For the first several chapters of this book, I wasn't quite sure what the overarcing plot was, or if there even was one. And really, much of the book is a series of adventures that these two kids get up to in this otherwise-sleepy Norwegian cove. But there is a thread that runs through it, in which Trille, who thinks of Lena as his best friend, isn't sure whether he is her best friend. And it's not really surprising, since she is quite an outspoken, antagonistic girl, while Trille is more meek. My own daughter has gone through something similar, more than once, so Trille's plight hit close to home for me.

As an entire year passes, a few bigger side plots emerge, and more than one of them caused me to tear up a little. Though it's true that Trille and Lena don't obey their parents very well and face some consequences for their disobedience (though not always are those consequences very severe), there is quite a bit of heart in this book, and that's what I was left with at the end. This would be a great book to read together with kids, recommended for 7-10-year-olds. ( )

I’ve not read this but so many people I respect, enjoy it. I’ll put in my own review soon. Content considerations- a main character is missing a father, the word stupid is in here, death of a grandparent, childhood mischief. A read a short review saying it was like a mix of Ramona, Clementine, and The Children of Noisy Village.

Aquest és un meravellós llibre per entendre que és ser petit i tenir amics.
Va ser un regal trobar-ho entre les prestatgeries. ( )

This was a wonderful book about a boy and his best friend and all the crazy adventures they had together. We laughed and we cried. ( )

Sweet story. ( )