Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes

The story of Mama's Bank Account may be better known as the classic film I Remember Mama. It is the true story of Lars and Marta Hansen, immigrants from Norway who live in San Francisco in 1910. Told through the eyes of the eldest daughter, Katrin (Kathryn), the book is a series of delightful vignettes about the Hansen family--Mama especially. Whether she's pinching pennies for the monthly rent, wangling her way into the hospital to visit her sick daughter, or attempting to cure a badly injured cat, Mama is not the kind of character you can easily forget.

Though there isn't really any strong plot throughout the book, it's a wonderful read--interesting, funny, and heartwarming. I would give it eight out of ten, probably for readers 11 or 12 and up. Check out the movie, too, it's also very good.

~Amy