Maddy Lederman's Blog - Posts Tagged "desert"
EDNA IN THE DESERT on an English Honors Summer Reading List
After their cell phone-free experiment (see report below), Carle Place High School has added Maddy Lederman’s debut novel, Edna in the Desert, to their list of summer reads for English Honors 9 students.
Edna in the Desert chronicles a spoiled, tech-addicted teen's summer without cell phone service, Internet or TV.
Long Island High School Students Challenged To Go A Week Without Cellphones
April 4, 2014, CARLE PLACE, N.Y. (Reporter Jennifer McLogan, CBS-NewYork)
(excerpts)
Students at one Long Island school went through withdrawal from Instagram, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr this week, but they learned they could actually live without their cellphones.
As CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reported, the unplugging experiment was held at Carle Place High School. Students in Ms. Melissa Mehling’s English class were studying Ray Bradbury’s dystopian futuristic novel “Fahrenheit 451,” about a bookless, hedonistic and illiterate society distracted and infatuated by mass media.
“I challenged the kids for one week not to use their cellphones and social media,” Mehling said.
And in taking on the challenge, some students admitted that they were distracted and infatuated by electronic devices.
“You don’t talk anymore and you don’t start conversations,” one student said.
“It’s so hard to cut back when you are already so used to it,” another said.
“Some of us are really obsessed with our phones; some couldn’t last one period when we got our phones wrapped,” a third said.
Some students went so far as to call their cellphone, iPad and Internet use an “epidemic,” and wondered whether they had the inner strength to hand over their “obsessed” possessions to their teacher.
“At first, a lot of the kids had a hard time; the shakes – as if they were a drug addict,” Mehling said. “By the third day, by Wednesday, they said, ‘You know what? I feel relieved I don’t have my phone;’ especially the girls — they said they were released from drama.”
Full article here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/0...
More about EDNA IN THE DESERT: http://www.maddylederman.com/news/pro...
Edna in the Desert chronicles a spoiled, tech-addicted teen's summer without cell phone service, Internet or TV.
Long Island High School Students Challenged To Go A Week Without Cellphones
April 4, 2014, CARLE PLACE, N.Y. (Reporter Jennifer McLogan, CBS-NewYork)
(excerpts)
Students at one Long Island school went through withdrawal from Instagram, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr this week, but they learned they could actually live without their cellphones.
As CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reported, the unplugging experiment was held at Carle Place High School. Students in Ms. Melissa Mehling’s English class were studying Ray Bradbury’s dystopian futuristic novel “Fahrenheit 451,” about a bookless, hedonistic and illiterate society distracted and infatuated by mass media.
“I challenged the kids for one week not to use their cellphones and social media,” Mehling said.
And in taking on the challenge, some students admitted that they were distracted and infatuated by electronic devices.
“You don’t talk anymore and you don’t start conversations,” one student said.
“It’s so hard to cut back when you are already so used to it,” another said.
“Some of us are really obsessed with our phones; some couldn’t last one period when we got our phones wrapped,” a third said.
Some students went so far as to call their cellphone, iPad and Internet use an “epidemic,” and wondered whether they had the inner strength to hand over their “obsessed” possessions to their teacher.
“At first, a lot of the kids had a hard time; the shakes – as if they were a drug addict,” Mehling said. “By the third day, by Wednesday, they said, ‘You know what? I feel relieved I don’t have my phone;’ especially the girls — they said they were released from drama.”
Full article here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/0...
More about EDNA IN THE DESERT: http://www.maddylederman.com/news/pro...
"I Absolutely Loved Edna in the Desert"
Edna in the Desert
The following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of “EDNA IN THE DESERT” by Maddy Lederman.
Strong-willed and sarcastic, thirteen-year-old Edna sows turmoil at home, at extra-curricular activities, and especially at school. When her latest misconduct ends in physical assault, Edna’s parents decide to send her away from the affluence of Beverly Hills to her grandparents’ sparse cabin in the middle of the desert. For Edna, this means spending an entire summer without television, Internet, or cellular phone service, all while contending with her strict grandmother and mentally impaired grandfather.
