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Kiss of Broken Glass: A Gripping Darkly Lyrical Young Adult Verse Novel About Cutting Addiction
Madeleine Kuderick’s gripping debut is a darkly beautiful and lyrical novel in verse, perfect for fans of Sonya Sones and Laurie Halse Anderson. Kiss of Broken Glass pulses with emotion and lingers long after the last page. In the next seventy-two hours, Kenna may lose everything—her friends, her freedom, and maybe even herself. One kiss of the blade was all it took to get her sent to the psych ward for seventy-two hours. There she will face her addiction to cutting, though the outcome is far from certain. When fifteen-year-old Kenna is found cutting herself in the school bathroom, she is sent to a facility for mandatory psychiatric watch. There, Kenna meets other kids like her—her roommate, Donya, who’s there for her fifth time; the birdlike Skylar; and Jag, a boy cute enough to make her forget her problems . . . for a moment.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2014
37 people are currently reading
4800 people want to read
About the author
Madeleine Kuderick
2 books43 followersMadeleine Kuderick grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, a community with rich literary tradition, where she was editor-in-chief of the same high school newspaper that Ernest Hemingway wrote for as a teen. She studied journalism at Indiana University before transferring to the School of Hard Knocks where she earned plenty of bumps and bruises and eventually an MBA.
Today, Madeleine is published in anthologies and magazines and speaks at reading conferences, literature festivals, and schools across the country. KISS OF BROKEN GLASS is her debut novel, a Florida Book Awards gold medal winner, and a YALSA 2015 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.
Today, Madeleine is published in anthologies and magazines and speaks at reading conferences, literature festivals, and schools across the country. KISS OF BROKEN GLASS is her debut novel, a Florida Book Awards gold medal winner, and a YALSA 2015 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
February 14, 2015
trigger warning for self harm
I probably wouldn't have finished this book if it wasn't written in verse and if it wasn't as short as it was. I respect that the author tackled a very serious topic and I thought that telling this story in verse worked very well. I just didn't really feel like we got to know the main character very well and what she was going through, we only get this very short section of her life. It would've been nice to know more about her, instead of just immediately being introduced to a girl who is facing this rough situation. Unfortunately this book just fell flat for me.
I probably wouldn't have finished this book if it wasn't written in verse and if it wasn't as short as it was. I respect that the author tackled a very serious topic and I thought that telling this story in verse worked very well. I just didn't really feel like we got to know the main character very well and what she was going through, we only get this very short section of her life. It would've been nice to know more about her, instead of just immediately being introduced to a girl who is facing this rough situation. Unfortunately this book just fell flat for me.
May 11, 2014
On second thought
maybe it's the little problems
that pile up the worst.
Deeper and darker.
One after another.
Until there's no light at all.
3 1/2 stars. I thought this little book of verse was well-written for the most part, with some parts making a greater impression on me than others. It deals with the subject of self-harming in a sensitive, evocative and informative way. I especially liked how the author explored different reasons for why people self-harm and the possibility that sometimes the individual doesn't even know.
I've known people who've gone through periods of cutting themselves to numb the psychological pain of whatever they were going through, but the author also looks at other people who become addicted to the act of cutting itself - as an ends and not simply a means. I found the subject fascinating without feeling it was used in a gratuitous or emotionally manipulative way - possibly due to the author's daughter going through the same experiences and her personal relationship with the subject matter.
I also cannot express how much I can relate to the quote I opened with. I feel like this is one of the biggest issues sufferers of depression face when trying to articulate their problems - sometimes there just isn't one BIG answer. Sometimes it really is the small things, building up over time and grinding you down. It becomes a problem when a friend, family member, doctor or councilor asks you to describe what's wrong - how do you tell them it's everything?
Kiss of Broken Glass is a short book and the plot itself is almost non-existent because this is essentially a psychological character study of a girl who cuts herself. I felt like the author tried to pad out the story and make it into publishable length by including sections we didn't care about - such as the protagonist's obsession with Jag:
Who can think about goals sitting six inches away from Jag's lips?
Who can focus on a serious topic when it constantly drops in little lines about a boy's lips? Why is this in the book? I can see no obvious reason for it beyond stretching out the story.
Not a bad debut at all. The author shows an obvious talent for using verse in a way that actually improves the writing, rather than simply rearranging words in fancy patterns on a page. I would definitely check out any future work by Kuderick.
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February 6, 2015
I missed the fact that this was a verse novel before I started it, but for me this was a pleasant surprise. Having been introduced to verse novels only recently, I've developed a liking to them. I love how raw, honest, and candid they are. Plus they feel like extremely quick reads, as if you're just flying through. This one in particular, at only 220 some odd pages, can be read in mere minutes. The disadvantage of such a short novel, though, is that it lacks the emotional oomph and depth that I usually feel with verse writing. It does touch on an delicate subject matter - cutting as a fad - but it fails to deliver something truly poignant.
This is the story of Kenna who was caught in the act of cutting herself - a fad between a group of friends that has quickly turned into an addiction. This book is her narrative of her 72 hour stay inside a psychiatric ward where she's under watch. It gives us a look inside the mind of an addiction that's often misunderstood. Cutting is not always something brought on by a dark past or a depressed state, but it can also become something you do to fit in, to be a part of a club or a group. I found this very interesting and eye-opening. We come to understand not only how this addiction can surface, but also how hard it is to stop when your reasons - what you need to overcome to get better - are not so black and white. I also appreciate how the book doesn't go into this topic with the intention of being a sob-fest. It's not a story meant to leave us in shreds, it's a story meant to make us understand. It's a character analysis.
I do think the story should have kept its focus on the psyche of an addict, and leave the awkward bits of romance out of it. Kenna meets someone at the psych ward, and immediately after she learns his bizarre name she develops an affinity for him. From then on, the story keeps being interrupted to add annoying commentary about his lips and the smell of his skin. I found this unnecessary and more of a distraction than anything.
Kiss of Broken Glass may not have left me with my mind blown, but it's a great little verse novel with a dramatic writing style and an important subject matter. It focuses not on the story itself, but rather on giving us a peek inside the mind of an addict.
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
This is the story of Kenna who was caught in the act of cutting herself - a fad between a group of friends that has quickly turned into an addiction. This book is her narrative of her 72 hour stay inside a psychiatric ward where she's under watch. It gives us a look inside the mind of an addiction that's often misunderstood. Cutting is not always something brought on by a dark past or a depressed state, but it can also become something you do to fit in, to be a part of a club or a group. I found this very interesting and eye-opening. We come to understand not only how this addiction can surface, but also how hard it is to stop when your reasons - what you need to overcome to get better - are not so black and white. I also appreciate how the book doesn't go into this topic with the intention of being a sob-fest. It's not a story meant to leave us in shreds, it's a story meant to make us understand. It's a character analysis.
