I enjoyed the topic and the writing style, but I wonder if the intended audience would. I definitely enjoy that this is not the typical 1940s novel for middle schoolers.

This is a very smartly written book. Although it is marketed toward middle school readers, I would love to put this one in the hands of my high schoolers. I hope to do so as soon as the copy I ordered arrives.

Interesting for historical fiction lovers, and a bit of a distinctive read, but I wonder how appealing it will be for actual middle grade readers.

Set in world war II setting, this beautiful story started when Gusta had been abandoned by her father in a train toward Maine, where her grandmother lived. Her father was a Germany, and became a fugitive because all the politic he's been through. So Gusta being all alone went to a new place.

I love Gusta's character, she was good, brave, and talented little lady. And I love another characters too like Josie, Bess, grandma Hoopes, Mr. Bertmann. They all are so sweet and sometimes making me tear up.

The writing was light. Nevertheless, the story being told was sad and beautiful at the same time.I love how the author took the issue of Alien registration, the Union, and of course I love the new knowledge about pigeon photography ( I just knew this was a real thing).

The book is suitable to any age from juvenile to adult. The message is powerful and the characters sweet and funny. Thank you Netgalley and Candlewick publisher for providing the eARC.

I enjoyed this story. It's set in a time period (WW2) that there is so much more information coming forward than we were given back in the 1960's and 70's. It's an interesting perspective and historically correct. I think 6th graders on up, and adults, actually, will find this a great story.

How would you feel if you were being sent away from your family because of political issues that were festering in the country? Gusta is eleven-years-old and having to move from her family home in New York to live in her grandmother's boarding home in Maine. The time right before World War II and Gusta's father is foreign-born labor organizer who is having to run from the police. The police believe he is a spy against the United States and he is a wanted man. When Gusta arrives in the small town and all of its prejudices, she brings her big city attitude and tried to stifle all of the negative talk. The town believes that anyone who is not American born is dangerous. While Gusta is so busy trying to squash all of the negative talk about foreigners, she is overlooking a very big secret that her own family is keeping. Will Gusta ever see her father again? Does he get arrested or does he get out of the country in time? Will Gusta be able to make a positive impact in her family's home town or will they succeed in driving out all of the foreign born citizens? Read this incredible book to find out to these and many more questions.

I am not a big fan of Historical Fiction, but this book was amazing. Ann Nesbet does a great job of setting the scene of what is going on in 1941 in the U.S., big and small towns. You will fall in love with Gusta. She is bold to stand up for those who have been wronged, and when things are going bad for her and she wants to give up, she doesn't. This book would be a great read to go along with a study of this time period. This is a must read book!

Anne Nesbet creates a story that lives and breathes. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but the story of Augusta is also. The struggles shown living in a world where once again war is about to break out. This little girl exudes strength beyond what a lot of family members show in her circumstances. While her world is turning upside down with her father having to flee the country, moving to another state so foreign from NY and trying to find the heart to give up the one thing that was his, Gusta proves that age is not a setback for bravery.

Try as I might, I can't think of another middle grade novel set in the 1940s that deals with labor organization in America. That is just the beginning of issues tackled in this book and all are handled well. This will make an especially good choice for budding history buffs.

Fun to read with characters that are easy to fall in love with! I have added this to my classroom library!

Historic tale set in Pre-World War II New England. Anne Nesbet presents an engaging story about the tumultuous life of an orphan, Gusta, who goes on a journey of discovery. She finds peace in playing her prized French horn and soon forms a band with her housemates. In her quest she learns valuable lessons about friendship and uncovers the truth about her family’s past.

Augusta has been sent to live with her grandmother, and the other orphans she cares for. Her mother is struggling to support herself in New York City, and her father (a union organizer) has fled to Canada to escape the law. Gusta, must find her place in her new family, adjust to life in rural Maine, navigate family secrets, and find a way to make music with her French horn, which she feels is her "voice" in the world. Her no nonsense grandmother thinks music is a waste of time, and Gusta knows that if she sold the French horn the money would help her family, especially her uncle who needs an expensive operation. Wonderful characters, a plot that doesn't stop, and lovely writing make this a book that middle grade readers will enjoy.

"Things never happen the way we imagine them ahead of time."
Augusta has been delivered to a grandmother that she doesn't know during the second world war. "Gusta" for short is one of many children being cared for by her grandmother. Her prized possession is a french horn and she fears that she may one day have to sell it if times get too tough. She has difficulty adjusting to her new school and feels like an outsider.

