Excellent book about being a kid in care in London, with a younger brother and a hopeful heart. Ira (Miracle) and Zach spend a couple of years in the late 80s at Skilly House, a children's home and this is the story of that time. Diary-like entries, lists, Ira's matter of fact sense of humor, and keen observational eye. Some great things happen, some sad things (a dog dies in an accident), but they endure and eventually thrive, as they meet someone who's got a couple of child-shaped holes in her life. An interesting insight into how the British Care system works. Great read. ( )

Ira and Zac have lived in foster homes since they were babies and now they have been sent to live in an orphanage. In the orphanage, kids come and go, and pretty soon Ira and Zac are the oldest. They begin to wonder if they will ever be adopted, until they get invited to spend a week in the country with a friendly lady named Martha. Ira fears Zac has messed things up with his clumsiness, so when they return to life at the orphanage, Ira can only hope that Martha saw the good in them.

Writing style is similar to Sharon Creech. ( )

Thanks to a young (8 year old) friend I read this book now, and it was the right book and the right time.

Its illustrations are charming; I especially loved the ones of dogs.

Despite its subject matter I didn't think it would get as terribly sad as it did at times - one thing almost destroyed me but overall it was reasonably uplifting – but huge trigger warnings in a few areas. It is about “care children” (foster children) after all. But I was not expecting the (HUGE SPOILER) tragic accidental death of a beloved companion dog.

It definitely seems to be for younger middle grade readers, more for 7 to 9 or 10 year olds versus for ages 8 to 12, though for those readers who enjoy children’s novels, any age will work. I enjoyed it very much.

I love Ira the narrator. She makes herself and the other people and events come to life in an engaging and believable way. The children’s stories of why they are in “care” and not in families is shown intelligently and is heartbreaking at times.

There are several very predictable happenings, for me reading it as an adult, that might have been more of a surprise had I read this age 8. I would have loved the book too, though might have felt disturbed at times, especially due to the event I put in the spoiler tag. I doubt I’d have been as distraught as I was when reading Black Beauty at age 8, but I’d have been upset.

I noticed that this is book number 4,000 I have listed at Goodreads on my read shelf. It makes me wish even more than usual that I’d kept a record of all my read books from a very young age. I’d love to have a record of them all in one place.

Recommended for 8-10 year old girls who love orphan stories, dogs, are interested in London/England, and like a bit of a mystery. Other readers too! ( )

Yaffie: Mooi verhaal over een broer en zus die opgroeien in een kindertehuis. Feel good boek met een mooi einde. ( )