This is a quiet novel, and it took a while to grab me. I rate it highly for its ability to bring life to an era and location that I know little about. Anita Diamant captured the feeling of this bleak little town to the point that I could almost imagine the physical layout of the village.

There is no main character, but rather a focus on six or so strong personalities with about six additional secondary figures. Themes of family, poverty, race and class are illustrated with restraint. Read this and be transported back in time.

This book is touching and sort of sneaks up on you. For all of us who are afraid of getting old, it makes you think. It will make you think about how you view and treat the elders that you know currently.

The Depression-era setting of a third-rate traveling circus is easily visualized with lots of realistic details. Read this and enjoy! As a book club read, there are many different themes that different participants will interpret individually; making for good discussion.

I found Little Heathens interesting because of the snapshot it provides to a time period long past. The level of detail sometimes was too much for me (how to butcher, for example), but I loved reading about the farm chores, school, and home life. Because I have a sentimentality for old-time traditions and values, I liked this book, but I don't view it as a book club pick.

"Goon Squad" does feel like a collection of short stories, but it was fascinating to piece the various characters together. The themes of time, technology, connections, and loss will mean different things to different readers. I did end up making an index card cheat sheet for many of the characters as it helped me remember who-was-who. I understand if you go to Jennifer Egan's website you can watch the actual powerpoint depicted in the book.