For families navigating new environments, this heartwarming story explores how a spirited girl finds her place, bringing joy and connection to a quiet town.
A parent might reach for this book when a child is navigating a big move or feeling like an outsider in a new community. It's also a gentle way to approach the topic of losing a parent. The story follows Inge Maria, a spirited ten-year-old orphan sent to live with her stern grandmother on a tiny, quiet Danish island in 1911. Her zest for life, which her grandmother calls mischief, slowly brings joy and connection to the rigid town. This heartwarming historical fiction novel explores loneliness and belonging with immense humor and kindness, making it a perfect read for ages 8-12. It’s a wonderful choice for a child who needs a story filled with resilience, hope, and the power of finding family in unexpected places.
The death of a parent is the story's catalyst. Inge Maria's mother has died prior to the book's start, and this is discussed directly but gently. The focus is not on the act of dying but on the aftermath: Inge Maria's grief, her memories, and her journey to find a new family. The approach is secular and the resolution is extremely hopeful, emphasizing that a new, loving family can be formed after a profound loss.
Ideal Reader
An 8-11 year old who feels like they don't quite fit in, has recently moved, or is navigating a new school environment. It is also an excellent, gentle choice for a child who has experienced the loss of a parent or grandparent and would benefit from a story that acknowledges grief while focusing on hope, humor, and resilience. It strongly appeals to fans of classic, spirited heroines like Anne of Green Gables or Pippi Longstocking.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. The historical Danish setting is charming and easy to understand without prior context. Parents should know the story is predicated on the mother's death, which is mentioned in the first chapter. The grandmother's initial coldness could be a point of discussion, but the narrative makes it clear this is a starting point for her transformation. A parent hears their child say, "I feel different from everyone else," or "I miss our old home." A parent is also looking for a way to introduce the concept of parental loss in a story that is ultimately uplifting, not somber.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will delight in Inge Maria's funny antics and mishaps, viewing it as a story of a fun-loving girl bringing excitement to a boring town. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the subtle emotional layers: the grandmother's own hidden grief, the themes of community healing, and the historical details. They will see the story as a deeper exploration of finding one's place and defining family.
What Makes It Special
Among books dealing with grief and belonging, its defining characteristic is its pervasive sense of joy and humor. The protagonist's "mischief" is a life-affirming force, not a cry for help. It brilliantly blends the charm of a classic orphan story with laugh-out-loud physical comedy, creating a narrative that is sweet without being saccharine and poignant without being heavy.
Read plot summary
In 1911, ten-year-old Inge Maria Jensen, recently orphaned, is sent from Copenhagen to the small Danish island of Bornholm to live with her stern and seemingly joyless grandmother. Inge Maria's vibrant, curious, and well-intentioned nature clashes with the solemn, rigid ways of the island community. Her various escapades, from accidentally dyeing her hair purple to trying to fix the church bell with a piglet, are labeled as "mischief," but they slowly begin to break down the emotional walls of her grandmother and the other villagers, bringing love, laughter, and connection back to a town that had forgotten them.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Inge Maria's grandmother is very strict at the beginning of the story. Why do you think she acted that way? How and why did your feelings about her change by the end?
2
The book calls Inge Maria's actions "mischief," but she usually has good intentions. Describe a time when her mischief accidentally caused a problem, and a time when it actually helped someone.
3
Inge Maria's mother taught her that "a little mischief puts a sparkle in the day." What do you think that phrase means? Do you agree with it?
4
Moving to the island was a huge change for Inge Maria. What things helped her finally feel like she belonged in her new home with her grandmother?
