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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Here’s another Anderson’s Mock Newbery title that I think is very deserving of its place.
This story takes place in a small town in Pennsylvania, during World War II – but it’s really not a World War II story. It’s a story about a bully who moves to town, and how her meanness toward everyone changes everything.
When Betty Glengarry comes to town, her meanness is immediate. Annabelle (our main character) tries to steer clear of her as much as possible – but as you might know – sometimes a bully latches on to a person, and won’t let go. And Betty has latched on to Annabelle. Betty has also latched on to Toby.
Toby is an interesting character. He’s a strange man – doesn’t speak much, doesn’t have a home, wanders in the woods, wears a big dark coat and three rifles across his back. No one really knows anything about him except that he was a soldier in World War I and that he likes to be left alone. He sometimes uses an old smokehouse to sleep. Annabelle and her family reach out to Toby as much as possible – where the others in the town see a strange man, Annabelle and her family see a kind man who needs help (sometimes) but doesn’t like accepting it (though he does love hickory nut pie).
Despite Betty’s constant meanness, Annabelle tries to avoid her as much as possible. But when a sharp rock, thrown by someone (Annabelle KNOWS it was Betty, everyone else suspects Toby), blinds Annabelle’s best friend Ruth – things begin to change more than Annabelle could have expected. Not only does everyone think Toby threw the rock – shortly afterward, Betty disappears. It’s only a matter of a few days of her disappearance before people begin to suspect that Toby kidnapped – and possibly killed her.
Annabelle knows different. She knows Toby. She trusts Toby. But finding the courage to do what’s right is difficult when everyone around you believes what’s wrong.
This story takes place in a small town in Pennsylvania, during World War II – but it’s really not a World War II story. It’s a story about a bully who moves to town, and how her meanness toward everyone changes everything.
When Betty Glengarry comes to town, her meanness is immediate. Annabelle (our main character) tries to steer clear of her as much as possible – but as you might know – sometimes a bully latches on to a person, and won’t let go. And Betty has latched on to Annabelle. Betty has also latched on to Toby.
Toby is an interesting character. He’s a strange man – doesn’t speak much, doesn’t have a home, wanders in the woods, wears a big dark coat and three rifles across his back. No one really knows anything about him except that he was a soldier in World War I and that he likes to be left alone. He sometimes uses an old smokehouse to sleep. Annabelle and her family reach out to Toby as much as possible – where the others in the town see a strange man, Annabelle and her family see a kind man who needs help (sometimes) but doesn’t like accepting it (though he does love hickory nut pie).
Despite Betty’s constant meanness, Annabelle tries to avoid her as much as possible. But when a sharp rock, thrown by someone (Annabelle KNOWS it was Betty, everyone else suspects Toby), blinds Annabelle’s best friend Ruth – things begin to change more than Annabelle could have expected. Not only does everyone think Toby threw the rock – shortly afterward, Betty disappears. It’s only a matter of a few days of her disappearance before people begin to suspect that Toby kidnapped – and possibly killed her.
Annabelle knows different. She knows Toby. She trusts Toby. But finding the courage to do what’s right is difficult when everyone around you believes what’s wrong.
I almost couldn't read this book. The tension and conflict from the very beginning nearly did me in. But the language and the characters kept me going. I was not at all surprised to find that Lauren Wolk is a poet.
Maybe this could be a read aloud in 5th grade. It's a hard story, but the stories on the news aren't much better. Perhaps it would give us a safe way to talk about the wolves out there, about honesty, about the choices we make, about how we can't control what happens...but we can try.
Whew. Just thankful that it's summer and I could curl up on the couch for four hours straight and read this all in one gulp. I feel like going back and rereading it for the beautiful language.
EDITED TO ADD: I did read it again because the sequel wasn't making enough sense. It was mostly like a new book, but the language...still swoon-worthy. The characters feel like family, or at least a family I wish I could be a part of. And what kind of a coincidence is it that I read it again six years later on exactly the same dates?
Maybe this could be a read aloud in 5th grade. It's a hard story, but the stories on the news aren't much better. Perhaps it would give us a safe way to talk about the wolves out there, about honesty, about the choices we make, about how we can't control what happens...but we can try.
Whew. Just thankful that it's summer and I could curl up on the couch for four hours straight and read this all in one gulp. I feel like going back and rereading it for the beautiful language.
EDITED TO ADD: I did read it again because the sequel wasn't making enough sense. It was mostly like a new book, but the language...still swoon-worthy. The characters feel like family, or at least a family I wish I could be a part of. And what kind of a coincidence is it that I read it again six years later on exactly the same dates?
Heart-wrenching
Wow. I have no words- the story of Annabelle and an unlikely friendship, soiled by a bully, has tugged my heartstrings. This is an important read for young adults.
Wow. I have no words- the story of Annabelle and an unlikely friendship, soiled by a bully, has tugged my heartstrings. This is an important read for young adults.
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
WH is a shocking and emotional tale of a girl named Annabelle who become intrigued with a WWI veteran named Toby. However, the nasty and wicked Betty Glengarry’s lies and behavior involving Toby creates an unexpected event that will bring drama and tragedy.
I felt plenty of tension and fidgetness the more I got into the story. Betty was a very despicable character who didn’t have a sense of guilt for her behavior, and how it brought a surprising outcome. It’s a bittersweet story about how judgement of others could put you in trouble (Grade: A-).
I felt plenty of tension and fidgetness the more I got into the story. Betty was a very despicable character who didn’t have a sense of guilt for her behavior, and how it brought a surprising outcome. It’s a bittersweet story about how judgement of others could put you in trouble (Grade: A-).
This book was pretty heavy and dark and there was no part of it I really liked or enjoyed reading. I found it fairly boring and the main character Annabelle bland because I knew nothing about her. I also found her friendship and obsession with a grown man pretty strange. I guess the takeaway at the end is supposed to be doing the right thing even when someone has bullied you, but I didn’t feel like she actually did the right thing for the *right* reason.
This was pretty extraordinary. Made me feel a lot of emotions. Been awhile since I experienced a good coming of age novel and thought about the transition out of childhood and this was a pretty brutal, but very well written look at that. Annabelle was a fabulous protagonist to follow and I can imagine a wonderful role model for lots of young (and older!) Readers.
Read this to my 8 and 11 year olds and will definitely read it to my youngest when he is older. The 8 year old is fairly mature which was helpful with this books. Lots of great discussions with them as they processed and reflected on the events in the book.
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Several encouraged me to keep going with this when I was wondering if the darkness was worth pushing through. I’m glad I did; it’s a shocking book but with a lot of truth in it. I don’t think I’d give this to a child though. Beautifully written, immersive, terrifying. Deals with big questions of guilt/blame/consequences of action and inaction, with independence and healthy dependence on wise people who love you to help you.