There are a couple of different threads happening in this book -- one is an exploration of the splintered relationship between two formerly close sistThere are a couple of different threads happening in this book -- one is an exploration of the splintered relationship between two formerly close sisters, Nick and Dara. They were in an accident in which Nick was driving the car and nothing has been the same since.
The second thread is a sub-plot in which the story of a local missing child, Madeline, is occupying every minute of the 24-hour news and thus finding its way into Nick and Dara's lives.
At first glance these two stories aren't related at all other than that Madeline is the subject of local obsession. But when Dara vanishes, we're compelled to look more closely at how and if the two are connected.
As far as structure, the book goes back and forth between before and after the accident as well as between the viewpoints of Nick and Dara. Emails from their therapist and diary entries are also interspersed throughout.
The book is contemporary, realistic fiction exploring family relationships and grief. It's a bit of a mystery and a reveal at toward the end makes you go back and read everything through different eyes. The reveal isn't necessarily an earth-shattering surprise to a careful reader, but is nonetheless well done and wraps up a compelling and well-told page-turner.
NoahandJude are twins--connected the way that twins are--they can finish each other's sentences, read each other's thoughts, and feel each other's feeNoahandJude are twins--connected the way that twins are--they can finish each other's sentences, read each other's thoughts, and feel each other's feelings.
I love the way this story unfolds. Nelson tells the story for Noah's perspective at ages 13-14 and Jude's perspective at age 16. A lot unfolds in those intermittent years that tears Noah and Jude apart--they do terrible things to each other and misunderstand each other and because of their twin relationship, it's all so much worse than just regular sibling rivalry and jealousy. At some points in the book it becomes hard to see how they will ever come back together.
This story has a lot of elements: family strife, romance (straight and glbtq), dealing with burgeoning sexuality, making decisions you regret, building friendships and mentorships, gaining independence--it's a true coming-of-age story for both Noah and Jude. That said, the really central part of the story is the relationship between the two and that relationship is both fragile and strong, which makes it all the truer. ...more
Jam can't get over her grief. Her English exchange student boyfriend died a year ago and even though they only knew each other for 41 days, it was theJam can't get over her grief. Her English exchange student boyfriend died a year ago and even though they only knew each other for 41 days, it was the best 41 days of Jam's life. Jam's parents feel like they're out of options so they send her to The Wooden Barn, a therapeutic boarding school in Vermont.
Jam is determined that the experience at the Wooden Barn won't make her any better, but slowly, as a member of the exclusive "Special Topics in English" class, she starts to feel better, to make friends, and to face what happened to her. But it isn't just the class helping Jam and her fellow "Special Topics" crew--it's also a journaling assignment that inexplicably lands the students in an other-world: code name Belzhar.
I've seen some criticism of this book because of the intensity of Jam's feelings after such a very short time, but I completely disagree with this take on the book. As an adult reader that intensity might be hard to identify with and I'm sure this book will have many adult readers given Wolitzer's popular adult novels. But as an adult who works with teens, I don't think this intensity is unheard of or unrealistic and I think a traumatic experience like a death certainly would intensify those feelings even more.
I would describe this book as magical realism in the vein of many of A.S. King's books. Yes--you have to suspend disbelief a bit, but if you do, it will be worth it. Watching the students go through their emotional journey is compelling. The mystery of Reeve's death is disappointing in that it makes Jam's journey slightly less compelling that the journeys of her peers, but this didn't ruin the book for me. Some elements of the ending are wrapped up perhaps too neatly, but as Wolitzer's first foray into YA, I'm not surprised by this.
Mark and Grace are a unit - twins. That is, until she is killed in a car accident--a car accident in which Mark walks away with just stitches and the Mark and Grace are a unit - twins. That is, until she is killed in a car accident--a car accident in which Mark walks away with just stitches and the driver at fault just walks away. The tragedy sends Mark into a tailspin. He can't handle his own grief and he can't handle the grief of others, which he can't help but find less valid than his own.
This is a great book. The secondary characters are fabulous and well-drawn and the portrayal of grief and the journey through it is realistic. ...more
Taylor has always run away when things have gotten hard. She's not good at dealing with the tough stuff. But when her father is diagnosed with cancer,Taylor has always run away when things have gotten hard. She's not good at dealing with the tough stuff. But when her father is diagnosed with cancer, there's nowhere to go. Her family has decided to spend their last summer together at their cabin in Pennsylvania, where something happened 5 years ago that made Taylor, her best friend, and her first love.
This is a lovely story about finding your way though hard situations, about family, friendships, and love. My only complaint was that I got impatient waiting to find out what it was that happened between Taylor and her friends at the cabin, but eventually Matson gets there and the story plays out wonderfully.
And on a note related to the quality of Matson's descriptions - this was a very difficult book for me to read. I have seen a lot of reviewers here on Goodreads mention that this book is a tear jerker. There is no question about it. There will be tears. And for me, there were many, many, many tears. I watched my own dad deteriorate as he fought cancer and Matson's descriptions of those moments from a daughter's point of view resonated with me to the point that a couple of times I just had to put the book down. I applaud the author for her candid and true handling of this difficult topic.
I started this book on the airplane coming home from vacation and stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish it. This is my second Dessen book. I have heard reaI started this book on the airplane coming home from vacation and stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish it. This is my second Dessen book. I have heard really great things about her and just thought the first book I read by her was okay. I liked it, didn't think it was super. I really enjoyed this one though. I thought the detailing of the progression of the friendships and of Macy's self-discovery was pretty fabulous. I also thought the family dynamics were great, along with the constant recognition that people deal with grief in different ways. Maybe it resonated with me because my husband and I both have lost parents and that was a connecter for us in our relationship, maybe it was just good stuff. Either way, I really liked it....more