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Yearbook Trilogy #1
Yearbook
It was the first day of school at Lakeview High, and everyone was afraid of something. Michaela Choi was afraid that Ethan Back was never going to ask her out on a date. Andrea Beck was afraid that someone would find her weak spot, the chink in her armor. She was afraid of knowing what it was herself. Principal Downing was afraid she was going to die. Julie Reid was afraid that no one would notice her. She was also afraid that someone would. And there was a deeper, unnamed fear inside her that she couldn't escape - a fear that she was nothing and no one . . . Yearbook is a captivating story about relationships and heartaches and fears and ideas and doubts and testimonies and everything that a teenage mind and a backpack can contain. But most important, Yearbook is a novel about how everyone has something to offer and something to learn.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2006
16 people are currently reading
3312 people want to read
About the author
Ally Condie
30 books14.9k followersAlly Condie is a former high school English teacher who lives with her husband, three sons and one daughter outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, running, eating, and listening to her husband play guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
December 20, 2008
this was a cute book. it was really interesting in the fact that it was told from a lot of characters' points of view. it was one of those mormon books. not that i have anything against them, but they all pretty much have the same plot line :) challenges of faith, getting back on the straight and narrow.. etc if you've read any of those type you know what i mean. still it was a really good book!!!!!!
April 11, 2012
AUTHOR PRESENTATION CATEGORY
Condie weaves together the narratives of many different teenagers throughout one year of high school. The jock, the ice queen, the class clown, the goth, the gang's all here. While the book isn't necessarily of great consequence, it is a great first novel for Condie and a well written book. I personally connect best with narratives written in first-person, so while each character doesn't necessarily have a lot of time to talk in the book, I felt connected to them all in some degree or another. Some may criticize the style, but I personally found it worked, given that she was trying to capture so many different voices in the same novel. While it may not be the best depiction of high school, it is Mormon-friendly and still very relatable for teenagers today.
Condie weaves together the narratives of many different teenagers throughout one year of high school. The jock, the ice queen, the class clown, the goth, the gang's all here. While the book isn't necessarily of great consequence, it is a great first novel for Condie and a well written book. I personally connect best with narratives written in first-person, so while each character doesn't necessarily have a lot of time to talk in the book, I felt connected to them all in some degree or another. Some may criticize the style, but I personally found it worked, given that she was trying to capture so many different voices in the same novel. While it may not be the best depiction of high school, it is Mormon-friendly and still very relatable for teenagers today.
December 19, 2014
3.5
I had a hard time rating this one. I liked it, but it also drove me crazy. I really liked the characters, but was so confused at times. I had to keep referring back to different chapters to try and keep them all straight. I liked hearing their stories through there own point of view, but there were so many to keep track of it didn't seem to flow very well. It was definitely written true to life...and as much as I loved HS I am reminded how glad I am to not still be there. lol :) I look forward to the authors other books about these same characters. I hope to see their stories more developed.
I had a hard time rating this one. I liked it, but it also drove me crazy. I really liked the characters, but was so confused at times. I had to keep referring back to different chapters to try and keep them all straight. I liked hearing their stories through there own point of view, but there were so many to keep track of it didn't seem to flow very well. It was definitely written true to life...and as much as I loved HS I am reminded how glad I am to not still be there. lol :) I look forward to the authors other books about these same characters. I hope to see their stories more developed.
September 19, 2014
I wanted to like this book more, because my daughters enjoyed it so much. but it really wasn't great writing. Most of the male characters were basically the same- sincere, goofy, open (Which personally, I find rare with male teenagers), and sporty. But it was clean and had some interesting developments. It was a little too perfect and preachy to me, but I'm glad books like this exist- better to have good morals and sub-standard writing than bad ones with a higher quality storytelling.
May 19, 2008
As first novels go, this work fell in the realm of adequate. Some of the characters held a great deal of depth, while others barely semm 2-D.
I want to give the writer props, however, for difficulty in writing styles. Spanning the space of a school year, the reader finds him/herself in the head of a different person each chapter. An attempt to write in so many styles to truly set each character apart is never easy. The author uses journal entries, 1st person narratives, and a poem.