I do think the story should have kept its focus on the psyche of an addict, and leave the awkward bits of romance out of it. Kenna meets someone at the psych ward, and immediately after she learns his bizarre name she develops an affinity for him. From then on, the story keeps being interrupted to add annoying commentary about his lips and the smell of his skin. I found this unnecessary and more of a distraction than anything.
Kiss of Broken Glass may not have left me with my mind blown, but it's a great little verse novel with a dramatic writing style and an important subject matter. It focuses not on the story itself, but rather on giving us a peek inside the mind of an addict.
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
May 14, 2022
Extremely undeveloped characters... Weird-ass romance. Too many references to Obvious Teenage Things like Tumblr, John Green, fandoms, and Supernatural. Felt like reading an unfinished book. Not worth your time.
In the author's note: "So I spent hundreds of hours researching the blogs and Tumblr pages of countless teens struggling with self-harm." Yeah, I can tell.
Trigger warning: abuse, addiction, self-harm
In the author's note: "So I spent hundreds of hours researching the blogs and Tumblr pages of countless teens struggling with self-harm." Yeah, I can tell.
Trigger warning: abuse, addiction, self-harm
September 6, 2014
Review also posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
It's not new that I love reading books with issues, and honestly that's the only type of contemporary books that I still enjoy. So when I saw Kiss of the Broken Glass for the first time it was hard not to be intrigued by it. I'm happy to inform you that this book was everything I hoped it would be.
Kenna, our main character in this story is a teen girl who when looked from the outside had a really normal teen life. What many parents ignore is that school highly influences kids and their behavior as schoolmates put the worst kind of pressure on you - peer pressure. Which is hard to ignore especially as that critical age is when kids wish to belong most of everything. So when her friends started cutting Kenna didn't feel like having a choice. Only what happens when cutting becomes much more than just some game and it turns into competition and serious issue.
It was while in psychiatric watch that we get to meet Kenna better and when we get to see her story. It was really easy for me to feel for her, even though she is not really an optimistic character. At some moments she reminded me of Hazel from The Fault in Our Starts with her views and feelings. That's why this book felt real to me, as neither the author nor Kenna didn't feel like sugarcoating the situation.
Now we come to the writing. When you read the blurb you can see it's written in verse and that kind of writing usually works for me. I shall say that not only I liked the verses but I also liked how writing changed throughout the story. It stopped when Kenna did and it changed as her thoughts did. Some might not like the chopped verses, but they correspond with Kenna which made me feel really connected with her.
Lastly, kudos to whomever created this title, as it really is poetic and it fits the story.
It's not new that I love reading books with issues, and honestly that's the only type of contemporary books that I still enjoy. So when I saw Kiss of the Broken Glass for the first time it was hard not to be intrigued by it. I'm happy to inform you that this book was everything I hoped it would be.
Kenna, our main character in this story is a teen girl who when looked from the outside had a really normal teen life. What many parents ignore is that school highly influences kids and their behavior as schoolmates put the worst kind of pressure on you - peer pressure. Which is hard to ignore especially as that critical age is when kids wish to belong most of everything. So when her friends started cutting Kenna didn't feel like having a choice. Only what happens when cutting becomes much more than just some game and it turns into competition and serious issue.
It was while in psychiatric watch that we get to meet Kenna better and when we get to see her story. It was really easy for me to feel for her, even though she is not really an optimistic character. At some moments she reminded me of Hazel from The Fault in Our Starts with her views and feelings. That's why this book felt real to me, as neither the author nor Kenna didn't feel like sugarcoating the situation.
Now we come to the writing. When you read the blurb you can see it's written in verse and that kind of writing usually works for me. I shall say that not only I liked the verses but I also liked how writing changed throughout the story. It stopped when Kenna did and it changed as her thoughts did. Some might not like the chopped verses, but they correspond with Kenna which made me feel really connected with her.
Lastly, kudos to whomever created this title, as it really is poetic and it fits the story.
April 6, 2016
Oh this was such a hauntingly realistic novel.
It called out to all people struggling with self-harm and not just that issue. As an aspiring author, I thought that the writing weaved into the story beautifully and it created an illustrious picture of the main character and her hopes to become someone who doesn't have to feel a burden upon her shoulders.
Inspiring, informative language was represented as a monumental shadowing within the book, the prose mixing with elements of surprise and exotic character development. Kenna, the main character, explained her struggles and experiences so well, done greatly by the author. Applause to Kuderick for making me feel such emotions!
The TV show references, the Dan and Phil reference, the book references; they made it to be such an enjoyable read while still being informative and insightful.
Absolutely beautiful.
It called out to all people struggling with self-harm and not just that issue. As an aspiring author, I thought that the writing weaved into the story beautifully and it created an illustrious picture of the main character and her hopes to become someone who doesn't have to feel a burden upon her shoulders.
Inspiring, informative language was represented as a monumental shadowing within the book, the prose mixing with elements of surprise and exotic character development. Kenna, the main character, explained her struggles and experiences so well, done greatly by the author. Applause to Kuderick for making me feel such emotions!
The TV show references, the Dan and Phil reference, the book references; they made it to be such an enjoyable read while still being informative and insightful.
Absolutely beautiful.
January 13, 2015
**4/4.5 stars**
Originally posted at: http://iliveforreading.blogspot.com/2...
Of course, when I first saw this book, I was drawn to the cover immediately. THAT TYPOGRAPHY. THAT GLASS. THAT EVERYTHING. When I got the chance to review this book, I swooped at it. I mean, come on, THAT COVER. However, I didn’t know that it was a novel in verse. I haven’t read one in ages, and I love novels written in verse because not only are they really fast to read, but also has a lyrical quality that prose sometimes doesn’t. I took literature in high school, but sometimes I don’t get poetry, but thankfully novels in verse is something that I actually understand. Anyway, Kiss of Broken Glass was an emotional roller coaster. It’s based on the author’s life (her daughter’s experience) and so knowing that it brings to light the shocking reality that this does happen, and it the fact that it happens quite often and even to those at a young age. It’s really sad to read about it for sure, especially since I don’t really know anyone who has gone through the experience, but it’s definitely an eye-opener that I needed to read.
This book really reminded me of Ellen Hopkins’s style of writing. For those of you who don’t know, she writes about teens with problems who find each other at rehab centers, much like how Kenna finds Donya, Skylar and Jag, all in verse. However, the problem I find with verse is that sometimes you can’t get into the character’s head because the words are fleeting and the pace is a lot faster. Descriptions aren’t also in depth, and there’s more interpretation from the reader’s side. However, I could feel like I got Kenna’s character just because there would be certain sections of the novel when it would focus on her character’s feelings.
