The Great Unexpected

by Sharon Creech

[cherryblossommj]

There are so many books that when I hear their author or title, I know I should have read them and "everyone" seems to talk about them. [b:Walk Two Moons|53496|Walk Two Moons|Sharon Creech|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1170425323s/53496.jpg|1237212] is one of those, but I never read it. Now, I know that I will, I will go back for that one and just about every [a:Sharon Creech|11633|Sharon Creech|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1201118462p2/11633.jpg] that I can get my hands on because I found this one to be so fantastic. Fun, fantastic, fascinating, just plain fabulous. While part of me was thinking I would get a bigger ending, for what it is, it's worth the read. Partly because the author, partly because the cover image - this one I could not help but start when it dropped into my hands. I wasn't planning to read a middle grades book this week, but it was well... unexpected.

[b:The Great Unexpected|13623948|The Great Unexpected|Sharon Creech|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1337642216s/13623948.jpg|18182894] is a story about two orphan girls, where they came from, where they are and where they will go. It is a novel that can touch anyone and I think it is extremely valuable for the quality of thinking that it might bring to a young mind. This is one to read and then have some time to yourself to contemplate. All those questions, answers or not - this has an input. I wonder if this review makes sense to anyone, or if it just babbling... hmm... who knows, but perhaps that's not the point. This is a thinker book, and it's entertaining. Quirky and humorous I found this enjoyable and will not hesitate to read it aloud to my daughter again in a year or so and then offer it to her to read alone when she is able.

At times, I hate to put it down but absolutely must go to sleep, I guess I should have started earlier in the day to read it all at once. This is the kind of read that makes the wheels turn but keeps me silent to just think and not try to get it all out. Yet I want to journal and write poems and share it with the world as well. How in the world can I ever describe such things?

This touches on the harshness and the realities in life and circumstances, but instead of being morose it's plain fact with a sunny side. Exactly what we need in life and definitely something that all "oh-woah-is-me" characters can connect to. I think this is a needed book and will fit many places.

*Thanks to HarperCollins Children's for providing a copy for review.*

posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2012/12/10/the-great-unexpected/

New to the paperback edition is an Extras Inside where you can read Sharon Creech’s inspiration for The Great Unexpected, other Behind-the-scenes Author Tidbits, and an excerpt from The Boy on the Porch which I reviewed earlier today, you can read that review HERE. You can take it from me that The Great Unexpected is an awesome place to start if you have never read anything from Sharon Creech before and it is a great place to go next if you have.

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2013/10/11/the-great-unexpected-2/

Quotes I Love:
“Lizzie said that if you imagined you were standing on the moon, looking down on the earth, you wouldn't be able to see the itty-bitty people racing around worrying you wouldn't see the barn falling in or the cow stuck in the pond; you wouldn't see the mean Granger kids squirting mustard on your white dress. You would see the most beautiful blue oceans and green lands, and the whole earth would look like a giant blue-and-green marble floating in the sky. Your worries would seem so small, maybe invisible.”
― Sharon Creech, The Great Unexpected, p.17

“A driver had been sent to meet us. He was gray-haired, short, and nimble and introduced himself. "I am Patrick and so is every fourth man in Ireland, and the ones in between are named Sean or Mick or Finn, and I'll be driving you.”
― Sharon Creech, The Great Unexpected, p.171

“Mrs. Mudkin closed her eyes. "We should pray."
"I ain't praying," Crazy Cora said.
Mrs. Mudkin said, "Lord, please bless---"
"I ain't praying."
"--this land and the people who--"
"I ain't praying."
"--have toiled on this earth--"
"Stop that praying."
"I can pray if I want to."
"Then be quiet about it.”
― Sharon Creech, The Great Unexpected, p.191