The author shows promise, and I believe I will read the sequel. Hopefully I will see some more improvement there, especially in character development.
The only real problem I see with this novel would be the limited audience the author caters to. Sometimes, that happens, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, it means that the majority of my reader friends will not receive this as a recommendation from me.
I will admit my true enjoyment from this book probably stems with the nearly autobiographical feel, for me, I felt as I read. This seemed far too much like my own High School experience. A pack of LDS kids (some of my friends) befriend some non-LDS people (myself and some other friends) and boomchaka... one decides to join the LDS Church (me) and several others consider looking into the Church (several of my other friends.)
While nothing in the book seems overwhelmingly moving, I still found myself moved as I related with the convert and her story.
This is a first novel, written for an audience that must be LDS audience, for young adults. I am saddened that a reader needs at least some familarity to the LDS culture to truly enjoy this book. There were places where a little explanation and additions could have opened this book up to a larger audience. I still recommend it, especially to LDS young adults.
All in all, not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening.
I want to give the writer props, however, for difficulty in writing styles. Spanning the space of a school year, the reader finds him/herself in the head of a different person each chapter. An attempt to write in so many styles to truly set each character apart is never easy. The author uses journal entries, 1st person narratives, and a poem.
The author shows promise, and I believe I will read the sequel. Hopefully I will see some more improvement there, especially in character development.
The only real problem I see with this novel would be the limited audience the author caters to. Sometimes, that happens, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, it means that the majority of my reader friends will not receive this as a recommendation from me.
I will admit my true enjoyment from this book probably stems with the nearly autobiographical feel, for me, I felt as I read. This seemed far too much like my own High School experience. A pack of LDS kids (some of my friends) befriend some non-LDS people (myself and some other friends) and boomchaka... one decides to join the LDS Church (me) and several others consider looking into the Church (several of my other friends.)
While nothing in the book seems overwhelmingly moving, I still found myself moved as I related with the convert and her story.
This is a first novel, written for an audience that must be LDS audience, for young adults. I am saddened that a reader needs at least some familarity to the LDS culture to truly enjoy this book. There were places where a little explanation and additions could have opened this book up to a larger audience. I still recommend it, especially to LDS young adults.
All in all, not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening.
April 28, 2013
Earlier this year, I decided to go back and read all of Ally Condie's work. 'Yearbook' was apparently her first book. It was published by Deseret Book, so it was definitely a departure from her 'mainstream' novels. That said, I really enjoyed reading it.
Sometimes the only characters in LDS novels are LDS themselves. In the case of 'Yearbook', I felt there was a very good balance of characters who were both LDS and not, though there was one person who did end up learning about the Gospel and being converted.
I like how Ally gave us different points of view throughout the novel. There were a few characters (actually, I think it was just the adult characters) who only got one 'chapter' devoted to their thoughts, but we got to see into the minds and hearts of all of the teens at least twice. This is a plot device that Ally used when she wrote the last 2 books of the 'Matched' trilogy, and, as with those books, the switching points of view worked for 'Yearbook' as well.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment in the series!
Sometimes the only characters in LDS novels are LDS themselves. In the case of 'Yearbook', I felt there was a very good balance of characters who were both LDS and not, though there was one person who did end up learning about the Gospel and being converted.
I like how Ally gave us different points of view throughout the novel. There were a few characters (actually, I think it was just the adult characters) who only got one 'chapter' devoted to their thoughts, but we got to see into the minds and hearts of all of the teens at least twice. This is a plot device that Ally used when she wrote the last 2 books of the 'Matched' trilogy, and, as with those books, the switching points of view worked for 'Yearbook' as well.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment in the series!
