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Split Image
Everyone has an image of Laura Li, the most popular girl in school: “stone hearted,” “warmhearted,” “conceited deceiver,” “humble achiever,” “a virgin,” “the hottest girl in the world.”
Award-winning poet Mel Glenn weaves a brilliant web of authentic voices in this riveting story, told in poetry, about what happens when one teenage girl is denied the freedom to determine her own identity.
2001 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA) and Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL)
Award-winning poet Mel Glenn weaves a brilliant web of authentic voices in this riveting story, told in poetry, about what happens when one teenage girl is denied the freedom to determine her own identity.
2001 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA) and Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL)
160 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2000
5 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 4, 2013
As this is the first time I had red a novel in poetry, it took some getting used to. Splitting Image was an interesting story about an extremely popular girl in school, Laura Li. Each page of the novel was from the perspective of a different person in Laura's life all the way from the librarian to Laura herself. Laura is always looked at as the girl who is beautiful and perfect and has everything but that is in fact far from the truth. Laura volunteers at the library where she spends a lot of time and listened the problems of others a whole lot of the time. Along with dealing with people's problems at school, she had countless problems of her own at home. Laura's mother is extremely abusive with her and criticizing everything she does or says. Laura's brother, Jimmy, is also handicap and she spends a lot of her time taking care and doing everything for him throughout the book. Despite her helping so many people, whenever she needed a bit of help, no one would ever listen to her. This caused Laura to get involved with drinking, smoking, drugs, and partying to late hours. It was until her mother forbade her to go to her prom, that Laura had enough and killed herself in the library, setting it to fire to make it seem like an accident. The book was quite morbid and I wasn't particularly expecting it but I wish the book was a bit longer so I could have connected with Laura a bit more. I loved the idea that the book was full of perspectives from different people in Laura's life, it gave a little something to the story. For my first novel in poetry I actually really enjoyed it and would definitely pick up another novel in poetry.
June 17, 2015
In Split Image, Mel Glenn reveals the story of a Chinese American teen who inwardly struggles with her own sense of identity and her responsibilities to her family through a series of poems. Everyone in Laura Li’s high school has a strong opinion of her. Girls describe her as the “most popular” girl in school, while the boys tend to think of her as the “hottest.” Some people like her, some don’t, but none seem to know the real Laura. The real Laura feels an enormous burden at being asked to care for her disabled brother and to give up her dreams of a college degree and a free life of her own. When Laura tries to establish her independence, her mother beats her. By the end of the novel, feeling that no one understands her, Laura decides to take her own life. School Library Journal notes that the novel is “a powerful look at perceptions and what lies behind them” (Amazon.com 2004).
The story is related through a series of individual poems, each told from the perspective of a different student or teacher at Tower High School or one of the members of Laura’s family. The cast of characters is diverse and is from a variety of backgrounds. The inclusion of characters of multiple ethnicities, ages, and cultural backgrounds is one of the most interesting aspects of the novel. Furthermore, the style of the poetry used varies with each character. For example, Alejandro Felix, who has a crush on Laura Li, writes romantic love poems, while Charles Li, Laura’s distant father, writes poems that are short and businesslike. Some variation can also be seen between the various poems written in the voice of a single character. Those characters that have many poems written under their names, such as Laura Li, often adapt the style of their thoughts to fit the topic they are discussing. Other poems serve to relate dialogue between characters, using alternate lines to create the sense of a back-and-forth banter.
Aside from the basic plot, Glenn also provides a multitude of insights into what life is like for high school students. Laura encounters many characters in her job as a student aide in the school library who are searching for information about colleges and are seeking to plan their futures. Older teens will appreciate the insight and wit with which these issues are discussed, as the notion of leaving home and beginning “real life” can be alternately frightening and exciting for young people. In addition, humorous poems about library use will delight young people and educators alike.