After a failed attempt at running away, Edna’s attitude begins to soften when she meets Johnny, a high school boy whose family owns the local general store. For the first time in her existence, Edna finally begins to care about the opinion of someone other than herself, and the two forge a friendship that Edna hopes will become something more. Meanwhile, she starts to second-guess the shallowness of her L.A. lifestyle as she learns more about the desert and the true reason her grandparents have chosen to live there.
From the beginning, I was very taken with Edna in spite of her terrible attitude. While her sarcasm and disregard for others did get on my nerves, there was a part of me that admired her gutsiness. I personally find blunt, outspoken characters to be refreshing in a way, especially when they also possess a sharp intellect like Edna’s. Her precocious intelligence, combined with Lederman’s realistic depiction of teenage melodrama, makes Edna a surprisingly relatable character for both teens and adults (after all, Edna only vocalizes what most of us would say in our heads!)
As the novel unfolds, Edna’s character gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman. Throughout much of the book, Edna’s sole concerns are Johnny and his opinion of her, which initially is very self-centered. However, Edna and Johnny’s friendship opens up a new world to Edna, one in which people actually matter, and by the end of the book Edna has laid the foundation for a positive relationship with both of her grandparents. While Edna is not cured of her outspoken nature, she becomes less snarky and more likely to think before she opens her mouth. One can imagine that Edna’s next school year, while perhaps not completely free of incident, will be much less dramatic.
Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, I can’t say much on this for fear of including spoilers, but I can say that Edna’s lack of access to television and the Internet is a driving factor in the story, and a very thought-provoking one as well.
Lastly, I enjoyed this book for the writing itself. I did not notice any spelling or grammatical errors, and I appreciated Maddy Lederman’s balanced descriptions of the settings. When I use the word balanced, I mean to say that she was not overly wordy. I was able to get a clear picture of the story in my mind without getting lost in long descriptions or explanations. Lately, I’ve read several books that frequently derailed my attention through the use of too much (or sometimes not enough) detail, so reading this book was a welcome change of pace.
I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert and have given it 4 out of 4 stars for its realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline. While I believe that this book would appeal more to female readers, I would recommend it to anyone who frequently interacts with younger teens, as it provides some perspective on the mindset of that age group.
Originally published Oct. 20, 2014 by LivreAmour217 for the OnlineBookClub.org.
The following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of “EDNA IN THE DESERT” by Maddy Lederman.
Strong-willed and sarcastic, thirteen-year-old Edna sows turmoil at home, at extra-curricular activities, and especially at school. When her latest misconduct ends in physical assault, Edna’s parents decide to send her away from the affluence of Beverly Hills to her grandparents’ sparse cabin in the middle of the desert. For Edna, this means spending an entire summer without television, Internet, or cellular phone service, all while contending with her strict grandmother and mentally impaired grandfather.
After a failed attempt at running away, Edna’s attitude begins to soften when she meets Johnny, a high school boy whose family owns the local general store. For the first time in her existence, Edna finally begins to care about the opinion of someone other than herself, and the two forge a friendship that Edna hopes will become something more. Meanwhile, she starts to second-guess the shallowness of her L.A. lifestyle as she learns more about the desert and the true reason her grandparents have chosen to live there.
From the beginning, I was very taken with Edna in spite of her terrible attitude. While her sarcasm and disregard for others did get on my nerves, there was a part of me that admired her gutsiness. I personally find blunt, outspoken characters to be refreshing in a way, especially when they also possess a sharp intellect like Edna’s. Her precocious intelligence, combined with Lederman’s realistic depiction of teenage melodrama, makes Edna a surprisingly relatable character for both teens and adults (after all, Edna only vocalizes what most of us would say in our heads!)
As the novel unfolds, Edna’s character gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman. Throughout much of the book, Edna’s sole concerns are Johnny and his opinion of her, which initially is very self-centered. However, Edna and Johnny’s friendship opens up a new world to Edna, one in which people actually matter, and by the end of the book Edna has laid the foundation for a positive relationship with both of her grandparents. While Edna is not cured of her outspoken nature, she becomes less snarky and more likely to think before she opens her mouth. One can imagine that Edna’s next school year, while perhaps not completely free of incident, will be much less dramatic.
Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, I can’t say much on this for fear of including spoilers, but I can say that Edna’s lack of access to television and the Internet is a driving factor in the story, and a very thought-provoking one as well.
Lastly, I enjoyed this book for the writing itself. I did not notice any spelling or grammatical errors, and I appreciated Maddy Lederman’s balanced descriptions of the settings. When I use the word balanced, I mean to say that she was not overly wordy. I was able to get a clear picture of the story in my mind without getting lost in long descriptions or explanations. Lately, I’ve read several books that frequently derailed my attention through the use of too much (or sometimes not enough) detail, so reading this book was a welcome change of pace.
I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert and have given it 4 out of 4 stars for its realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline. While I believe that this book would appeal more to female readers, I would recommend it to anyone who frequently interacts with younger teens, as it provides some perspective on the mindset of that age group.
Originally published Oct. 20, 2014 by LivreAmour217 for the OnlineBookClub.org.
What People Say About EDNA IN THE DESERT
"I LOVED the book! It was so dramatic and sweet. I loved the part where Edna was going to try to die by evaporation. I just loved it. I will buy several copies for my school library and I recommend it to students and teachers."
--Karen Casaceli, Gateway Middle School Librarian, 1/8/15.
"EDNA IN THE DESERT really captured the teenage voice...I definitely think more schools should have the opportunity to read it."
--Melissa Mehling, Honors English Teacher, Carle Place High School, 6/24/14. http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
"EDNA IN THE DESERT is the most hilarious and realistic Young Adult book that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME...the precocious but incredibly lovable Edna really struck a chord with me."
--writer Ingrid Hall, 8/17/14. http://ingridhall.wordpress.com/tag/e...
"I enjoyed getting to know Edna, and I’m certain that the lessons for our students will have an impact on their lives today!"
--Dave Flatley, Superintendent of Schools, Carle Place School District, 9/19/14.
"I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert….4 out of 4 stars for realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline…..Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships……Edna gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman."
--Official Online Book Club review, 10/20/14, http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/view...
"The Summer Book Club at Piperton United Methodist Church in Piperton, TN is currently reading EDNA IN THE DESERT. What a great book! So glad we chose it! Can't wait to come together with the readers and discuss it!"
--Debbie Daubenhauser,7/21/14.
--Karen Casaceli, Gateway Middle School Librarian, 1/8/15.
"EDNA IN THE DESERT really captured the teenage voice...I definitely think more schools should have the opportunity to read it."
--Melissa Mehling, Honors English Teacher, Carle Place High School, 6/24/14. http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
"EDNA IN THE DESERT is the most hilarious and realistic Young Adult book that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME...the precocious but incredibly lovable Edna really struck a chord with me."
--writer Ingrid Hall, 8/17/14. http://ingridhall.wordpress.com/tag/e...
"I enjoyed getting to know Edna, and I’m certain that the lessons for our students will have an impact on their lives today!"
--Dave Flatley, Superintendent of Schools, Carle Place School District, 9/19/14.
"I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert….4 out of 4 stars for realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline…..Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships……Edna gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman."
--Official Online Book Club review, 10/20/14, http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/view...
"The Summer Book Club at Piperton United Methodist Church in Piperton, TN is currently reading EDNA IN THE DESERT. What a great book! So glad we chose it! Can't wait to come together with the readers and discuss it!"
--Debbie Daubenhauser,7/21/14.
EDNA IN THE DESERT is on another school reading list!
EDNA IN THE DESERT has been put on another school reading list, this time for 8th graders in Quebec, Canada!
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
It is such an honor to be on this very short list along with classics by Charlotte Bronte and Agatha Christie! Hope the students enjoy EDNA IN THE DESERT and feel free to share their thoughts!
EDNA IN THE DESERT is also on the Summer Reading List for English Honors 9 at Carle Place High School in New York State, and on the "Teen-friendly" ebook list at Westbury Library!
http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
Edna is spoiled and wreaking havoc at her Beverly Hills school. Her therapist advocates medication, but her parents come up with an alternative cure: Edna will spend the summer in the desert with her grandparents. Their remote cabin is cut off from cell phone service, Internet and everything else she likes. Edna’s determined to rebel until she meets an older local boy and falls in love for the first time. How can she get to know him from the edge of nowhere?