December 26, 2017
3 1/2 stars
t was the first day of school at Lakeview High, and everyone was afraid of something. Michaela Choi was afraid that Ethan Back was never going to ask her out on a date. Andrea Beck was afraid that someone would find her weak spot, the chink in her armor. She was afraid of knowing what it was herself. Principal Downing was afraid she was going to die. Julie Reid was afraid that no one would notice her. She was also afraid that someone would. And there was a deeper, unnamed fear inside her that she couldn't escape - a fear that she was nothing and no one . . . Yearbook is a captivating story about relationships and heartaches and fears and ideas and doubts and testimonies and everything that a teenage mind and a backpack can contain. But most important, Yearbook is a novel about how everyone has something to offer and something to learn.
t was the first day of school at Lakeview High, and everyone was afraid of something. Michaela Choi was afraid that Ethan Back was never going to ask her out on a date. Andrea Beck was afraid that someone would find her weak spot, the chink in her armor. She was afraid of knowing what it was herself. Principal Downing was afraid she was going to die. Julie Reid was afraid that no one would notice her. She was also afraid that someone would. And there was a deeper, unnamed fear inside her that she couldn't escape - a fear that she was nothing and no one . . . Yearbook is a captivating story about relationships and heartaches and fears and ideas and doubts and testimonies and everything that a teenage mind and a backpack can contain. But most important, Yearbook is a novel about how everyone has something to offer and something to learn.
July 25, 2017
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. I picked it up because it's written by one of my favorite authors, but it ended up not being as good as her other books, which makes sense though because this was her first book. Obviously, it wouldn't be her best, because she was just getting started at the time. This is not to say I didn't like it- I did -it's just that the way the chapters are set up, and there are so many main characters, it's kind of hard to follow. There were also two girls with similar names, Amy and Avery, and I kept getting them mixed up. There was also one character who, when you meet him, lives in a completely different state than the normal setting for the book, so that chapter feels misplaced. You don't find out until much later that he moves to that school. The other problem I found was that I would read a chapter with one character, and get to know them a little bit, but it seemed every time it started to get me interested, the chapter would end. Then I wouldn't get to know what actually happened until later, through another character vaguely mentioning it. This is really the main reason I didn't like it as much: even though I heard the thoughts and actions of each character, I didn't feel like I really knew them, so I wasn't that attached to them. There were, however, some interesting parts described in full detail, which is probably the only thing that kept me reading.
There were several aspects that I did like about it, one including the fact that it was sort of religious, specifically because it was about a religion that I'm not, but I know many people who are, so it was really interesting to see the inside view on it. I really liked learning about other people's beliefs.
Also, although it took some time getting used to the abrupt change each chapter, I liked how many characters there were and that they all were mentioned by each other, showing how everyone's lives really do intertwine and change each other. It was really nice how, although many of them were teenagers, you get to hear the thoughts and struggles of people of all ages- a school principle, an elderly woman, a retiring teacher, a brand new teacher, a lot of different high schoolers- and people dealing with all different situations- someone with health problems, someone who's lost someone they love, someone who's related to the person who killed that person, someone with learning disabilities, someone who is expected to be perfect, someone who is expected to be funny all the time, someone who moves in the middle of the school year, and even more. No matter who is reading it, I can almost guarantee that anyone can relate to it in some way or another.
August 20, 2019
It shows a list of kids and how they interact. How their lives intertwine: Lessons learned; Heartbreaks; Feelings hurt; Hidden secrets; Heartaches; Pain; Fear; Sadness; Loneliness; Injustice; Unfairness. Their problems, deepest desires, and what they do. What they were doing wrong. How selfish she was. How injustice he was. She didn't do this right, but then she had some help. Avery felt like this: "Sixteen"
'"Take your backpack," my mother tells me. I ignore her.
"How can you go to school without a pen, a piece of paper?" she shrills. I pick up the backpack and walk out the door.
She smiles, satisfied.
What she doesn't know is that the backpack is empty.
I am empty.
It's easier to let yourself drown.
Why struggle and slip and swim and choke?
Better to let go now.
The water is black and cold and deep and dark.
I slip beneath.
It's so easy.
Teachers ask for assignments.
Gossip and whispers surround us.
Teams lament losses, exult in wins.
I swim below everything.
I see only their ripples on the surface.
Nothing moves me here below.
There are monsters here in the deep.
Dark, some of them.
Beautiful and terrible, some of them.
I can swim around my own sorrows, in my own anger.
No one notices, or if they do, they understand and swim by.
Better to feel anger than to feel sorrow.
Better to feel nothing than to feel sorrow.
Better not to feel.
But something in me still wants to rise up out of the dark water.
Wants to feel the sun on my wet, cold skin.
Something inside of me wants to put my feet on hot, grainy sand And run along the beach.