Glenn uses a variety of poetic techniques and styles to provide individual “voices” for his characters. Some poems are presented in symbolic shapes, some feature rhyme schemes while others are written in free verse, and the use of metaphors, alliteration, and other stylistic devices adds depth and vigor to the pages. The following poem is written in the voice of Laura’s father, Charles Li:
“I have business interests around the world.
I am known in Kuala Lumpur.
I am honored in Hong Kong.
I am praised in Paris.
I am lauded in London…” (8).
In the above example, Glenn uses alliteration to create an affinity between the verbs and places noted in the individual lines. He also gives each line an identical beginning and structure, leaving the reader with the feeling that Charles Li is a very methodical, no-nonsense kind of man.
Another set of poems, written in the voices of sisters Yana and Lana Novakova, mirror each other in structure, but reveal very different attitudes. This construct is an interesting and effective mode of comparison and contrast, which is particularly interesting considering that the characters are twins.
Lana Novakova
“I hate Laura Li
Because she is
The most popular girl in school.
She is a
Stone-hearted,
Loudmouthed,
Close-minded,
Conceited deceiver
Who thinks only of herself.
She stabs you in the back
While looking you in the face” (69).
Yana Novakova
“I love Laura Li
Because she is
The most popular girl in school
She is a
Warmhearted,
Soft-spoken,
Open-minded,
Humble achiever.
Who thinks only of other people.
She touches you in the heart
While looking you in the face” (70).
The novel’s only real downside is that the large number of characters makes it difficult for the reader to get to know any of them in real depth. As a result, when Laura commits suicide, many readers may feel jolted and surprised. Unfortunately, something feels wrong with the pacing of events that leads up to the suicide, and it happens rather abruptly and choppily. Nevertheless, teens will enjoy this novel and may also want to seek out other prose poetry books.
The story is related through a series of individual poems, each told from the perspective of a different student or teacher at Tower High School or one of the members of Laura’s family. The cast of characters is diverse and is from a variety of backgrounds. The inclusion of characters of multiple ethnicities, ages, and cultural backgrounds is one of the most interesting aspects of the novel. Furthermore, the style of the poetry used varies with each character. For example, Alejandro Felix, who has a crush on Laura Li, writes romantic love poems, while Charles Li, Laura’s distant father, writes poems that are short and businesslike. Some variation can also be seen between the various poems written in the voice of a single character. Those characters that have many poems written under their names, such as Laura Li, often adapt the style of their thoughts to fit the topic they are discussing. Other poems serve to relate dialogue between characters, using alternate lines to create the sense of a back-and-forth banter.
Aside from the basic plot, Glenn also provides a multitude of insights into what life is like for high school students. Laura encounters many characters in her job as a student aide in the school library who are searching for information about colleges and are seeking to plan their futures. Older teens will appreciate the insight and wit with which these issues are discussed, as the notion of leaving home and beginning “real life” can be alternately frightening and exciting for young people. In addition, humorous poems about library use will delight young people and educators alike.
Glenn uses a variety of poetic techniques and styles to provide individual “voices” for his characters. Some poems are presented in symbolic shapes, some feature rhyme schemes while others are written in free verse, and the use of metaphors, alliteration, and other stylistic devices adds depth and vigor to the pages. The following poem is written in the voice of Laura’s father, Charles Li:
“I have business interests around the world.
I am known in Kuala Lumpur.
I am honored in Hong Kong.
I am praised in Paris.
I am lauded in London…” (8).
In the above example, Glenn uses alliteration to create an affinity between the verbs and places noted in the individual lines. He also gives each line an identical beginning and structure, leaving the reader with the feeling that Charles Li is a very methodical, no-nonsense kind of man.
Another set of poems, written in the voices of sisters Yana and Lana Novakova, mirror each other in structure, but reveal very different attitudes. This construct is an interesting and effective mode of comparison and contrast, which is particularly interesting considering that the characters are twins.
Lana Novakova
“I hate Laura Li
Because she is
The most popular girl in school.
