Faith Elizabeth Hough
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Vintage Summer Reading, part 1! Seacrow Island, by Astrid Lindgren

6/2/2023

10 Comments

 
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Welcome to Edition 1 of 12 in my Vintage Kidlit Summer Reading reviews! (You can learn more about this summer reading challenge that Anna Rose Johnson and I are hosting in this post.) This week's theme is Summer Vibes—it was NOT easy to choose just one vintage book for this theme (and I may have cheated—overachieved?--a little by reading other summer stories with my kids. But today I'm spotlighting my official read and new discovery: Seacrow Island, by Astrid Lindgren of Pippi Longstocking fame.
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Don't get me wrong: I enjoy Pippi very much. But I can't understand how so much of Astrid Lindgren's reputation seems to rest on that one character. If you haven't read Ronja, the Robber's Daughter or The Children of Noisy Village, for example, you're missing out on much of Lindgren's humorous and emotional depth and breadth. Seacrow Island took me in a very different direction, but no less delightful, as it's a story that was contemporary when Lindgren wrote it, and solidly in the realm of realism. The mention of blue jeans and polo-neck sweaters and motor boats made me forget temporarily that I was in a Lindgren novel—until the humor hit. And Seacrow Island really is one of the funniest realistic fiction stories I've ever read.

Some of that humor is situational, but for the most part, it's all about the people. Much like Jane Austen or L. M. Montgomery, Astrid Lindgren has the ability to write characters that make you laugh out loud while still being essentially human and deeply real. We laugh at them, but we never mock them—perhaps because we see in them a bit of ourselves or of someone we love. 

Seacrow Island is inhabited by a cast of intensely lovable and mostly humorous human beings—with a few animals thrown in for good measure (I have never had such a warm feeling toward wasps as I did when reading this!). At the center of the action is the Melkerson family: Melker, the dreamy and ever-so-slightly pompous-in-a-lovable-way writer; Malin, Melker's oldest daughter, who at nineteen is the mother figure for her motherless brothers and the irresistible love interest for any nearby young men; Niklas and Johan, the 11- and 12-year-old adventuresome and trouble-making brothers; and Pelle, the 7-year-old, tenderhearted baby of the family. When the Melkersons rent a tumbledown house on Seacrow Island for the summer, the children are quickly befriended by the locals, particularly Tjorven, the six-year-old "queen of the island," who has the entire population wrapped around her chubby and charming finger. 

There is little intense drama in the story, and yet I found myself unable to put it down. The everyday drama of forming friendships and falling in love and fearing change and wanting a pet—all these familiar situations were so adeptly crafted that they held my attention with the magnetism of a thriller. Besides the characters, Seacrow Island itself was such a well-drawn and delightful setting, I wanted to book a plane to Sweden before I'd turned the last page.

Thank you so much, Anna Rose, for recommending this book!

Now, friends, what have you been reading? If you've joined in the Vintage Kidlit Summer, please share! I'd love to read your own book recommendations; if you've highlighted one for this week's theme, please leave a link in the comments—or use the comments section to share a one or two sentence spotlight here. :)

As a treat for my kindred spirits, I'll be giving away a paperback copy of one of my vintage favorites. Just leave a comment here about what you've read, or share on instagram with the hashtag #vintagekidlit summer (and, if possible, tag me and Anna Rose in your post @faithhough42 and @annarosewriter). I'll choose a winner on Wednesday 6/7, and can mail a copy within the United States. Good luck!
10 Comments
LeAnna Alderman Sterste
6/3/2023 04:12:21 am

Hi Faith- I’m joining! Love the challenge! I posted about Canadian Summer by Hilda Van Stockum on my blog. http://schoolofgoodbooks.blogspot.com/2023/06/vintage-kidlit-summer-canadian-summer.html?m=1

Reply
Faith Elizabeth Hough link
6/3/2023 10:42:58 am

Hooray! So glad to have you join us—looking forward to reading your reviews!

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Brenda link
6/5/2023 10:41:43 am

Saw this post for MMGM and popped over. Seacrow Island sounds delightful and like summery fun. I'll have to see if I can find a copy.

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Kasey @ The Story Sanctuary link
6/5/2023 01:59:42 pm

This sounds so sweet! Sounds like exactly the kind of book I need this summer. :) Thanks for sharing!

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Max @ Completely Full Bookshelf
6/5/2023 03:15:21 pm

I don't think I'm familiar with Astrid Lindgren's writing at all, and this sounds like a really enjoyable story! And it seems like you're participating in a really fun reading challenge too. Thanks so much for the thoughtful review, Faith!

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Beth Schmelzer link
6/6/2023 03:32:38 am

We all know the axiom "So Many Books, So Little Time," but it is fun and timely to re-read the books of our youth. I won't go back too far in time when I suggest a book from 1969 I discovered when i was a school librarian. Many readers young and old love Natalie Babbitt's TUCK EVERLASTING. Have your read Babbitt's THE SEARCH FOR DELICIOUS?
What is delicious? It's different for all. Booklist gave this charming book a starred review: "An imaginative, winning story, lightly told with humor and the air of a folk tale." The NY Times Book Review commented "Fantasy that's as fresh as spring water. It's truly delicious." You get the point!

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Sue Heavenrich link
6/6/2023 09:32:20 am

I am a huge Pippi Longstockings fan, but I remember loving Ronja, the Robber's Daughter as well. I think I like characters who are a bit mischievous!

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Natalie Aguirre link
6/6/2023 12:23:56 pm

Glad this was so funny and a page-turner. I haven't read Pippi or any of Astrid's other books. It sounds like I need to.

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Carol Baldwin link
6/6/2023 05:14:29 pm

If I reread my favorite books as a kid I'd never get anything else read! But thanks for the recommendation. Glad you enjoyed revisiting a favorite.

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Greg Pattridge link
6/11/2023 02:25:05 pm

Your summer theme is a great idea. I won't be able to participate but will look forward to all that is shared. Your first choice is one I have not read. Your enticing review convinced me to change that ASAP. Thanks for featuring your post on MMGM.

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