I first read this book when I was nine years old. I must have read it a dozen times more over the next three years. Now, at the age of twenty-seven, I still get misty- eyed when I think of the three incredible, courageous,loving sisters who are the heroines of this book.
Despite the obstacles of being orphaned and taken in by two loving but financially troubled women, the three adopted sisters in this book are given the rare opportunity to attend a prestigous performing arts school. Being brought up in a home where boarders are taken in to help cover expenses, and attending a school where their peers have more material priviledges than they do, the sisters nonetheless capture the hearts of countless people who come to know them, including the reader.
While two of the "Fossil" sisters find that they posses extraordinary performing talents, (one an actress, the other a ballerina) the third, somewhat of a "tomboy" by the standards of the era, finds herself not fitting in quite as well at the performing arts school. Nonetheless, she pushes herself to be the best that she can be, without forgetting about her own desires and dreams.
To live these girls heartaches and happiness with them as they grow and achieve much more than anyone could have imagined is quite an experience. The message of believing in oneself, and treating one's talents for the precious gifts that they are is very strong; as is the message of maintaining one's own identity. The sisters in this novel all posses incredible integrity, and all exhibit incredibly selfless acts in their love for one another.
The three Fossil sisters all do achieve their dreams; Pauline as a famous actress, Posy as a ballerina, and Peterova, years ahead of her time, becomes an aviator. What makes this happy ending more special than most is that these girls were not handed anything to them, but rather they earn their victories through hard work, determination, and sheer will.
I look forward to one day being able to share this extraordinary book with my own children. The morals and messages contianed within the pages are something that I would like my kids to carry with them always. This book is truly a classic, and I would highly recommend it to any child who has a dream, or any parent who wants their child to have one.
