Skylark and Wallcreeper

I loved this story so. Such beautifully drawn historical details about both the French resistance in WWII and the more recent history of New York City during Hurricane Sandy. I love stories about strong bonds between children and their grandparents, and about children's connections to their family histories. SKYLARK AND WALLCREEPER is full of both. And the extraordinary bravery of the girls, both past and present, was absolutely inspiring. Thank you, Anne O'Brien Carelli, for a fantastic read!

What a terrific story for young people about a subject that my generation and the one before me does not want to fade in our memories (WWII). I loved the fact that the main characters were three strong, willful, and smart girls! What a good message that they were the ones to take risks and succeed. A really fun page turner and as a speech/language pathologist working in public schools, loved the level of vocabulary that Ms. O’Brien-Carelli used. It is not watered down or simplified in concepts. The writing respects the reader either young or old. For developing readers, this book will be greatly engaging and attainable.

I don't always read historical fiction, but this book is a combination of modern adventures in New York City in 2012 during Superstorm Sandy, and a town in southern France in 1944 during World War II. It kept my interest from the very first page. Both the settings were vividly described, but it was the action of the stories (and how they came together!) that kept me turning the pages. The main character, Lily, is determined to solve a puzzle, driven by her love for her Granny College, who turns out to have a fascinating past. There were times when their relationship brought tears to my eyes, and the ending just about did me in! Boys and girls in middle school will love the mystery and tension. There's a lot of history woven in, but it's the quirky characters and Lily's quest that made the book entertaining. This book would be perfect for reading aloud to a family or class. I'm still thinking about it!