More random than ever, I'm afraid. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure if I can put together any kind of coherent review at all. This book got to me on a gut level. There were things in this book that just took me back 25+ years and plopped me right back into high school. I wish I could explain. But while I would be o.k. talking to many of my blog friends about this, I'm just not willing to throw this out there for the whole world, if you know what I mean.
I can say that I think that this is a book that every upper middle school/high school kid should read. I know this book is fiction, and it's entertainment, but I really think it could be so much more to kids as well. A chance to let some see they're not alone. A wake up call to many that their actions have consequences, horrible consequences that they may never even be aware of.
The book is really told by two people at the same time. Clay receives in the mail a box of cassette tapes recorded by Hannah. Hannah committed suicide a few short weeks ago. The cassettes tell Hannah's story, what led her to the drastic solution she chose. Clay's thoughts and actions are interspersed throughout the book as he listens to Hannah's voice talk about the actions of those around her and how these actions affected her. For the first couple of pages, I found the constant flip-flopping from Hannah to Clay irritating, but that irritation quickly subsided. I think it turned out to be the perfect way to tell this story.
Again, I apologize, I realize this isn't much of review. I thought about waiting a few days to write it, but ultimately decided that wouldn't make much difference. The good news is that I know there are others out there who have reviewed it. If you're one of them, please leave me your link I'll add it. Thanks.
*****
*Becky of Becky's Book Reviews
*Dewey of The Hidden Side of the Leaf
*Joy of Thoughts of Joy
*Alison of So Many Books, So Little Time
*Alessandra at Out of the Blue
*Eva at A Striped Armchair
*****
Read for:
Young Adult Reading Challenge.
Numbers Challenge.
A-Z Reading Challenge.
Homeschooling.
8 comments:
This sounds like a book that would have quite an impact on me too. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Debi.
This definitely sounds like a must-read to me. I'll add it to my wishlist. Thanks, Debi! :)
it sounds very touching.
and its actually so special when one reads a book where one can't put into words how much it meant to one!
I fully understand your hesitancy in sharing.
While I thought the overall message is one for all of us to remember, I loved the author's creativity in how he told the story, first and foremost.
It sounds like a book that I would like to read. I'll have to file the name away for a later date. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
take care,
Dawn
This book sounds very interesting! I have heard of it but I really want to pick it up more.
No need to apologize. You've written a great review!
I think that this is a book that every upper middle school/high school kid should read.
I agree!
I just finished reading it. Yeah the Clay-to-Hannah Hannah-to-Clay is irritating a bit but all in all it was great. I can't think of writing it any other way. Good book!..
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