It's about time that someone wrote a YA novel about possibly the most important event of our generation, and who better to write it than the multitalented David Levithan? LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW is beautiful without being cloying, and wrings at the heart without resorting to theatrics. The subtle power of it is something that only a master writer can accomplish.
What struck me most about the book is its language. Each character has a distinct voice and different ways of approaching the same event and its consequences. All three, however, are capable of tremendous insight, and you'll find it hard to resist writing down the quotable slivers of wisdom that can be found on nearly every page. Claire, Peter, and Jasper work well as individuals, but their interactions are slightly shaky and sudden. I prefer the characters when they're in their own heads, and am slightly skeptical of some character-to-character interaction. However, I'm willing to overlook specific moments of reader's discomfort because of the beautiful writing, and because of the book's message that love and connection is what keeps the world turning, even after you believe it can't anymore.
LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW is the kind of book you'll want to keep forever, to go back to for reaffirmations of the kind of goodness that humanity is capable of. I'm sure that Levithan's writing career is far from over, but I'm willing to say that this book may be his best one so far. It's a great way for teens to approach the conflicting emotions surrounding this unforgettable date.
What struck me most about the book is its language. Each character has a distinct voice and different ways of approaching the same event and its consequences. All three, however, are capable of tremendous insight, and you'll find it hard to resist writing down the quotable slivers of wisdom that can be found on nearly every page. Claire, Peter, and Jasper work well as individuals, but their interactions are slightly shaky and sudden. I prefer the characters when they're in their own heads, and am slightly skeptical of some character-to-character interaction. However, I'm willing to overlook specific moments of reader's discomfort because of the beautiful writing, and because of the book's message that love and connection is what keeps the world turning, even after you believe it can't anymore.
LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW is the kind of book you'll want to keep forever, to go back to for reaffirmations of the kind of goodness that humanity is capable of. I'm sure that Levithan's writing career is far from over, but I'm willing to say that this book may be his best one so far. It's a great way for teens to approach the conflicting emotions surrounding this unforgettable date.
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Huge thanks to the girl who sat next to me on the bus to Chicago from ALA. She had this ARC in her hands when she boarded the bus for our 3 1/2 hour trip home, and she finished it by the time the trip was over. When I asked how she liked it, she nodded, I believe, then swallowed a lump in her throat, and offered me the book. Once again, thank you!
Do you remember where you were on 9/11? The characters in LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW were all in New York City. So was David Levithan, and that experience was inspiration for this book. As Levithan points out in the Author's Note, many young people today may be too young to have first-hand memories of that world-changing day. By reading the experiences of Jasper, Peter, and Claire, perhaps the emotions of that day and its aftermath can be experienced by readers in the years to come.
As the book begins, each character shares where they were and what it was like at the moment. Peter and Claire were affected immediately, while Jasper finds it difficult to admit that he slept through the actual attack and learned about it as he listened to Peter Jennings on the news.
The personal experiences of the three become intertwined as the story continues. All three are surprised at how directly they feel the emotions of the event. The life they once took for granted, the city they've always known as home, and the atmosphere surrounding them have them asking questions that have no real answers.
David Levithan captures the unique yet universal feelings inspired by the event that touched us all. Amidst the unanswered questions are feelings of greater appreciation for family and friends, the sympathy that goes out to those who lost and suffered most, and the human condition that connects the entire world.
Unlike the teen who read the book in one sitting on the bus, I found the need to set it aside at times to sort through my own memories of that day and what has unfolded since. The world is truly a different place, and I've concluded I'm not sure if it is for the better or worse. Time will tell.
Huge thanks to the girl who sat next to me on the bus to Chicago from ALA. She had this ARC in her hands when she boarded the bus for our 3 1/2 hour trip home, and she finished it by the time the trip was over. When I asked how she liked it, she nodded, I believe, then swallowed a lump in her throat, and offered me the book. Once again, thank you!
Do you remember where you were on 9/11? The characters in LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW were all in New York City. So was David Levithan, and that experience was inspiration for this book. As Levithan points out in the Author's Note, many young people today may be too young to have first-hand memories of that world-changing day. By reading the experiences of Jasper, Peter, and Claire, perhaps the emotions of that day and its aftermath can be experienced by readers in the years to come.
As the book begins, each character shares where they were and what it was like at the moment. Peter and Claire were affected immediately, while Jasper finds it difficult to admit that he slept through the actual attack and learned about it as he listened to Peter Jennings on the news.
The personal experiences of the three become intertwined as the story continues. All three are surprised at how directly they feel the emotions of the event. The life they once took for granted, the city they've always known as home, and the atmosphere surrounding them have them asking questions that have no real answers.
David Levithan captures the unique yet universal feelings inspired by the event that touched us all. Amidst the unanswered questions are feelings of greater appreciation for family and friends, the sympathy that goes out to those who lost and suffered most, and the human condition that connects the entire world.
Unlike the teen who read the book in one sitting on the bus, I found the need to set it aside at times to sort through my own memories of that day and what has unfolded since. The world is truly a different place, and I've concluded I'm not sure if it is for the better or worse. Time will tell.
