A review by triscuit807
The Heavenly Tenants by Ilonka Karasz, William Maxwell

3.0

2.5-3 stars but I really wanted to like it more. It's great for what there is, but it's more a vignette than a novel or even a story. The Marvell family are going to visit family in VA and leave their WI fame in the capable hands of the hired hand...or so they think. I really wanted more about the family, especially Heather whom we find in the first chapter in her thinking place on the stairs. What is clear is that the father has always had an affinity for the stars (boyhood telescope in attic in VA) which he is sharing with his children (mother is completely clueless). Not spoiling anything (because it's in the book's description), when the the hired hand doesn't show up, the Constellations come down to take care of the farm. I read this for my 2019 Reading Challenge and my Newbery Challenge (Honor Book 1947).