This is one of the most mature "young adult" books I have ever read. Perhaps I feel that way because my own childhood was not at all like the one described in this book. Mine was quiet, happy and quite unremarkable by comparison--and I am very thankful for it.
The heroine is 10-year-old Gillian, who had already lost her father to a drug overdose, when her beloved mother becomes unexpectedly ill. Many sad events ensue, ultimately leading to Gillian being sent to live with distant relatives she really doesn't know. Very real themes are discussed as Gillian works through her grief and feelings of abandonment. She is sad and depressed most of the time, which is not surprising given the serious nature of her story.
What really struck me about this book, though, was the constant underlying idea of how violent and dangerous the world is. I thought some of the themes were more than startling given that this novel is supposedly aimed at young readers. For example, Gillian herself becomes homeless at one point. She has an aunt who had her hand cut off by a machete-wielding boyfriend. Gillian herself experiments with not wearing underwear under her clothes. Gillian herself comes upon a naked man while jogging. Other young characters discuss even more disturbing scenes at a support group: an entire family being killed in a bomb blast; an adopted child being "given back"; a father being incarcerated for rape; etc. This is, in my opinion, a very bleak world being depicted for the young reader. Even Gillian's mother and grandmother have dark outlooks. New York City is repeatedly described as having "garbage-strewn sidewalks, boarded up buildings, homeless people living in doorways, teenage mothers and their babies on crack, smells of urine in elevators and hallways, used condoms and needles lying in school yards, and always some grown person reaching out a hand to help someone young into trouble." Wow. This is aimed at a young adult audience? Not too young, I hope.
All that said, this book is beautifully written. The characters are vividly drawn and contain great emotion. And somehow, it's uplifting in the end, because Gillian survives and thrives. But it's unsettling. Yes, the world is a tough place. But, well, I'd caution some young readers to delay reading this one for just a bit. Wait until you're sure you're ready to let any more of that wonderful childhood innocence go, if you're lucky enough to have some still.
*** Three stars.
The heroine is 10-year-old Gillian, who had already lost her father to a drug overdose, when her beloved mother becomes unexpectedly ill. Many sad events ensue, ultimately leading to Gillian being sent to live with distant relatives she really doesn't know. Very real themes are discussed as Gillian works through her grief and feelings of abandonment. She is sad and depressed most of the time, which is not surprising given the serious nature of her story.
What really struck me about this book, though, was the constant underlying idea of how violent and dangerous the world is. I thought some of the themes were more than startling given that this novel is supposedly aimed at young readers. For example, Gillian herself becomes homeless at one point. She has an aunt who had her hand cut off by a machete-wielding boyfriend. Gillian herself experiments with not wearing underwear under her clothes. Gillian herself comes upon a naked man while jogging. Other young characters discuss even more disturbing scenes at a support group: an entire family being killed in a bomb blast; an adopted child being "given back"; a father being incarcerated for rape; etc. This is, in my opinion, a very bleak world being depicted for the young reader. Even Gillian's mother and grandmother have dark outlooks. New York City is repeatedly described as having "garbage-strewn sidewalks, boarded up buildings, homeless people living in doorways, teenage mothers and their babies on crack, smells of urine in elevators and hallways, used condoms and needles lying in school yards, and always some grown person reaching out a hand to help someone young into trouble." Wow. This is aimed at a young adult audience? Not too young, I hope.
All that said, this book is beautifully written. The characters are vividly drawn and contain great emotion. And somehow, it's uplifting in the end, because Gillian survives and thrives. But it's unsettling. Yes, the world is a tough place. But, well, I'd caution some young readers to delay reading this one for just a bit. Wait until you're sure you're ready to let any more of that wonderful childhood innocence go, if you're lucky enough to have some still.
*** Three stars.
