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Gingersnap Audiobook
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(3.02) - 234 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It's 1944, W.W. II is raging. Jayna's big brother Rob is her only family. When Rob is called to duty on a destroyer, Jayna is left in their small town in upstate New York with their cranky landlady. But right before he leaves, Rob tells Jayna a secret: they may have a grandmother in Brooklyn. Rob found a little blue recipe book with her name and an address for a bakery. When Jayna learns that Rob is missing in action, she's devastated. Along with her turtle Theresa, the recipe book, and an encouraging, ghostly voice as her guide, Jayna sets out for Brooklyn in hopes of finding the family she so desperately needs.
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"This book was really nicely written and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a touching, family-based story about an orphan choild who runs away when her only family goes missing in the navy."
— Alexa (5 out of 5 stars)
Gingersnap Listener Reviews
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" I really would have liked a little more background on the voice Jayna hears that propels her forward on her life-defining journey. "
— Alice, 2/19/2014 -
" I had a hard time fitting the ghost into the story. I undertand that the ghost had a role to play in Jayna's life. It just felt a little disjointed for the ghost to appear without much warning. Still, a nice story about family, loss of parents, and looking for a place to call home. "
— Karen, 2/18/2014 -
" Read for fourth grade book club. I don't know if this was just TOO young for me, but I really didn't quite get the point - NOTHING new or fresh, in my opinion. "
— Timna, 2/6/2014 -
" This a cute little story. I'm glad I chose to listen to it on my iPod it might have gotten a bit long in the middle. Over all I thought it a good work by Giff "
— C, 1/28/2014 -
" A nice story and a quick read about a girl trying to find her family after her brother leaves for WWII. Nothing terribly special, though. "
— Amy, 1/18/2014 -
" Once again, Mrs Giff makes me want to live in Brooklyn-- at least in the 1940s. ;) I'm not sure if the "ghost" element of the story works all that well for me, but it was an enjoyable read. "
— Rachael, 1/7/2014 -
" Cute little children's book. I think the ghost was Jayna's way of dealing with her situation. I would have liked to review this book with a child to see what they thought. It would be a good book to discuss difficult "consequences of war" issues with a child. "
— Maureen, 12/1/2013 -
" Read for 4th-grade mother-daughter book group. It has a decent plot and characters, but it just felt somewhat empty to me, lacking substance, etc. I wanted more. "
— Julie, 10/9/2013 -
" This is a sweet historical fiction story. Great for young readers. I love the quiet presence of the turtle in the story. "
— MaryKay, 7/15/2013 -
" It was a very cute story! "
— Rose, 7/11/2013 -
" Read my review at: Gingersnap "
— Pamela, 7/8/2013 -
" AR 3.8 "
— ReadingWench, 2/10/2013 -
" I thought the cover was less than thrilling for kids, but I was willing to give it a try. After a slow start I really got into it and read straight through to the end because I liked it. "
— Mary, 2/2/2013 -
" While I liked the book well enough I wasn't bowled over by it. Characters are fine. Storyline was fine. It was just that - fine. The subject matter, WWII, is not going to appeal to those looking for ghost stories and the ghost portion of it might not appeal to the history buff so just - eh. "
— Lola, 1/28/2013 -
" world war ii separates a young girl from her older brother and guardian. kind strangers take care of her until he returns. sweet and short story. "
— Linda, 12/23/2012
About Patricia Reilly Giff
Patricia Reilly Giff is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Newbery Honor books Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. She lives in Trumbull, Connecticut.
About Olivia Campbell
Olivia Campbell is a journalist and author specializing in medicine and women; her work has appeared in The Guardian, the Washington Post, New York Magazine and The Cut, among others.