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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish is set in Palm Knot, Georgia, a fictional coastal backwater. It's a town that's well past its prime but Ethan's grandfather lives there and needs help, although he doesn't want to admit it. Ethan's parents also see it as a way to restart after a recent tragedy.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comments_09/ethan_i_was_before.html
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comments_09/ethan_i_was_before.html
Emotionally, the book feels like it starts up where Bridge to Terabithia ends. Right from the get go Ethan is dealing with the loss of his best friend Kacey. We don't know a lot about what happened to her at first. We are just thrown into an emotional roller coaster.
The family moves out of Boston to live with his mother's estranged father in a small town in Georgia. Ethan and his brother Roddy manage to bond with their grandfather, but there is a lot of friction between him and their mother. To add to all this Ethan's parents are keeping secrets from him.
At his new school Ethan makes friends with Coralee, a vibrant young woman with secrets of her own.
It takes a hurricane and near disaster before all the characters start being honest and accepting of each other.
The family moves out of Boston to live with his mother's estranged father in a small town in Georgia. Ethan and his brother Roddy manage to bond with their grandfather, but there is a lot of friction between him and their mother. To add to all this Ethan's parents are keeping secrets from him.
At his new school Ethan makes friends with Coralee, a vibrant young woman with secrets of her own.
It takes a hurricane and near disaster before all the characters start being honest and accepting of each other.
Don’t start this book unless you’re ready to feel some stuff. I would have read it all in one sitting if I’d had the time. Ethan has had to deal with a lot for his age, but the things he takes from it and the way he grows is impressive. The whole book comes together beautifully in the end (maybe just take your mascara off and have some Kleenex handy for the last 80 pages or so).
Despite the 4 star rating I have mixed feelings about this one.
What happened to Ethan and Kacey was so very sad and the reveal of what really happened to her was the best part of the book. Ethan's grief and the way he deals with it throughout the book is poignant and exactly why the book is a great read. I like that he does feel happy at times and he isn't depressed throughout, there's a very delicate balance struck between his sadness and his acceptance.
On the other hand, Coralee was borderline annoying. She was a liar and it was totally excused away because of her circumstances which I don't think warranted all her lies. And the storyline that brought her long-lost mother back was, quite frankly, ridiculous. If she wasn't so integral to Ethan's grief process I would honestly say she could be removed from the book and I wouldn't at all miss her.
There were certain plot points that were so without logic that even other characters had to call out the stupidity of certain choices. I felt like that did detract from the story (hence only 4 stars and not 5) but it didn't damage it so much, it's still a touching and well-written book.
What happened to Ethan and Kacey was so very sad and the reveal of what really happened to her was the best part of the book. Ethan's grief and the way he deals with it throughout the book is poignant and exactly why the book is a great read. I like that he does feel happy at times and he isn't depressed throughout, there's a very delicate balance struck between his sadness and his acceptance.
On the other hand, Coralee was borderline annoying. She was a liar and it was totally excused away because of her circumstances which I don't think warranted all her lies. And the storyline that brought her
There were certain plot points that were so without logic that even other characters had to call out the stupidity of certain choices. I felt like that did detract from the story (hence only 4 stars and not 5) but it didn't damage it so much, it's still a touching and well-written book.
I was quite taken with this story. I am unsure of the intended audience. Heavy topics; family life, death, grieving. Not sure if 6 - 8 graders would like it. Unfortunately I am an adult and read with adult filters. Wish i could get reactions from intended audience
A tragedy took his best friend Kasey away from him. A tragedy Ethan blamed on himself. How do you move on when you are blaming yourself for the loss of a loved one? How does your family move on when they are trying to keep you from causing yourself more harm? Ethan's family moves from Boston to Georgia in hopes for a better present and future; however, family is difficult and good friends are hard to come by and it is even harder to let go of them. This was a well written story with excellent, complex characters.
Ethan and his family have moved from Boston to a tiny town in Florida to live with his grandpa. That's the official story and it's true, but there's more to it than that. Something happened in Boston to Ethan's best friend and he's been destroyed ever since. Moving is the family's last ditch effort to bring him back. And it seems to be working. Ethan has made a new friend and she's great--but she may have secrets, too.
This book is really good. It reminded me a bit of Bridge to Terabithia but it's almost more of a thematic sequel to that (if that makes sense).
Carrying guilt over things that aren't our fault is sort of the human condition. This book is about forgiveness and it's amazing. Recommended.
This book is really good. It reminded me a bit of Bridge to Terabithia but it's almost more of a thematic sequel to that (if that makes sense).
Carrying guilt over things that aren't our fault is sort of the human condition. This book is about forgiveness and it's amazing. Recommended.