
Rating: High Five!
Who I'd Recommend to: Fans of Snow Treasure, Once, Number the Stars, and Each Little Bird That Sings.
Synopsis (from Amazon):
Eleven-year-old Mari grew up tucked under the wings of her parents, grandma, and older siblings. After Hitler's troops invade Norway in Spring 1940, she is forced to grow beyond her "little girl" nickname to deal with harsh new realities. At her side for support and protection is Odin, her faithful elkhound. As the year progresses, Mari, her family, and her neighbors are drawn into the activities of the Norwegian underground resistance.
The interesting thing about Odin's Promise is that it's not just a book describing the events that occured in Norway while it was occupied by Hitler's forces. It is also a beautiful, heartbreaking tale of a girl and her dog, one that has a unique twist (that being the Nazis) that's bound to keep both girls AND boys gripped from start to finish. I also loved the main character, Mari - a girl that is "forced to grow beyond her 'little girl' nickname." This transition was fantastic to watch, as a reader, one that many kids will be able to relate to. In addition, the writing was beautiful. Sandy Brehl really knows how to spin a fascinating, informative, touching, yet still gripping tale. The ending had me sobbing into my bedsheets, too (okay, okay, I know, I cry at the end of almost every book, but this one was powerful).
Overall, I just loved this book. The excitement, the heartbreak... everything was just perfect. Not only a good book for those who want to delve a little deeper into World War II, this book is also a must-read for every young girl (and boy), whether it's for the relationship between girl and dog, the transition from "little girl" to learning to be strong and more independent, or the spectacular ending in which the reader will both triumph and weep (if you're me, at least). A wonderful book that I will revisit time and time again - if you hadn't already guessed.
A giveaway (squee!)
An interview with Sandy Brehl
And here's the full schedule for this awesome blog tour:
Blog tour schedule:
September 1– Interview with Todd Burleson at GROG blog:
Groggorg.com
September 7- Review: Stephanie Lowden at golowd, a blog about teaching and books:
Golowd.com
September 11- Guest post Unleashing Readers
Unleashingreaders.com
September 14- (TODAY!!!)- Review by Erik at This Kid Reviews Books,
Thiskidreviewsbooks.com
September 19- Review, Suzanne Warr, at Tales from the Raven, for MMGM:
Suzannewarr.com
September 20- Olivia and Oscar- review of ODIN’S PROMISE at Kid Book Reviewer:
Kidbookreviewer.com
September 27- Olivia and Oscar- review of BJORN’S GIFT at Kid Book Reviewer:
Kidbookreviewer.com
September 29- Alex Baugh review at The Children’s War
Thechildrenswar.blogspot.com
October 3- Jenni Enzor MMGM with review and interview:
Jennienzor.com
October 5- MomReadIt- Review by Rosemary
Momreadit.com
October 7- Trisha P at Mindjacked
Trishap00.com
October 11- Guest post Rochelle Melander
Writenowcoach.com
Hope you enjoy!