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claudiaswisher's review against another edition
5.0
Every book de la Pena writes is stronger and more original and more amazing. Ryan, one of my students who's read every one of his books brought it back (finally) and wouldn't tell me the twist, just that there is a huge twist. He was so impressed.
So, I did what I do...I read the ending. It absolutely did NOT ruin the book for me. If anything, it allowed me to read for the clues, and they're there. De la Pena has a master's control over every facet of this story. It's told in flashback (we know from the very beginning that Kidd pushes his friend off a sea-side cliff), in the form of a journal Kidd writes in second person, and in real time, with Kidd in what he calls 'solitary'. The reader has to watch and read carefully to bring these threads together, but they braid perfectly.
Kidd is a child of trauma and violence. He's escaped the group home he's lived in and is spending an idyllic summer at the beach, working for a washed-up surfer, adopting a mangy, ugly dog, and falling in love. But one day, a fellow inmate from his group home finds him and begins to draw him back into questioning himself, doubting himself.
I surprised 5th hour by crying at the end...even when I knew the ending beforehand.
I'm such a teacher-nerd that I read acknowledgements, and this one also made me cry. I know de la Pena's story of how he discovered literature and writing...I do believe he may have discovered the 'next' Matt de la Pena.
Eager to share this one!
So, I did what I do...I read the ending. It absolutely did NOT ruin the book for me. If anything, it allowed me to read for the clues, and they're there. De la Pena has a master's control over every facet of this story. It's told in flashback (we know from the very beginning that Kidd pushes his friend off a sea-side cliff), in the form of a journal Kidd writes in second person, and in real time, with Kidd in what he calls 'solitary'. The reader has to watch and read carefully to bring these threads together, but they braid perfectly.
Kidd is a child of trauma and violence. He's escaped the group home he's lived in and is spending an idyllic summer at the beach, working for a washed-up surfer, adopting a mangy, ugly dog, and falling in love. But one day, a fellow inmate from his group home finds him and begins to draw him back into questioning himself, doubting himself.
I surprised 5th hour by crying at the end...even when I knew the ending beforehand.
I'm such a teacher-nerd that I read acknowledgements, and this one also made me cry. I know de la Pena's story of how he discovered literature and writing...I do believe he may have discovered the 'next' Matt de la Pena.
Eager to share this one!
lmurray74's review
5.0
Damn! I did not see the ending coming. As I got close I found myself getting anxious about what was going to happen, what we see happening at the beginning of the story, and then BAM
I Will Save You is the story of Kidd and the summer he works at a campsite in southern California. Kidd was living in a group home before heading down there. At the campsite Kidd meets Olivia, a girl from a wealthy family, and they bond over a short amount of time.
The narrative is first person but it shifts from recall; to entries in a book Kidd has: his philosophy of life; and 'dreams' that come to him as he lies in solitary confinement. The variety in narrative styles add depth and variance to this tale of summer love, of redefining yourself and your life. It's a heartbreaker too. At one stage Kidd is told he can do whatever he wants, Mr. Red, the campsite director has faith in Kidd's talents. On the inside though Kidd feels as if he is going to mess this up. I'm a teacher with kids a lot younger but these words were cutting and it's made me think about how we use those words, but it's not as easy as that.
The campsite is by the beach, and there is peace that comes with that, along with the underlying tension, like the undertow. It also took me back to summers I spent by the beach in Australia, but my childhood was not at all fraught like Kidd's. There is the universal within the harshly personal. Matt de la Peña is one of my favorite YA authors, especially when it comes to realistic fiction, and he really knows how to capture an audience.
I Will Save You is the story of Kidd and the summer he works at a campsite in southern California. Kidd was living in a group home before heading down there. At the campsite Kidd meets Olivia, a girl from a wealthy family, and they bond over a short amount of time.
The narrative is first person but it shifts from recall; to entries in a book Kidd has: his philosophy of life; and 'dreams' that come to him as he lies in solitary confinement. The variety in narrative styles add depth and variance to this tale of summer love, of redefining yourself and your life. It's a heartbreaker too. At one stage Kidd is told he can do whatever he wants, Mr. Red, the campsite director has faith in Kidd's talents. On the inside though Kidd feels as if he is going to mess this up. I'm a teacher with kids a lot younger but these words were cutting and it's made me think about how we use those words, but it's not as easy as that.
The campsite is by the beach, and there is peace that comes with that, along with the underlying tension, like the undertow. It also took me back to summers I spent by the beach in Australia, but my childhood was not at all fraught like Kidd's. There is the universal within the harshly personal. Matt de la Peña is one of my favorite YA authors, especially when it comes to realistic fiction, and he really knows how to capture an audience.
slosh's review against another edition
4.0
This book went from alright to oh my gosh what the heck just happened and why did I enjoy this?
adelayedteacher's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book. It starts off with a punch in the gut and then slowly unwinds from that moment to tell an incredible story with a fascinating cast of characters. You need to read this book.
idontkaren's review against another edition
5.0
The structure of this was great and the story was full of lovely characters. When you finish, you're compelled to go back and read it again (and also read Murakami's 100% Perfect Girl" and listen to Nick Drake). A consistently solid author.
brittanyrader13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide
runa's review against another edition
1.0
Nah. Automatic one star for books that take the easy way out and give the main character DID. Like, no thank you, I am not here for books that tell me the only way people can deal with trauma is by splitting off and creating another persona for themselves, give us some credit here, okay? We are more complex than that. This isn't a realistic portrayal of DID -OR- trauma, and I don't have time for that. So many authors have done this story to death, and at this point, I can see it coming from miles away. Ho-hum.