The characters in this book were great, but other than Kenna, I don’t feel like we as readers get much of a chance to get to know them more. True, the timespan of this book is SUPER short (short book, short timeline), but even then, it would have been nice to learn a teeny bit more about the other characters. Jag especially. Skylar is probably the character other than Kenna that I got to know about, but for a “love interest,” Jag barely had a role. Very little character interaction, I must say. However, maybe that was the point and I just missed it. These experiences are fleeting and short, but the impression they leave on you can last forever. Kenna’s time at the facility was super short but during that 72 hour period, she learned so much more about herself from observing and interacting (a little bit) with those around her.
Kiss of Broken Glass was gorgeous, rhapsodic, and moving– a breathtaking eye-opener that I couldn’t stop reading. Kuderick’s words have the ebb and flow of waves, both smooth and powerful, sucking you into the depths of what truly lies beneath the surface. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Alice at HarperCollins 360 for sending me a copy for review! ▪ ▪ ▪
Originally posted at: http://iliveforreading.blogspot.com/2...
Of course, when I first saw this book, I was drawn to the cover immediately. THAT TYPOGRAPHY. THAT GLASS. THAT EVERYTHING. When I got the chance to review this book, I swooped at it. I mean, come on, THAT COVER. However, I didn’t know that it was a novel in verse. I haven’t read one in ages, and I love novels written in verse because not only are they really fast to read, but also has a lyrical quality that prose sometimes doesn’t. I took literature in high school, but sometimes I don’t get poetry, but thankfully novels in verse is something that I actually understand. Anyway, Kiss of Broken Glass was an emotional roller coaster. It’s based on the author’s life (her daughter’s experience) and so knowing that it brings to light the shocking reality that this does happen, and it the fact that it happens quite often and even to those at a young age. It’s really sad to read about it for sure, especially since I don’t really know anyone who has gone through the experience, but it’s definitely an eye-opener that I needed to read.
This book really reminded me of Ellen Hopkins’s style of writing. For those of you who don’t know, she writes about teens with problems who find each other at rehab centers, much like how Kenna finds Donya, Skylar and Jag, all in verse. However, the problem I find with verse is that sometimes you can’t get into the character’s head because the words are fleeting and the pace is a lot faster. Descriptions aren’t also in depth, and there’s more interpretation from the reader’s side. However, I could feel like I got Kenna’s character just because there would be certain sections of the novel when it would focus on her character’s feelings.
The characters in this book were great, but other than Kenna, I don’t feel like we as readers get much of a chance to get to know them more. True, the timespan of this book is SUPER short (short book, short timeline), but even then, it would have been nice to learn a teeny bit more about the other characters. Jag especially. Skylar is probably the character other than Kenna that I got to know about, but for a “love interest,” Jag barely had a role. Very little character interaction, I must say. However, maybe that was the point and I just missed it. These experiences are fleeting and short, but the impression they leave on you can last forever. Kenna’s time at the facility was super short but during that 72 hour period, she learned so much more about herself from observing and interacting (a little bit) with those around her.
Kiss of Broken Glass was gorgeous, rhapsodic, and moving– a breathtaking eye-opener that I couldn’t stop reading. Kuderick’s words have the ebb and flow of waves, both smooth and powerful, sucking you into the depths of what truly lies beneath the surface. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Alice at HarperCollins 360 for sending me a copy for review! ▪ ▪ ▪
September 2, 2014
I was fortunate enough to be able to read this book. This book reminds me a bit of Ellen Hopkins' emotional and pain-riddled tales.
The book is about a girl named Kenna, who is found cutting in the girls' rest room and finds herself in the psychiatric ward for a 72-hour evaluation.
In the 3 days that follow, Kenna re-evaluates her life and draws inspiration from those around her. She tries to resist the urge of the kiss, to turn over a new leaf...but the ending isn't as clear as I would have hoped
The issue of cutting as a result of peer pressure and addiction intrigued me. I guess it's the attention one gets or the thrill of the risk that makes the act so appealing. But I honestly wish that teens resist such a dangerous game because that one deep cut might be their last.
A recommended read!
The book is about a girl named Kenna, who is found cutting in the girls' rest room and finds herself in the psychiatric ward for a 72-hour evaluation.
In the 3 days that follow, Kenna re-evaluates her life and draws inspiration from those around her. She tries to resist the urge of the kiss, to turn over a new leaf...but the ending isn't as clear as I would have hoped
The issue of cutting as a result of peer pressure and addiction intrigued me. I guess it's the attention one gets or the thrill of the risk that makes the act so appealing. But I honestly wish that teens resist such a dangerous game because that one deep cut might be their last.
A recommended read!
August 10, 2016
Okay, well, after further reflection, I'm realizing this book bothered me more that I originally thought. I have no issues with reading about cutting. I do, however, have an issue with reading about girls who've turned cutting into a popularity contest. While I am aware that this actually happens and can escalate into larger issues, because of my own personal experience with cutting (there, I said it) I found myself extremely frustrated while/after reading this. No disrespect to the author; I'm sure she wrote about and researched the content for this to the best of her ability, and in no way do I feel that she was inadequate in portraying this particular type of cutting, especially since everyone is different. The book just wasn't for me.
November 19, 2018
One of my main goals in 2018 is to lower my tbr to a more reasonable number (I know, let's all look at that goal and laugh. It will probably never happen). Audiobooks have been helping me do that a lot recently. I discovered that the audiobook of Kiss of Broken Glass was only about 2 hours, so I decided to listen to it in my downtime. I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed it.
Kiss of Broken Glass is one of those books that I probably would have passed on reading had I not discovered the audiobook. Contemporaries are something that I have to be in the right mood to read, so i read them far and few in between. I'm glad I read this one though. As someone who used to cut when I was a teenager, I found Kenna to be a completely relatable character. I identified with her struggles a lot because I had a lot of the same thoughts and feelings when I was her age. When she describes some of the things that she felt while cutting, I felt like she was describing my story.
The only thing I didn't like about Kiss of Broken Glass was Kenna's friends on the outside. I thought they were incredibly toxic people. I'd like to think that after what happens at the end of the book, she gets a new set of friends.
I really loved Kiss of Broken Glass. I'm happy that I finally decided to give it a read (or in this case a listen) after all these years. I don't know that I feel comfortable recommending it to any specific group because it can be potentially triggering for some people due to self harm. Just know what your triggers are, and if it turns out to be something that won't trigger you, it's definitely worth a read.
