It begins with a free and joyful act--but from then on, Michael finds it impossible even to remember what it felt like to be free and joyful. ...
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Mar 18, 2011
Deb
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Jul 20, 2010
Charley
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Apr 20, 2010
Karol
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This book was so mysterious and captivating, I could not put it down. Michael received a gun on his seventeenth birthday, and fires it into the woods. That bullet hits a man that was working on his roof and kills him. After firing the rifle Michael hears on the radio that the police is looking for the gun that matches the bullet.The police start rummaging Michael's neighbors, looking for the rifle. As all of this goes on, Michael becomes paranoid and tries to convince himself that that bul More...
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Oct 26, 2011
This book is mainly about Micheal and Micheal was an ordinary boy until this one unordinary thing happend.On July 4th Micheal fired one shot out of his window with his winchestar rifle that was given to him by his grandfather for his birthday.But Micheal didnt kno that shooting one shot out his window will soon have a effect on him. For blocks away a man was reparing his roof and a bulet struk him and he feel and died right in front of his daughter.Micheal soon found out and just wanted to keep
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Nov 08, 2010
FANCEYY GURRAL
rated it:
This book was so mysterious and captivating, I could not put it down. Michael received a gun on his seventeenth birthday, and fires it into the woods. That bullet hits a man that was working on his roof and kills him. After firing the rifle Michael hears on the radio that the police is looking for the gun that matches the bullet.The police start rummaging Michael's neighbors, looking for the rifle. As all of this goes on, Michael becomes paranoid and tries to convince himself that that bullet di
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May 28, 2010
Edit
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I read this book because it was a One Book NJ and also part of a high school book discussion group. Not one of my favorites, but it was meaningful and well written. Is it really based on true events? It's hard to imagine that a person can die if he is hit by a stray bullet that was aimed in the air with no particular target. I mean, people survive gun shots even if it's aimed straight at them. But I guess this is not the point; the point is how a teen deals with becoming an accidental murderer.
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Jan 27, 2010
Ryheem
rated it: 
Swallowing Stones is a captivating tale of a 17 year old enjoying his birthday on a 4th of July. The mind behind this novel is Joyce McDonald. She is the author of three children’s books. Joyce writes about a kid named Michael Sadowski who fires his new rifle into the air on his 17th birthday, accidentally striking a man repairing his roof. The world around Michael begins to crumble as he watches silently.
The dead man’s daughter, Jenna, grieves while no longer feeling warm when her boyfri More...
The dead man’s daughter, Jenna, grieves while no longer feeling warm when her boyfri More...
Jan 19, 2010
Shaquille
rated it:
title:swallowing stones
author:joyce mcdonald
rate:5
theme:This is a book about two lives that were going to be changed forever. Michael MacKenzie and and a friend decide to shoot of a rifle on the Fourth of July, the had no idea of the repercussion that it could cause when they did it. The bullet that they fired traveled four blocks over and hit a man named Charlie Ward in the head when he was fixing his roof. He had a wife and a daughter named Jenna (another ma More...
author:joyce mcdonald
rate:5
theme:This is a book about two lives that were going to be changed forever. Michael MacKenzie and and a friend decide to shoot of a rifle on the Fourth of July, the had no idea of the repercussion that it could cause when they did it. The bullet that they fired traveled four blocks over and hit a man named Charlie Ward in the head when he was fixing his roof. He had a wife and a daughter named Jenna (another ma More...
Dec 08, 2011
Erin
rated it:
Swallowing Stones
by Joyce McDonald
Your classic "what would you do?" novel. It's a 6 o'clock news situation. Michael gets a new rifle for his birthday (he's a big hunter) and he is not supposed to fire it until he goes hunting. He figures it's no big deal really, and besides he's been waiting for this rifle forever. Michael goes into the woods behind his house and fires the rifle--just once--into the air. A mile away a man drops dead. When the police discover the man More...
Jan 26, 2011
Maria
rated it:
Swallowing Stones is a tough book. I love edgy young adult novels, and this one tackles the aftermath in a young person's life when he fires a gun into the air and accidentally kills someone. That's a tough scenario for an adult to handle, but the author puts a kid in that position, and considering that I work with at-risk students, I feel that it's definitely realistic.
If you are looking for a book with a happy ending, I'm going to have to tell you McDonald isn't serving that up her More...
If you are looking for a book with a happy ending, I'm going to have to tell you McDonald isn't serving that up her More...