You can find EDNA IN THE DESERT at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Electio Publishing.
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
It is such an honor to be on this very short list along with classics by Charlotte Bronte and Agatha Christie! Hope the students enjoy EDNA IN THE DESERT and feel free to share their thoughts!
EDNA IN THE DESERT is also on the Summer Reading List for English Honors 9 at Carle Place High School in New York State, and on the "Teen-friendly" ebook list at Westbury Library!
http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
Edna is spoiled and wreaking havoc at her Beverly Hills school. Her therapist advocates medication, but her parents come up with an alternative cure: Edna will spend the summer in the desert with her grandparents. Their remote cabin is cut off from cell phone service, Internet and everything else she likes. Edna’s determined to rebel until she meets an older local boy and falls in love for the first time. How can she get to know him from the edge of nowhere?
You can find EDNA IN THE DESERT at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Electio Publishing.
EDNA IN THE DESERT…in Paris!
“It’s been great fun bringing EDNA IN THE DESERT to English readers in Paris. Their excitement and interest in Edna’s story has been remarkable. They really seem to enjoy Edna’s special brand of precocious sarcasm!” –Maddy
Author Maddy Lederman reads excerpts of EDNA IN THE DESERT at Le Bistro Des Artists in Saint Michel/Odeon and at Culture Rapide with Paris Lit Up in Belleville, May 2015, Paris, France.
Pictures at maddylederman.com:
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
Edna in the Desert
Can a modern teen live without her smart phone, WiFi…or anything else she likes?
Edna will find out.
EDNA IN THE DESERT is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.
“The most hilarious and realistic Young Adult book that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME…the precocious but incredibly lovable Edna really struck a chord with me.” –writer Ingrid Hall. ingridhall.wordpress.com/tag/edna-in-...
“EDNA IN THE DESERT really captured the teenage voice…I definitely think more schools should have the opportunity to read it.” –Melissa Mehling, Honors English Teacher, Carle Place High School, Carle Place, NY. maddylederman.com/a-great-time-with-s...
“I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert….4 out of 4 stars for realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline…..The author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships.” –Official Online Book Club review.
Author Maddy Lederman reads excerpts of EDNA IN THE DESERT at Le Bistro Des Artists in Saint Michel/Odeon and at Culture Rapide with Paris Lit Up in Belleville, May 2015, Paris, France.
Pictures at maddylederman.com:
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
Edna in the Desert
Can a modern teen live without her smart phone, WiFi…or anything else she likes?
Edna will find out.
EDNA IN THE DESERT is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.
“The most hilarious and realistic Young Adult book that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME…the precocious but incredibly lovable Edna really struck a chord with me.” –writer Ingrid Hall. ingridhall.wordpress.com/tag/edna-in-...
“EDNA IN THE DESERT really captured the teenage voice…I definitely think more schools should have the opportunity to read it.” –Melissa Mehling, Honors English Teacher, Carle Place High School, Carle Place, NY. maddylederman.com/a-great-time-with-s...
“I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert….4 out of 4 stars for realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline…..The author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships.” –Official Online Book Club review.
EDNA IN THE DESERT is Schools' 2015 Summer Reading!
EDNA IN THE DESERT is Required Summer Reading for 8th and 9th graders for the second year!
Author Maddy Lederman will visit Carle Place High School again in Fall 2015.
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
Author Maddy Lederman will visit Carle Place High School again in Fall 2015.
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
"…I’m no different from Edna."
Dear Readers,
Please check out this insightful review of EDNA IN THE DESERT from Tween Book Blog!
"We learn to recognize Edna’s self-absorbed behavior as our own and it makes us think about what we could change to get us to be more in touch with the important people in our lives. Edna and the reader are forced to consider the consequences of our actions, to learn how to love much more fully and live a life that is richer. It’s a coming of age story that asks the reader hard questions without forcing an immediate answer. While the ending is somewhat bittersweet, we, like Edna, will have made a more positive change that we will be able to carry with us into the real world."
https://tweenbookblog.wordpress.com/2...