Kiss of Broken Glass is one of those books that I probably would have passed on reading had I not discovered the audiobook. Contemporaries are something that I have to be in the right mood to read, so i read them far and few in between. I'm glad I read this one though. As someone who used to cut when I was a teenager, I found Kenna to be a completely relatable character. I identified with her struggles a lot because I had a lot of the same thoughts and feelings when I was her age. When she describes some of the things that she felt while cutting, I felt like she was describing my story.
The only thing I didn't like about Kiss of Broken Glass was Kenna's friends on the outside. I thought they were incredibly toxic people. I'd like to think that after what happens at the end of the book, she gets a new set of friends.
I really loved Kiss of Broken Glass. I'm happy that I finally decided to give it a read (or in this case a listen) after all these years. I don't know that I feel comfortable recommending it to any specific group because it can be potentially triggering for some people due to self harm. Just know what your triggers are, and if it turns out to be something that won't trigger you, it's definitely worth a read.
October 4, 2016
Kenna is hospitalized under a mandatory 72 hour hold following cutting herself at school.
KISS OF THE BROKEN GLASS tells the tale of a girl who begins to self-harm as a way to fit in with other girls. In the Author's Note, Madeleine Kuderick tells of her daughter's similar story. Kuderick did ample research on this little known form of self injury that starts for social reasons (although girls who aren't psychologically vulnerable won't fall prey to such peer pressure) and becomes addictive. Such behavior seems akin to pro-anorexia websites that encourage girls to become more ill.
I enjoyed Kuderick's economical use of verse, not a spare word to be found, although at 220 pages KISS OF THE BROKEN GLASS was more novella length than novel. Such a short book in verse lacked character development as readers are only privy to Kenna's POV without the benefit of dialogue of other's or seeing her in the context of her family.
I'd be more likely to recommend this book to adults who have or work with teenagers as a way to look out for teens' potential issues than I would be to teenagers.
KISS OF THE BROKEN GLASS tells the tale of a girl who begins to self-harm as a way to fit in with other girls. In the Author's Note, Madeleine Kuderick tells of her daughter's similar story. Kuderick did ample research on this little known form of self injury that starts for social reasons (although girls who aren't psychologically vulnerable won't fall prey to such peer pressure) and becomes addictive. Such behavior seems akin to pro-anorexia websites that encourage girls to become more ill.
I enjoyed Kuderick's economical use of verse, not a spare word to be found, although at 220 pages KISS OF THE BROKEN GLASS was more novella length than novel. Such a short book in verse lacked character development as readers are only privy to Kenna's POV without the benefit of dialogue of other's or seeing her in the context of her family.
I'd be more likely to recommend this book to adults who have or work with teenagers as a way to look out for teens' potential issues than I would be to teenagers.
March 16, 2017
Would have been greatly improved by taking out the shallow and ultimately pointless romance subplot.
April 6, 2014
I received this free eARC in exchange for my honest review.
When I first got this book, I wasn't sure what I was walking into. Sure it was about a girl cutting herself. But the way the author wrote this as if she actually knew what was going on? How it felt? How addicting it was? That blew my mind.
No, I've never done this before, nor do I want to ever in the future. The way Kenna couldn't stop thinking about it, wanting to do it all of the time, the way she would get a horrible urge to find ANYTHING to cut, it definitely showed me that this is an addiction and not just something people do for fun.
I was also shocked to see that it was in verse writing. I'm usually really horrible at reading books that are written this way, but the writing was phenomenal and I was able to read it like any book rather than a poem.
To say I was surprised by this book is an understatement. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. And I definitely didn't think I would like Kenna, but somehow I did like her in the end. This book makes the reader think a lot, and think hard, about this subject. I know I won't forget it any time soon.
When I first got this book, I wasn't sure what I was walking into. Sure it was about a girl cutting herself. But the way the author wrote this as if she actually knew what was going on? How it felt? How addicting it was? That blew my mind.
No, I've never done this before, nor do I want to ever in the future. The way Kenna couldn't stop thinking about it, wanting to do it all of the time, the way she would get a horrible urge to find ANYTHING to cut, it definitely showed me that this is an addiction and not just something people do for fun.
I was also shocked to see that it was in verse writing. I'm usually really horrible at reading books that are written this way, but the writing was phenomenal and I was able to read it like any book rather than a poem.
To say I was surprised by this book is an understatement. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. And I definitely didn't think I would like Kenna, but somehow I did like her in the end. This book makes the reader think a lot, and think hard, about this subject. I know I won't forget it any time soon.
October 23, 2014
When Kenna Keagan gets caught cutting herself in her school's bathroom, she gets sent to the Adler Boyce Pediatric Stabilization Facility. Here she meets Skylar, Donya, and Jag. They all have their own problems, whether they want to admit it or not. Throughout Kenna's 72 hour stay, she goes through therapy sessions, nightmares, and at least a little bit of drama. But in a school where cutting is the only way to be accepted, where scars are shown like awards, can you ever really stop?
This book is realistic fiction, based on the author's daughter, who has been pressured to cut in her school since sixth grade. It has been written in a verse format, like My Book of Life by Angel. If you have read that book or Thirteen Reasons why, I believe both also cover topics in the same intensity as this book.
This book is realistic fiction, based on the author's daughter, who has been pressured to cut in her school since sixth grade. It has been written in a verse format, like My Book of Life by Angel. If you have read that book or Thirteen Reasons why, I believe both also cover topics in the same intensity as this book.
August 13, 2016
Provided by the Publisher via Edelweiss
I liked this book okay. It was a quick read on a topic that I don't normally choose to read. This is a book about peer pressure, wanting to fit in and poor decision making. It was sad that she chose to hurt herself just to please her "friend".
I think it was because this book was written in verse that was why it felt a bit choppy to me. I can't say I liked the main character much, but there were some other characters that intrigued me. The ending was nice which kinda made the whole thing much better.
In short, it was a decent book.
April 1, 2015
"So I spent hundreds of hours researching the blogs and Tumblr pages of countless teens struggling with self-harm."
Page 48. I'm done.
No.
You want to read a book that prettifies and instructs on self harm?
Here you go. Have at it.
Page 48. I'm done.
No.
You want to read a book that prettifies and instructs on self harm?
Here you go. Have at it.
January 16, 2016
4.5 stars
Not an enjoyable sort of book but one I'm glad I read. I loved the voice, and the writing style, and I thought the author did a really respectful job of writing self harm. I also liked that the book spans just 72 hours. Definitely recommend.
Not an enjoyable sort of book but one I'm glad I read. I loved the voice, and the writing style, and I thought the author did a really respectful job of writing self harm. I also liked that the book spans just 72 hours. Definitely recommend.
