What planet have I been on that I have not heard of Hilary McKay or read any of her books? Thank heaven for Cybils nominees… though there’s nothing like reading the last one in a series first. (Though it did quite well as a stand-alone.)
This book (and I’m under a strict deadline here; M needs the computer) was a totally, completely, wonderfully fun and endearing read. Loved Rose. Loved the Cassons in general: they were so, well, that Hugh Grant movie English endearing. Just wanted to wrap them all up and put them in my pocket. They made me laugh. They made me smile. They dealt with tough issues (abusive parents, divorce, single parenting) with humor and love.
Granted, I’ve got a huge soft spot for anything English, and this tickled it just perfect. But, even given my preferences, this book was a lot of… well… wonderful.
And as soon as I finish up my Cybils reading, I’m going to go find McKay’s other four books about this lovely family and read them. Most likely in order, too.
(Just for the record: because this is a Cybils nominee, I’ve been asked to make sure y’all know this is my opinion only, and not that of the panel.)
The Book Nut 
You NEVER heard of Hilary Mckay? Where have you been? I started to read her books when I was in 2nd grade! I loved that book… but most of all I liked Indigo’s Star.+Evie S.
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I wonder if my daughters have anything of hers on their bookshelves? (…heading off to pilfer through their books! thanks for the new author recommendation…)
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Okay, I take that back. I read Exiles and Exiles in Love by Hilary McKay. But I liked this one SO much more. 🙂
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I think I would have trouble being on a nominating panel for the Cybils, because I do hate reading series books out of order (but you couldn’t possibly go and read all of the books of every series, and ever make progress on the nominated books). Anyway, I’m glad this one help up on its own. I just discovered the Casson family earlier this year, too, and have only read the first one.
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I, too, have a soft spot for all things British, but don’t have these. I have a couple of other Hilary McCay titles that don’t circulate well, so I never bothered. I may have to take another look at these.
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I need book suggestions for my 11 YO niece for realistic fiction.My boys are 8 and 11 and love fantasy genre.Help!I happened to be blogging this topic today if you want more info and can help me I’d really appreciate hearing from you by leaving a comment on that blog post.I am going to check out Hilary McKay based on what I read someone else say then your post.http://thethinkingmother.blogspot.com/2008/12/help-need-book-suggestions-for-my-niece.html
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