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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I loved this book. I cried, which is always the mark of a good book. It's completely unlike any other young adult book I've read even though it ostensibly is about a boy and a girl. It's so much more than that and I highly recommend this to anyone. It even reminded me in parts of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, which is always a good thing. I won't soon be forgetting Sam and Riddle.
Pretty good overall but kind of strange. Another addicting kind of read; I finished it in a day. I wish there was more Emily and Sam though. It wasn't much of the romance novel it claimed to be.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In this case, I judged the book by it's cover but it was worth my time! I just could not put it down and I wish it could go on forever, that's how good it was. The only thing I would've changed is Bobby's ending but other than that, this is the best book ever! Hopefully there will be a sequel.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
This book exemplifies one of my primary reasons for being a part of the Gateway Reader/Selector Committee: to read something I wouldn't ordinarily read and be blown away by it. I read the description of the book and was kind of "meh" but jumped in and read it anyway. And thank heavens I did, because this book is amazing.
We have three primary characters. First, there is Emily. She is the type of person that believes in the interconnectedness of all things. When her father makes her take the solo on "I'll Be There" at their Unitarian Church, Emily, who knows she's not much of a singer, decides she's going to direct her singing to the back row. And sitting in that back row is our next main character, Sam. Sam and his brother, Riddle (our third primary character)live with their insane father. The makeshift family has been traveling around the country, moving whenever the authorities start asking too many questions. Sam and Riddle haven't been to school in years and are used to being on their own. The only reason Sam and Emily's paths cross is Sam's love of music and the church's reliable tendency to feature music during services. Emily is immediately intrigued by Sam and sets out to find more about him. In the meantime, Emily is being pursued by a fellow classmate who just *knows* there's something wrong with Sam and his family and he's determined to figure them out. Riddle and Sam are so used to being on their own that when Emily's family opens their arms to them, they're not even sure how to be part of a family or how to trust anyone. When Sam and Riddle's father realizes that his boys are getting attention from the community, he packs them up in his car and drives them across the country (because he's TOTALLY INSANE).
This is obviously a very character-driven story, but it's brilliant in its subtlety. Sloan mixes in brief bits of narrative from various other characters in the book, which sheds light on the characters in unexpected and lovely ways. "I'll Be There" is an amazing and unusual read. The ending may be a bit on the unrealistically happy side, but the theme of interconnectedness really hits home in a delightful way. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It will likely leave the song "I'll Be There" in your head though.
We have three primary characters. First, there is Emily. She is the type of person that believes in the interconnectedness of all things. When her father makes her take the solo on "I'll Be There" at their Unitarian Church, Emily, who knows she's not much of a singer, decides she's going to direct her singing to the back row. And sitting in that back row is our next main character, Sam. Sam and his brother, Riddle (our third primary character)live with their insane father. The makeshift family has been traveling around the country, moving whenever the authorities start asking too many questions. Sam and Riddle haven't been to school in years and are used to being on their own. The only reason Sam and Emily's paths cross is Sam's love of music and the church's reliable tendency to feature music during services. Emily is immediately intrigued by Sam and sets out to find more about him. In the meantime, Emily is being pursued by a fellow classmate who just *knows* there's something wrong with Sam and his family and he's determined to figure them out. Riddle and Sam are so used to being on their own that when Emily's family opens their arms to them, they're not even sure how to be part of a family or how to trust anyone. When Sam and Riddle's father realizes that his boys are getting attention from the community, he packs them up in his car and drives them across the country (because he's TOTALLY INSANE).
This is obviously a very character-driven story, but it's brilliant in its subtlety. Sloan mixes in brief bits of narrative from various other characters in the book, which sheds light on the characters in unexpected and lovely ways. "I'll Be There" is an amazing and unusual read. The ending may be a bit on the unrealistically happy side, but the theme of interconnectedness really hits home in a delightful way. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It will likely leave the song "I'll Be There" in your head though.
For now I will tell you this is one of THE BEST contemporaries I have read. I will update my review later but just know I thought the world of this book!
update:
This is the best contemporary I have read in a long time. It made me realize that love isn’t the only real form of magic , we also have destiny. Go here for my full review: http://epicbooknerd.blogspot.com/2011/04/br-ill-be-there-by-holly-sloan.html
update:
This is the best contemporary I have read in a long time. It made me realize that love isn’t the only real form of magic , we also have destiny. Go here for my full review: http://epicbooknerd.blogspot.com/2011/04/br-ill-be-there-by-holly-sloan.html
This was a heart wrenching story that had me in tears. I was so torn by the horrible conditions these kids had to live in. Being a lover and advocate for children, it breaks my heart to know that there are children living like this.
Aside from the amazingly written plot, the characters were beautifully and realistically captured through the writing. They were well-developed and all but one of the children were lovable. And more importantly, there was character development.
An amazing read and I can’t wait to read more from the author.
Aside from the amazingly written plot, the characters were beautifully and realistically captured through the writing. They were well-developed and all but one of the children were lovable. And more importantly, there was character development.
An amazing read and I can’t wait to read more from the author.
My hearttttt.. My oh so poor heart is overflowing..
I fell in love with this fairy tale/ fable of a story . All the characters (Fine, almost all) have molded a place in my heart. I loveddddd the characters , especially Riddle. Having Asthma myself, I felt a special connection to him. I loved Sam, the relationship between the brothers.. Emily's family was equally awesome.
To say I hate the brothers' father would be an understatement. He deserved what he got and deserved soo much more.
Bobby was more of a nuisance than a character I could love / hate. I did not like him at parts of the book , but Clarence has the top spot in people who do not deserve any pity.
I fell in love with this fairy tale/ fable of a story . All the characters (Fine, almost all) have molded a place in my heart. I loveddddd the characters , especially Riddle. Having Asthma myself, I felt a special connection to him. I loved Sam, the relationship between the brothers.. Emily's family was equally awesome.
To say I hate the brothers' father would be an understatement. He deserved what he got and deserved soo much more.
Bobby was more of a nuisance than a character I could love / hate. I did not like him at parts of the book , but Clarence has the top spot in people who do not deserve any pity.