February 5, 2020
"Kiss of Broken Glass" is about a 15 year old girl who's been caught cutting herself in school. She is subsequently sent for a mandatory 72 hour hold in a psychiatric facility with other children and teens. I immediately liked this book because I am a mom, and a nurse who formerly worked in a psychiatric facility with children and teens. The book, itself, reminded me of a modern day "Lisa Bright and Dark." It was a short read and the visual imagery was excellent. It's not too often that you come across a book that uses this type of language to describe something, and it often felt like poetry. For example, the author wrote that the man "became an alcoholic and used his fists to speak" instead of saying he "became abusive to his children." I loved this imagery component of the book because it is the way children and teens specifically think: everything is sensory at that time of our lives. Everything is major. And this author nailed that by saying things that teenagers really think about in a sensory way. I also appreciated this book because I learned from it. I had a patient once who was similar to one of the characters and I finally caught some insight about what she may have been thinking. I was able to look at the outside view of a place such as this, including the nurse and her response to the patients. There were so many times when it would have been better if we could have just hugged our children. But there are boundaries and rules and laws. It's not to say we did not hug them, we certainly did, but how much different would it be if we could just prescribe love? The thing that I did not like about this book is it was very YA Fiction. Yes, the voice of the main character should be that of a teenage girl. It should reflect all she's thinking about and what she's going through. But I felt like it was geared towards a teenage reader and I'm not sure I would allow any teenager to read this book. I would certainly not allow anyone who is going through this type of thing to read the book, because it is one giant trigger.
*I missed the memo on this being a verse book until after my review (I listened to the audiobook.)
*I missed the memo on this being a verse book until after my review (I listened to the audiobook.)
June 30, 2018
1000 stars. Books like this are so important, and this book tackled the topic so well.
October 7, 2014
This book was so depressing yet beautiful. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the story because on one hand, it was so short, but since it was written in verse it just worked. I’ve only read a few verse books and they seem to be hit or miss for me. Sometimes the writing reminds me too much of a haiku poem that an elementary student could put together. Too many random words forming non-sentences. In this case, I really liked the verse style writing. It had that lyrical and poetic feel to it, but you still grasped the story the author is trying to tell us. Sometimes, I think the story gets lost in translation with verse writing.
Kiss of Broken Glass is a story about 15-year-old Kenna who cuts herself on a regular basis. This is a normal thing for Kenna. She cuts herself. Her friends cut themselves. Even her enemy at school cuts herself. But when Kenna is caught cutting in her school restroom she is sent to a special facility for 72 hours of mandatory psychiatric watch. Here she meets other people like herself. At first, Kenna doesn’t even understand why she even has to be there. Why can’t her mom just take her home? But when it’s clear that she’s not getting out of there sooner than 72 hours, she starts getting to know some of the people there. Most have the same attitude she does. That cynical attitude that kind of makes them feel like they are above everyone else. She learns the tricks of how to survive the next 72 hours and plays decides to play along.
I liked how this story touched on the subject of cutting as a fad, as sad as it is that this kind of thing actually exist. It wasn’t preachy or one of those lesson-learned stories. Like I said, the story is really depressing (the fact that this girl is addicted to cutting herself and sees nothing wrong with it), but the writing is so beautiful and it does leave you with a sense of hope. Even if it’s a small one. At only 220-ish pages, the verse aspect of this book makes it go by so much faster. This book can probably be read in less than an hour. Most of the story, I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not. It mostly depended on what the outcome would be. I didn’t want some unrealistic magic cure-all ending, but I also didn’t want a depressing ending. I really liked the ending, it fit with the story. Since this only focuses on 72 hours of Kenna’s life, you will be left with that ‘unfinished’ feel at the end of the book. But, we get enough at the end to be able to make a good assumption. Kiss of Broken Glass wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was a beautiful book. This would be a great book if you’ve never read a verse book before.
Audiobook Comments: The narrator was perfect for 15 year old Kenna. She sounded her age and did a great job at delivering the verse writing. Since I listen to 1.75x speed, this audiobook was only about an hour long for me, but I still enjoyed it. Since I did have a physical copy of the book, I read most of it along with the audio and I preferred it that way because the format and layout of the physical book was just so pretty. I would recommend either reading the book, or reading it along with the audiobook so you won’t lose that ‘verse’ feel of it.
3.5 out of 5 stars!
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Kiss of Broken Glass is a story about 15-year-old Kenna who cuts herself on a regular basis. This is a normal thing for Kenna. She cuts herself. Her friends cut themselves. Even her enemy at school cuts herself. But when Kenna is caught cutting in her school restroom she is sent to a special facility for 72 hours of mandatory psychiatric watch. Here she meets other people like herself. At first, Kenna doesn’t even understand why she even has to be there. Why can’t her mom just take her home? But when it’s clear that she’s not getting out of there sooner than 72 hours, she starts getting to know some of the people there. Most have the same attitude she does. That cynical attitude that kind of makes them feel like they are above everyone else. She learns the tricks of how to survive the next 72 hours and plays decides to play along.
I liked how this story touched on the subject of cutting as a fad, as sad as it is that this kind of thing actually exist. It wasn’t preachy or one of those lesson-learned stories. Like I said, the story is really depressing (the fact that this girl is addicted to cutting herself and sees nothing wrong with it), but the writing is so beautiful and it does leave you with a sense of hope. Even if it’s a small one. At only 220-ish pages, the verse aspect of this book makes it go by so much faster. This book can probably be read in less than an hour. Most of the story, I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not. It mostly depended on what the outcome would be. I didn’t want some unrealistic magic cure-all ending, but I also didn’t want a depressing ending. I really liked the ending, it fit with the story. Since this only focuses on 72 hours of Kenna’s life, you will be left with that ‘unfinished’ feel at the end of the book. But, we get enough at the end to be able to make a good assumption. Kiss of Broken Glass wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was a beautiful book. This would be a great book if you’ve never read a verse book before.
Audiobook Comments: The narrator was perfect for 15 year old Kenna. She sounded her age and did a great job at delivering the verse writing. Since I listen to 1.75x speed, this audiobook was only about an hour long for me, but I still enjoyed it. Since I did have a physical copy of the book, I read most of it along with the audio and I preferred it that way because the format and layout of the physical book was just so pretty. I would recommend either reading the book, or reading it along with the audiobook so you won’t lose that ‘verse’ feel of it.
3.5 out of 5 stars!
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July 11, 2014
Rating 3.5
First thing I want to say is that I love books in verse. There is just something about them that is so much more powerful than your typical books in my opinion. Maybe its because since you only have so many words every one has to count or maybe its just that this type of book speaks to me differently. Whatever it is I know I need more of these in my life.