Edna in the Desert
Please check out this insightful review of EDNA IN THE DESERT from Tween Book Blog!
"We learn to recognize Edna’s self-absorbed behavior as our own and it makes us think about what we could change to get us to be more in touch with the important people in our lives. Edna and the reader are forced to consider the consequences of our actions, to learn how to love much more fully and live a life that is richer. It’s a coming of age story that asks the reader hard questions without forcing an immediate answer. While the ending is somewhat bittersweet, we, like Edna, will have made a more positive change that we will be able to carry with us into the real world."
https://tweenbookblog.wordpress.com/2...
Edna in the Desert
EDNA & EMPATHY
EDNA IN THE DESERT was thoughtfully reviewed by "Our Digital Daughters" on January 25, 2016:
Today’s review is of YA Novel Edna in the Desert by Maddy Lederman.
Edna in the Desert
Drive-in movie theatres are romantic, iconic and offer a screen like no other. In Edna in the Desert, by Maddy Lederman, the drive-in sets a sweet scene and a dramatic contrast for 13-year-old troublemaking, narcissistic and cellphone-addicted Edna:
“Edna’s stay in the desert had established the longest time she’d gone in her life without looking at a screen. This one was framed by the windshield from inside the jeep and suspended in front of the stars.”
Yes, this is a coming of age YA novel about young love and first kisses, but more poignantly, Edna in the Desert tells a timely story of the importance of empathy in the age of cellphones and social media. It looks at our screen-obsessed kids and what is at risk when meaningful human contact and face-to-face interaction becomes secondary to a smart device that becomes their third limb, mirror and hiding place.
When we first meet Edna, her harried parents are driving her away from her posh life in Los Angeles to her grandparents’ remote cabin in the desert. Banished to live in Dream Valley for the summer, “where the best thing to do is daydream,” Edna has no Internet connection and no semblance of her accustomed cushy lifestyle. Edna is faced with long empty days where she must cope with a list of chores spelled out by her reticent and stern grandmother and her only entertainment are books about pioneer women of the Old West.
“In the real world, a million things would have happened in Edna’s day by nine. Many of them would have been texts.”
But then in a truly cliché but well-painted scene, Edna is saved by “the best-looking boy she’d ever seen.” According to Our Digital Daughter Ambassador Maia, “She complains a whole lot and it is very annoying to listen to, until luckily she meets a hot guy named Johnny who saves her when she walks into the desert to try to run away. Johnny is seventeen and the age gap turned me off a bit. But I did like the relationship between Edna and her grandma.”
The book turns, as do the pages, as you happily experience Edna’s life away from Twitter and Facebook where there are such things as unstructured time, a desert oasis and a drive-in. You root for her as her narcissism fades and you realize that only through learning empathy will she herself be worthy of love.
Originally published by "Our Digital Daughters," http://ourdigitaldaughters.com/2016/0...
Today’s review is of YA Novel Edna in the Desert by Maddy Lederman.
Edna in the Desert
Drive-in movie theatres are romantic, iconic and offer a screen like no other. In Edna in the Desert, by Maddy Lederman, the drive-in sets a sweet scene and a dramatic contrast for 13-year-old troublemaking, narcissistic and cellphone-addicted Edna:
“Edna’s stay in the desert had established the longest time she’d gone in her life without looking at a screen. This one was framed by the windshield from inside the jeep and suspended in front of the stars.”
Yes, this is a coming of age YA novel about young love and first kisses, but more poignantly, Edna in the Desert tells a timely story of the importance of empathy in the age of cellphones and social media. It looks at our screen-obsessed kids and what is at risk when meaningful human contact and face-to-face interaction becomes secondary to a smart device that becomes their third limb, mirror and hiding place.
When we first meet Edna, her harried parents are driving her away from her posh life in Los Angeles to her grandparents’ remote cabin in the desert. Banished to live in Dream Valley for the summer, “where the best thing to do is daydream,” Edna has no Internet connection and no semblance of her accustomed cushy lifestyle. Edna is faced with long empty days where she must cope with a list of chores spelled out by her reticent and stern grandmother and her only entertainment are books about pioneer women of the Old West.
