Even though David was found innocent in the death of his girlfriend, his life gets worse, not better. To escape his reputation, David goes to Cambridge to finish his senior year at a private school. He lives with his aunt, uncle, and young cousin Lily, who are the picture of a dysfunctional family. The adults don't talk to each other and send messages through Lily. Lily enjoys the role of go-between, so when her parents start to patch things up, she blames David.
Though only 11, Lily is deeply disturbed (and disturbing) and spends much of her time terrorizing David. David, on the other hand, feels haunted by the ghost of Lily's older sister, who committed suicide in David's room. The sister keeps urging David to help Lily, but no matter what he does, it only seems to escalate the problem.
This book is a great study of what guilt does to people and how to overcome mistakes of the past. Werlin is at her best here.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Whale Talk by Crutcher
The Tao Jones, or T.J., is a smattering of racial backgrounds and a dynamite athlete. But he hates being told to what to do, so he never tries out for competitive sports. In his jockaholic high school, it's about the same as burning the flag, so T.J. gets a lot of guff about it. When his favorite teacher approaches T.J. to start a swim team, T.J. sees it as his opportunity to mess with the system. He starts recruiting every outcast and malcontent he can, wanting to make it clear that everyone has a place. Unfortunately, this is realistic fiction, which means nothing ever has a clear-cut happy ending. Someone ends up a winner, someone ends up a loser, and someone ends up dead.
Deadline by Crutcher
The summer before senior year, Ben Wolf is diagnosed with terminal leukemia. Because he's 18 and wants a "normal" life for as long as possible, Ben decides not to tell anyone. Instead, he does everything he was too afraid to do - go out for football, pursue the volleyball player who's a foot taller than him, challenge his teacher, and befriend the reclusive McCoy who has a secret of his own. In fact, just about everyone has something they've kept hidden, bringing up the question of whether secrets ultimately help or hurt others. Some of the book is intense and there is frank conversation about sexual abuse, but it doesn't get too heavy. A worthy read for anyone wondering what life is all about.
If I Stay by Forman
Mia's a talneted cellist living in rural Oregon with her former rocker parents and a younger brother. Her future is bright, but complicated. A waiting spot at Julliard makes her relationship with her rising rock star boyfriend even more difficult and there are some big decisions coming up.
All of that is suddenly unimportant when Mia's family is involved in a devastating car crash on a snowy morning. Mia faces her hardest question yet: is it better to live or to give up and die?
I understand they're making a movie of this book. Unless it's made very carefully, it's going to be awful. What keeps this book from drowning in its own tears is Mia's unique voice, and I'm not convinced Hollywood can pull that off. Through flashbacks and Mia's narration, we come to appreciate who Mia is an exactly what her life means.
All of that is suddenly unimportant when Mia's family is involved in a devastating car crash on a snowy morning. Mia faces her hardest question yet: is it better to live or to give up and die?
I understand they're making a movie of this book. Unless it's made very carefully, it's going to be awful. What keeps this book from drowning in its own tears is Mia's unique voice, and I'm not convinced Hollywood can pull that off. Through flashbacks and Mia's narration, we come to appreciate who Mia is an exactly what her life means.
Jellicoe Road by Marchetta
This is one of the most beautiful compilations of ugliness I've ever read. It's got all the bad things in this world - violence, drugs, abuse, a serial killer - but somehow I ended up feeling like I'd been honored by being able to read it; that the author had told me a wonderful secret entrusted to a few favored friends.
Taylor Markham lives in a boarding school off of Jellicoe Road. She is the war master, in charge of leading her school to victory in the annual territory war with the Townies (locals) and the Cadets (military school students who visit for a few months). When House Mother Hannah goes missing, Taylor must solve the mystery of her own past, including who the boy in her dreams is and why her mother dumped her at a 7-11 when she was eleven. The result is an incredibly pleasing, emotional tale about identity and family.
That being said, it takes a bit of doing to get used to the rhythm of the book. The organization is a little like the TV show LOST. Flashbacks in the form of book excerpts as well as dream time intermingle with the here and now with little warning. Stop fighting it, and things go better. Try and create a timeline and you'll want to pull your hair out.
Taylor Markham lives in a boarding school off of Jellicoe Road. She is the war master, in charge of leading her school to victory in the annual territory war with the Townies (locals) and the Cadets (military school students who visit for a few months). When House Mother Hannah goes missing, Taylor must solve the mystery of her own past, including who the boy in her dreams is and why her mother dumped her at a 7-11 when she was eleven. The result is an incredibly pleasing, emotional tale about identity and family.
That being said, it takes a bit of doing to get used to the rhythm of the book. The organization is a little like the TV show LOST. Flashbacks in the form of book excerpts as well as dream time intermingle with the here and now with little warning. Stop fighting it, and things go better. Try and create a timeline and you'll want to pull your hair out.
Fire by Cashore
Fire is a monster. She's a girl of unspeakable, unnatural beauty and has the ability to read and control minds. Because of these gifts, life is more than usually challenging for Fire. Common people either want to marry her or kill her. Those in power seek to use her. In a country where three different factions fight for control, Fire's very existence is a threat. When Fire is convinced to travel to the capital to help the king interrogate spies, Fire starts to believe in her ability to help her country and the need for her to do so.
Not quite as good as Graceling, Fire is still an interesting adventure. The character of Fire is complex, but, by the end, the family relationships are as convoluted as those on a Jerry Springer show.
Not quite as good as Graceling, Fire is still an interesting adventure. The character of Fire is complex, but, by the end, the family relationships are as convoluted as those on a Jerry Springer show.
Dead Girls Don't Write Letters by Giles
Sunny's sister Jazz is dead - maybe. A tragic fire in her apartment building left Sunny's family grieving. But when a letter arrives from Jazz announcing her return home and explaining her survival, things get complicated. Sunny's parents are relieved - both have been non-functional since Jazz's death. They welcome the girl home with open arms. But who is this girl, really? Though she knows things and acts the part, it becomes apparent that she's not who she seems.
The premise is good, the book short, and the end confusing. If you can deal with that last bit, it's not too bad.
The premise is good, the book short, and the end confusing. If you can deal with that last bit, it's not too bad.
North of Beautiful by Headley
Terra's life is burdened by two things she can't get rid of: a bright red birthmark on her face and her emotionally abusive father. Though she tries to hide from both with make-up and ambition, Terra eventually learns that she must accept herself and her life as they are in order to understand and change them.
I was somewhat surprised that this novel was not Headley's first attempt. Sometimes it seems she forgets she's writing for young adults. This is particularly evident in her erudite vocabulary and more obscure literary references. Also, the extended map methaphor is cloying and heavy-handed. However, her characters are realistic and the descriptions of China are captivating. The themes of beauty, identity, family, and abuse are all relevant, but this book feels like a better fit for older teens and early twenty-somethings.
I was somewhat surprised that this novel was not Headley's first attempt. Sometimes it seems she forgets she's writing for young adults. This is particularly evident in her erudite vocabulary and more obscure literary references. Also, the extended map methaphor is cloying and heavy-handed. However, her characters are realistic and the descriptions of China are captivating. The themes of beauty, identity, family, and abuse are all relevant, but this book feels like a better fit for older teens and early twenty-somethings.
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