A time capsule of youth; maybe passed but not forgotten.

Bells in the Air by E.B. Butler is about the Bell children and their adventures in their neighborhood. The Bell family comes home from summer vacation to find that a new church has been completed near their home. The church becomes the focal point of the Bell children’s explorations. They become fascinated with everything about it, from the stained glass windows to the steeple and bell tower. The Collins children and their neighborhood best friends come along on this ride of mischief and excitement. Through the eyes of these children, readers will see what it’s like to be there for someone who needs you, innocently spy on new neighbors, curiously investigate a missing piece of jewelry, and witness a Christmas memory. This story will bring back unforgettable childhood memories for adults and will give children something exciting to look forward to in their own lives.

If bringing adult readers back to their childhoods was E.B. Butler’s goal when writing Bells in the Air, I’d say it was a complete success. Reading about the Bells and the Collins children was such a joy. It made me remember all the fun times I had in my own neighborhood with my siblings and our best friends who lived on the same street. I also absolutely adored the children. Not only were they independent, curious, and mischievous, like most children are, but they were also very respectful and caring to others around them. It was refreshing to read about children with such manners, even during their little escapades. The story didn’t have to be about fighting magical creatures or discovering buried treasure. It was realistically and simply about kids living their lives, which can be just as fun as that other stuff! I think this is a great book to read, not only for children but adults as well. After all, we were all that age once, and it’s nice to travel down Memory Lane through the lives of these fantastic characters.