Nov 06, 2011
James
rated it:
This book was an okay book, but nothing special. The story is about a teenager names Micheal. It is his birthday, and he gets a rifle that was given to him by his grandfather. He goes with his bestfriend and shows off the weapon to him. Michael deides to shoot randomly in the air, to test out the weapon. Little does he know, that about a mile away, a man on a roof gets shot by the bullet that Michael shot in the air. He does not know that he had killed a man until a few days later when it appear
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Apr 18, 2010
Rabia
rated it:
This is one of the most amazing books I ever read and it taught a great lesson.Swallowing Stones is filled with suspence curiousity romance mystery and so much more.The lesson that I took away from this book is that if you keep swollowing something it will hurt and kill you but if u try and spit it out it will hurt but not as much but most important your chance of surviving is much higher.This book is just an amzing read it can be boring at first but towards the end it will make u read and read
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Nov 19, 2009
Quentin
rated it:
Swallowing stones is a great book on how a great life can turn around in the blink of an eye. An shot in the woods kills a man over a mile away? Absolutely crazy. He suspects thats it's him, so he barries his brand new gun, and tries to go under the radar. But, as cops search the area, suspecting that it came from his block, Michael starts freaking out and telling lies to the cops. Also, after paying a “slut” a visit, his girlfriend dumps him and tries to make his life terrible. Swallowing ston
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Jan 14, 2011
Miki
rated it:
I just finished this book in class today. I think that it was very well written. It was about this boy who got a gun for his 17th birthday from his grandfather. He went in the woods with his best friend and he fired it once in the air in celebration. That shot landed in a man's head about a mile away.
Overall this book shows how hard it is to do the right thing. It is really moving and makes you think about what you would do in that situation. I did not include any spoilers because I More...
Overall this book shows how hard it is to do the right thing. It is really moving and makes you think about what you would do in that situation. I did not include any spoilers because I More...
Aug 25, 2010
Rachael
rated it:
Outstanding book.This book was small for me, but its power packed. Michael MacKenzie is thrust into a situation where he has killed an innocent man by accident. THis happpened when he shot his gun offinto the air on his bithday/Fourth Of July and the stray bullet grounded into the back of a mans skull a mile away. His body rolls off the roof he was mending and lands at his horrorstruck daughters feet. Throught the course of the book. Michael and Jenna (the victims daughter) are faced with decisi
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Nov 18, 2009
Sinclair
rated it:
I actually enjoyed this book. I was very interesting and defiantly had me on the edge of my set. it had a lot of mystery and suspense and scandals. From a accidental murder, to cheating on your girl friend, to teenage party's and guys drinking, to being drunk and smash out the windows by jumping on the car. when i read this book i was disappointed in Michel I think he should of told the truth in the first place I'm stead of waiting it out in the long run. Because he just dug hims
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May 29, 2011
Marvelle
rated it:
probably 3 1/2 stars
I read this because it is the summer assigned reading for my daughter's high school and I like to preview what my kids are reading.
It has some good themes and will have some good discussion points for teens.
I felt the author portrayed too much of the "bad" behavior as typical for teens - i.e. drinking, cheating, sex, etc
It also ended a bit too abruptly for me. Still, it will be better reading than anything the high More...
I read this because it is the summer assigned reading for my daughter's high school and I like to preview what my kids are reading.
It has some good themes and will have some good discussion points for teens.
I felt the author portrayed too much of the "bad" behavior as typical for teens - i.e. drinking, cheating, sex, etc
It also ended a bit too abruptly for me. Still, it will be better reading than anything the high More...
Jan 22, 2009
Mahathi
rated it:
well i didnt really like it including the story. i mean it was just straight out there. like there was no mystery etc. i did like the symbolism particularly because i enjoy books with symbolism but the book overall i didnt like. the characters have great personalitys and interesting ones i should add which really make the story better. the story sint what i thought it would be. that goes good and bad.mostly good though. but its a great book to read if u like moving slowly and looking at differen
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Jan 03, 2012
Kirsten
rated it:
Swallowing Stones was a pretty good read. I would recommend this book to anybody that likes mystery books or very suspenseful books. I really liked this book because the events in the story could actually happen, as in some mystery books, the events can be a little unrealistic. The story begins at Michael Mackenzie’s 17th birthday party. Little did Michael and his best friend, Joe Sadowski, know that what would happen a few days later would change their lives forever.
During Michael More...
During Michael More...
Nov 18, 2008
Joel
rated it:
A gripping tale of crime makes this book a 5 star masterpiece. I like this book because since the moment you read the first few pages, your sucked right into the story. When I began to read I never thought that the book will be the way it was. The plot is a perfect example of "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong". It shows how the main character, Michael, inocently kills a man while shooting his gun in the air. With topics like instant gratification, despair, and deception, Swallowing
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Jun 03, 2008
April
rated it:
Told from two points of view: Michael, who is showing off his antique Winchester and fires a shot into the air, and Jenna, who watches as her dad catches the bullet in the head two blocks away.
Jenna's grief seems very real, and realistic; there are no funny lines, no snappy dialogue to defer her sorrow. It takes her a good while to even accept the reality of her father's death, and the author does a good job of showing how Jenna's just going through the motions of life, not really More...
Jenna's grief seems very real, and realistic; there are no funny lines, no snappy dialogue to defer her sorrow. It takes her a good while to even accept the reality of her father's death, and the author does a good job of showing how Jenna's just going through the motions of life, not really More...
May 22, 2008
Sara
rated it:
On his seventeenth birthday, Michael receives a Winchester rifle as a gift from his grandfather. He and his friend Joe take it out into the woods behind his house and shoot it into the air in celebration.
