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LATCHSTRING OUT by Skulda  Ba Kirkus Star

LATCHSTRING OUT

By

Pub Date: March 14th, 1944
Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin

A theme comparable to Noma's Bank Account (one of our favorite 1943 books), but a more complex, intellectualised and adult interpretation of a racial community, in which, however, there is the same heartfelt kindliness, friendliness and sympathetic response to situations and problems encountered. There is Stunpasti herself, speaking Uppsala Swedish, taught by her father the legends, history, geography of their homeland, and telling of her family, neighbors and incidents in a mining town near Duluth. There is Grandfather Peter with his drinking; there are her grandmother and greataunt and their little store; there is her father Gustaf and his poetry, newspaper, store and phrenology; there is the visiting writer, and the near failure of a singer; there is the color problem and her surprise solution; there are deaths and marriages and celebrations, and holidays and babies. Skilfully guided by Gustaf, Stumpastina learns intelligent response to her problems of rebellion, frustration and eventual resignation. Winning tale-nice humor-continent.