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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
this is like the current litfic trend of unhinged women/female manipulation, but for troubled middle school girls, and i truly love it
This book scared the bejeezus out of me when I first read it in middle school. It didn't scare me as badly this time (thank goodness; last time I had to sleep with the lights on and locked my cat out of my room for two days), but it still is an incredibly creepy novel. It concerns Jessica, a lonely and angry girl who finds a blind, nearly hairless newborn kitten, and ends up raising it with the help of her catlady neighbor. Although she feels compelled to care for the cat, she finds it gross and creepy, rather than cute, and names it Worm. As Worm grows to adulthood, Jessica becomes convinced that he is a witch's cat and is telling her to do terrible things.
What's most disturbing about it is that Snyder never settles the question of whether there is actually a supernatural element to the story, or if it is all in Jessica's head. Snyder is a masterful storyteller, and there's a lot going on in this book that I missed the first time around.
What's most disturbing about it is that Snyder never settles the question of whether there is actually a supernatural element to the story, or if it is all in Jessica's head. Snyder is a masterful storyteller, and there's a lot going on in this book that I missed the first time around.
I found this book to be entertaining, and it was a very quick read. I thought the mix of the semi-supernatural elements in with mainly realistic fiction elements made for a good story. The writing was pretty strong as well. However, I thought the story lacked depth...it just seemed a little 'one-note' to me. I also had a hard time deciding whether I liked the main character or not. I wavered back and forth (nearly through the whole book!) between feeling slightly sorry for her and feeling disdain for her actions--ended up feeling mildly sympathetic towards her in the end. Overall though, I did like this Newbery Honor book, but it will definitely not be included in my top picks for children's novels.
Jessica, a very lonely twelve-year-old girl, takes in a peculiar kitten and names him Worm. Now she's doing horrible, malicious things -- is Worm making her do it?
This was one of my books when I was Jessica's age. I read it a couple of times and didn't enjoy it. It was really disturbing, full of ugly emotions, and Jessica treats Worm badly -- for a cat lover like me, that was difficult to read. It's no wonder that Worm rarely shows any emotion but fear and anger, and never plays when humans are around, which is the sign of a very wary cat. Now that I've reread the book, I think it's just about brilliant, with all the characters well depicted not just Jessica. But I'm quite sure I wasn't ready to appreciate it at first. It's a Newberry Honor winner, and Newberry is known for rewarding some fairly grim stories. At least it ends on a positive note (which feels very appropriate and well earned).
This was one of my books when I was Jessica's age. I read it a couple of times and didn't enjoy it. It was really disturbing, full of ugly emotions, and Jessica treats Worm badly -- for a cat lover like me, that was difficult to read. It's no wonder that Worm rarely shows any emotion but fear and anger, and never plays when humans are around, which is the sign of a very wary cat. Now that I've reread the book, I think it's just about brilliant, with all the characters well depicted not just Jessica. But I'm quite sure I wasn't ready to appreciate it at first. It's a Newberry Honor winner, and Newberry is known for rewarding some fairly grim stories. At least it ends on a positive note (which feels very appropriate and well earned).
Newbery Challenge 169/415. I had never heard of this book before. It a dark look at how a neglected, friendless girl can project demonic possession onto a cat that she routinely abuses. Jessica does all sorts of evil, mean things because the “witch cat makes her do it”. While Jessica does see the error of her ways at the end, it doesn’t make the reading experience worthwhile overall. I did appreciate the Salem witch trials history tie-in and the author’s note at the beginning explaining the story behind her writing this book. I still didn’t like it and wouldn’t go out of my way to put it in my child’s hands.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I found this book to be entertaining, and it was a very quick read. I thought the mix of the semi-supernatural elements in with mainly realistic fiction elements made for a good story. The writing was pretty strong as well. However, I thought the story lacked depth...it just seemed a little 'one-note' to me. I also had a hard time deciding whether I liked the main character or not. I wavered back and forth (nearly through the whole book!) between feeling slightly sorry for her and feeling disdain for her actions--ended up feeling mildly sympathetic towards her in the end. Overall though, I did like this Newbery Honor book, but it will definitely not be included in my top picks for children's novels.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is a common element in Zilpha Keatley Snyder's many books - a hint of mystery and magic sure, but what it comes down to is, she writes about troubled kids. 'The Witches of Worm' is no exception.
It's a very well done portrait of a lonely girl without friends, her single working mother, and an imagination that gets the best of her. Unlike many of the classic young adult novels coming from the 1970s, 'Witches of Worm' is fairly timeless, with only a few references to money that might alert a reader about when the story is set.
Snyder accurately writes from this girl's perspective and refuses to wrap everything up in a nice package by the end. Things may be working out for Jessica, but there are plenty of hints that she will have to work out other demons in the future, though hopefully, not alone.
It's a very well done portrait of a lonely girl without friends, her single working mother, and an imagination that gets the best of her. Unlike many of the classic young adult novels coming from the 1970s, 'Witches of Worm' is fairly timeless, with only a few references to money that might alert a reader about when the story is set.
Snyder accurately writes from this girl's perspective and refuses to wrap everything up in a nice package by the end. Things may be working out for Jessica, but there are plenty of hints that she will have to work out other demons in the future, though hopefully, not alone.
For a book written with 10 year olds in mind it was a fairly decent read. As an adult I felt like looking deeper gave this book more meaning. Jessica is both a dispicable child and yet you can't help but hope that she gets what she needs. It also has a bit of a horror edge to it so that was kind of fun as well.