Even though there is glass that might cut me buried beneath.
'"Take your backpack," my mother tells me. I ignore her.
"How can you go to school without a pen, a piece of paper?" she shrills. I pick up the backpack and walk out the door.
She smiles, satisfied.
What she doesn't know is that the backpack is empty.
I am empty.
It's easier to let yourself drown.
Why struggle and slip and swim and choke?
Better to let go now.
The water is black and cold and deep and dark.
I slip beneath.
It's so easy.
Teachers ask for assignments.
Gossip and whispers surround us.
Teams lament losses, exult in wins.
I swim below everything.
I see only their ripples on the surface.
Nothing moves me here below.
There are monsters here in the deep.
Dark, some of them.
Beautiful and terrible, some of them.
I can swim around my own sorrows, in my own anger.
No one notices, or if they do, they understand and swim by.
Better to feel anger than to feel sorrow.
Better to feel nothing than to feel sorrow.
Better not to feel.
But something in me still wants to rise up out of the dark water.
Wants to feel the sun on my wet, cold skin.
Something inside of me wants to put my feet on hot, grainy sand And run along the beach.
Even though there is glass that might cut me buried beneath.
December 31, 2017
So at first I was a little hesitant reading this book. I wasn’t sure how I would feel. Even though I am part of the religion I don’t read many LDS (Mormon) books because they tend to feel all the same. What I can say is this book was beautifully written and I liked all the different characters and there perspectives and how each character had a chapter. I did not like that it wasn’t equally shared. I would have loved more about other characters Tyler, Michaela, and Julie to name a few. I loved the concept of the story and how every character played a role. I think I would have been able to keep the characters in mind better if the chapters when in order like she did in her other book (reached).
I learned so much from reading this book, and it caused me to reflect on my own life. I related a lot to Andrea and saw a lot of myself in her character. Overall I was happy with the book and it is one of my favorites published from this author. Looking forward to reading the next book.
I learned so much from reading this book, and it caused me to reflect on my own life. I related a lot to Andrea and saw a lot of myself in her character. Overall I was happy with the book and it is one of my favorites published from this author. Looking forward to reading the next book.
November 10, 2021
This series is expansive of the teenage and young adult experience within the Church without being confusing. In fact, it is relatable, touching, and even sweet as these friends and family members figure their lives out, lead to different destinies, experience the good and the hard, and connect and interweave. I really enjoyed it and am glad to own my own copies.
We all probably know this already, but Ally Condie is a really great and talented author! I find it strange that the reviews for these subtler contemporary/religious ones aren't skyrocketing, too. They should! After it's been a while since I've read these books, I still felt drawn to get on today and help support them. They are worth it! Check them out today!
We all probably know this already, but Ally Condie is a really great and talented author! I find it strange that the reviews for these subtler contemporary/religious ones aren't skyrocketing, too. They should! After it's been a while since I've read these books, I still felt drawn to get on today and help support them. They are worth it! Check them out today!
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June 11, 2022Content: clean
I didn't give a star rating because I couldn't decide. I think the way I can sum this up is this: some deep topics addressed in a very light manner. I feel like more depth could have made this a lot better. Everything just felt like brushing the surface of real issues.
I don't think I'll continue the series.
I didn't give a star rating because I couldn't decide. I think the way I can sum this up is this: some deep topics addressed in a very light manner. I feel like more depth could have made this a lot better. Everything just felt like brushing the surface of real issues.
I don't think I'll continue the series.
July 18, 2018
This was my first book by Condie that I read. I was surprised and impressed, thinking here is an LDS author writing fiction to an LDS audience, and she can write! Hooray! So many LDS YA books have weak plot lines and characters, or also are poorly edited. Not this book! Not this author!
April 27, 2019
I loved this book! It opened my mind to the hidden thoughts, talents, emotions, troubles, and trials of others. This book also made me very grateful to have a testimony and to know the truth. The book makes me want to go out and share the gospel with everyone. Thank you, Ally Condie!
