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mjenae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
One third an exploration of the unexpected, and where we go after we lose everything.
One third magic, the creative imagination of children and the intricacy it can create in every element of life.
And one third a study of the “delicate cobweb link[ing] us all, silky lines trailing through the air.”
Once again, Ms. Creech loops together a riveting story, linking the complexities of love and trauma to the simplicity of step-by-step, of how every minute, day, year falls into place with the next one. The two settings—small-town Southern and countryside Ireland—were spread in vivid color across the pages. I felt as if I were there; and I wouldn't mind going back.
“I thought about all the things that had to have spun into place in order for us to be alive and for us to be right there, right then. I thought about the few things we thought we knew and the billions of things we couldn't know, all spinning, whirling out there somewhere.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
Will have to wait to see what "my kids" think of this. It may be too hard to stick with it... which would be unfortunate, because they would miss the Great Unexpected at the end.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
Though the coincidences were a bit too much, this is a lovely story of love and family, with mystery running through. The language is lyrical and the characters are warm and endearing.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fine... but it didn't live up to all the other Creech books I have loved over the years. It just felt so low-key. Things did happen, but the way they were written made this book feel like there was no action at all. You were just switching from America to Ireland over and over and trying to piece together how the stories intertwined. Nothing was that surprising in the end, and I'm still confused about the boy, Finn. This just didn't do anything for me.
rosieski's review against another edition
2.0
The dialog and characters (for the most part) in this story were great fun, and I really enjoyed reading it out loud to my daughter. However, it suffered a drop in motivation not too far in, and then what I can only describe as a change of heart and/or mind took place near the end. Looking back, it is difficult to say where the book meant to go, and the "surprise" at the end left the story on a very strange note, as the character involved was never explored enough to be definitively welcome or unwelcome. My true opinion is that this book could have been better with a few more edits. It was a little under done.
flowersofquiethappiness's review against another edition
4.0
What an unexpected delight! (See what I did there? ;) I found the audiobook at a library sale and snatched it up because Natalie had exclaimed over it (and she has yet to steer me wrong). Believe me when I say that this is an excellent middle grade novel. Ms. Creech takes a vast array of seemingly unconnectable characters and then gives hints little by little (keeping you turning pages or continuing to listen so you can find out what happens next) until there's an invisible thread connecting them all. And the characters are the shining points of the entire story! Naomi and Lizzie, Nula and Joe, Witch Wiggins, Crazy Cora, Mrs. Mudkin, the Ireland ladies, and of course the "infamous" Finn-boy. They are all delightful! This is a fun adventure full of eccentric and quirky characters that you'll love. I think I'll go have another listen. :)
hello_sunshine's review against another edition
3.0
Couldn't decide I'd I liked this or not because I felt confused each time the story changed continents. I liked the connection between characters and the element of mystery.
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
If you have never read any of the novels by Sharon Creech you are missing out on some great literature! She writes for the young adult genre, but I absolutely love them and believe they are ideal for adults too.
This book is much more whimsical and "magical" than the others that I read, but no less entertaining! I loved the way that this story was two in one and watching how Ms. Creech connected all the wispy threads of her plot cobweb!
If you want a simple beautiful feel good story, than you will enjoy The Great Unexpected!
This book is much more whimsical and "magical" than the others that I read, but no less entertaining! I loved the way that this story was two in one and watching how Ms. Creech connected all the wispy threads of her plot cobweb!
If you want a simple beautiful feel good story, than you will enjoy The Great Unexpected!
kmcneil's review against another edition
3.0
I've been recommending Ruby Holler to students this past school year. Some loved it, others didn't. To those who loved it (as I did), I would recommend "The Great Unexpected. As in Ruby Holler, we meet two orphaned misfits who ultimately get the rewards they deserve. The Great Unexpected has a touch of magic and a touch of Irish folklore that brings this novel just to the edge of fantasy, but it does not take over the story. I definitely enjoyed it. However, I do agree with with SLJ that the narrative style is confusing. Nevertheless, I found it a satisfying and enjoyable read.
From School Library Journal 8/1/2012
Gr 5‰ЫТ7‰ЫУAfter an epigraph, prologue, and first chapter that increasingly pull readers in deeper and deeper, The Great Unexpected-part realistic fiction, part mystery, and part ghost story-disappoints. In the small, probably Southern town of Blackbird Tree, orphaned 12-year-old Naomi Deane receives a whack on the head as an inert boy tumbles down from a tree. Joined by her motormouth friend, Lizzie Scatterding, she pronounces the boy "dead," but he soon sits up and starts asking questions in a strange accent-clearly, he's not from around there. Naomi Deane's narration constitutes the bulk of the story, but every third or fourth chapter takes place "Across the Ocean" in a grand Irish estate, where readers follow the antics of elderly companions Mrs. Kavanagh and Miss Pilpenny. Creech gradually reveals the connections between the two story lines; clues appear in appropriately small doses that will appeal to young detectives. But a confusing narrative style makes the book hard to follow. Instead of consistently using a progressive or episodic structure for either plotline, Creech alternates between the two, which places readers in an uncomfortably disorienting position upon beginning each chapter: Does this start where we left off, or have several weeks passed? Overuse of quirky and alliterative names such as "the dapper Dingle Dangle man," the "dim Dimmenses," "Crazy Cora," and "Witch Wiggins" distracts from the story. For better-told small-town adventures and rich language, try Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago (Dial, 1998) or Susan Patron's The Higher Power of Lucky (S & S, 2006).‰ЫУAllison Bruce, The Berkeley Carrol School, Brooklyn, NY Copyright 2012 Reed Business Information.
