Author: Nancy Springer
Genre: YA Supernatural
Pages: 88
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Challenges: YA
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this from my school library
Summary (from the inside flap): Quiet, cautious Jessie has always lived in the shadow of her dynamic younger brother. His death in an automobile accident leaves Jessie and her mother numb with grief. Until the morning Jessie cuts her hair, dresses in Jason's clothes, and swaggers out of the house in an uncanny imitation of her brother. Her mother is visibly cheered, and for once Jessie's weird obsession soon spirals out of control as Jason seems to take over more and more. Can survivor's guilt allow the dead to take possession of the living? Is there any escape?
Review: Woah. Quite a book. In only 88 pages there is so much! I must say that I am glad I didn't re-read the summary of the book before I read it because I had no idea what was coming.
Jessie is the typical good girl student who idolizes her younger brother who is studly. When he dies Jessie is so overcome with grief that she begins to dress like him. What makes me sad is that instead of helping Jessie, students and staff at her school ridicule her and she is punished. Only one friend tries to reach out and help her.
This book is an extremely quick read at only 88 pages, but it is intense and interesting. How do we feel when we lose someone we love so dearly? How do parents react when they lose a child? What is our own identity? What happens if we take on the characteristics or clothing of another person? Are we still ourselves deep down?
6 comments
Wow girl, you're on a roll of reading now. ;-)
This one is just 88 pages? There seems to be a lot happening - and the premise is really outstanding! I really want to read this one!
Aths--we're on at the same time. I am commenting right after you leave each comment...very fun! I was shocked at how much happened in this very short book.
Interesting...is this an old book? I'll see if they have it in the local library. Thanks for the review!
Cass--The book was published in April 2010 so it should be fairly easy to find.
This is definitely one for my wishlist! Thanks for the review!
Julie @ Knitting and Sundries
Julie--this one was a total surprise in terms of story/plot and how much I enjoyed it
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