel Streatfeild's writing so I was really looking forward to this. The idea is sweet but the story just drags on and on... I was especially looking forward to the stagey bit, but they don't get to the theatre until the very end. I wonder if I would have liked this when I was little? Now it was a disappointment sadly.