She is a
Stone-hearted,
Loudmouthed,
Close-minded,
Conceited deceiver
Who thinks only of herself.
She stabs you in the back
While looking you in the face” (69).
Yana Novakova
“I love Laura Li
Because she is
The most popular girl in school
She is a
Warmhearted,
Soft-spoken,
Open-minded,
Humble achiever.
Who thinks only of other people.
She touches you in the heart
While looking you in the face” (70).
The novel’s only real downside is that the large number of characters makes it difficult for the reader to get to know any of them in real depth. As a result, when Laura commits suicide, many readers may feel jolted and surprised. Unfortunately, something feels wrong with the pacing of events that leads up to the suicide, and it happens rather abruptly and choppily. Nevertheless, teens will enjoy this novel and may also want to seek out other prose poetry books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2021
Too superficial & stereotyped. The African-American characters are named things like LaToya and their verses have a more emphatic beat. The judge of the essay contest who says that to count as an American one must be a citizen is named Sam Adamson. We never get to really know any of the characters, not even Laura. I really want to know if Jimmy has any independence, and competencies, at all, and if Mrs. Li has any understanding of what she's doing to Laura, and if Mr. Li tries to do any parenting at all. (No, the epilogue does not answer those questions). Also the cover is wrong, as Laura is supposed to have long black hair.
There are a few nods to actual diversity, for example the boy with the Latino name telling us he's not a farm worker and likes sushi. And it is interesting to get a sample of a lot of different possible viewpoints. And there's enough melodrama to appeal to students who have to be talked into reading a book. And the allusion of the firefighter named Ray Montag (see Fahrenheit 451) is cute.
Overall, I only recommend this to certain readers... and I'm not thinking of any of you, my friends and followers. Sorry.
There are a few nods to actual diversity, for example the boy with the Latino name telling us he's not a farm worker and likes sushi. And it is interesting to get a sample of a lot of different possible viewpoints. And there's enough melodrama to appeal to students who have to be talked into reading a book. And the allusion of the firefighter named Ray Montag (see Fahrenheit 451) is cute.
Overall, I only recommend this to certain readers... and I'm not thinking of any of you, my friends and followers. Sorry.
May 7, 2012
Heather Stewart
Poetry
This book of poems was very good. Each page was written from the perspective of a different person in Laura Li’s life or from her own perspective. The poems talk about Laura Li’s struggles within her family, taking care of her handicapped brother, never seeing her father, and her mother not allowing her to go away to college. She takes a job as an assistant in the library at her high school. Most of her peers think she is beautiful and perfect but at night she goes out to a club and drinks and smokes. The final straw for her is when her mother forbids her to go to the prom. She kills herself in the library and sets a fire to make it look like an accident. The poems were easy to understand and to relate to from a teenager’s perspective.
Poetry
This book of poems was very good. Each page was written from the perspective of a different person in Laura Li’s life or from her own perspective. The poems talk about Laura Li’s struggles within her family, taking care of her handicapped brother, never seeing her father, and her mother not allowing her to go away to college. She takes a job as an assistant in the library at her high school. Most of her peers think she is beautiful and perfect but at night she goes out to a club and drinks and smokes. The final straw for her is when her mother forbids her to go to the prom. She kills herself in the library and sets a fire to make it look like an accident. The poems were easy to understand and to relate to from a teenager’s perspective.
Read
December 13, 2020This is one of my favorite books of all time. Not only could I not put it down, but after I was done with it I couldn't let it go. Each poem captures the tenderness and indecisiveness of each personality, and the poems are not uniform, but catered to the individual character that thought it. This book takes common subjects (high school, parents, pressure, suicide) and gives them voices that really make you listen. Read this book all at once, and then save the parts of the poetry that hit a nerve with you and read them again, and you will see yourself in that character.
