Write Before Your Eyes by Lisa Williams Kline

by Lisa Williams Kline

Excellent Book

Genres: Fantasy, Juvenile, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Teen, Writing

Paperback

First published October 14, 2008

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

A neat idea told in a way to make it as boring as possible. There were pacing problems, but decent characters; the writing was competent but certainly not amazing.

My one big issue, believe it or not, was that the plot was so unrealistic. I'm willing to go with the "everything Gracie writes in her journal comes true" plot, but you have to meet me halfway. I was with her through "make my parents stop fighting" and "get my sister a date with her crush" and "help my brother pass his test", but then she and her best friend turned invisible, and I lost any interest I had in the plot.

The book could lend itself to some interesting discussions - that is, "what would you write in the journal?" or "who would you give the journal to?" - but as a story it was kind of lame.

[Portia H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun YA read for any reader that allows their imagination to soar yet maintains one foot grounded.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jag köpte den här boken för så många år sen pga idén är så kul: en flicka får tag i en anteckningsbok och allt hon skriver i den blir sant. Tyvärr levde handlingen inte upp till konceptet. Det var inte alls spännande och karaktärerna och handlingen kändes för barnsliga för mig (den är middle-grade). Men ja. Kul koncept, men det räcker inte.

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Write Before Your Eyes - Review
A squirrel landed on the branch beside Gracie and boldly looked her in the eye.
 
An acorn fell to the ground.
 
Mom's Blackberry rang.
 
Dylan rounded the bend beside the weeping willow, his hands in the pockets of his baggy khaki shorts.
 
A fuchsia elephant appeared on the horizon.
 

What if you found a journal that seemed meant for you? Right down to the quote on the first page, "Remember what the dormouse said" (from White Rabbit by Grace Slick, who Gracie was named after). And what if, everything you wrote in the journal came true, though maybe not in the way you intended and not always with a good result? Gracie found the blue suede journal at a yard sale and it brings magic into her life. Should she write that world peace is achieved, that no children go hungry or that her dad finally finds a job? Gracie tries to navigate this new magical world and figure out how to best use her newfound power.
 
This book was enjoyable. The story was cute. There was adventure, mystery, magic, family issues and first love problems.
 
Recommended to:
Grades 3 - 8, kids who like magic, adventures, journal stories and school stories.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent premise, but the pacing was really slow, and what Gracie did with the journal wasn't interesting enough to make it worthwhile.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gracie Rawley is the quiet one in the family between her more demanding older sister, Jen, and younger brother, Alex. She buys a faded blue journal at a yard sale and soon discovers everything she writes in it comes true. For someone who always “flew under the radar,” what should she do with her new found power? When she shares the news with her best friend and secret crush, Dylan, he suggests she write about world peace or better yet that he gets to kiss his crush, Lindsay Jacobs after school the next day. Gracie soon discovers that her best intentions go terribly wrong because of her writing. After her brother forgets to study for a science test, she writes that he got an A on his test. The next day he was caught cheating and got a detention. More mishaps occur such as her dad getting his dream job in Atlanta, four hours away and Gracie struggles with the power of her own writing. Kline’s prose is descriptive, engaging, and laugh out funny at times. The premise of the book will capture fans of fantasy novels but some of the allusions to Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane, and the song White Rabbit will probably go over their heads of the audience for this book.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another one that I just couldn't bring myself to finish. It's written in the spirit of old school fantasy like Edward Eager's Half Magic, but it's too much. There are so many direct references to this book and to Alice in Wonderland that I don't think there's a single original idea to be found. I was also frustrated with the portrayal of the main character, whose age seemed to fluctuate between 8 and 15 depending on the scene.

Also, this is a book that at first glance (and at first read of the summary) seems to be for young readers (definitely under the age of 12), but there are so many sex references that I'd be reluctant to give this book to a 3rd or 4th grader. Honestly, nothing blatent or graphic and many grade schoolers probably hear stuff like this anyway, but the book is just so misleading in its marketing that I feel the need to mention this so that no one is surprised. I don't consider myself a prude either, but I was just expecting something written for a 3rd or 4th grade audience and that's not at all what I got.

[Erin Sterling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gracie is the smart, quiet middle child in her family whose best friends is the school genius. When she discovers a journal where whatever she writes comes true, she tries to use it for good, only to discover that the truth isn’t always what it seems. Starting with small, personal entries, such as giving her sister the date she’s been wishing for or a perfect score for her brother on a test he didn’t study for, her she really wants to solve bigger world problems, but doesn’t want them to backfire as well. The story is a cute blend of fantasy and reality, if not slightly familiar with its literary references to Alice in Wonderland, Half-Magic, and a Prayer for Owen Meany. The ambiguous ending suggests a sequel, although it’s unclear whether the book really warrants one. While the book does hint of romance, the subject matter is tame and will appeal to readers as young as third grade.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gracie buys an old journal at a garage sale - and discovers that whatever she writes in the journal comes true in real life. Sounds like at idea at first - she writes that the principal removed the school dress code, and the next day he does. She writes that her dad gets the job of his dreams - and he does. But.... the results aren't always lasting. A few days later the principal not only reinstates the dress code, but requires uniforms. And Gracie's dad's amazing new job is in a town that's four hours away. So what started out to be a wonderful opportunity is more dangerous and powerful that Gracie first realized. What if she wishes for world peace? Or an end to hunger? That will happen, but at what cost?