August 31, 2017
4 rather than 3 for how well she was able to keep the different characters' voices distinct in the different chapters
December 14, 2017
This Book is really cool
June 27, 2018
If you put my high school experience in a book... this would be it
February 26, 2019
Hard to put down! I loved getting to know each character and look forward to reading more about them in the sequels
December 20, 2019
It is by far one of the best books I have read this month. It has not only strengthened my testimony but also my faith in the gospel of jesus christ
January 27, 2020
An enjoyable, clean, and fun read. I look forward to my 13 year old reading this . . .
December 14, 2012
ORAL PRESENTATION
This story is told through the eyes of multiple people whose stories are all intertwined. Michaela is a 16 year old girl who wants to share the Gospel, and is able to with her new-found friend Julie. She runs cross-country, and falls in love with another Mormon boy named Ethan. However, when Ethan breaks up with her and she breaks her leg running in the same month, she realizes that she has to apply the Atonement to her own life.
Ethan is a teenage boy who everyone adores. His parents went through a divorce not long before though, and in seeing his dad alone one night, he decides that there's no point in falling in love. It's not worth it if you only get hurt. His mother, however, convinces his otherwise and he decides to take a risk, while his sister, Andrea, decides to do the same. She's known as "The Ice Queen" since she doesn't show much emotion. She's been less active since her parents got divorced and doesn't have many close friends, but she comes in first in states each year in cross-country, and she's popular enough to be crowned Homecoming Queen. That night, walking across the stage without an escort since she dumped her boyfriend the day before, she runs into Dave, a fun-loving LDS boy, who gives her a ride home. They begin to date later on in the year, and, thanks to her improving relationship with her grandmother, she realizes that she can't control everything and she begins to see what happiness is.
The book continues to tell the stories of Julie, a girl suffering under the shadow of an older brother who killed a woman by drunk driving, but who finds the Gospel and peace; Tyler, a young man who moved from AZ to Seattle where he meets Julie and becomes friends with their group; Avery, a "gothic" girl who ends up in trouble more often than not, but changes through her friendship with Dave and in a teacher who sees her writing ability; Mr. Thomas and his son Owen who both teach at the high school and who struggle with the effects of a deceased wife and mother due to Julie's brother's drunk driving incident; and finally, Principal Downing who spends the year fighting cancer.
Through these stories, we see that everyone has challenges, but it requires courage, strength, and help from others to overcome them. The book is decently well-written, but seems to lack some of the excitement and drama that hooks readers. It was nice to see things from each of the different perspectives, but I found myself really only caring about two of the characters and skipping the other stories to read the ones I enjoyed. I would recommend it for LDS young adults from any age (probably 12), but probably no older than age 17 or 18 as the stories seem specific and engaging only to that age group.
This story is told through the eyes of multiple people whose stories are all intertwined. Michaela is a 16 year old girl who wants to share the Gospel, and is able to with her new-found friend Julie. She runs cross-country, and falls in love with another Mormon boy named Ethan. However, when Ethan breaks up with her and she breaks her leg running in the same month, she realizes that she has to apply the Atonement to her own life.
Ethan is a teenage boy who everyone adores. His parents went through a divorce not long before though, and in seeing his dad alone one night, he decides that there's no point in falling in love. It's not worth it if you only get hurt. His mother, however, convinces his otherwise and he decides to take a risk, while his sister, Andrea, decides to do the same. She's known as "The Ice Queen" since she doesn't show much emotion. She's been less active since her parents got divorced and doesn't have many close friends, but she comes in first in states each year in cross-country, and she's popular enough to be crowned Homecoming Queen. That night, walking across the stage without an escort since she dumped her boyfriend the day before, she runs into Dave, a fun-loving LDS boy, who gives her a ride home. They begin to date later on in the year, and, thanks to her improving relationship with her grandmother, she realizes that she can't control everything and she begins to see what happiness is.
The book continues to tell the stories of Julie, a girl suffering under the shadow of an older brother who killed a woman by drunk driving, but who finds the Gospel and peace; Tyler, a young man who moved from AZ to Seattle where he meets Julie and becomes friends with their group; Avery, a "gothic" girl who ends up in trouble more often than not, but changes through her friendship with Dave and in a teacher who sees her writing ability; Mr. Thomas and his son Owen who both teach at the high school and who struggle with the effects of a deceased wife and mother due to Julie's brother's drunk driving incident; and finally, Principal Downing who spends the year fighting cancer.
