Comments (18)

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Feb 20, 2024GraciesPal rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
The author assumes that vulnerable Grace knew about her planned demise and willingly headed for it after asking for her letters to be destroyed is well downright tacky and unhistorical. The only originality is Mattie’s cheerless life . The…
Dec 05, 2023KD2023 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Promises are made to be kept. But what happens if an innocent life is at stake?  When sixteen-year-old Mathilda “Mattie” Gokey, a smart country girl with an unquenchable passion for reading, went to work as a waitress at the Glenmore Inn,…
Apr 30, 2021SamaraM_0 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Amazing book! Fell in love with the characters, and I could never put it down. Great read, and well worth it!
Mar 03, 2021
5/5 stars. Age rating: 14+ A Morning Light follows a girl named Mattie Gokey who lives in rural upstate New York. Her mom is dead, and life on the Gokey farm is demanding. The book is written in chapters that switch back and forth…
May 28, 2020
It was an amazing book overall! But there was some stuff that was definitely meant for older audiences.
Feb 23, 2017
Really enjoyed this book...highly recommend it.
Nov 09, 2013KCaldwellEDU rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I thoroughly loved this book. A Northern Light has beautiful characters and interactions that drew me in. I am an avid reader of historical fiction anyway, but Donnelly is especially wonderful. She is so quotable and has these profound…
Dec 04, 2011damation rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
a young farm girl has to deal with taking over for her mother who tragically died while having the heart of a writer and poet. She is enncourged by some to follow her dream but her family and social standing pressures her to stay. She…
Nov 25, 2011BookLvr07 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Great read!
May 22, 2011
This is a book of a strong teenage girl who find's herself caught between her love, her family, her dream of attending college and becoming a writer and a tragic murder.
Jan 29, 2011bookemgirl rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, beautiful book about dreams, death, and growing up. Mattie Gokey is a wonderful character, and the story flows smoothly, working very well with a broken up timeline that some authors struggle with. Believable characters, and…
Jan 23, 2011meviousmaddie rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Overall, I liked this book. The chapter titles were clever and the main character was 'okay' -- there were some things I liked (her witty attitude and writer's approach) but some things that I just could stand (her obliviousness, really).…
Aug 04, 2010TamaraTracy rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I can't remember when I read Northern Light, but I've never forgotten it. It's one of those stories that stay with you long after you read it.
Nov 13, 2009samdog123 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
16 year old Mattie Gokey longs to go to New York to college, but the responsibilities of her rural farm life and family make it seem like this will never happen. The background of this novel is a famous murder case that actually happened…
Aug 22, 2008
One of the best books I've read. Great setting and story.
Jul 16, 2008
This book brings up a lot of emotions, and is very well written. I'm hoping to hear more from Matty and the other characters.
Mar 19, 2008KHaney rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Donnelly's characters ring true to life, and the meticulously described setting forms a vivid backdrop to this finely crafted story. An outstanding choice for historical-fiction fans
Jan 28, 2005GingerKaren rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Mattie is shocked and surprised as a young girl?s drowned body is brought into the hotel where she is working. She remembers the girl from a short encounter but feels that they have many things in common. Through flashbacks Mattie tells of…