The Star of Kazan

Reader reviewed by ibelieveinbeauty

Abandoned in a church in the Austrian mountains as a newborn baby, Annika is found by two servants. The Sigrid and Ellie are forced to bring her back to their home where they keep house for three proffesors, as the orphanage is in quarantine. All five grow to love the little girl and she grows up in the kitchen of their house.
All her life Annika has been filled with a curiosity about her birthmother, wishing she would appear and claim her. Annika makes friends with an old lady, La Rondine across the road. La Rondine tells her stories of when she used to be famous for sitting on a high swing above the stage in a show and strewing things like flowers and fake snow. Her wealthy fans presented her with jewels. But when she left the stage she had to sell them all. La Rondine leaves Annika the cheap replicas of her jewels in her will. Then Annika's mother comes to claim her. She takes Annika to live with her far away from her home in Vienna, on a miserable animal-less farm.The only bright spot is Zed, the farm boy.
Then Annika's mother sends her away to a dreary boarding school. For Annika's friends this is the last straw; none of them ever really liked the women, and they decide to rescue her.

Quite as good as Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson has created in this book lovable and memorable characters and a heartwarming example of love and friendship. Well worth the read. Ageless.

Reader reviewed by Jessica M.

Wow,this book was excellently written. The book is about a girl named Annika who was found in a church when she was a baby. She befriends an old woman,who was called La Rondine and she had been an actress long ago. She kept her costumes and costume jewelry in a trunk. There is more to this book,so read for yourself. It is awesome!