The third book in this series was going a bit of the way of the second one with Joel as an increasingly awkward and not always endearing teen but it took a very different turn about halfway through and I really began to see the Joel I liked from the first book. He is imaginative and impulsive and spins tales that you know are going to get him into trouble but there is something else in him, a way of seeing the world, that is interesting and he is forced to grow up quickly. Looking forward to the final book of the series.

El pueblo en el que vive, en el norte de Suecia, se le está quedando pequeño y ha empezado a experimentar ese hormigueo que los adultos llaman amor. El problema es que la mujer de sus sueños tiene diez años más que él. Para encontrar una salida a sus problemas decide convertirse en una estrella del rock. Esto le abrirá las puertas del mundo a todo aquello que le aguarda más allá del río y de los bosques donde vive...

Henning Mankell, the successful adult mystery writer, is trying his hand at the lucrative young adult market. While the writing in When Snow Fell is evocative and beautiful, it is hard to imagine young readers engaging with this book. Additionally, the setting is the 1950s in a small town in northern Sweden, not a sure-fire attention grabber. Thirteen-year-old Joel Gustafson celebrates his own personal New Year’s Eve when the first snowfall of winter comes with resolutions and all. As always, this year’s snowfall took him by surprise and he sets out to make his resolutions: to live to be a hundred years old which will require him to toughen himself up; to see the sea for the first time; and to see a lady naked. The rest of the book consists of Joel’s adventures in trying to fulfill his resolutions. The book is a mix of the melancholic and laugh-out-loud funny, especially Joel’s exploits to see the young shop assistant, Sonja Mattsson in transparent veils like Salome. Joel is his own mum and takes care of his father since Mummy Jenny left and his father is prone to go on drinking binges. This book might be appropriate for students who like good writing and quiet stories. ( )

Sweet little book ( )

Joel Gustafson is growing up. Now 14, he's taking charge of his life, starting with three resolutions after the first snowfall (which he designates as "new year") which include seeing a woman dressed only in veils as well as toughening himself up to be able to travel and see the world. Joel has progressed from a remarkably naive boy to a remarkably typical teenage boy. Joel is not always behaved nor polite nor is he always rude and unmanagable. Mankell is a gifted writer, and manages to make a decidedly uncharming teenager engaging enough to follow through these adventures. ( )