This will make a great booktalk! Ask kids what they'd write in the book.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gracie, the middle child in her busy family, is often overlooked and feels powerless, but that changes when she buys an old journal at a yard sale. Gracie quickly discovers that anything she writes in the journal comes true. Her plan to to solve the great problems of the world quickly degenerates into attempts to solve her own difficulties. Unfortunately for Gracie her plans usually carry unforeseen details that make her solutions less than ideal and often create more problems than they solve. Gracie eventually realizes that even without magic, writing has power to change the world.

This is a predictable turn on the familiar theme, "Be careful what you wish for, you might get it," but middle school readers will enjoy Gracie's attempts to heal family wounds, help her friends, and further her own crush.

[Christiane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar in concept to The Genie Scheme. Powerless, mostly ignored middle child Grace buys a journal at a yard sale and discovers that everything she writes in it comes true! The possibilities are endless and overwhelming. World peace? Feed the children? Stop global warming? Make your cute boy best friend realize he has feeling for you after all? There were a few little annoying glitches that a good editor could have caught, and some things that felt a little false (an eighth-grade girl has no female friends at all?) but overall it was a warm story about family and friendship and the power to make things turn out right.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being 12 is confusing enough, but when you add in a magic journal, things are even more mixed-up! Gracie has acquired a journal in which whatever she writes comes true. At first this, seems like the best thing in the world. However, Gracies soon learns that there are consequences for everything. For instance, when she innocently writes, "Gracie's dad got a job as a sports announcer, the job he wanted more than anything else in the world," she never dreams that the job will be in a different state. Things tend to turn our differently than Gracie expects when she writes in the journal and she starts to wonder if it's really worth keeping.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gracie buys a magical journal at a yard sale - everything she writes in it seems to be coming true. Should she write for world peace or to end hunger? Before she can even contemplate those big wishes, the more personal ones she's made seem to be going awry. An interesting mix of naivete and worldliness.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Grace. Her Mom is always working. Her Dad lost his job. Grace's younger brother Alex and older sister Jen are not really concerned. Grace finds a magical journal. What ever she writes actually happens! When she loses the book to Dylan's Dad (Dylan is her BFF)see what happens next!

[Steven Vang · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, I would say that it was pretty good. Talking about fantasy, yes this book was good. Talking about that, there is this book that can make somethings come true, which I think is awesome. I would recommend this book to those who likes fantasy because I bet once you read this book, you would totally want to read other fantasy about books that can make things come true.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely owes a bit to Edward Eager, but doesn't get into the intricacies of wishing and wishes' consequences as distinctly as it might. Nice enough but there isn't quite enough here to distinguish it from the pack.

[danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a clever "normal child finds magic object" tale with a self-aware twist. The author pays explicit homage to Half Magic and Alice in Wonderland and implicitly references dozens of other similar books.

[H.orses · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great spin on a fairy tale come to life, I loved it! When reading I have found that many authors like to use Alice in Wonderland as a kind of feeling or something, but many use that reference and this book makes no exception with the Cheshire Cat on the cover. Amazing!

[Bob Vankirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought it was okay, a fun and safe middle school level book. I liked the homage paid to Alice in Wonderland, which was creative. I also think it provides some good thought for adolescents regarding their choices - sometimes truly benevolent actions turn out poorly.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was funny, but the characters pursued romance aggressively rather than letting it happen gently. My 6th grader didn't like that part of the story. Everything that Gracie writes in the story comes true.

[Maria Caplin]

Just found this at the bookstore. It is brand new I only hope that the book is as good as the cover introduction.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't exceptional, but I enjoyed it. See a future issue of SLJ for full review. :o)

[Darbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing! So interresting and fun to read!

[Nancy Lockett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nominated for LYRC 2011. Simple, but ok.

[Dominique Sturkey]

This book is okay . Im almost done with it but i cant seem to get into it . But hopefully i will .

[Kate Hastings]

Girl finds a magical journal; whatever she writes in it comes true. Chaos ensues. RL 740

[Sophie Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i need help with this book, what is the climax, main conflict, mood, point of view, protagonist, antagonist, setting, theme, and genre. D: please help me!

[Thia · Rating 4 out of 5]

self fullfilling diary

[Dawn VanLerberghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of us who believe in magic and wish it would be at our fingertips. What would you do with the power?

[Amalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the magical qualities and the Alice in wonderland references. an adventure into he heart and mind of a middle schooler