From: Melody Allen <melody_allen>
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 13:59:10 -0500

I found this book such a delightful read. The kids were all well?veloped characters and blown full of life. Venice matched pictures in my memory. I loved watching the evolving relationships, especially the detective's growing concern for the two boys and the sense of family. Sure, there were some very convenient coincidences - like the woman they were robbing having been an orphan herself. And the ending wrapped all threads together rather tidily (although I loved the fairy tale justice of the wicked aunt and uncle getting stuck with the mean fence). And why did the girl have to be the one to be the reader and stay back and take care of the younger brother? I thought it was closer to magic realism (which I know only a little about) than true fantasy and thus came together at the end the way Holes did - impossible but believable. Melody Allen melody_allen at gw.doa.state.ri.us
Received on Tue 18 Mar 2003 12:59:10 PM CST