Gusta has her share of worries: her father's outspoken views about rights for workers has put him at odds with the law, her German last name rouses suspicion at school, and she misses her mother who is working hard while her father is absent. The one thing that keeps Gusta going is the prospect of finding one of the last wishes from a little chest that her great-great grandfather sea captain had bought at a far off harbor market. After wasting most of the wishes, he saved one last wish and kept it safe. Gusta wanted to find that wish so she could bring her father back home with it.

Some of the orphans cared for by Gusta's grandmother decide to form a little band called "The Orphan Band of Springdale." Gusta loves her french horn dearly and the high school music instructor takes a special interest in her music. But hanging over that bit of joy is the knowledge that her uncle needs an operation to fix his hand that got mangled while working at the mill. Gusta in her youthful innocence believes the mill owner can be persuaded to pay for the operation. That's when things go decidedly downhill and Gusta finds out that she has stirred a hornet's nest that will have far reaching affects. Long kept secrets come to the surface and threaten to swallow Gusta up the aftermath. She is more desperate than ever to find that wish to try to make everything come out right.

Author Anne Nesbet has created a deeply sensitive book about the anxieties that can overwhelm a child. Set during a particularly painful time in American history, Gusta sees firsthand the ugliness of prejudice and injustice. But she finds treasure in the fierce determination of her grandmother, the patient encouragement of her mother and the undying loyalty of an orphan band of friends.

I highly recommend this touching story about the impact of the war on a girl in America. I could not put it down as I was rooting so strongly for Gusta to rise above the challenges she faced. I felt a deep sadness when the book ended. Many things were resolved but not all--a fitting picture of life. Gusta was modeled after the author's mother and accurately portrays issues of the time. I am so glad that Nesbet shared the essence of her remarkable mother. I hope she will write a sequel as I'd love to learn more about how Gusta's life turned out.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The Orphan Band of Springdale from NetGalley for the purpose of review.

What a surprising book! I really enjoyed this uplifting story set in the beginning of World War II. Gusta is a little girl sent to live in her grandmother's orphanage in Maine while her immigrant father must flee the country and her mother has to stay in New York. While her situation is heartbreaking, Gusta is creative and spunky, and you can't help but fall in love with her. The descriptions of Maine are beautiful and I enjoyed learning about life at the beginning of WWII. I think this would be a great book for middle grade classes and I look forward to more from this author.

Historical fiction books that take place during WWII are some of my favorite stories to read. I think this book is the perfect introduction to the subject matter for middle school aged children. It also can make them appreciate the time they live in and the things that children of the past had to endure.

I will forever buy anything Anne Nesbet puts out into the world. Anne has such a way of writing historical fiction that I would recommend to anyone, student and adult alike. Gusta, the protagonist, was shy, sweet, and brave. I adored her. The themes that were explored were so well done, in a way that can connect with adults as well as middle grade readers. Themes include patriotism as a cover for prejudice, music, and the question of "Who is a real American?" I highly recommend this!

The Orphan Band of Springdale has some of my favourite themes- a brave plucky girl protagonist, family ties, historical setting, friendships and an overall coming of age feel. The writing is beautiful too- there were many times when I felt compelled to highlight passages or phrases because they were worded so well, and conveyed emotions without getting schmaltzy.

However, despite all these positives, the story dragged, and I had to push myself to pick up the book again after taking two breaks for reading something more engaging. Had the pace been snappier and the story slightly more engaging, this one would have been a winner. Right now, I struggled to complete it.

Very timely and touching story. I will urge my students to read this in class as I am sure many are facing similar things at home.

I enjoyed this read, and I think it would work for most middle grade classrooms. The characters will appeal to young students, and they'll be able to start some great conversations from big themes.

I enjoyed this middle grade book set on the cusp of the US entering World War II. My heart broke for Gusta and the situations she is dealing with. The resolution was not predictable which I find is the case with most adolescent books. The author's description of Maine were rich and left me longing to visit. I would love to purchase a copy for my classroom to share with my students.

If Anne Nesbet doesn't win a Newbery Medal or Honor in the next 3-4 years, I'll eat my hat.

The seamless characterization, the flawless voice, the fully-realized setting, the details (! oh, the details!), the history, the humor, the heart, the MAGIC (yes, I firmly believe in the magical wish in this book), the ...oh lord, I could go on and on.

Warning: The Author's Note might make you cry.