Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Jonathan can never possibly measure up to his brother, Telemachus. Not only was he the more outgoing and popular one, he's also dead. On a winter night, Jonathan's brother went out on his skateboard to get him medicine because he was sick. A freak accident took him away from Jonathan and his mother. Things have never been the same since.
Telly's room is sealed off, with classic guitars behind the closed doors. As with everything else, Jonathan isn't even the guitar virtuoso that his brother was. Telly got to jam with the infamous Eddie Vedder and be praised. How can he compete with that? Eddie even donated a one-of-a-kind guitar to the high school in Telly's honor.
So when Jonathan's grades tank, his principal, Gupti Jacobson, agrees to his teacher Dr. Bramwell's suggestion. There's a gentleman at a local nursing home who wants to write his memoirs. Jonathan must write the story to counterbalance his grades. AND he has to agree to sing a cheesy song by Pinky Toe at graduation.
Grudgingly, Jonathan knows he doesn't want to be left behind by his friends, so he agrees to all of the conditions. He finds himself at the Delphi House meeting David O. H. Cosgrove. Mr. Cosgrove's story unfolds as Jonathan struggles with the Pinky Toe song. But he also encounters an unusual girl at the Delphi House: Katie. As the spring rolls by, Jonathan slowly comes to accept who he is and that life without Telly must go on.
ADIOS, NIRVANA is at once sad but also uplifting. There are many humorous moments throughout the story, but also times where you catch yourself sniffling. Reluctant male readers will definitely gravitate to the book with music discussions and war stories. The chapters are short and move quickly, making it a good book to be able to pick up and read a chapter or two in one sitting. And don't forget the cover. It's totally eye-catching with a burning guitar. What more could a boy want?
Jonathan can never possibly measure up to his brother, Telemachus. Not only was he the more outgoing and popular one, he's also dead. On a winter night, Jonathan's brother went out on his skateboard to get him medicine because he was sick. A freak accident took him away from Jonathan and his mother. Things have never been the same since.
Telly's room is sealed off, with classic guitars behind the closed doors. As with everything else, Jonathan isn't even the guitar virtuoso that his brother was. Telly got to jam with the infamous Eddie Vedder and be praised. How can he compete with that? Eddie even donated a one-of-a-kind guitar to the high school in Telly's honor.
So when Jonathan's grades tank, his principal, Gupti Jacobson, agrees to his teacher Dr. Bramwell's suggestion. There's a gentleman at a local nursing home who wants to write his memoirs. Jonathan must write the story to counterbalance his grades. AND he has to agree to sing a cheesy song by Pinky Toe at graduation.
Grudgingly, Jonathan knows he doesn't want to be left behind by his friends, so he agrees to all of the conditions. He finds himself at the Delphi House meeting David O. H. Cosgrove. Mr. Cosgrove's story unfolds as Jonathan struggles with the Pinky Toe song. But he also encounters an unusual girl at the Delphi House: Katie. As the spring rolls by, Jonathan slowly comes to accept who he is and that life without Telly must go on.
ADIOS, NIRVANA is at once sad but also uplifting. There are many humorous moments throughout the story, but also times where you catch yourself sniffling. Reluctant male readers will definitely gravitate to the book with music discussions and war stories. The chapters are short and move quickly, making it a good book to be able to pick up and read a chapter or two in one sitting. And don't forget the cover. It's totally eye-catching with a burning guitar. What more could a boy want?