“In the real world, a million things would have happened in Edna’s day by nine. Many of them would have been texts.”
But then in a truly cliché but well-painted scene, Edna is saved by “the best-looking boy she’d ever seen.” According to Our Digital Daughter Ambassador Maia, “She complains a whole lot and it is very annoying to listen to, until luckily she meets a hot guy named Johnny who saves her when she walks into the desert to try to run away. Johnny is seventeen and the age gap turned me off a bit. But I did like the relationship between Edna and her grandma.”
The book turns, as do the pages, as you happily experience Edna’s life away from Twitter and Facebook where there are such things as unstructured time, a desert oasis and a drive-in. You root for her as her narcissism fades and you realize that only through learning empathy will she herself be worthy of love.
Originally published by "Our Digital Daughters," http://ourdigitaldaughters.com/2016/0...
EDNA IN THE DESERT: New reviews!
Lovely reviews of EDNA IN THE DESERT. So grateful for this thoughtful feedback. Thanks to book bloggers and readers!
From Book Wonderland: 5 Stars!
https://bookwonderlandweb.wordpress.c...
My Rating: ★★★★★
Disclaimer- this book was sent to me in exchange for my honest review.
Edna is a 13 year old Beverly Hills teen. Her snide comments and disrespect towards her parents leads them to abandon her in the desert with her grandparents. Edna is in complete shock by this and now must do chores everyday and be respectful to her grandparents who live in the middle of nowhere. She has no idea how she will survive with no contact to the outside world. She tries everything she can in order to get out of this situation. But when Johnny, a handsome 17 year old that lives in town, appears she realizes that this summer might not be so bad after all.
I truly adored this book and everything about it. Edna is such a funny character which keeps the novel enjoyable and upbeat. No doubt she can be a real witch at times but that makes her even more entertaining. Throughout the book we see her develop from her old, self-centered self into someone who learns to appreciate everything around her and her condition in life. Johnny is another character that sparks lots of interest. It is evident that he is much more mature than Edna but there connection is so amazing.
Besides Edna and Johnny’s relationship, Edna’s relationship with her grandparents is beautiful as well. In the beginning she wants nothing to do with them but once she begins to understand both of them and what they have been through she finds herself looking up to each of them as well as the love they share.
Overall this was such an entertaining, quick read that has much more depth to it than I expected. A big thank you to Maddy for sending me this because it is such a beautiful story with incredible life lessons and morals weaved within. I recommend this book to anyone that is on the lookout for an entertaining and gorgeous read.
Thanks for reading! -Catherine : )
NEXT BLOG:
Nayu's Reading Corner, 9/10E!
http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
Book summary:
Edna is a precocious trouble-maker wreaking havoc at her Beverly Hills school. Her therapist advocates medication, but her parents come up with an alternative cure: Edna will spend the summer in the desert with her grandparents. Their remote cabin is cut off from cell phone service, Internet and television. Edna’s determined to rebel until she meets an older local boy and falls in love for the first time. How can she get to know him from the edge of nowhere?
Nay's thoughts:
Edna is an ungrateful brat, a drama queen who has no idea how priviliged she is. Her self-centred attitude undergoes a mild reform during her exile, not a radical one, but enough that she starts thinking of others. I smiled when she ends up organising a party which while not having the result she longed for, did help someone else in the long term.
There were several moments when I got teary eyed because of the emotion of the writing. It was fun watching how fed up Edna was without technology as a constant companion, something so many teens are used to. I thought the outcome of her love interest was a positive one, as he was a decent guy and clearly wanted someone who understood the desert way of life. However, this is also the part I wasn't keen on in the book, not because I have little interest in romance but there's one point where the strength of the romance felt too strong for the characters involved, it felt unreal and awkward.
Aside from that I loved unravelling the reasons behind Edna's grandparents living where and how they did. I had no idea that PTSD could be that severe, and in that unusual a form of symptoms. I felt so sorry for her grandfather, and for her grandmother who remains faithful and cares for him even though she gets no love back. I sincerely hope that Edna doesn't go back to her old ways on returning to civilisation.
Find out more on Maddy's website: http://www.maddylederman.com
