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Very likely this author's books are just never going to connect with me. I didn't loathe it the way I loathed Diamond Willow, but I didn't think it was very good. It seems to me a bad sign when you have to explain the new poetic form in the back of the book in order for readers to see what it is you're trying to do--god help me, this concept worked better in Diamond Willow--but after I went back to read the secret messages, I didn't think they added to the story anyway.
I think it's great that th ...more
I think it's great that th ...more

This book is on my Newbery short list! The premise is believeable and riviting. Wren and Darra alternate telling their stories. The beginning is a flashback where Wren sets up the crime. When she was 8 years old, her mother ran into a convenience store and left Wren in the car with the keys so that she could play the radio. She hears one gun shot and, frightened, hides under a blanket in the rear of the car. A man, reeking of cigarette smoke, jumps into the car and drives off, unaware that Wren
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When Wren is 8 years old, she is accidentally kidnapped when she is in her mother's van when it is stolen. Terrified, she hides out for days in the garage of her abductor. During this time she witnesses the family's comings and goings. She learns that a girl just her age, Darra is the daughter of the car thief. Years later the two girls are reunited at summer camp. Complex emotions abound on both sides. This is a wonderful story, cleverly told in verse. Readers who are interested will find more
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This is closer to a four star. After a dramatic and traumatic opeing, Frost weaves a believable, warm and very satisfying tale of
two girls whose lives are entwined by accident and resolved by their own sensitive and empathetic efforts.
two girls whose lives are entwined by accident and resolved by their own sensitive and empathetic efforts.

This is off this year’s OLA/WLA Mock Newbery, which I will (sob) not be attending due to a previous engagement. However, I’m still trying to read through the list and I’m glad because otherwise I might have missed this one. It’s gripping from page one and one of those verse novels that justifies its existence as a verse novel (ie, not just prose broken up randomly into shorter lines).

Amazing book!! My favorite read of 2011 by far. Could not put it down. Reviewing this week on blog. #bookaday

Mar 01, 2011
Rachel
marked it as to-read

Jul 10, 2011
Barbara A.
marked it as to-read

Dec 11, 2011
Jackie
added it

Jan 19, 2012
Tamsyn
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
defies-categories,
suspenseful,
fms,
youngadult,
realisticfiction,
books-in-verse,
mock-newbery

Apr 14, 2012
Cori Grady
marked it as to-read

Jun 13, 2012
Shawn
marked it as to-read

Dec 12, 2012
Kristin McIlhagga
marked it as to-read