Nannestad, Katrina. When Mischief Came to Town. Fiction. Houghton, 01/2016. 180pp. $16.99. 978-0-544-53432-2. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 2-5.
Sent to live with her grandmother on a remote Danish island, 10-year-old Inge Maria arrives with plenty of energy, curiosity, and mischief. Her grandmother, nicknamed “Dizzy” from childhood, quickly disciplines the exuberant scamp but soon falls under her charm, as do others in the village. Definitely in the tradition of Anne Shirley and Pippi Longstocking, Inge Maria is a fully believable high-spirited girl, just as her grandmother had been. Although set in 1911, this old-fashioned “feel good” story features laugh-out-loud funny episodes as well as affecting, heart-tugging moments. This deft blend of humor and poignancy make it an excellent family or classroom readaloud.
Linda Perkins, Independent