Mine for Keeps

by Jean Little

Hardcover, 1962

Status

Check shelf

Call number

SC Li

Publication

Puffin Canada (2023), 232 pages

Description

After spending five years in a cerebral palsy center, Sally is challenged to adjust to normal family and school life.

Local notes

0000-1690-4727

User reviews

LibraryThing member ashleytylerjohn

I received this book via LibraryThing, in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely little book, one that I had not read myself as a child. It came about at a time when it was de rigeur to write books for children addressing issues of some kind, the sort Judy Blume became particularly famous

for: I am fat (Blubber), I have scoliosis (Deenie), or I'm having my period soon Are You There God? It's Me Margaret.

The best of these transcend their elevator pitch origin, and Mine for Keeps does as well. While the protagonist has cerebral palsy, that soon ebbs to a background condition and character trait, and other plot points rise to the surface: will she make friends? what's going on with Piet? Can her dog be trained? I was relieved that the arc of the book wasn't having cerebral palsy, struggling with it, and then coming to terms and being accepted, phew.

And it's written in a straightforward, elegant manner, the writing equivalent of slipping into a warm bath, nice and cosy and easy and something to look forward to. The book escapes five stars for me because I wasn't particularly moved, nor, in a different direction, was it particularly hilarious. It was a calm, gentle story.

(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)

Show Less

6 more

LibraryThing member vangogan

I mainly requested the book because it mentioned a girl getting a dog, and I myself had recently adopted one, too. At first, I wasn't sure if I would like this book--I have read, and liked, boys' school stories, as I am a male, but I wasn't sure how I would react to a story mainly about girls at

school. I needn't have worried--I immensely enjoyed this story. First of all, the Puffin Classic edition was beautifully designed. Second, the story about a girl with cerebral palsy and her difficulties in adjusting to a new school was poignant. Also keenly emotional was her relationship with her newly acquired dog. Her relationship with a family that had come to Canada from Holland the year before was presented well, although how the girl from the Dutch family changed from not liking the protagonist, Sal, to liking her was not explained very clearly--there were hints as to how that change came about, but they weren't delineated. The ending was sweet and even brought tears--of joy, not sadness--to me, even though I'm a grown man! Overall, this story was old-fashioned (in a good, nostalgic way), innocent, didn't rely on swear words or inappropriately suggestive scenes, as many modern novels do. I hope they release the second book about Sal in a Puffin Classic, as I would buy it.

Show Less

LibraryThing member aeisen

As a child I remember reading other books by Jean Little, so I was really looking forward to a dose of nostalgia when I won this book as part of the early reviewers program. This book did not disappoint, it was quaint and charming, and I truly feel like it was ahead of its time. I enjoyed that it

was a book about a girl with Cerebral Palsy, however, that was not what defined her.

I hope that with this book being released in a new edition that a new generation of kids will also enjoy Jean Little's books. I think this book provides an interesting historical context while still teaching kids empathy towards people who are different, whether that is a new immigrant, someone with a physical disability, or one with a disability that is less visible.

I found the introduction at the beginning of the book written by Jean Little's niece interesting and provided context around the book. I'm glad that it was included in this edition.

Show Less

LibraryThing member Jrbooklvr

Mine for Keeps by Jean Little is an endearing tale of a sweet darling little girl who is different from others and longs to be accepted.

LibraryThing member Simmmba

This is a lovely middle grade novel about a girl with cerebral palsy. Sally has been away at school, and is finally getting to come home, attend a mainstream school, and figure out her place in the world. I really thought Sally's character was well -developed and realistic. She provides a good,

positive example for children with special needs, and a way for others to develop more empathy.

The story was also well-written. I enjoyed reading about Sally's re-integration into her family and school. There was a small mystery element, which was fun and didn't detract from Sally's overall arc. Highly recommended!

Show Less

LibraryThing member True54Blue

Having read a short biography of Jean Little it would seem that there is much of her personal story contained within this novel. Write what you know makes this a powerful story even 60 years later. The main character has cerebral palsy and has to adjust to returning home to attend her neighbourhood

school. This was her first published novel and indeed deserves to be read by a new generation of children. I had a hard time getting into this one but after the first few chapters it's a great read.

Show Less

LibraryThing member YHSALibrary

This is a tried and true classic that you won't want to put down. It will easily become one of your favorite books. I really enjoyed how well develop the main character was and how no matter what walk of life you're in, you could relate to something in this book. This story is an inspiration for

anybody who reads it, young and old.

Show Less

Fewer