Through these stories, we see that everyone has challenges, but it requires courage, strength, and help from others to overcome them. The book is decently well-written, but seems to lack some of the excitement and drama that hooks readers. It was nice to see things from each of the different perspectives, but I found myself really only caring about two of the characters and skipping the other stories to read the ones I enjoyed. I would recommend it for LDS young adults from any age (probably 12), but probably no older than age 17 or 18 as the stories seem specific and engaging only to that age group.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2017
An interesting mix. One one hand, the story was okay, the format interesting even if it did make me feel as if I was being robbed of a lot of potential plot, the chracters varied form the very good and true to life to the average teenage saint, the pacing was even good. The narrative was strong, particularly for the better developed characters.
One the other hand, the dialogue was horrendous. It was sooo FAKE. No one talks like that, especially not teenagers. These two 17 year old were havign heart-to-hearts where they took even turns speaking for uniform-sized paragraphs. SO fake. I honestly almsot put it down, but the narrative was good, it was just hte dialogue that sucked. Especially the dialogue about religion. Religious discussions hardly ever start like that, they start with gentle invitations, like David used. Tehy do not start with sermons on repentance and Atonement in the girls bathroom. I'm sorry, but no.
Personally, I thought that even though Ethan and Michaela were the center of the story, they were the worst characters, they were exactly the same! They were actually pretty annoying. The really storng chracterization laid almost completely with Andrea, although Dave and Avery each got a generous portion. ANd the grandma's one chapter was very well done. The two Mr Thomas's were okay. but moslty Andrea was the only person I actually saw as a real person who went on a real journey.
Ally Condie's niche is definitly Matched, not this. Unless she can fix the dialogue issue.
One the other hand, the dialogue was horrendous. It was sooo FAKE. No one talks like that, especially not teenagers. These two 17 year old were havign heart-to-hearts where they took even turns speaking for uniform-sized paragraphs. SO fake. I honestly almsot put it down, but the narrative was good, it was just hte dialogue that sucked. Especially the dialogue about religion. Religious discussions hardly ever start like that, they start with gentle invitations, like David used. Tehy do not start with sermons on repentance and Atonement in the girls bathroom. I'm sorry, but no.
Personally, I thought that even though Ethan and Michaela were the center of the story, they were the worst characters, they were exactly the same! They were actually pretty annoying. The really storng chracterization laid almost completely with Andrea, although Dave and Avery each got a generous portion. ANd the grandma's one chapter was very well done. The two Mr Thomas's were okay. but moslty Andrea was the only person I actually saw as a real person who went on a real journey.
Ally Condie's niche is definitly Matched, not this. Unless she can fix the dialogue issue.
May 14, 2014
When a new school year starts at Lakeview High, everyone, from students to teachers to Principal Downing herself, come in with their own set of worries, fears, and insecurities. It isn't until their worlds start colliding that they notice how similar they are. Even, the most perfect-looking people, who seem like they have it all together, can be actually falling apart inside. Michaela, Ethan, Dave, Andrea, Grandmother Anne, Avery, Julie, Tyler, the Mr. Thomas', and Principal Downing all learn what it is to really live life together, helping each other through their personal struggles to bring hope into each other's lives. To accomplish this, they have to get to know the people behind the pictures in the yearbook.
This book confused me at first, because there's so many characters and each chapter is from a new person's point of view. But once I got to know them, I fell in love with each one of them, wanting them to all find their hope and their strength to carry on. I loved Condie's portrayal of such a typical high school situation. The variety of personalities, family situation, and struggles made it incredibly personal and effective. I felt as though I was getting to know the people behind the faces right along with all the other characters. Condie has such a fresh, original, yet so familiar voice to her writing. Even though they are someone else's stories, you feel as though she's written your life, and you're just getting a chance to look at it again.
This book confused me at first, because there's so many characters and each chapter is from a new person's point of view. But once I got to know them, I fell in love with each one of them, wanting them to all find their hope and their strength to carry on. I loved Condie's portrayal of such a typical high school situation. The variety of personalities, family situation, and struggles made it incredibly personal and effective. I felt as though I was getting to know the people behind the faces right along with all the other characters. Condie has such a fresh, original, yet so familiar voice to her writing. Even though they are someone else's stories, you feel as though she's written your life, and you're just getting a chance to look at it again.
