Since this book came out, I wanted to read it. I put it off, and then one of my amazing students did her soundtrack YA project on this book, but warned me that before I read the soundtrack I'd have to read the book so the spoilers wouldn't wreck it for me.
I read about 50 pages last night, and then picked it up at 3:30 today--I didn't put it down until I was done at 6:40. And I bawled the last 70 pages.
At first, this is really confusing and frustrating. I wanted to like it so much, but I couldn't wrap my head around the plot structure. Finally, after about 100 pages things began making sense--the separate but converging story lines, the multiple characters with unique double-names, and the Australian diction and setting were off-putting, but once I sorted things out (had to write names down to keep people straight initially), I couldn't disentangle myself from the book.
Yes, Taylor is a whiny teenager, but she is so much more complex than the ordinary teenage-girl-with-angst, and the story is SO RICH and well crafted!!!!
I haven't read anything like this book--maybe Weetzie Bat or The Body of Christopher Creed, but I feel so much more satisfied after finishing this book than I did with either of the others...
Just a really REALLY good read. Family, friendships, and mad-capped adventures of the warring factions of teenagers.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Carolyn Mackler: Vegan Virgin Valentine
I have wanted to read this since I finished The Earth, My Butt, And Other Big Round Things. Mackler's style is really appealing, and I read this in less than two hours. I like Mara and the transition and growth she experiences in the text is awesome. I don't know if "regular" kids could appreciate it as much as those students who are over-achievers in the way that Mara is, but the family dynamics, high school drama, love story are all really good selling points.
I am glad I read it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)