My sixth grade teacher pushed Jean Ferris’ Once Upon a Marigold into my hands one day when I didn’t have anything else to read. I finished it in one day and have spent the years since then reading every Jean Ferris book I can get my hands on. Some of her books are better than others - there are a few I can hardly remember and a few that I’ve read several times. I’ve even bought a handful of her books, which is a BIG DEAL for me.
Love Among the Walnuts is one of her books that I own and that I’ve tried to force upon everyone I know. It was wonderful when I read it in seventh grade and I still love it now. I love it so much, in fact, that I decided to make a playlist for it. A 1960’s playlist (plus one song by a 1960’s band that’s making a comeback).
Why the 1960’s specifically? Because I feel like this book could have happened in the 1960’s - it’s a good balance between old world gentility and some new world shenanigans. Also, this book emphasizes the more positive messages of the 1960’s (how important it is to love and be loved, conflict only brings unhappiness, be your strange and quirky self, etc).
Some of the songs on this playlist are more directly related to characters or the plot and some fit the feel of the book better. Enjoy!
I love stories about teachers or librarians who "pushed" books on kids and got them hooked. I love when I have former students come up and talk to me about books I got them hooked on, or have their parents come up and thank me for getting their kids reading. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI realized too late that teachers are an excellent resource for book recommendations - they have such a good handle on what books are best for different age groups and interests. Wish I'd utilized that more when I was in school. Thanks for the comment and kind words:)
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