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Each child is his or her own person—with different likes and dislikes, different mannerisms, different styles. Some are quiet and reserved; others (like my daughter) are strong-willed and adventurous and seemingly unable to slow down. And in When Mischief Came to Town, author Katrina Nannestad follows the adventures of a spirited little girl who brings new life to a sleepy village.
The story travels to the Danish island of Bornholm, where 10-year-old Inge Maria Jensen is sent to live on her stern grandmother’s farm after her mother’s death. Following a difficult boat ride, things get even worse once she gets settled in. Though the farm animals can be fun to play with, her grandmother makes her work hard, she’s forced to visit her grandmother’s humorless friends, and she gets in trouble at her new school for wanting to dance and play and sing. But it isn’t long before—with Inge Maria’s help—things in Bornholm start to change.
When Mischief Came to Town is a moving yet playful story about an energetic little girl who just can’t help but be herself. Inge Maria is an irresistibly lovable character. She’s a spirited little girl who loves fairy tales and cake. She likes to run and play, and she has a hard time sitting still and being quiet. She tends to speak her mind and come up with clever ways to get what she wants. And even though she has a beautiful heart, her best intentions often go horribly awry—and she just can’t seem to keep herself out of trouble. But with each new mishap, each wild new adventure, she begins changing her somber little town—one smile, one quick burst of laughter at a time. And readers, too, will laugh out loud at her antics.
As Inge Maria’s life on Bornholm begins to lighten up a bit, her story acts as a reminder to kids that it’s okay to have fun and to be yourself and even make mistakes. But it’s also a reminder to parents (especially the parents of spirited children like Inge Maria) to embrace the craziness and the energy (no matter how exhausting it can sometimes get) and take the time to appreciate the laughter and fun that children bring into our lives.
Still, this isn’t just a silly story; it’s a somewhat melancholy one—one where it seems that very few children have living parents. At times, it’s surprisingly sad—and it can bring up some difficult and even scary topics for young readers (because spirited children also tend to be more emotional, too). Even grownups may shed a few tears while reading it. Yet it all comes together in a bittersweet but beautiful way.
If you have a fun-loving and mischievous child in your life, you’ll enjoy (and relate to) the spirited adventures of Inge Maria and her grandmother. It’s a sad but sweet story—and often just plain funny, too. And that makes it a lovable pick for bedtime reading.
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