January 27, 2015
I read this book about 10 years ago and loved it! It was the first young adult book that I read that told a story through poetry. I think that BINcA students could relate to it because the main character, Laura Li, is the daughter of an immigrant. She has a tremendous amount of pressure put on her and can't handle it. The ending is surprising, and sad.
June 21, 2025
pages 41, 109, 127, 142, 155-157 hit a lil too hard :’)
SPOILERS!
TW: implied SA, suicide
I picked out Spilt Image randomly and I regret nothing. This book chronicles Laura Li’s gilded life; her loveless family and her secret nightly excursions to the club. All masked under a perfect student persona; good grades, popular, a beloved assistant in the library.
Laura lives a double life, in school she seems perfectly happy, but at home she is forced by her mom to take care of her older brother, Jimmy, whose special needs without any help. She is resentful to her mother for forcing the job onto her and additionally on her brother; carrying the burden alone. Her mother puts restrictions on Laura not letting her choose an ivy league college that she deserves, preferring she stay close to tend to Jimmy.
Laura feels trapped, her fate sealed-confined as her brother’s permanent nurse. It must feel suffocating to have all your dreams stolen and potential wasted. Additionally, her father is absent in all of this. Always with the excuse of “business” Laura seems to adore her father and toward the end of the story she says how just a little effort from her dad could have changed everything.
Throughout all this, Laura turns to drugs, nicotine from cigarettes and alcohol at the club.
At school and outside, Laura attracts men with her good looks and jealousy from women. Her many admirers are all shallow men who only care about her looks or the fact that she’s asian ( big ick ) they never make the effort to actually get to know her, only on a surface level do they understand even Alejandro. Most of the men only want to have sex with Laura and throw her away, confusing their empty lust for deep love. I just find the dispute between Alejandro and Arthur so dumb, because both of them weren’t even at the talking stage with her ( some men have nothing but the nerve istg ).
Laura truly has no friends, no one to relate to, no one who checks in on her. It’s hard for Laura to make female friends as they think she’s “too perfect” and stuck-up or jealous of her innate beauty.
Other than her drug-use, she goes to clubs wearing scant clothing which her mother finds unforgivable. Laura takes advantage of her looks to get in illegally to clubs and drink underage as she is still in high school ( yikes ).
On page 109, the bartender is charmed and serves Laura alcohol without I.D, but most importantly he advises her to be careful as desperate men have lowly desires. On the previous page she repeats that she has no regrets during her club visits which I interpret as her trying to gaslight herself that what she’s doing is even remotely beneficial.
On page 142, after her suicide the medical examiner finds notable healed bruises on her upper thigh and back. Most likely, Laura was sexually assaulted while under the influence at the club, that is what Laura’s trying to convince herself as no big deal, that what happened during those nights were “nothing”.
After their daughters’ suicide her mother laments on her inadequacies and finally reflects on her oppressive behavior ( too little too late ) while her absent father reminisces on memories of Laura as a child. Referring to a picture of her still as an adolescent which just shows how truly ignorant he is. He doesn’t know Laura anymore only an outdated version of his daughter as his memories are sparse and most likely from a niche timeframe. Also shame on him for escaping responsibility as a husband and father.
I hope all who relate to Lauras’ story know that they’re not alone <3
SPOILERS!
TW: implied SA, suicide
I picked out Spilt Image randomly and I regret nothing. This book chronicles Laura Li’s gilded life; her loveless family and her secret nightly excursions to the club. All masked under a perfect student persona; good grades, popular, a beloved assistant in the library.
Laura lives a double life, in school she seems perfectly happy, but at home she is forced by her mom to take care of her older brother, Jimmy, whose special needs without any help. She is resentful to her mother for forcing the job onto her and additionally on her brother; carrying the burden alone. Her mother puts restrictions on Laura not letting her choose an ivy league college that she deserves, preferring she stay close to tend to Jimmy.
