The Carnival at Bray
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
15
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
For use in schools and libraries only. Uprooted from Chicago to rural Ireland, Maggie searches for her place in the country she now calls home before enduring a tragedy that sends her on a pilgrimmage to fulfill her uncle's request.
Reviews with the most likes.
oh man, I messy cried at this one. I was a little skeptical at the premise–historical fiction set in the 80s/90s sometimes just feels to me like an author being like “eh, this is when I grew up, so we'll go with that?” but here, Nirvana/Kurt Cobain felt really important to the story in a way that I think is recognizable to a contemporary YA audience while still being a separate, unique element. You couldn't just swap out Nirvana for some other band and have the story function the same. (I feel similarly about [b:After Tupac and D Foster 1583449 After Tupac and D Foster Jacqueline Woodson https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402530480s/1583449.jpg 1576318]).Anyway, more than that, I loved Maggie, and her relationship with her family and new classmates all felt so true. I especially loved her travels with Eoin and the way she's changed by the people she meets in hostels. Just–really powerful and great. A good readalike for Gayle Forman, maybe. Has some sex (realistically & awkwardly portrayed), drugs, and rock & roll, so I wouldn't hand it out to the tweens.
