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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Reread before school so I can tell the kids I did. Also so that it was fresher in my mind than having read it in December. And to refresh all my slides with additional points...
Really fast-paced and not at all what I was expecting. Narration by a 9 yr old boy made certain parts chillingly ambiguous. And the pairing of the horrific secret and blaring heat created a real sense of unease and discomfort. It was really interesting, and a good quick read.
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed the writing style and the setting. The ending was disappointing, felt unfinished and ruined by the fact that the narrator is revealed to be alive well in the future earlier in the book.
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment
3.5 stars rounded up. Very engaging, wonderfully descriptive. The ending is abrupt and incomplete - disappointing. Having the adult narrator commentate part way through and then not round the story out at the end with that return of the adult narrator situating the coming of age experience makes it less powerful. What could have been a great book becomes just good.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read this one with my little one, but not sure I dig the message - that it is okay to shout at people who are looking out for you. I mean, I don't think that is the message Eleanor got from it, and I don't want to be one of those parents who puts my interpretation onto my child, but it was just kind of silly and it is not one she has asked for again.
This beautifully written thriller begins with descriptions of the swealtering summer heat of Southern Italy. It reminded me of my years living in Sicily. Michele is a typical 9 year old boy, who I saw many of my 4th grade students in his character. He loves to race, ride his bicycle, and act on dares done by other children. One dare brings him face to face with a secret that nobody was supposed to find out. The secret begins to tear him apart, especially when he finds out that the people he loves are involved. I wasn't able to put this one down and read it in one sitting. I plan on looking for the movie that was based on this novel.
Well, damn. Like a too-bright, too-tender, terrifying/heartbreaking fever dream. In the Italian countryside.