Laura feels trapped, her fate sealed-confined as her brother’s permanent nurse. It must feel suffocating to have all your dreams stolen and potential wasted. Additionally, her father is absent in all of this. Always with the excuse of “business” Laura seems to adore her father and toward the end of the story she says how just a little effort from her dad could have changed everything.
Throughout all this, Laura turns to drugs, nicotine from cigarettes and alcohol at the club.
At school and outside, Laura attracts men with her good looks and jealousy from women. Her many admirers are all shallow men who only care about her looks or the fact that she’s asian ( big ick ) they never make the effort to actually get to know her, only on a surface level do they understand even Alejandro. Most of the men only want to have sex with Laura and throw her away, confusing their empty lust for deep love. I just find the dispute between Alejandro and Arthur so dumb, because both of them weren’t even at the talking stage with her ( some men have nothing but the nerve istg ).
Laura truly has no friends, no one to relate to, no one who checks in on her. It’s hard for Laura to make female friends as they think she’s “too perfect” and stuck-up or jealous of her innate beauty.
Other than her drug-use, she goes to clubs wearing scant clothing which her mother finds unforgivable. Laura takes advantage of her looks to get in illegally to clubs and drink underage as she is still in high school ( yikes ).
On page 109, the bartender is charmed and serves Laura alcohol without I.D, but most importantly he advises her to be careful as desperate men have lowly desires. On the previous page she repeats that she has no regrets during her club visits which I interpret as her trying to gaslight herself that what she’s doing is even remotely beneficial.
On page 142, after her suicide the medical examiner finds notable healed bruises on her upper thigh and back. Most likely, Laura was sexually assaulted while under the influence at the club, that is what Laura’s trying to convince herself as no big deal, that what happened during those nights were “nothing”.
After their daughters’ suicide her mother laments on her inadequacies and finally reflects on her oppressive behavior ( too little too late ) while her absent father reminisces on memories of Laura as a child. Referring to a picture of her still as an adolescent which just shows how truly ignorant he is. He doesn’t know Laura anymore only an outdated version of his daughter as his memories are sparse and most likely from a niche timeframe. Also shame on him for escaping responsibility as a husband and father.
I hope all who relate to Lauras’ story know that they’re not alone <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2024
oooof reading this in 2024 and damn this is such an insensitive book.
also, it tries to tackle dark topics while remaining shallow ???
as a YA book, I do think this could’ve been done well.
an FMC trying to meet everyone else’s expectations but her own. which ultimately leads to her committing suicide.
suicide is definitely is a heavy subject and I do think it’s okay to mention suicide and mental health in YA books. It’s SO important to be open and transparent about the topic — especially since many youth are going through mental health issues.
but come on, WTH is this quote:
“She took her own life
She took pills —
Blue ones, red ones,
The kill you dead ones”
💀
additionally, there’s A LOT of racial stereotyping in this book
“It was over this Asian girl,
This drop dead gorgeous China doll.
She was there doing nothin
(Wish I could do her)”
many characters just kept saying Asian slurs behind her back and the author kept dropping slurs for all the other races too. I know this is hs and high schoolers can say shitty things but ???? It was a bit overkill
tw: suicide, self-harm, possible SA of a minor?
also, it tries to tackle dark topics while remaining shallow ???
as a YA book, I do think this could’ve been done well.
an FMC trying to meet everyone else’s expectations but her own. which ultimately leads to her committing suicide.
suicide is definitely is a heavy subject and I do think it’s okay to mention suicide and mental health in YA books. It’s SO important to be open and transparent about the topic — especially since many youth are going through mental health issues.
but come on, WTH is this quote:
“She took her own life
She took pills —
Blue ones, red ones,
The kill you dead ones”
💀
additionally, there’s A LOT of racial stereotyping in this book
“It was over this Asian girl,
This drop dead gorgeous China doll.
She was there doing nothin
(Wish I could do her)”
many characters just kept saying Asian slurs behind her back and the author kept dropping slurs for all the other races too. I know this is hs and high schoolers can say shitty things but ???? It was a bit overkill
tw: suicide, self-harm, possible SA of a minor?
