Up a Road Slowly

This is the best book I have ever read, not necessarily because its a real page-turner, but because the message it gives to anyone who reads it goes deeper. The story is about Julie Trelling growing up in her Aunt Cordelia's house in the country after her mother dies. Julie is seven at the time and the story ends when she is 17. Through the story Julie learns to deal with loss, embarassment, friendship, and most importantly love. Many characters such as Uncle Haskell, Brett Kingsman, Laura and Danny Trevort help Julie to feel these things. This book also has a very witty dialogue and the characters are not perfect, thus being real. You can't help but feel moved and better after reading this book.

I am in fourth grade and I loved this book. It was very touching, and it talked about a wonderful girl named Julie Trelling. I think I would like to be her. This is my favorite book-next to Harry Potter!

If you were ever a child, ever an adolescent, you will understand Julie. I saw a lot of myself in her when I read this as a middle school dreamer. Irene Hunt's coming-of-age novel is a remarkably moving work - and therefore, timeless.Little Julie Trelling and her older brother Chris are left to live with their firm, but kind Aunt Cordelia when her father is widowed. Bright, sensitive, and a bit of a rebel, Julie faces the tough challenges of growing up smart and female. During her childhood, Julie learns bittersweet lessons in heartbreak and compassion and justice and love as only as children do. As idyllic as her country life seems, there is prejudice, meanness, and smallness of human spirit in all corners of the world. Hunt emphasizes her point by making the time and place settings vague. We could all be a Julie living in a no-name town.As Julie grows up from a young child of seven to seventeen, she tells her story in a voice both immediate and honest. So you feel her triumphs, spirit, wrongs, and experiences in "real time." Hunt creates a vibrantly alive character who draws you in with her compelling point of view. While this is primarily Julie's story, you meet the formidable Aunt Cordelia, whose own life could have been Julie's life. Both women are strong, admirable portrayals, making this an excellent book for girls. Other memorable characters are Alicia, Danny, Carlotta, and Aggie.The book isn't all lessons and wisdom. It's mostly evocative and reflective, stringing together significant moments in growing up with precise detail of everyday things (like windowsills and bowls of berries), rather than being action-packed or plot-driven. Hunt tell us that growing up isn't simple, but you're also never alone even when you want to be, as even enemies and bad experiences shape us as much as the loved ones and good times do. Up a Road Slowly is written poignantly and intimately. Every girl deserves to read this and I can't tell you how pleased I am that it is being reprinted. I'm going to buy up quite a few copies for friends and family.

When I was in 5th Grade about 15 years ago, a substitute teacher read this book aloud to us. I thought it started out slowly, but soon was completely cought up in it. Several years later, I completely forgot the title and author of the book and only remembered that it was about a girl growing up under the guidance of her Aunt. I was looking at the newberry awards section of our local library several years ago and was very surprised and pleased to have finally found it. I enjoyed it even more in my mid-twenties the second time around. Irene Hunt has a fluid, almost lyrical way of writing that really captured me. Her characters are so complex and richly described. Overall, this is a gem of a book...

My name is Scat ( short for Michael Scatena ) I am a 7th grade student at Wyoming Area High School that doesn't really like to read. After I read this book, I love to read. Now every day after school instead of watching tv, I pick up a book and read. While we were reading this book, I would take home a packet, and read ahead. Anyway I love this book. My favorite character is Aunt Cordelia because like my other favorite character in my favorite tv show, Aunt Cordelia taught Julie lessons, without really telling her. This book changed my way of thinking about people that aren't as fortunate as me. I recommend this book to anyone above the 3rd grade because its easy to read and its very easy to understand.