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christajls 's review for:
Zebra Forest
by Adina Rishe Gewirtz
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.