March 25, 2025
Was not expecting this book to make me sob, I thought it would be a cute love story or something omg
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2016
This book by Mel Glenn is written completely in poetry. It shows the different perspectives of everyone in the main character’s life. Laura Li is in a search to find herself in a way among people who keep labeling her according to their thoughts.
Laura Li is a Chinese immigrant who moved over with her mom, dad, and ill older brother. She is in charge of taking care of her brother because her dad is always away at work and her mom forces her responsibilities onto Laura Li. Her brother wishes he could help her but he’s physically unable to. A lot of Laura Li’s time is spent taking care of him. Laura Li gets a job in her school library, where she feels safest and meets a lot of people through that. 3 different guys who all have a crush on Laura Li visit the library to see her. One is in love with her and the other two just think she’s pretty and popular. Those are 3 more people who label her according to their first impression of her. As time goes on, Laura Li can’t handle the emotional and physical abuse of her mother, who wants Laura Li to grow up the exact same way she did, and the immense responsibility placed on her to fit everyone’s views. So, she resorts to drastic measures to get away from her life.
The book was okay, but they added random people’s perspectives in the story that had absolutely nothing to do with Laura Li and it seemed pointless to me. Also, you have to infer a lot about her home life because not much of it is included. It focuses too much on the boys at school who go to the library to see her when I think it should’ve focused more on Laura Li’s view of the entire story. Overall, it’s not the kind of book I enjoy to read. Although, I think people who like sensitive or deep topics, and/or poetry would like to read this book.
Laura Li is a Chinese immigrant who moved over with her mom, dad, and ill older brother. She is in charge of taking care of her brother because her dad is always away at work and her mom forces her responsibilities onto Laura Li. Her brother wishes he could help her but he’s physically unable to. A lot of Laura Li’s time is spent taking care of him. Laura Li gets a job in her school library, where she feels safest and meets a lot of people through that. 3 different guys who all have a crush on Laura Li visit the library to see her. One is in love with her and the other two just think she’s pretty and popular. Those are 3 more people who label her according to their first impression of her. As time goes on, Laura Li can’t handle the emotional and physical abuse of her mother, who wants Laura Li to grow up the exact same way she did, and the immense responsibility placed on her to fit everyone’s views. So, she resorts to drastic measures to get away from her life.
The book was okay, but they added random people’s perspectives in the story that had absolutely nothing to do with Laura Li and it seemed pointless to me. Also, you have to infer a lot about her home life because not much of it is included. It focuses too much on the boys at school who go to the library to see her when I think it should’ve focused more on Laura Li’s view of the entire story. Overall, it’s not the kind of book I enjoy to read. Although, I think people who like sensitive or deep topics, and/or poetry would like to read this book.
March 28, 2023
Mel Glenn uses the verse novel to great effect, developing Laura Li's character so vividly. The story really captures how the public face a person shows does not tell the whole story of an individual's life.
Outwardly, Laura Li is the ideal student, the perfect daughter, a popular, kind girl. Inwardly, she feels thwarted by her mother, stifled by her family obligations, and lonely. She dreams of college, but knows it is not a path open to her. She loves to dance, but must sneak out for any opportunities.
Besides Laura Li, secondary characters are well developed, and I was very interested in the way each perceived Laura's words and actions to fit their own views.
This has been circulating really well ever since I moved it into the fiction section. Word of mouth has it out almost constantly. Teens are really drawn to the exploration of identity, the characters' relationships, and the writing.
Outwardly, Laura Li is the ideal student, the perfect daughter, a popular, kind girl. Inwardly, she feels thwarted by her mother, stifled by her family obligations, and lonely. She dreams of college, but knows it is not a path open to her. She loves to dance, but must sneak out for any opportunities.
