Kyra is 13 years old and has grown up in an isolated community where The Prophet creates the laws, the God Squad acts as the police, books are burned and her father has 3 wives with more than 20 brothers and sisters. Kyra in many ways is a typical teenager, questioning authority and crushing on a neighborhood boy, but in her community this behavior is not tolerated. Children are to be punished if they can't behave and though her immediate family does not follow the Prophets orders for discipline, others in the community do.
You discover through the story that Kyra gets her personality honestly, with strong mothers who understand, but do not want to see her hurt. And a father who loves her unconditionally, but adhere's to The Prophets orders.
Honestly, this book was difficult for me to read. It was even more difficult to finish. The writing was excellent and the story was emotional. The characters and subject just were so true to life that it broke my heart to read. But what a compliment for the author. I would recommend this book to middle to high grades. Sensitive topics.
From the moment Kelly handed me Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams to read, I assumed I would enjoy it. Little did I know, I would sail through it, loving the characters from beginning to end.
Written from London's perspective in a melt of poetry and prose, you are instantly brought into her world of loneliness. Sadly her brother, Zach, died and her once-upon-a-time missionary family is being ripped apart from the seams. The reader discovers a realistic sibling relationship that creates a certain despair, as London remembers and shares memories about her brothers untimely death.
Inbetween the sadness, I enjoyed the process of London discovering what it means to "like" a boy or two. She is a teen, learning to live again. She is processing feelings, friendships and her parents. Ahhhhh... her parents. Thankfully she has one parent that eventually stands up for her, remembering that she is still alive--needing love, affection and attention. I appreciated that London tried to reconnect with her parents through words, making dinner and when that didn't work--teenage angst.
This story was a reminder that often we don't know what's going on in other peoples lives, whether you're a teen or adult. I'd highly recommend to middle school through adult.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower--Stephen Chbosky; 1999
The Perks of
Being a Wallflower is a coming of age novel, told through a series of letters
from Charlie to a sympathetic stranger. Stephen Chbosky painted an accurate
picture of adolescence in the 1990s, but the characters and story are timeless.
Charlie is a freshman, and an outsider. At the beginning, he is a sensitive
loner. This is the story of him finding himself and connecting with others. As
the novel progresses, Charlie's narration develops and matures, as he grows and
defines himself. Charlie faces trials both mundane and unique, with an excellent
supporting cast. Chbosky created such vivid, believable characters, they become
the reader's friends as well as Charlie's. The plot is honest and well fleshed,
and the ending is satisfyingly realistic. This is not a syrupy young adult novel
about high school; it is the story of a young man trying to find his place in
the world. Also, it is being released as a film on September 14,
2012, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. But
read the novel first!
Reviewed by Kelly Dillahunt-Payne
The Chosen One--Carol Lynch Williams; 2009
The Chosen One is the tale of
a young girl coming to terms with her isolated fundamentalist upbringing. The
author, Carol Lynch Williams, did such an excellent job portraying the feelings
of 13 year old Kyra, that she felt real to me. I could not put this emotional
thriller down. I was exhausted when I finished the novel, from discovering,
running, and crying along with Kyra. Kyra is a member of a large, polygamous
family in a closed religious community. She feels that they are living according
to God, until she discovers a visiting bookmobile, and starts secretly reading
everything she can get her hands on. Between the books and her growing feelings
for her neighbor Joshua, she begins to have an awakening. When the community's
Prophet decrees that she will be wed to her 60 year old uncle, who already has six
wives, she knows she must make a difficult decision. Stay with her beloved
family, married to a controlling old man, or flee into the dangers of the
unknown?
Reviewed by Kelly Dillahunt-Payne
A BIG thanks to Kelly for these awesome reviews! Looking forward to reading more
of her marvelous reviews soon.
