Serena is a loner, computer geek in the eight grade. Kori is the hot topic of the school, since the summer of infamous incidents. Serena thinks that she and Kori couldn't be any more different, especially according to the gossip that's spreading around the school. That is, until one fateful day Kori runs into Serena in the bathroom and tells Serena that they might be more alike than she thinks. Ever since then, they have become like sisters, even dying their hair the same color to look more alike.
Serena lives to torture her goody two shoes mother and Kori's parents don't understand her. So, they live life as they want to, including sneaking out and going to parties. One of their favorite activity is daring each other to do things that they wouldn't normally do. Mostly it's Kori taking the lead, she's the more outgoing one and doesn't care what others think about her. In one of their classes at school, their teacher gets them to write down five things that they want to do in the future to tempt fate.
Shortly after, a tragic accident happens and leaves Serena depressed and shocked. After finding Kori's list, Serena makes it her mission to finish the list out for her. Challenging herself, Serena learns there is more to her best friend than she knew about and she finds things out about herself along the way.
Undone is a book that when you get to the end, you look back and want to experience it all over again. It's an amazing first novel from Brooke Taylor, who I'm sure will be around for awhile. Undone is not only grips you from the first chapter, but keeps you into the story throughout and tugs at your heartstrings in the process. This is a novel from '08 that your not soon to forget. Highly recommended!
Serena lives to torture her goody two shoes mother and Kori's parents don't understand her. So, they live life as they want to, including sneaking out and going to parties. One of their favorite activity is daring each other to do things that they wouldn't normally do. Mostly it's Kori taking the lead, she's the more outgoing one and doesn't care what others think about her. In one of their classes at school, their teacher gets them to write down five things that they want to do in the future to tempt fate.
Shortly after, a tragic accident happens and leaves Serena depressed and shocked. After finding Kori's list, Serena makes it her mission to finish the list out for her. Challenging herself, Serena learns there is more to her best friend than she knew about and she finds things out about herself along the way.
Undone is a book that when you get to the end, you look back and want to experience it all over again. It's an amazing first novel from Brooke Taylor, who I'm sure will be around for awhile. Undone is not only grips you from the first chapter, but keeps you into the story throughout and tugs at your heartstrings in the process. This is a novel from '08 that your not soon to forget. Highly recommended!
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
What happens when the only person you think understands you is gone? It happened to Serena when she lost her friend Kori.
Her friendship with Kori started just a short time ago, but the two have come to almost define each other. Serena not only adopted Kori's look and style, but also gained her protection and support. Both girls struggle with family issues, but life seemed a bit easier when they could escape together.
Kori brought out the wild side of Serena. There were late night rendezvous, smoking, tongue piercings, and plans of a tattoo. Serena became more of a risk-taker and more sure of herself when Kori was there. Serena had other friends, but everyone took a step back when the two girls were together because their connection was special. The already rocky relationship Serena had with her mother became even edgier when her mother demanded that the two girls not see each other.
The accident was a shock to everyone. The ride Kori accepted with Parker became her last, and it left Serena with a feeling of responsibility to complete the tasks left undone by her friend. It was obvious from the funeral and memorial tribute that Kori's family didn't know her like Serena did, which meant that only Serena knew what to do to honor her memory. But when Serena began to check off the tasks on Kori's list, she began to uncover secrets about her own life.
Brooke Taylor is a YA author to keep an eye on. She realistically captures the frustration of teens trying to deal with family issues, school pressure, and finding a place to fit in. Readers from all backgrounds will be able to find themselves in Taylor's characters. The teen world of insecurities, impulsive decisions, and shifting emotions is well-developed in the storyline of UNDONE. I look forward to Ms. Taylor's next book.
What happens when the only person you think understands you is gone? It happened to Serena when she lost her friend Kori.
Her friendship with Kori started just a short time ago, but the two have come to almost define each other. Serena not only adopted Kori's look and style, but also gained her protection and support. Both girls struggle with family issues, but life seemed a bit easier when they could escape together.
Kori brought out the wild side of Serena. There were late night rendezvous, smoking, tongue piercings, and plans of a tattoo. Serena became more of a risk-taker and more sure of herself when Kori was there. Serena had other friends, but everyone took a step back when the two girls were together because their connection was special. The already rocky relationship Serena had with her mother became even edgier when her mother demanded that the two girls not see each other.
The accident was a shock to everyone. The ride Kori accepted with Parker became her last, and it left Serena with a feeling of responsibility to complete the tasks left undone by her friend. It was obvious from the funeral and memorial tribute that Kori's family didn't know her like Serena did, which meant that only Serena knew what to do to honor her memory. But when Serena began to check off the tasks on Kori's list, she began to uncover secrets about her own life.
Brooke Taylor is a YA author to keep an eye on. She realistically captures the frustration of teens trying to deal with family issues, school pressure, and finding a place to fit in. Readers from all backgrounds will be able to find themselves in Taylor's characters. The teen world of insecurities, impulsive decisions, and shifting emotions is well-developed in the storyline of UNDONE. I look forward to Ms. Taylor's next book.
