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“An adventure, a mystery, and a love song to the
natural world.”
— Karen Cushman, Newbery Medal–winning author
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Starred Review, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2013:“With its historical backdrop, enjoyable narrative, and endearing heroine, this will appeal both to fans of Philbrick’s The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg and Kelly’s The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.”
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Starred Review, School Library Journal, January 2013:“Timberlake seamlessly integrates information about two significant events that occurred in Wisconsin in 1871… Georgie’s physical and emotional odyssey that occurs between those two events will linger in readers’ minds.”
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Starred Review, The Horn Book, January/February 2013:“…it’s Georgie’s voice that really brings the story to life, with its original, folksy turns of phrase and self-deprecating humor that make it as entertaining to read as a Christopher Paul Curtis novel.”
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Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2012:“Georgie's story will capture readers' imaginations with the very first sentences and then hold them hostage until the final page is turned.”
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“Timberlake balances humor with
heart in this gripping adventure…[she] offers a fascinating glimpse into an
important, little-known year in the American Midwest and at the ‘winged mass’
that filled its sky.”
— Washington Post
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“Timberlake seamlessly integrates information about two significant events that occurred in Wisconsin in 1871…Georgie’s physical and emotional odyssey that occurs between those two events will linger in readers’ minds.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)
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“Georgie’s story will capture readers’ imaginations with the very first sentences and then hold them hostage until the final page is turned.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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“With its historical backdrop, enjoyable narrative, and endearing heroine, this will appeal both to fans of Philbrick’s The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg and Kelly’s The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
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“It’s Georgie’s voice that really brings the story to life, with its original, folksy turns of phrase and self-deprecating humor that make it as entertaining to read as a Christopher Paul Curtis novel.”
— Horn Book (starred review)
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“Timberlake weaves in the largest
passenger pigeon nesting ever seen in North America, drought and fatal fires
along Lake Michigan that year, a currency crisis that spawned counterfeiters,
and advice on prairie travel from an actual handbook from the times. Historical
fiction and mystery combine to make this a compelling adventure, and an
afterword helps disentangle facts from fiction.”
— Booklist
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“A unique historical novel set
during a massive and largely forgotten 1871 wild passenger pigeon migration in
southern Wisconsin. Georgie Burkhardt is a scrappy and likable heroine, a
straight shooter, with her rifle as well as with her mouth. Part western, part
mystery, with plenty adventure and a touch of romance, One Came Home will be enjoyed by readers of many genres and
remembered for its setting and the unusual natural phenomenon it brings to life.”
— VOYA
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“Sands reads the plucky Georgie
with unending enthusiasm and energy. Her passion for uncovering the truth, even
at the expense of common sense, rings true in Sands’ voice. Although much of
the story is told in Georgie’s young, exuberant voice, Sands provides calmer,
more mature tones for Georgie’s sister and mother and a deeper, more even voice
for Billy. An author’s note read at the conclusion of the story highlights the
historical events of 1871—the pigeon nesting in Wisconsin and the fires along
Lake Michigan—that formed the backdrop for Georgie’s story.”
— Booklist (audio review)
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“With a youthful, feisty voice,
Sands perfectly portrays Georgie’s stubborn personality as she takes off on her
own, determined to prove that her sister is still alive…Overall, Sands’
high-spirited performance is a perfect fit for Georgie, a capable teenager who
won’t ever give up.”
— AudioFile