August 4, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. There were so many different characters and they all fit into each others life like
little puzzles pieces. I think that is how life is. We never know who is going to be a part of our puzzle and often times when we meet people and they share ideas or their testimony with us, it becomes a missing piece to our puzzle. I felt like the stories were all very different and I liked how the book ended.
The quote below is one of my favorites. Jonathan's granparents had this quote hanging on their refrigerator. I always loved it but, I didn't know who it was by. When I read this in the book it was just like I ran into an old lost friend. It made me think of them. Words really are wonderful.
“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”
― Jenkin Lloyd Jones
little puzzles pieces. I think that is how life is. We never know who is going to be a part of our puzzle and often times when we meet people and they share ideas or their testimony with us, it becomes a missing piece to our puzzle. I felt like the stories were all very different and I liked how the book ended.
The quote below is one of my favorites. Jonathan's granparents had this quote hanging on their refrigerator. I always loved it but, I didn't know who it was by. When I read this in the book it was just like I ran into an old lost friend. It made me think of them. Words really are wonderful.
“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”
― Jenkin Lloyd Jones
February 2, 2017
3.5 Stars
I actually really enjoyed this book. It was a realistic, easy-read that contained so many great messages.
I loved reading the different points of view of everyone and seeing how they all connected. However, the big time gaps and the tell-not-show style prohibited it from flowing as well as it could have.
The story itself didn't have a lot of "oomph", as you could say, but the themes of the novel make up for it. I bumped up my rating from 3 to 3.5 stars solely because of the last chapter told by Andrea. I loved the letter she read, and she was my favorite character because she changed so much. Reading that ending made the whole novel worth it.
I enjoyed this book so much because every character changed for the better, and all of them learned from their experiences, good and bad. I would recommend this book to any teenager, Mormon or not, because it teaches great lessons about how everyone has potential to change and that everyone has a story to tell. I won't soon forget it.
I actually really enjoyed this book. It was a realistic, easy-read that contained so many great messages.
I loved reading the different points of view of everyone and seeing how they all connected. However, the big time gaps and the tell-not-show style prohibited it from flowing as well as it could have.
The story itself didn't have a lot of "oomph", as you could say, but the themes of the novel make up for it. I bumped up my rating from 3 to 3.5 stars solely because of the last chapter told by Andrea. I loved the letter she read, and she was my favorite character because she changed so much. Reading that ending made the whole novel worth it.
I enjoyed this book so much because every character changed for the better, and all of them learned from their experiences, good and bad. I would recommend this book to any teenager, Mormon or not, because it teaches great lessons about how everyone has potential to change and that everyone has a story to tell. I won't soon forget it.
May 26, 2016
Preview:
Yearbook follows the lives of several students and teachers at Lakeview High. Each has their fears and their dreams. All their lives are connected in some way and each finds that they must look outside of themselves and help others to make life more meaningful. At the end of the school year, they all find satisfaction in new friendships, relationships, and accomplishments.
Reader Response:
I really enjoyed this book. It was very up lifting. Each chapter is from a the point of view of a different character, which is something creative that Ally Condie does. Each voice is different and distinct, making the characters more realistic. I think that one of the reasons the writing is so powerful and believable is because Condie wrote about something that she knows, and something that is familiar to her. The LDS faith is a constant topic throughout the novel and I really appreciate Condie's incorporation of her faith. This is my favorite of her books because it is real.
-Genre: New Realism/Friends and Society/Religious
Yearbook follows the lives of several students and teachers at Lakeview High. Each has their fears and their dreams. All their lives are connected in some way and each finds that they must look outside of themselves and help others to make life more meaningful. At the end of the school year, they all find satisfaction in new friendships, relationships, and accomplishments.
Reader Response:
I really enjoyed this book. It was very up lifting. Each chapter is from a the point of view of a different character, which is something creative that Ally Condie does. Each voice is different and distinct, making the characters more realistic. I think that one of the reasons the writing is so powerful and believable is because Condie wrote about something that she knows, and something that is familiar to her. The LDS faith is a constant topic throughout the novel and I really appreciate Condie's incorporation of her faith. This is my favorite of her books because it is real.