Besides Laura Li, secondary characters are well developed, and I was very interested in the way each perceived Laura's words and actions to fit their own views.
This has been circulating really well ever since I moved it into the fiction section. Word of mouth has it out almost constantly. Teens are really drawn to the exploration of identity, the characters' relationships, and the writing.
July 3, 2012
Split Image was an interesting story. It was a short novel in verse about a teenager named Laura Li and her family. Laura Li volunteered at the school library. Everyone at the school thought she was perfect. However, that was far from the truth. She had many issues and was a pretty messed up girl. Her mother criticized and abused her. She started partying all hours of the night, drinking, smoking, and doing drugs.I was confused as to what illness Jimmy Li, her brother, had. He was very ill and needed Laura to do everything for him. I felt bad for Laura. She had to endure everything that was going on at home. When she worked at the library, she listened to everyone's problems. When she needed help, nobody listened to her. This short novel was great. It was definitely sad. Other than Laura's brother's illness, the plot was easy to follow. I wish Split Image would have been a little longer so that the reader could have gotten to know the characters more in depth.
September 16, 2010
Well, before I write about this book, I must tell, you; I pretty much hate poetry (except Shel Silverstien, of course). The reason I don't like poetry is because when it's telling a story, it's so..... emotionless.
So this book had a little bit of emotion in it, but not enough for me to actually like Laura, the main character. To me, Laura was a Mary Sue, until oh, Laura is so hot, Laura is so bad. And then she dies. Beautiful.
I personally didn't like this book (obviously lol).
I don't recommend this to anyone.
So this book had a little bit of emotion in it, but not enough for me to actually like Laura, the main character. To me, Laura was a Mary Sue, until oh, Laura is so hot, Laura is so bad. And then she dies. Beautiful.
I personally didn't like this book (obviously lol).
I don't recommend this to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2013
Split Image By: Glenn Mel.
Split Image is about a girl, who almost everyone is thinks is perfect, Laura Li. Through this story told by poems, Laura Li is known by all. She works for her brother, her dad is always traveling and she loves to read. She also works in the library, her library teacher also acts like a mom to her.
I really enjoyed the book though the end was a major bummer for me, AKA sad ending. Although the plot was very well done and the poems were amazing.
Split Image I think would be a good book for young adult readers and up.
Split Image is about a girl, who almost everyone is thinks is perfect, Laura Li. Through this story told by poems, Laura Li is known by all. She works for her brother, her dad is always traveling and she loves to read. She also works in the library, her library teacher also acts like a mom to her.
I really enjoyed the book though the end was a major bummer for me, AKA sad ending. Although the plot was very well done and the poems were amazing.
Split Image I think would be a good book for young adult readers and up.
April 7, 2017
POETRY
Laura Li is perfect. She's beautiful, she's kind, she's smart. She does everything expected of her...during the day. Night-time however, is a different story. Desperate to let go a little, she sneaks out to clubs with her friends. Laura Li gets a job at the school's library, where two boys fall for her. Written in poetic form and ending in tragedy, Glenn's book shows the consequences when one girl tries to balance the appearance of perfection on the outside, while inwardly longing to let loose and relax. With Laura Li, it seems there's more than meets the eye.
Laura Li is perfect. She's beautiful, she's kind, she's smart. She does everything expected of her...during the day. Night-time however, is a different story. Desperate to let go a little, she sneaks out to clubs with her friends. Laura Li gets a job at the school's library, where two boys fall for her. Written in poetic form and ending in tragedy, Glenn's book shows the consequences when one girl tries to balance the appearance of perfection on the outside, while inwardly longing to let loose and relax. With Laura Li, it seems there's more than meets the eye.
August 19, 2007
Written in free verse by friends, family, and students, this was a compelling novel about a popular Asian student Laura Li. You never really know what people think about you; you can be popular but have a horrible life that you don't let anyone see. You should really reach out for help and don't ever feel you are alone. Try the rest of Mel Glenn's novels, they are all in verse and soooo awesome.