Okay moving on...Kiss of Broken Glass tells the tale of Kenna and what happens when peer pressure turns dangerous. To fit in Kenna has to cut herself and since she doesn't want to be a nobody she decides this is the only alternative. Kenna already feels like the outcast at home so when Rennie tells her this is what she has to do to make friends Kenna doesn't even hesitate because she knows she isn't a cutter and she can quit at any time right? When she is caught at school she is sent to a 72 hour psych eval facility and thus begins her journey.
This wasn't the toughest read I have ever read, but it was powerful in its own way. I felt connected to Kenna and I felt like she needed a hug. I think her story is not the norm since her destructive behavior didn't stem from any type of abusive. She just wanted to fit in and then got trapped in this horrible circle of friends. I sometimes forget how hard it is in high school. I didn't have the easiest time, but I know these days things are much harder for kids and it just breaks my heart. Reading this story makes me think about the future of our kiddos and it sure terrifies me.
I really enjoyed the authors writing as well. She really captured Kenna's voice and made her someone that we have all had in our class at one point or another. I definitely want to keep a watch on this authors future books.
I wish these types of books were required reading for kids in high school and middle school. They aren't pretty and they aren't hopeful sometimes but they are true life and eye opening. I was moved by this story and I really think given to the right people it could make a difference.
The part I wasn't too interested in was the romanceishthing. It wasn't developed but it was there and it just felt weird. I don't think it was needed and I would have preferred to focus on Kenna's other friends in the facility. Or rather just make the boy a friend and nothing more.
My favorite part was the butterfly part. It was such a great symbol and I know I'll be on the lookout for butterflies the next time I go out in the hope that someone is keeping theirs alive.
First thing I want to say is that I love books in verse. There is just something about them that is so much more powerful than your typical books in my opinion. Maybe its because since you only have so many words every one has to count or maybe its just that this type of book speaks to me differently. Whatever it is I know I need more of these in my life.
Okay moving on...Kiss of Broken Glass tells the tale of Kenna and what happens when peer pressure turns dangerous. To fit in Kenna has to cut herself and since she doesn't want to be a nobody she decides this is the only alternative. Kenna already feels like the outcast at home so when Rennie tells her this is what she has to do to make friends Kenna doesn't even hesitate because she knows she isn't a cutter and she can quit at any time right? When she is caught at school she is sent to a 72 hour psych eval facility and thus begins her journey.
This wasn't the toughest read I have ever read, but it was powerful in its own way. I felt connected to Kenna and I felt like she needed a hug. I think her story is not the norm since her destructive behavior didn't stem from any type of abusive. She just wanted to fit in and then got trapped in this horrible circle of friends. I sometimes forget how hard it is in high school. I didn't have the easiest time, but I know these days things are much harder for kids and it just breaks my heart. Reading this story makes me think about the future of our kiddos and it sure terrifies me.
I really enjoyed the authors writing as well. She really captured Kenna's voice and made her someone that we have all had in our class at one point or another. I definitely want to keep a watch on this authors future books.
I wish these types of books were required reading for kids in high school and middle school. They aren't pretty and they aren't hopeful sometimes but they are true life and eye opening. I was moved by this story and I really think given to the right people it could make a difference.
The part I wasn't too interested in was the romanceishthing. It wasn't developed but it was there and it just felt weird. I don't think it was needed and I would have preferred to focus on Kenna's other friends in the facility. Or rather just make the boy a friend and nothing more.
My favorite part was the butterfly part. It was such a great symbol and I know I'll be on the lookout for butterflies the next time I go out in the hope that someone is keeping theirs alive.
September 16, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It does not affect the outcome of my opinion in any way.
If there is one thing you can probably figure out from reading this blog is just how much I enjoy a tough issues book. It is a category I think is both absolutely necessary and fascinating. I also love the fluidity and beauty of a book told in verse. It is something unexpected and perfect to then find Kiss of Broken Glass, which is the culmination of both of these things — the hard edges of life wrapped in the lyrical words of verse.
First of all, the story was caustic; it was open, raw, gritty, and one of the most realistic voices I’ve read in this genre. Told in verse or not, the story behind things was simple, and yet, so complex. I loved that there was no overwhelming reason for things to have gotten so out of hand in Kenna’s life. Such small things could lead to such devastating consequences. I think think this is something teens need to read: you don’t have to be abused or go through something horrible in your childhood to be seduced by something like cutting. It can start innocently (as it does in this book) and turn into something like any other addiction.
This may have not been an on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of turmoil. It was quieter. And yet, I felt myself forming a ragged breath as I continued on through Kenna’s story. I connected with her and felt her pain. It was such an interesting experience for me reading this book.
The story is choppy and isn’t told completely chronologically since we go back in time to see where Kenna’s troubles began. For more the choppiness of the verses worked really well, because it mimicked the mind of our narrator.
Overall, this is a book that made me feel, my emotions came to the surface and bled out even after I was done reading. It isn’t one I’ll soon forget and definitely reaffirmed my love of verse novels.
The descriptions in the verse were gorgeous — this is not a long book by any means, but I underlined SO many great lines. I particularly loved the title — such a vivid and imaginative way to portray something so dangerous as a seductive and gorgeous thing. This is how we get sucked into things that are bad for us no doubt.
This review was originally posted on Such a Novel Idea
---------------
Initial Thoughts:
That was really, really good. One of the most authentic and realistic books I've read this year. I absolutely cannot wait to review this one.
If there is one thing you can probably figure out from reading this blog is just how much I enjoy a tough issues book. It is a category I think is both absolutely necessary and fascinating. I also love the fluidity and beauty of a book told in verse. It is something unexpected and perfect to then find Kiss of Broken Glass, which is the culmination of both of these things — the hard edges of life wrapped in the lyrical words of verse.
First of all, the story was caustic; it was open, raw, gritty, and one of the most realistic voices I’ve read in this genre. Told in verse or not, the story behind things was simple, and yet, so complex. I loved that there was no overwhelming reason for things to have gotten so out of hand in Kenna’s life. Such small things could lead to such devastating consequences. I think think this is something teens need to read: you don’t have to be abused or go through something horrible in your childhood to be seduced by something like cutting. It can start innocently (as it does in this book) and turn into something like any other addiction.
This may have not been an on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of turmoil. It was quieter. And yet, I felt myself forming a ragged breath as I continued on through Kenna’s story. I connected with her and felt her pain. It was such an interesting experience for me reading this book.
The story is choppy and isn’t told completely chronologically since we go back in time to see where Kenna’s troubles began. For more the choppiness of the verses worked really well, because it mimicked the mind of our narrator.
Overall, this is a book that made me feel, my emotions came to the surface and bled out even after I was done reading. It isn’t one I’ll soon forget and definitely reaffirmed my love of verse novels.
