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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Middle grade students will love this book with its unconventional family dynamic and interesting plot. The pacing is a perfect mix to both hold attention and convey the tedium of a long hostage situation. However, the set of coincidence that occurs in order to make the plot possible was just to unbelievable for me to give this realistic fiction book a higher rating.
What happens when everything is a lie? and then truth comes through the door - and nothing is the same again.
I thought this was a very interesting story. There was a lot there, but it was a short book and (for once!) was a standalone novel. I liked seeing how very differently the three main characters reacted when the man (soon discovered to be the father) breaks into their house having just escaped from the prison. I thought Rew's story, in particular, was very good. I'm not sure how middle schoolers will react to this book. They probably know nothing of the Iran hostage situation, and I don't know how many of them have read Treasure Island. I picture many young readers being a little underwhelmed by the ending, as well, but I was good with it. You just have to go into the book realizing it's a character-driven story, not an action piece.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Zebra Forest is the story of Annie and Rew, a pair of young siblings that live with their Gram. They run a little wild, knowing how to lie just right to teachers and case workers. Their mother is no where to be found and their father is in prison. Or rather, he was in prison…One night during a particularly large storm, he escapes, making his way to Gram’s house, and holding them all hostage, despite Annie and Rew’s best efforts.
I loved how Zebra Forest looked at sibling relationships. Annie and Rew live with their Gram, who isn’t the best caregiver and their parents haven’t been around for years. But they look out for one another. They fight – frequently – but at the end of the day they have each other’s back. Though the scenario in this book was an extreme one, I still thought their relationship was indicative of sibling relationships as a whole.
I also loved the role Treasure Island plays in the book. Annie and Rew love that book and read it over and over again. It inspires a sense of adventure in them and they turn to it when in need of comfort. It even bridges a bit of the gap between Annie and Andrew Snow. I think it’s beautiful and a fantastic example of how a good book can bring people together.
Zebra Forest is a very simple story. There’s no real mystery or suspense. Just a family drama. And though granted this particular family was unique and highly dysfunctional, at times it simply felt like people playing house. I personally could have used a little more excitement. As Douglas Coupland said “all families are psychotic” so I wanted something a little more from Annie, Rew and their elders.
Zebra Forest is the story of families, of building and regaining trust, of telling the truth and of what it means to be free. It is beautifully written and Adina Rishe Gewirtz has a fantastic literary voice. It is a book that will resonate strongly with some readers – especially younger readers with difficult home lives.
Notes on the Audio
Kate Reinders has a very clear, very straight forward way of reading this book and it would be perfect for younger listeners. Annie is the narrator and Reinders voice sounds like the right age. I think young listeners will enjoy the steady (but not slow) pace of the audiobook and Reinders expressive tone. And at only 4 hours 11 minutes, this would be a good book to try out if you (or the children in your life) are new to audiobooks and want to test them out.
Zebra Forest is the story of Annie and Rew, a pair of young siblings that live with their Gram. They run a little wild, knowing how to lie just right to teachers and case workers. Their mother is no where to be found and their father is in prison. Or rather, he was in prison…One night during a particularly large storm, he escapes, making his way to Gram’s house, and holding them all hostage, despite Annie and Rew’s best efforts.
I loved how Zebra Forest looked at sibling relationships. Annie and Rew live with their Gram, who isn’t the best caregiver and their parents haven’t been around for years. But they look out for one another. They fight – frequently – but at the end of the day they have each other’s back. Though the scenario in this book was an extreme one, I still thought their relationship was indicative of sibling relationships as a whole.
I also loved the role Treasure Island plays in the book. Annie and Rew love that book and read it over and over again. It inspires a sense of adventure in them and they turn to it when in need of comfort. It even bridges a bit of the gap between Annie and Andrew Snow. I think it’s beautiful and a fantastic example of how a good book can bring people together.
Zebra Forest is a very simple story. There’s no real mystery or suspense. Just a family drama. And though granted this particular family was unique and highly dysfunctional, at times it simply felt like people playing house. I personally could have used a little more excitement. As Douglas Coupland said “all families are psychotic” so I wanted something a little more from Annie, Rew and their elders.
Zebra Forest is the story of families, of building and regaining trust, of telling the truth and of what it means to be free. It is beautifully written and Adina Rishe Gewirtz has a fantastic literary voice. It is a book that will resonate strongly with some readers – especially younger readers with difficult home lives.
Notes on the Audio
Kate Reinders has a very clear, very straight forward way of reading this book and it would be perfect for younger listeners. Annie is the narrator and Reinders voice sounds like the right age. I think young listeners will enjoy the steady (but not slow) pace of the audiobook and Reinders expressive tone. And at only 4 hours 11 minutes, this would be a good book to try out if you (or the children in your life) are new to audiobooks and want to test them out.
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=745
Annie and Rew have only vague memories of their father who died triumphantly and don’t remember their mother at all who decided she didn’t want to be a mom. They now live with their grandmother who suffers with an agoraphobia-type disorder. Some days she rarely leaves her room leaving Annie to be in charge of the household, her brother, and any tough decisions including lying to her social worker. This has lead to Annie having to grow up faster than other 11-year-olds. Most of her days, she spends time with her brother near the zebra forest telling stories and reminiscing about their father and the adventures that he would have taken if he was still alive. Though, like in all of our lives, one moment can change everything and with a rattling, stuck backdoor Annie and Rew’s lives will never be the same.
Sometimes you come across quiet novels that aren’t being talked about in the mainstream that are very entertaining and well done. This is one of those books. It starts out quietly with amazing stories being told between Annie and Rew and great character development. Then the plot twist changes everything! And the suspense, emotion, and background story really starts to build.
Annie and Rew have only vague memories of their father who died triumphantly and don’t remember their mother at all who decided she didn’t want to be a mom. They now live with their grandmother who suffers with an agoraphobia-type disorder. Some days she rarely leaves her room leaving Annie to be in charge of the household, her brother, and any tough decisions including lying to her social worker. This has lead to Annie having to grow up faster than other 11-year-olds. Most of her days, she spends time with her brother near the zebra forest telling stories and reminiscing about their father and the adventures that he would have taken if he was still alive. Though, like in all of our lives, one moment can change everything and with a rattling, stuck backdoor Annie and Rew’s lives will never be the same.
Sometimes you come across quiet novels that aren’t being talked about in the mainstream that are very entertaining and well done. This is one of those books. It starts out quietly with amazing stories being told between Annie and Rew and great character development. Then the plot twist changes everything! And the suspense, emotion, and background story really starts to build.
What a disappointment. This one was on lists for awards, so I was expecting greatness. Instead, I got an average children’s book. It was good - 3 stars. Part of the problem was my high expectations. Another part of the problem was that I couldn’t get over one thought, “What are the chances of this happening?” It was a creative idea, but I wasn’t that into it. I think children would love it and it would probably be very suspenseful for them. Also, the author did a good job of explaining the conflicting feelings between the brother and sister. Gewirtz showed both sides of the story. It was well done, just not for me.
Very well done, interesting story, great family dynamic. A little lacking in excitement for me, as an adult, but just might be enough for a kid of 8 or 9 or so.
Deals with lots of family issues: mothers that leave, grandmothers raising grandkids, father in prison, possibility of being put into foster care...etc. Not a feel-good book, but a slice of life.
Deals with lots of family issues: mothers that leave, grandmothers raising grandkids, father in prison, possibility of being put into foster care...etc. Not a feel-good book, but a slice of life.
overhyped, boooooring, and for middle grade readers who will probably even find it 10x more boring