Across town, an innocent man who is fixing his roof is struck in the head by the bullet and dies instantly. His teenage daughter, Jenna, is witness to this tragic accident.
This is an interesting and compelling story, made more so by McDonald's narrative style. The chapters of More...
Across town, an innocent man who is fixing his roof is struck in the head by the bullet and dies instantly. His teenage daughter, Jenna, is witness to this tragic accident.
This is an interesting and compelling story, made more so by McDonald's narrative style. The chapters of More...
Jun 16, 2008
Ms.
rated it:
By: Marjorie Tavarez, 603
Michael Mackenzie is a seven teen year old boy who makes a mistake, when he accidentally shot Charlie Ward. Michael has never been known to have committed such violent acts, but when his friend is a suspect in the accident, he begins to take responsibility of his actions.
Jenna Ward is devastated with the fact that her dad is never coming back. She finds her self stuck between information. Everyday she would expect the police to call her, to notify her More...
Michael Mackenzie is a seven teen year old boy who makes a mistake, when he accidentally shot Charlie Ward. Michael has never been known to have committed such violent acts, but when his friend is a suspect in the accident, he begins to take responsibility of his actions.
Jenna Ward is devastated with the fact that her dad is never coming back. She finds her self stuck between information. Everyday she would expect the police to call her, to notify her More...
Apr 04, 2008
priscilla
rated it:
I've always avoided this book, despite the multiple class sets crowding my lockers, leftovers from my school's brief affair with the Ramp Up literacy curriculum. I'm biased against Ramp Up, mostly because the majority of books we have from the curriculum suck. But I was recently at a conference & saw a teacher present on her experiences with teaching this novel. She gave us the prologue to read & I was instantly hooked. Unlike many novels which begin with an action-packed event & spend the rem
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Aug 24, 2011
Erin
rated it:
Good, but I was reading rather quickly and didn't really get drawn too far into it. The "dream" scenes with the "Ghost Tree" were vaguely annoying because it sort of steps beyond the realm of realism but are probably necessary to deal with these types of deep feelings, similar to how fantasy can deal with issues of good and evil that would be cheesy in contemporary realistic fiction. The characters felt real and I thought that the realistic part of the ending was nicely and
Nov 15, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
McDonald writes a thriller in Swallowing Stones. Michael finds himself in a world full of trouble after he accidentally kills a girl fro his school's father in a celebratory birthday rifle shot. This story serves as a high school thriller that students will able to learn from as they realize they are responsible for all of their action. No matter how bad or good. McDonald helps me realize that I should put more meaning with my writing and select a certain audience to appeal to.
Jan 21, 2011
Marlene
rated it:
This is the book Riverton High has the students reading for next year 2011-2012. It is not a book I would normally read and I only liked it okay. It does have things to talk about with your child which is good. I don't think Michelle or Michael are going to care for the book.
It is the story of a book who shoots a gun in the air and the bullet comes down and kills a man. The story goes between his life and the life of the girl whose father was killed.
It is the story of a book who shoots a gun in the air and the bullet comes down and kills a man. The story goes between his life and the life of the girl whose father was killed.
Dec 17, 2009
Terrance
rated it:
Title- Swallowing Stones
Author- Joyce McDolnald
Rating out of 5 stars- ****
Theme-
Genre- Mystery
I like when Michael fired his gun on his Birthday.
I like when Michael going with both girls.
I like when Michael had that in the garage while his girlfriend was outside.
I dislike when Jenna felt guitly for her fathers death.
I like that this was a mystery book so it was interesting.
I dislike when Michael found out that he shot Jenna's daddy but d
Author- Joyce McDolnald
Rating out of 5 stars- ****
Theme-
Genre- Mystery
I like when Michael fired his gun on his Birthday.
I like when Michael going with both girls.
I like when Michael had that in the garage while his girlfriend was outside.
I dislike when Jenna felt guitly for her fathers death.
I like that this was a mystery book so it was interesting.
I dislike when Michael found out that he shot Jenna's daddy but d
Feb 24, 2009
Melanie
rated it:
Swallowing Stones by Joyce McDonald
Michael tries out his new gun, but the stray bullet kills a man a mile away. Michael’s battle with himself as the police search for the culprit. In the end, he and the man’s daughter are able to feel at peace with themselves.
Aspects that appeal to teens:
Death, friendship, romance, mystery.
Will teens relate:
To social aspects – e.g. friendship, romance, school relationships.
Developmental areas:
Fami More...
Michael tries out his new gun, but the stray bullet kills a man a mile away. Michael’s battle with himself as the police search for the culprit. In the end, he and the man’s daughter are able to feel at peace with themselves.
Aspects that appeal to teens:
Death, friendship, romance, mystery.
Will teens relate:
To social aspects – e.g. friendship, romance, school relationships.
Developmental areas:
Fami More...
Mar 12, 2010
i learnd that this kid name micheal, jennas, boy friend killed her father by a mistake on his garage roof because it he was celebrating his birthday july forth with his rifel that his gradfather gave him and he found out the next day he killed him and he seen jenna and he was scared so he wouldnt evan look at her so he never got cought and they never fond out who killed her father charlie ward