From School Library Journal 8/1/2012
Gr 5‰ЫТ7‰ЫУAfter an epigraph, prologue, and first chapter that increasingly pull readers in deeper and deeper, The Great Unexpected-part realistic fiction, part mystery, and part ghost story-disappoints. In the small, probably Southern town of Blackbird Tree, orphaned 12-year-old Naomi Deane receives a whack on the head as an inert boy tumbles down from a tree. Joined by her motormouth friend, Lizzie Scatterding, she pronounces the boy "dead," but he soon sits up and starts asking questions in a strange accent-clearly, he's not from around there. Naomi Deane's narration constitutes the bulk of the story, but every third or fourth chapter takes place "Across the Ocean" in a grand Irish estate, where readers follow the antics of elderly companions Mrs. Kavanagh and Miss Pilpenny. Creech gradually reveals the connections between the two story lines; clues appear in appropriately small doses that will appeal to young detectives. But a confusing narrative style makes the book hard to follow. Instead of consistently using a progressive or episodic structure for either plotline, Creech alternates between the two, which places readers in an uncomfortably disorienting position upon beginning each chapter: Does this start where we left off, or have several weeks passed? Overuse of quirky and alliterative names such as "the dapper Dingle Dangle man," the "dim Dimmenses," "Crazy Cora," and "Witch Wiggins" distracts from the story. For better-told small-town adventures and rich language, try Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago (Dial, 1998) or Susan Patron's The Higher Power of Lucky (S & S, 2006).‰ЫУAllison Bruce, The Berkeley Carrol School, Brooklyn, NY Copyright 2012 Reed Business Information.
brandypainter's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I am a big fan of Sharon Creech. I have taught Walk Two Moons and I have book talked her other books an insane amount putting them in the hands of lots and lots of students. I was pretty excited when I discovered she had a new novel, The Great Unexpected, coming out this year. Which is why it is so very hard for me to say I was disappointed by it.
The Great Unexpected has everything promised in the synopsis and it is all delivered in Creech's signature style. Creech excels at writing books for young people that focus on the power of community. Books that show family is defined by the people who love and care for us and who we love and care for, whether connected by blood or not. The community aspect of this novel is as strong as the others. The friendship between Naomi and Lizzie is lovely too, though Lizzie seems MUCH younger than Naomi. She's a strange girl to be sure. I liked the connection between Ireland and America, the young girls and the older. I loved the town of Blackbird Tree. I did keep wondering what time period this was taking place in because it didn't really feel modern, but the atmosphere certainly fit the story being told. I enjoyed the way Creech handed out pieces of story like pieces of a puzzle and the reader can't truly see the whole picture until the last piece is in place. And even then....
This brings me to my issue. There is a thread of magical realism running through the book. At least that's what I think it is meant to be. I can't say too much about this without giving away spoilers, but it involves a boy named Finn who steals Lizzie's heart and the connection he has to the Irish story and his similarities to a boy named Finn Nula and Sybil knew long ago. And it just wasn't necessary. It was a beautiful story without that element. Adding it made it confusing where it didn't need to be, and almost like it was trying to be something it wasn't. As the book ends on this note I ended up putting it down with frustration, which is not how I like to end a reading experience.
If you love Sharon Creech this book has all the qualities her books contain, though it is a distinct departure from her previous work. You may not have the same issues with it that I did so I would certainly urge you to give it a try.
I am a big fan of Sharon Creech. I have taught Walk Two Moons and I have book talked her other books an insane amount putting them in the hands of lots and lots of students. I was pretty excited when I discovered she had a new novel, The Great Unexpected, coming out this year. Which is why it is so very hard for me to say I was disappointed by it.
The Great Unexpected has everything promised in the synopsis and it is all delivered in Creech's signature style. Creech excels at writing books for young people that focus on the power of community. Books that show family is defined by the people who love and care for us and who we love and care for, whether connected by blood or not. The community aspect of this novel is as strong as the others. The friendship between Naomi and Lizzie is lovely too, though Lizzie seems MUCH younger than Naomi. She's a strange girl to be sure. I liked the connection between Ireland and America, the young girls and the older. I loved the town of Blackbird Tree. I did keep wondering what time period this was taking place in because it didn't really feel modern, but the atmosphere certainly fit the story being told. I enjoyed the way Creech handed out pieces of story like pieces of a puzzle and the reader can't truly see the whole picture until the last piece is in place. And even then....
This brings me to my issue. There is a thread of magical realism running through the book. At least that's what I think it is meant to be. I can't say too much about this without giving away spoilers, but it involves a boy named Finn who steals Lizzie's heart and the connection he has to the Irish story and his similarities to a boy named Finn Nula and Sybil knew long ago. And it just wasn't necessary. It was a beautiful story without that element. Adding it made it confusing where it didn't need to be, and almost like it was trying to be something it wasn't. As the book ends on this note I ended up putting it down with frustration, which is not how I like to end a reading experience.
If you love Sharon Creech this book has all the qualities her books contain, though it is a distinct departure from her previous work. You may not have the same issues with it that I did so I would certainly urge you to give it a try.