Basic Reason for Beginning: Because it sounded sweet, and uplifting and hopeful. Which in an age so determined to wipe out such things seems like a good thing to get a hold of.
Basic Reason for Finishing: I cried. Of happiness and sorrow both, mind. I was right to snap this up. And while I considered getting this for a friend of mine, I'm not letting go of this copy.

Full review here.

Rereadability: Definitely. Each time I'll want a comfort read or a cheer-up read, this will do the trick wonderfullym despite the sorrow. It has the kind of happy endings life has: bittersweet.
Recommendation: To anyone with children, really. This is such a beautiful story of the bond between those who genuinely care, of what faith and determination can achieve, of life... If I had children, I'd be tempted to read this to them over and over until they were so tired of it they'd bar me from their room around bedtime. (Okay, no, I exaggerate, I couldn't do that to anyone, but I would definitely read it at least once and hope they'd love it as much as I did.) ( )