Author: Tess Hilmo
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Published: October 2016
ISBN13: 9780374302825
Hardcover: 256 pages
FTC FYI: Received a complimentary copy from the author, all views and opinions are my own.
Goodreads Summary
On the same day as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, 250 miles away in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, there was an even more devastating fire. Twelve-year-old Ailis and her younger brother, Quinn, survive, but their family does not. Ailis and Quinn are taken by a family acquaintance to live in a boarding house in Chicago, where they meet six-year-old Nettie, an orphan displaced by Chicago's fire. But the woman who runs the boarding house makes their lives miserable, and Ailis vows to find a way for the three of them to leave. Ailis finds a job at a millinery shop and Quinn plays his fiddle on the streets so they can save money. Then Nettie disappears, and Ailis and Quinn discover she's been kidnapped by a group that forces children to work in the sewers killing rats. Can they find a way to rescue her?
My Review
Cinnamon Moon is another wonderful book from a talented author. Tess writes children well, and writes wonderful lessons along with way. I loved this book. The characters were amazing. What I loved about them most, was how they tried to make their terrible situation better by helping themselves. I loved Ailis. She was smart, resourceful, and strong. As was Quinn. I loved how Quinn had his father's talent in playing the fiddle. She and Quinn are put in a hard situation with Miss Franny. Together, they wanted to have a life with each other and Nettie away from Miss Franny, and they come up with a great plan. Then Nettie disappears, and the two stop at nothing to help her. There are many tender moments, especially when the siblings talked about and remembered their parents and baby sister that died in the Peshtigo fire. Ida was a complete joy. I loved how she took Ailis under her wing. I felt the ending was beautiful. There is nothing wrong with a happy ending that leaves you feeling good and happy you invested your time in a well-told story. Remembering also, this is a story aimed for readers 10 - 12 years old. We all could use a little happy in our lives.
5 out of 5 stars.
Author Links
Twitter / Goodreads / Website
Purchase Links
Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Thanks for the shout out and review, Mindy! I am so glad you enjoyed the novel :)
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