Look Through My Window

Kate Bloomfield #1

by Jean Little

Emily, an only child, discovers the joys of living with a large family and the meaning of friendship

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Canada, Young Adult, Juvenile

270 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Jean Little is a Canadian author, born in Taiwan. Her work has mainly consisted of children's literature, but she has also written two autobiographies: Little by Little and Stars Come Out Within. Little has been partially blind since birth as a result of scars on her cornea and is frequently accompanied by a guide dog.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second reading (but more like 100th). Jean Little passed away today, April 6, 2020. I have loved her forever. Her books may be designated as children's books but she wrote them for everyone. So I'm taking a break from tackling Sarah Dessen (but I will come back to her) and now I'm reading all of Jean Little that I own. I had to go and order the two I don't have (so much for not spending $ until I'm back at work but this was necessary).

RIP Jean Little. May you know and understand how much joy you brought to your readers.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love for this book is mostly nostalgic, but I love it so much.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming children’s book that child-me would’ve loved, I think! Like Emily, I too was a dreamy, empathetic child who (eventually) turned to poetry as a form of expression. I liked how this book gently addressed antisemitism/prejudice and the dumb things we say when we mean well! I also liked that Emily’s mother was a fully actualized character with needs of her own! Gasp! Though I guess books like this don’t usually even have a mother in them, haha.

Also what I thought was a boy on the cover in the tree is actually Kate, who becomes Emily’s best friend! Hurray!

[Tori]

"I learned that moving isn't so bad after all. It may seem hard at first, but just think about it. 1. You can have a new room. 2. Your new housh may be close to a park. 3. You can make new friends. 4. You get a lot of new nature." Written when I was seven years old. :)

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a kid and it has really stayed with me. I loved seeing the two main characters acknowledge their differences and find common ground anyway, and the realistic scenes involving the chaos of so many kids in the house were fun.

[andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awh.
Bittersweet for me because it felt like I was time traveling or like I found something I didn’t know I was missing.
The story itself was really sweet and younger me loves knowing what the story is. I’m happy.

[Literary Mama]

From "Essential Reading: From a Child's Point of View" by Literary Mama staff:

To round out our list, "Birthing the Mother Writer" columnist Cassie Premo Steele gives us a selection that both a literary mama and her literary child can enjoy: "One of my favorite books as a kid was Jean Little's Look Through My Window. Published in 1970, it is the story of a girl named Emily who wants two things: (1) to be a writer and (2) to have a friend. Her poems are interspersed throughout the novel, along with her unique wisdom. In fifth grade, I kept the book on top of my desk at school—like a kind of silent sign to my classmates that read, 'I'm serious. Look how big this book is. I'm going to be a writer.' One of the best lines in the book is this: 'In that moment, deep inside herself, she felt the steadfastness of important things.' I have retained this sentiment inside me, too, throughout my life. I didn't know until I was an adult that Jean Little is blind! Talk about believing in yourself."

Literary Mama's full Essential Reading post can be found here: http://www.literarymama.com/litreflec...

[Audrey Ettinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read of a childhood favorite; started as a minor procrastination while finishing grading, but still took forever to finish due to Covid inattention.

Turned out to be a great choice, in contrast with watching The Handmaid's Tale. This novel was published in 1970, so around 15 years before Handmaid, and of course is intended for middle grade readers. It's a sweet story: only child Emily has life utterly changed in a lovely way when her parents take in 4 little cousins temporarily, dad buys a huge house, they acquire a French au pair/maid and a hilarious feisty old lady neighbor, and Exciting Female Friends are acquired.

What's interesting is the gender roles. The girls are clearly being raised to do anything they want - they are aspiring writers, but there is no sense that they shouldn't also be charging around the house with the male cousins. The parents seem to have an egalitarian, companionate marriage and enjoy each other's company (Emily even notes that her father used to kiss her mother "neatly" and now kisses her "like he can't help it," which is pretty racy for middle grades!), and yet home is clearly mom's domain. Kate's mom co-runs a bookstore (all paperbacks!) with her husband, and we learn that Kate is an unplanned much younger second child. Kate's mom (April) is clearly Not Quite Up To Snuff -- she doesn't cook dinner every night (Kate is to warm up a TV dinner one night! Horrors!), doesn't police Kate's homework, etc. We do come to understand that she really does love Kate, but it's mostly in the context of a Chicken Pox Emergency that almost ruins the plans to go visit Absent Older Sister Marilyn and Baby; only when April shows Maternal Distress does Emily's mom come to sympathize with this strange Working Mom Creature. Kate writes a poem where she acknowledges that while she will want to give her kids more attention than she received, it's also worth sacrificing societal expectations a little to have room for Big Ideas. A third-wave feminist is born?