February 19, 2009
I had this book on my Chinese New Year display, and I thought I'd read it. It's a novel in verse. I often have luck persuading reluctant readers to read by using novels written in poetry! The book was appropriately teenaged and angsty, but there was definitely something of substance behind the pain. The book covered a lot of ground in its sparse text: disabilities, race, bigotry, mental illness. A quick, but intriguing, read.
July 7, 2015
Stories that move me always get a good review.
This story told from a multitude of perspectives got my emotions involved.
Some of the perspectives weren't great, but most of them were. There was some insightful commentary about high school and adulthood. The lead character is Laura. She has a "split image" where what she shows is different depending on where she is. She tries to create a veneer of perfection.
This story told from a multitude of perspectives got my emotions involved.
Some of the perspectives weren't great, but most of them were. There was some insightful commentary about high school and adulthood. The lead character is Laura. She has a "split image" where what she shows is different depending on where she is. She tries to create a veneer of perfection.
January 28, 2009
Some very lovely writing in here. A bit overly dramatic for my tastes, but the tone compliments the form well (or is it the other way around?). I'm interested in reading others of Mel Glenn's works, especially because he referenced events from them (in a very offhand manner) in one of the poems in this collection.
January 26, 2015
I loved this book, written through poetry, because it gave a perspective of a teenager that no one imagines. No one ever thinks that a group of people its connected to them, in different ways. Also being the most popular, the most beautiful, the untouchable, girl in the school, leads to think of a perfect life and it leads to pressure and suicide.
December 5, 2016
Category: Poetry
Laura Li is popular and does well academically but her parents' absent or oppressive ways lead her to try to escape--eventually turning to suicide.
This book encourages people to be less judgmental and realize that everyone is trying to find their way and identity, and everyone has some issues they are dealing with.
Laura Li is popular and does well academically but her parents' absent or oppressive ways lead her to try to escape--eventually turning to suicide.
This book encourages people to be less judgmental and realize that everyone is trying to find their way and identity, and everyone has some issues they are dealing with.
November 29, 2016
I needed a quick read today since I left my book sitting on the table and grabbed this one. Verse novels are powerful! They cut out all the "fluff" and get right to the heart of the story which in this case focused on identify and perception. The author's use of rhythm, language, and metaphor will keep you engaged. I encourage you all to try just one this school year.
June 25, 2008
A teen novel told in verse (should have been warning enough) about a girl whose mother has unrealistic expectations of her, eventually driving her to suicide by fire. The coverage of all issues - intriguing though they may be - is so shallow that the book is unbelievable and stupid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2008
Through a variety of voices, Split Image shows what can happen when a teenage girl that seems to be popular and have it “together” never finds her own voice. We see that people are not always what they seem.
September 3, 2008
A story teens will enjoy. The struggle of a daughter of immigrants who has responsibilities no teen should have to shoulder. Her inability to deal with the stress and her metamorphosis into a new (but unstable) person is very real and something teens will understand.
July 27, 2011
While fast, this story doesn't work. Glenn is juggling too many things, from a narrator leading a double life, to abuse, to depression, to callous classmates, to a disabled brother and I could go on. As a readers theater in a classroom, this might work, but I found it a messy, unfocused read.
November 18, 2013
grabbed this while shelf shifting - imagine my surprise when the verse novel is chock full of library references. it was actually a very poignant look at a young chinese girl and her restricted life and how she tried to cope with it. the library was her refuge until everything became too much.
February 2, 2016
A novel in verse that packs a big wallop. Laura Li’s life is shaped completely and tragically by her mother, but who is she really? The voices of the people she knows give us different views of her.
February 1, 2017
This was so so good! I haven't read many books that choose to tell their stories through poems and through poems from different characters at that! You really got to see what everyone was thinking and seeing and not seeing. The ending is sad but well done, the whole book was very well done.
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