Heidi is about a young girl named Heidi who is rosy and robust with a strong will. She is clever and incredibly innocent. She is like sunshine in dark places. When Heidi is left with her grandfather on the lush and sunny Alps, she changes the gruff, unloving grandpa who lives away from society into a gentle, caring man who is closer to God. Heidi is happy and content with her life on the Alps until Dete, her aunt, drags her off to Frankfurt to be a companion to the invalid Clara. Heidi delights Clara and Clara is kind to her, but Heidi becomes homesick and longs for the beautiful mountain’s and her beloved grandfather. Heidi’s cheerful personality and love for nature makes this story fresh and vivid. As Heidi, in her joyful, innocent way, changes the lives of many in a compelling book.

I feel strongly about how Dete acts during the whole story. Like when she discovers that there is another relative of the orphan Heidi still living she just rids herself of Heidi; only thinking of herself and her own well-being. I think Dete is a very selfish and worldly person who does things soley for her own gain and profit. Another example of Dete’s self-centered behavior is when, a few years later, she returns, most amiably, to the mountains to take Heidi back, after so rudely shaking her off her hands before. At first she is friendly towards the little girl, but her real motive is to take Heidi to the big city of Frankfurt and have her be a playmate to her employer’s invalid daughter, Clara. When Dete came for Heidi she asked the child if she wanted to come, but didn’t wait for an answer. She gripped Heidi’s hand and forced her down the mountain towards Frankfurt. Heidi actually didn’t want to go with her aunt, but Dete told her that she could get soft rolls for her grandmother; so Heidi agreed, but not to what was actually happening. Heidi thought she was only going on a trip but Dete was planning for Heidi to stay and cheer Clara into good health so she herself could get all the credit. I think Dete is definitely very firm once her mind is set on something because she didn’t even ask permission of Heidi’s new caretaker, Alp Uncle, before dragging Heidi off. Dete thinks she is just doing her duty, though. I think Dete is one of the people that even Heidi could change for the better, but watch Heidi as she transforms the lives of people physically, emotionally, and spiritually and gives sunshine and laughter to all.

Recommendation

Heidi. Author Johanna Spyri.

Heidi is a classic for young readers for ages 9 and up.

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-Mackenzie

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