The descriptions in the verse were gorgeous — this is not a long book by any means, but I underlined SO many great lines. I particularly loved the title — such a vivid and imaginative way to portray something so dangerous as a seductive and gorgeous thing. This is how we get sucked into things that are bad for us no doubt.
This review was originally posted on Such a Novel Idea
---------------
Initial Thoughts:
That was really, really good. One of the most authentic and realistic books I've read this year. I absolutely cannot wait to review this one.
April 25, 2014
Huge thank you to the publisher for letting me read an advanced copy of this. I'm writing this honest review to say thank you
Well damn, I read that in five hot minutes. I actually wasn't planning on reading this until closer to the release, but I was bored and flipped through my kindle on my train ride to work and landed on this and had no idea what it was about so I started to read and kinda got sucked in and suddenly I was half way through (this thing is short and a FAST read).
The writing is BEAUTIFUL. It's a stream of conscious style of writing, and I love that so much. I seriously read 40% of this in one sitting and then flew through the rest after work.
Kenna, who appears to be a typical teen with a 'perfect' older sister and a broken family, get's caught cutting at school and she's forced into a psych ward for 72 hours. Cutting... was not something that I had to deal with in school. It wasn't really that big of a thing yet (it was mainly pot and drinking), and I knew a few people who did it, but it didn't become a problem until I was in college. So the idea of it scares the hell out of me. And I honestly have a hard time understanding why people do it. I mean, I get it, but I don't GET it. And I could never do it. And it makes me so sad that people do. And Kenna reveals that she doesn't know why she does it either. And that's even scarier.
I can't even imagine being a teenager right now, and when I read books like this, it makes me both glad and sad. I don't have kids and even if I did they wouldn't be teens, but my niece will be a teenager in the future and I can only hope that things like cutting and drugs wont be a problem by the time she's that old. I also hope that she'll be strong enough to not try these kinds of things. And that if she does, that she'll be strong enough to get help.
This book is simple and honest but incredibly deep. It's not a story about a girl who solves her problems, and I liked that. It's the story of a girl who needs help and might actually admit that she does. It's a wake-up call for her family, her friends and herself. There's a lot of mixed emotions, but the ending left me feeling hopeful. And I hope that this story reaches people who need it.
You guys are going to want to check this one out this fall.
Well damn, I read that in five hot minutes. I actually wasn't planning on reading this until closer to the release, but I was bored and flipped through my kindle on my train ride to work and landed on this and had no idea what it was about so I started to read and kinda got sucked in and suddenly I was half way through (this thing is short and a FAST read).
The writing is BEAUTIFUL. It's a stream of conscious style of writing, and I love that so much. I seriously read 40% of this in one sitting and then flew through the rest after work.
Kenna, who appears to be a typical teen with a 'perfect' older sister and a broken family, get's caught cutting at school and she's forced into a psych ward for 72 hours. Cutting... was not something that I had to deal with in school. It wasn't really that big of a thing yet (it was mainly pot and drinking), and I knew a few people who did it, but it didn't become a problem until I was in college. So the idea of it scares the hell out of me. And I honestly have a hard time understanding why people do it. I mean, I get it, but I don't GET it. And I could never do it. And it makes me so sad that people do. And Kenna reveals that she doesn't know why she does it either. And that's even scarier.
I can't even imagine being a teenager right now, and when I read books like this, it makes me both glad and sad. I don't have kids and even if I did they wouldn't be teens, but my niece will be a teenager in the future and I can only hope that things like cutting and drugs wont be a problem by the time she's that old. I also hope that she'll be strong enough to not try these kinds of things. And that if she does, that she'll be strong enough to get help.
This book is simple and honest but incredibly deep. It's not a story about a girl who solves her problems, and I liked that. It's the story of a girl who needs help and might actually admit that she does. It's a wake-up call for her family, her friends and herself. There's a lot of mixed emotions, but the ending left me feeling hopeful. And I hope that this story reaches people who need it.
You guys are going to want to check this one out this fall.
December 6, 2014
From the outside, Kiss of Broken Glass looks like a really short book, but it’s SO FAR from that. Each and every page is filled with hurt, pain, anger, and a wide array of other emotions. It’s dark, emotional and meaningful.
After being caught cutting her wrists in the school bathroom, Kenna is sent off to a physic ward, where she is suppose to do some serious “healing”. But with the constant urge to cut or hurt herself, Kenna is having a really hard time.
Kenna has to spend the next three days locked up in this physic ward, because it’s going to “help” her. While she does witness a few crazy things that make her reconsider what she’s doing, like finding one of her fellow members covered in blood and screaming, another one of the members deciding to head to a different clinic looking for true healing, and yet a third ready to finally get out and back to what she was doing before.
But after seventy two hours of meaningless meetings, sitting around and being under constant watch, Kenna is released. She knows things will go back to normal, that it will be hard to stop what she’s doing, and to change. But she’s going to do her best, to do her best for her baby brother. He’s her butterfly, that’s why.
Kiss of Broken Glass was not only a short and quick read, but so much more than the cover and synopsis are letting on. I usually like happy endings, or endings that are drastic, but Kiss of Broken Glass doesn’t have that. The ending, is more of a realization, nothing too extravagant, or bizarre, but I liked it. I liked that Kenna wasn’t “healed” after only seventy two hours; it made her a real person to me.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this book, but it gave me so much more than I could have ever thought of or asked for…such a truly amazing story.
After being caught cutting her wrists in the school bathroom, Kenna is sent off to a physic ward, where she is suppose to do some serious “healing”. But with the constant urge to cut or hurt herself, Kenna is having a really hard time.
Kenna has to spend the next three days locked up in this physic ward, because it’s going to “help” her. While she does witness a few crazy things that make her reconsider what she’s doing, like finding one of her fellow members covered in blood and screaming, another one of the members deciding to head to a different clinic looking for true healing, and yet a third ready to finally get out and back to what she was doing before.
But after seventy two hours of meaningless meetings, sitting around and being under constant watch, Kenna is released. She knows things will go back to normal, that it will be hard to stop what she’s doing, and to change. But she’s going to do her best, to do her best for her baby brother. He’s her butterfly, that’s why.
Kiss of Broken Glass was not only a short and quick read, but so much more than the cover and synopsis are letting on. I usually like happy endings, or endings that are drastic, but Kiss of Broken Glass doesn’t have that. The ending, is more of a realization, nothing too extravagant, or bizarre, but I liked it. I liked that Kenna wasn’t “healed” after only seventy two hours; it made her a real person to me.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this book, but it gave me so much more than I could have ever thought of or asked for…such a truly amazing story.
May 23, 2014
Huge thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss for this ARC!
