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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Weird story and in many cases unrealistic, but at the same time quite enjoyable. Good writing and likable characters.
Not sure what to say about this. I liked it a lot, but to summarize the plot does a disservice to the wonder of the book, which is so much more about the feeling of it than that situation. These are people with their own issues, and maybe they're not people you encounter every day but they're still very real--Rew's anger, Annie's curiosity and acceptance, her willingness to believe in this man she's been searching for without knowing it. So many elements that, in a lesser book, would be Major Plot Points (Gran's shutting down and shutting out, the benign neglect of the two children) but here are just part of their world, it's just the way things are.
The inability to pin down anything specific about this book reminds me of Sonia Hartnett, another Candlewick author who is frequently packaged as being For Teens and is better appreciated by adults. But that's much of the Candlewick line.
The inability to pin down anything specific about this book reminds me of Sonia Hartnett, another Candlewick author who is frequently packaged as being For Teens and is better appreciated by adults. But that's much of the Candlewick line.
I wouldn't ever say that this was the best book ever. But it was cute. The storyline was really simple and it took me a while to even read the whole thing but it was pretty decent. I can't complain about it.
I love the cover and how gorgeous some of the writing is. There were some beautiful sentences throughout but I have to say the plot was fairly predictible. I loved the way it ended though and this was definitely a cute read.
I love the cover and how gorgeous some of the writing is. There were some beautiful sentences throughout but I have to say the plot was fairly predictible. I loved the way it ended though and this was definitely a cute read.
What a TOUGH little book. Gran: I was mad at you from page one. But that was well done, so.
Not a little spooky-sweet mg like you might expect. Just, tough.
Not a little spooky-sweet mg like you might expect. Just, tough.
What can I say. When I first started zebra forest I was startled by the strangeness of Annie's life. She lives with her grandmother and little brother Rew but she might as well be living alone with just her brother. For one she does all the cooking shopping bills and has taken care of Rue their entire lives. What else can they do their mother left them and their father is dead. or is he. This chilling tale of love, character ,mistakes ,and forgiveness had my heart thumping in my chest to the last page.
Annie and Rew know almost nothing about their immediate family. Nearly all the information they have is that their mother left so long ago that they don't even know her name, and that their father was killed in a fight with an angry man in the equally distant past. Their Gran, whose mental state is questionable at best, refuses to answer any further questions on the subject.
Nonetheless, Annie and Rew are happy enough, spending their days outside in the forest, spinning tales about the lives their father might have lived. But after a riot at the nearby prison, an escaped convict enters their house, bringing with him answers -- answers that Annie and Rew may not want to hear after all.
Zebra Forest is Adina Rishe Gewirtz's first novel, and it marks the entrance of a stunning new voice. The prose sings, without ever feeling like it's not being narrated by an 11-year-old. Particularly impressive is the way the titular forest becomes such an integral part of the narrative, its significance shifting and expanding as the book goes on.
It's also interesting to see how Gewirtz uses another text (Stevenson's classic Treasure Island) to inform her story. We've seen a lot of books use this tactic this year, from The Center of Everything to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. Gewirtz's use might be my favorite, however, given how cleverly both the content of the original novel and the abbreviated state of Annie and Rew's copy (it's missing the first several chapters) intertwine with the plot of Zebra Forest. It's nicely done indeed.
Critics of the book might question the huge coincidence that sets off the main plot (that this particular escapee would choose this particular house), and there's something a tad melodramatic about the scene where Rew dashes out in the thunderstorm. I wasn't particularly bothered by either, but I could see a more plot-oriented reader than me being put off.
A longer version of this review appears at abouttomock.blogspot.com
Nonetheless, Annie and Rew are happy enough, spending their days outside in the forest, spinning tales about the lives their father might have lived. But after a riot at the nearby prison, an escaped convict enters their house, bringing with him answers -- answers that Annie and Rew may not want to hear after all.
Zebra Forest is Adina Rishe Gewirtz's first novel, and it marks the entrance of a stunning new voice. The prose sings, without ever feeling like it's not being narrated by an 11-year-old. Particularly impressive is the way the titular forest becomes such an integral part of the narrative, its significance shifting and expanding as the book goes on.
It's also interesting to see how Gewirtz uses another text (Stevenson's classic Treasure Island) to inform her story. We've seen a lot of books use this tactic this year, from The Center of Everything to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. Gewirtz's use might be my favorite, however, given how cleverly both the content of the original novel and the abbreviated state of Annie and Rew's copy (it's missing the first several chapters) intertwine with the plot of Zebra Forest. It's nicely done indeed.
Critics of the book might question the huge coincidence that sets off the main plot (that this particular escapee would choose this particular house), and there's something a tad melodramatic about the scene where Rew dashes out in the thunderstorm. I wasn't particularly bothered by either, but I could see a more plot-oriented reader than me being put off.
A longer version of this review appears at abouttomock.blogspot.com
Strong characters, pervading sadness and loss. The strong focus in the plot kept me reading, and I'll be thinking about the characters for a while. There was an unclear plot element that didn't get answered that weakened the book a bit. But still worthwhile.
I didn't realize that was a novel meant for "middle grade" readers until I read a few of the Goodreads reviews. I liked the book to begin with, but knowing that it's intended for 8-12 year olds makes me like it even more because really, I thought it was good enough to stand as a short, fairly compelling novel for adults. I read it in the space of an evening and liked it quite a bit. I did have unanswered questions and, of course, I wish it has been longer, but it was definitely a worthwhile read. 3.5 stars.
Very strong book in terms of character and setting. However, not a happy book. I recommend being in the right mood to read it. Lots of quiet time.
