Scan barcode
hldavids's review
3.0
Citation
Stolarz, Laurie F. Bleed. New York, NY: Hyperion, 2006.
Abstract and Mini-Review
Bleed tells the story of Nichole. As is often with first impressions, when we are first introduced to Nichole we think we know exactly who she is -- the popular girl, the one everyone likes, the do-gooder. Each additional chapter tells the inside story from the point of view of a character connected (even if only tangentially) to Nichole and through their stories we are able to see additional layers of Nichole. At the end, we are left with a very new understanding of Nichole that will hopefully make us realize that everything is not always as it first appears.
Recommendation Justification
The characters represented in this story collection range from age 11 to 22.
Uses in the Library/Classroom
This book contains many "red flag" issues.
1. Maria is a cutter and asks friends to cut her as well.
2. Maria's mothers boyfriend pays her to strip for him.
3. Sadie and Ginger's mother is obsessed with food. She pins signs to Sadie that say "Do not feed me," and locks the cupboard doors to keep Ginger thin for dancing.
4. Nichole loses her virginity to her best friend's boyfriend.
5. Kelly has been writing to a convict in prison for five years.
Because of this, I would certainly not recommend it as a whole-class read. Despite the red flags, I would still order this for my high-school library. The red flag issues are issues that do occur today, and students need to see the effect of these decisions. The technique of changing point-of-view for each chapter and how they tie together is also an excellent example for writing.
Appropriateness of Artwork
Jacket Design: Elizabeth H. Clark
The cover art is a fingerprint heart in red ink -- alluding to the title and the one element that ties all of the stories together -- blood.
Stolarz, Laurie F. Bleed. New York, NY: Hyperion, 2006.
Abstract and Mini-Review
Bleed tells the story of Nichole. As is often with first impressions, when we are first introduced to Nichole we think we know exactly who she is -- the popular girl, the one everyone likes, the do-gooder. Each additional chapter tells the inside story from the point of view of a character connected (even if only tangentially) to Nichole and through their stories we are able to see additional layers of Nichole. At the end, we are left with a very new understanding of Nichole that will hopefully make us realize that everything is not always as it first appears.
Recommendation Justification
The characters represented in this story collection range from age 11 to 22.
Uses in the Library/Classroom
This book contains many "red flag" issues.
1. Maria is a cutter and asks friends to cut her as well.
2. Maria's mothers boyfriend pays her to strip for him.
3. Sadie and Ginger's mother is obsessed with food. She pins signs to Sadie that say "Do not feed me," and locks the cupboard doors to keep Ginger thin for dancing.
4. Nichole loses her virginity to her best friend's boyfriend.
5. Kelly has been writing to a convict in prison for five years.
Because of this, I would certainly not recommend it as a whole-class read. Despite the red flags, I would still order this for my high-school library. The red flag issues are issues that do occur today, and students need to see the effect of these decisions. The technique of changing point-of-view for each chapter and how they tie together is also an excellent example for writing.
Appropriateness of Artwork
Jacket Design: Elizabeth H. Clark
The cover art is a fingerprint heart in red ink -- alluding to the title and the one element that ties all of the stories together -- blood.
holly_tree's review
1.0
So, I loooved the concept of this book. I loved the way it was written: in a collection of interweaving short stories-- each character voicing one chapter, but appearing in at least one more.
However. The actual plot. Ugh.
Can you shove more casual sex down our throats? Gosh. You know, this doesn't really reflect real life, which makes me mad. I mean, sure, there are some teens who are like this, but really? No. So when I find books like this, where kids are having sex with their best friend's boyfriend after one simple conversation, it makes me mad, because teens are influenced by things they read. And this is unrealistic look at teenage life.
Just saying.
So. It gets a star for the writing style. And it lacks all the other stars because it was awful.
However. The actual plot. Ugh.
Can you shove more casual sex down our throats? Gosh. You know, this doesn't really reflect real life, which makes me mad. I mean, sure, there are some teens who are like this, but really? No. So when I find books like this, where kids are having sex with their best friend's boyfriend after one simple conversation, it makes me mad, because teens are influenced by things they read. And this is unrealistic look at teenage life.
Just saying.
So. It gets a star for the writing style. And it lacks all the other stars because it was awful.
winterpirate's review
2.0
Decent story, not her best. I liked the way the characters were interconnected, but some of them I just didn't like at all.
mhall's review
3.0
Each chapter of this YA novel features a different narrator in an interlaced story about changing relationships in a group of teenagers. Each chapter also features blood as a plot point, metaphor, or subtext.
meredith_summers's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
tarryncurrentlyreading's review
4.0
This book is just so great. It's odd, offbeat, random and strange. At some points it's just so ridiculous you can hardly believe what you're reading. These are all the reasons that I completely fell in love with this book.
tfarfan's review
1.0
I've never found a book I hated but this is it.To put this under "true trials" of a teenager is untrue (coming from a teen). I couldn't relate to the characters or their situation. Especially Mearl. I think I was just as lost as the boy she slept with. I ended up just skimming her chapter. Certain characters have appeal like Joy and I'd have liked to see more of her.
The setting is dark and intense but it seemed forced. Maria's situation is intense but it seemed extremely unrealistic that not one of those that cut her would have said something.
I'd review more but I'm frustrated with the book.
The setting is dark and intense but it seemed forced. Maria's situation is intense but it seemed extremely unrealistic that not one of those that cut her would have said something.
I'd review more but I'm frustrated with the book.