The Exiles at Home -- Hilary McKay
Sometimes, I just need a little fix of the Conroy family:
"I'm surprised you can find your feet in all that mess," said Mrs. Conroy crossly, "and it's about time that sled went down to the shed--waking us up every night! I must have the only daughter in England that takes a sled to bed with her!"
"Does she take it to bed with her?" asked Naomi, surprised. "Is that what the crashes are? I thought it was only Rachel falling out!"
"Yes," said Phoebe, "every night, and then when it falls out, she gets up and drags it back up again and treads all over my face. And what if it falls on my head, that's what I say?"
"Tie it to the bed," suggested Naomi practically.
"Then when it falls off, it swings down and whacks Phoebe. I've tried that," said Rachel.
"Crash, into the side of the bed!" Phoebe told Naomi. "And Rachel said, 'Oh, is it broken? Is it broken?' Then she fell out of bed."
This is also the book when Phoebe creates her shoebox zoos and fills them with pictures of all of the people that she doesn't like. Hah. I love Phoebe. I could read these books 80 million times and still love them.
Agh (bout of girlish squealing) I absolutely love this book and 'The Exiles' I think I spent about six months just reading and re-reading them continuously. I think one of my favourite storylines is Naomi and (is it Ruth?) trying to get their sponsership money together.
Posted by: Jodie | 21 April 2005 at 09:08 AM
When Rachel robs the post office? I almost die every time--I love it. You've read the third one, right? Exiles in Love? Where, at the very end, you find out what happens when they grow up and it's all SO PERFECT in an Exiles kind-of way? I'm always so glad to find someone else that loves these books!
Posted by: leila | 21 April 2005 at 09:20 AM
What, what there's another one? Why didn't I know this? The last time I went to look for more Hilary McKay books she had just written one about a dog I think. I have to own 'Exiles in Love' now.
Posted by: Jodie | 21 April 2005 at 10:29 AM
Exiles in Love
And there you have it. Oh, and you totally have to read Saffy's Angel and Indigo's Star.
Posted by: leila | 21 April 2005 at 10:48 AM
Unrelatedly (sorry I always do this...) have you read "Assasination Vacation"? The gal was on the Daily Show the other day and had a great rapport with my LOVER John Stewart.
Posted by: tracy | 21 April 2005 at 01:48 PM
I haven't, but I just read the reviews and put in a purchase request to my library director. It looks great.
Posted by: leila | 21 April 2005 at 02:06 PM
You make me proud to have libraries in this country. You are like an "above the call of duty" kinda librarian. Bam - just like that you request it for your library!!
Let us know when you have a chance to read it - you'll get to it before I do, I'm sure!
Posted by: tracy | 22 April 2005 at 10:24 AM
Wow. That so totally made my day. Thanks!
Posted by: leila | 25 April 2005 at 01:28 PM