I can't believe I'd never read this book before. I would have loved it as a kid! It's got exactly the sort of chummy flavor I've long valued, like the Anne books and the Ramona books. I would have spent a lot of time imagining I was friends with Katy, like I did with Anne and Ramona, when I was a kid. Oh well, at least I've read it now! And I have both sequels waiting on my TBR shelves!
I've seen people compare this to Anne of Green Gables a lot, as if Katy is a sort of proto-Anne, but I think she's a proto-Pollyanna. In fact, there's quite a lot of Pollyanna in this book, including Katy suffering a terrible accident and having to learn a lot from it about how to handle life. She struggles with that a great deal, but realistically, and the author doesn't offer either the character or the audience any pat answers on how to endure hardship. She shows that it takes a lot of patience, learning, and willingness to try over and over. I was impressed.
If This was a Movie, I Would Rate It: G. It's totally appropriate for all ages.
This is my 43rd book read and reviewed for my third Classics Club list -- getting close to that goal of fifty! It's also my 23rd book read from my TBR shelves for #TheUnreadShelfProject2022.
I read What Katy Did often as a child--for the longest time, my siblings and I would play 'kikeri', the game in the book, and we had so much fun. It's such a good book and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI think the only sequel I've read is What Katy Did At School, and that was good too.
Eva, I have to say, Kikeri did sound fun! A bit dangerous, but fun.
DeleteI have both What Katy Did at School and What Katy Did Next, so look for reviews of them this summer too.
What Katy Did was a great story for sure! I read it when I was about 11 or 12, I think.
ReplyDeleteThe sequel was really good, too. If there were more books after #2, I was never aware of them. :)
Lydia from https://lydiaschoch.com
Lydia, it is the perfect book for that age. I think my girls will enjoy it. There's a third called What Katy Did Next that takes place after What Katy Did at School. I think there may be one about Clover too?
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
There is a movie of it! The lady who played Anne (megan follows) is in it :) (not as katy)
ReplyDeleteVictoria, oh, cool! I did not know Megan Follows was in the movie version, just that there was one. As soon as I read your comment, I thought she must play cousin Helen, then, and it looks like she does! How lovely!
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