Kiss of Broken Glass is a pretty unique book in the sense that it's written entirely in verse. I can't say I've read too many books that are written in verse, but what I can say is that the way Kuderick handles the style is pretty fantastic.
Kenna's voice is crystal clear, and what I adore about this story is how disturbing it is. I never really thought about "cutting competitions" as being a real things, but it really makes you wonder about the kind of pressures this new generation of teens is really facing. I found this book very eye-opening because it makes no bones about it's disturbing content and how frightening it is to be in such a situation.
My younger self definitely could relate to this book in so many ways, and I got help for my problems. I think what's great about this story is the struggle to reconcile issues of self-harm and why it happens in the first place. There is no easy answer, which Kenna describes, and yet the more I read, the more I remember what it was like to have been in a similar state.
This book looks at getting help and how to cope and find ways to love yourself. Loving yourself isn't easy, and Kudrick does an amazing job of showing how one teen attempts to make changes and climb, get stronger, and work towards something better. This book is a fantastically thoughtful piece and one that if you love realistic stories should definitely be on your radar. It's intense, but worth easy page-turn.
Kiss of Broken Glass is a pretty unique book in the sense that it's written entirely in verse. I can't say I've read too many books that are written in verse, but what I can say is that the way Kuderick handles the style is pretty fantastic.
Kenna's voice is crystal clear, and what I adore about this story is how disturbing it is. I never really thought about "cutting competitions" as being a real things, but it really makes you wonder about the kind of pressures this new generation of teens is really facing. I found this book very eye-opening because it makes no bones about it's disturbing content and how frightening it is to be in such a situation.
My younger self definitely could relate to this book in so many ways, and I got help for my problems. I think what's great about this story is the struggle to reconcile issues of self-harm and why it happens in the first place. There is no easy answer, which Kenna describes, and yet the more I read, the more I remember what it was like to have been in a similar state.
This book looks at getting help and how to cope and find ways to love yourself. Loving yourself isn't easy, and Kudrick does an amazing job of showing how one teen attempts to make changes and climb, get stronger, and work towards something better. This book is a fantastically thoughtful piece and one that if you love realistic stories should definitely be on your radar. It's intense, but worth easy page-turn.
August 31, 2016
This review may contain spoilers but probably not because there were no twists or surprises in the book to even spoil.
What the double hockey sticks was that ending? Kiss of Broken Glass takes place during the 3 days Kenna is in a psych hospital for self injury and ends with her... just... leaving. Did I miss the climax? Was there a climax? Did the other characters have any purpose at all?
Alright, being an understanding reader and considering Kenna's story is a fictionalized version of what happened to the author's daughter, this book could happen to anyone using cutting as a coping mechanism. But Kenna even admits that she has no reason for doing it. No family trauma, no mental illness... She started because a group of cutters at her school took her in and showed her their ways. This small group bragged about their cuts to each other, and it seemed that all the students knew that it was happening.
On a positive note:
1. I love how specific the author was with how self injury felt for Kenna. 2. It's amazing that Kuderick mentioned The Butterfly Project. 3. Since the book is written in verse, it's probably vague enough that it wouldn't badly trigger struggling readers.
I read this book in prep for Girl in Pieces that just came out.
What the double hockey sticks was that ending? Kiss of Broken Glass takes place during the 3 days Kenna is in a psych hospital for self injury and ends with her... just... leaving. Did I miss the climax? Was there a climax? Did the other characters have any purpose at all?
Alright, being an understanding reader and considering Kenna's story is a fictionalized version of what happened to the author's daughter, this book could happen to anyone using cutting as a coping mechanism. But Kenna even admits that she has no reason for doing it. No family trauma, no mental illness... She started because a group of cutters at her school took her in and showed her their ways. This small group bragged about their cuts to each other, and it seemed that all the students knew that it was happening.
On a positive note:
1. I love how specific the author was with how self injury felt for Kenna. 2. It's amazing that Kuderick mentioned The Butterfly Project. 3. Since the book is written in verse, it's probably vague enough that it wouldn't badly trigger struggling readers.
I read this book in prep for Girl in Pieces that just came out.
April 1, 2015
EDIT:
JUST REALIZED
HOW GOOD THIS REALLY WAS
Like cutting books I've read they tend to be about the usual assumed reasons for cutting.
But this one
/ah/
ok done
Wow.
like.
/wow/
This perfectly described.....everything. And it gave /words/ and i am emotional. It was /insanely/ relate-able.
um just fyi this is a cutting book so if you struggle with cutting the first half is a pretty big trigger. I read it in one sitting so it was less of a problem.
I appreciate how it didn't end all I SPENT 72 HOURS IN PSYCH WARD I AM CURED because that's not how it works. I like how it was very clear that she is not cured and she will mess up but she is going to tryyy.
very good and rawwww book
Verse was the perfect format for this
JUST REALIZED
HOW GOOD THIS REALLY WAS
Like cutting books I've read they tend to be about the usual assumed reasons for cutting.
But this one
/ah/
ok done
Wow.
like.
/wow/
This perfectly described.....everything. And it gave /words/ and i am emotional. It was /insanely/ relate-able.
um just fyi this is a cutting book so if you struggle with cutting the first half is a pretty big trigger. I read it in one sitting so it was less of a problem.
I appreciate how it didn't end all I SPENT 72 HOURS IN PSYCH WARD I AM CURED because that's not how it works. I like how it was very clear that she is not cured and she will mess up but she is going to tryyy.
very good and rawwww book
Verse was the perfect format for this
February 19, 2015
Review to come!
October 30, 2016
I had such a connection.❤️
May 9, 2019
This book was heart wrenching, fast, and oddly inspiring.
It digs deep into the psychology of cutting not for suicidal sake but because of the addiction of the adrenaline rush, and even how some kids get started due to the dark "fashion sense" of cutting in outcast cliques in schools.
The scenes are deep and intense, emotional, and beautifully written where I didn't feel like i needed a break between parts. Each chapter is short, more like brief journal entries and it made it feel honest with the story.
I would recommend this book to fellow potential cutters, current cutters, and those who have had the urge to cut; this isn't a book that lectures on why not to cut, but it does show how it can effect those around you and the true healing process of addiction.
It digs deep into the psychology of cutting not for suicidal sake but because of the addiction of the adrenaline rush, and even how some kids get started due to the dark "fashion sense" of cutting in outcast cliques in schools.
The scenes are deep and intense, emotional, and beautifully written where I didn't feel like i needed a break between parts. Each chapter is short, more like brief journal entries and it made it feel honest with the story.
I would recommend this book to fellow potential cutters, current cutters, and those who have had the urge to cut; this isn't a book that lectures on why not to cut, but it does show how it can effect those around you and the true healing process of addiction.
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