-Genre: New Realism/Friends and Society/Religious
October 29, 2012
I find the book yearbook by Allyson condie to be very good at getting the story through the small tiny brain of mine in so many different stories, however there were areas in which the book was not quite as good at drama and suspence. The book was set from Seattle in modern time and was made for Mormon young adults.
It was very interesting to have 22 chapters and have different people narrate them the whole time and for chapter 23 to just be yearbook entries for all of the narrator’s of the book.
Mikey and Ethans relationship was so cute because they didn’t really so that they were a couple but everyone knew they were couple because of how they looked at each other.
I was very surprised of how David asked out Andrea and how Andrea said yes!!!!! That was really cool because it added a twist on the book because it changed everything that moment.
As you can see from the evidence presented above, this book is very good a romance and every young Mormon should read it!!!
It was very interesting to have 22 chapters and have different people narrate them the whole time and for chapter 23 to just be yearbook entries for all of the narrator’s of the book.
Mikey and Ethans relationship was so cute because they didn’t really so that they were a couple but everyone knew they were couple because of how they looked at each other.
I was very surprised of how David asked out Andrea and how Andrea said yes!!!!! That was really cool because it added a twist on the book because it changed everything that moment.
As you can see from the evidence presented above, this book is very good a romance and every young Mormon should read it!!!
June 25, 2008
This one was better than some of the recent LDS fiction I've read, but I'm getting a little discouraged by the general literary quality of LDS fiction. There's a lot of telling and not so much showing, lots of feeling like the books have to involve major conversions and not so much regular life of an LDS person or community. Lots of didacticism, lots of scenes showing them sharing scriptures with each other, which is kind of nice, but the whole of those scenes doesn't add to the plot, unfortunately. But she did have a few good chapters with good images and good character development. Though to revert again, although they share the scriptures, I found it a little unfortunate that they had some reference to teachings from the wonderful pamphlet "For the Strength of Youth" but they never mentioned it, and even strayed to a tiny degree from following it.
October 27, 2012
I am giving LDS Church books another chance. I like Ally Condie as an author. I think her characters are interesting and her stories intriguing. This book started out really well crafted. I did get lost on who some of the characters were but the previous reader of the book had left notes in the margins describing how they all related and who was a girl or a boy, because sometimes it was not clear. I lost my feeling for the book in the end though. I feel bad about it, bad about myself as a religious person because it was the heavy gospel narrative that did me in. Perhaps if I had more of that in my life and went around testifying then it would seem more natural and I would enjoy reading it.
This is a nice story with lots of feel good moments and real life disappointments and suffering. No sex, no violence, no language.
This is a nice story with lots of feel good moments and real life disappointments and suffering. No sex, no violence, no language.
October 22, 2013
Oral Presentation
Yearbook follows the lives of several students from Lakeview High School. Each has their own fears and struggle with their own challenges. Gaining and renewing testimonies is a consistent theme throughout. As far as Ally Condie's LDS fiction goes, I think I liked Being Sixteen better. It was a little weird with this book how you'd have a character there and then they'd just disappear for awhile. I felt like I got a deeper connection with the protagonist when she was just following one character. But I like the way the book covers a variety of different situations, which I like. Not all of the characters are even LDS, but you can see how the church affects them in different ways. I also liked that she had the actual yearbook entries at the end, because yearbooks are relatable I think. So not my favorite, but still a good book.
Yearbook follows the lives of several students from Lakeview High School. Each has their own fears and struggle with their own challenges. Gaining and renewing testimonies is a consistent theme throughout. As far as Ally Condie's LDS fiction goes, I think I liked Being Sixteen better. It was a little weird with this book how you'd have a character there and then they'd just disappear for awhile. I felt like I got a deeper connection with the protagonist when she was just following one character. But I like the way the book covers a variety of different situations, which I like. Not all of the characters are even LDS, but you can see how the church affects them in different ways. I also liked that she had the actual yearbook entries at the end, because yearbooks are relatable I think. So not my favorite, but still a good book.
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