Also interesting is a very sensitive discussion of religious differences; Emily's family is very lax Presbyterian, while the cousins are Catholic (presumably TB-stricken Mom Deborah's influence, as Uncle is Emily's mom's side). Kate is half Jewish, and her parents' interfaith marriage has separated each of them from their families. I remember that the sequel (called Kate) really deals with this aspect. Anyway, very modern view for 1970, I think -- Emily's mom explains prejudice and that it only matters that Kate is Jewish because she will experience that prejudice. Emily and Kate come to a very mature conclusion that they will likely offend each other when discussing religion, but that it's worth it to have a true friendship.

Anyway, really excellent book. No wonder I loved it as a kid but still love it now!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just re-read this book that stuck with me from my childhood. I was a little surprised to find that the driving force of the book - Emily's family taking in her four young cousins for the year - doesn't make up that much of the plot. Emily adapts pretty quickly to having her cousins, and they provide comic background to the real story of her friendship with Kate. I appreciated how the book had such a serious, detailed description of a friendship between young girls, and it took the girls themselves so seriously.

It's also fairly unusual for a middle grades book to devote so much time to how its one Jewish character feels about Christmas celebrations. I didn't love how this was handled (was it realistic that Emily and Lindsay would be so shocked to find out Kate was Jewish in 1970? Even Emily's mom was surprised, and Kate's last name is Bloomfield.) but for the most part it was done well. I liked how it addressed the idea of well-meaning missteps when trying to learn about a friend who has a different background, and it felt nicely nuanced and realistic that Emily thought she was being helpful by offering to include Kate in her Christmas pageant, which Kate didn't actually want to be in.

[Cathie Maud · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, it is an exciting (yes, exciting) story about a girl who has to move into a bigger house because her father gets a promotion and her aunt gets sick at the same time, and her mother has promised to care for all four of her little cousins.

I love how Jean Little sprinkles in titles of real books throughout her story, like "A Tree is Nice" and "Impunity Jane". I'm going to read them all. :)

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this as a very favorite book of mine when I was a little kid. I came across a used paperback copy maybe 15 years ago, bought it, shelved it, and just now got around to rereading it. What's amazing is that, 50 years later, I have such specific memories of my response to parts of this story. Honestly, the novel isn't that well written, and parts of it haven't aged well, but it's hard to resist childhood memories, so now I'm in search of the sequel.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is heartfelt, kind, and willing to engage in difficult conversations about religion and identity amidst its humour and heart. Set in a time that feels long enough ago that it's hard to picture and yet close enough that its familiar, it has a feeling to it that I can best describe as a modern fairy tale. It is by no means perfect, but it will stick with me close enough that I feel confident giving it a 5 star rating.

[Sophie Spruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story. Admittedly, there’s not much of a plot. The story follows Emily Blair as her family buys a house so they can take care of her four cousins while her aunt recovers from tuberculosis. This is a charming story about growing up, accepting change, and loving others despite their differences. Made me cry.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily is an only child who has only lived in the city. When her Aunt Deborah contracts TB all of this changes. They move to a big country home and take care of her four younger cousins. Her life changes and becomes much more enjoyable and exciting. Good.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was refreshing. The basic takeaway is, when you look through someone else’s window (try and see life from their perspective), you may just find that your differences can be celebrated as much as the things you hold in common.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was Steve’s older sisters book and we found it on a shelf at his dads, so we read it to the girls. It was a great novel about how even dreaded change can be good, and especially how people different than us can be the best people in our lives if we take time to look through their window.

[Aleka Morgan, Lady of Gondor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Margaret Forsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just re-read this book, after reading it (and loving it) many times growing up.

I love it just as much now. Reading the book as an adult, I am very captivated by the mother, Elizabeth Blair. She is so warm and hospitable with the Sutherland children, Mrs Thurstone, Sophie, and especially Kate. I like how she talks over serious issues with Emily. I like how hard she works to take care of her bigger temporary family, and huge home, even though it is a strange experience for her!

I really liked this brief exchange:

“Work, work work- that’s all we ever do,” she (Emily) complained.

“ I know,” her mother said. “But think of all the valuable experience you’re getting.”

“I’d rather wait till I’m older,” Emily told her.

“Me, too,” said Elizabeth Blair. 😄

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Jean Little when I was an adult with young children and searching for books for them to read. I fell in love with Kate and have read this book and 'Kate' many times. A wonderful book about friendship.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read from childhood. I've read it over and over!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis book makes me want a skylight!!

[Darilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks, Sassy.
Loooved the house!

[Elizabeth Lund]

Nice realistic children's book about making a best friend.

[Tammy Federspiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite from my childhood! Friendship, poetry, families and lots of kids!

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And my feet got up dancing."

[Cathie Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. Emily's experiences as one-of-five after being the only one are so endearing, I couldn't help but smile all the way through. I grew up in the same Canadian town as the author, and met her on one or two occasions, so that made the whole experience that much better.

[Sarah Thornton]

Very chill in dealing with race and religion. The house was amazing, and the friendships better.