I didn't want to like this book.
That will probably sound really strange, but I have this problem with authority, so every once in awhile when too many people are saying I should do something, I don't want to do it. (Yet another reason why I get along well with my high school students!) So, in this case, everyone in the world saying I should read this made me not want to read and like, this book. Also, I have found myself NOT enjoying some Newbery/award-winning books of late. And lastly, I was sitting next to a trusted friend at the Youth Media Awards (when this book won the Newbery), and when I asked her about the book she simply said "eh."
So I suppose I started reading this book today with a chip on my shoulder, and I thought the book couldn't possibly live up to all the hype.
Simply put, I was wrong.
I really, really liked this book. It was different from anything else I have ever read. It surprised me. And although I think it will be a hard sell for teens (reasons: the age of the character and especially the cover), I am glad that I purchased it for my high school kids, and if they can get past those two things they will be greatly rewarded.
4 comments:
I am going to have to get this one too, despite hating to read what everyone else is reading!
Isn't the book fantastic?! I was able to meet Ms. Stead at a greatly entertaining event at 57th Street Books in Chicago last month – entertaining especially because her editor Wendy Lamb came along! Fantastic. If you're interested, I did a quick blog about it:
http://margocole.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/in-steads-head/
(Sorry to link-drop! Thought you might enjoy. :)
I read this book out loud together with my 9-yr-old son. I LOVED the book and can understand why it got so many positive reviews. As for my son? Not sure... but he seems to have enjoyed it, too. :-)
Every time I picked it up at the library, I thought it was intriguing but the first page made me unsure. So glad I read it and referred it to others. I loved it!
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