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The Lottery
Sally Hanson's school is being secretly ruled by Shadow Council; a powerful and brutal group of students. Every autumn Shadow Council holds 'The Lottery', a dreaded ritual which picks a pupil to be the 'victim' - a person who is ignored by the entire school and forced to become Shadow Council's slave.
Sally is this year's victim - and she faces the worst year of her life. Humiliated and isolated, her friends desert her and teachers turn a blind eye. But when Shadow Council's demands become increasingly sinister, Sally begins to suspect that maybe more than bad luck is against her . . .
A dark and powerful psychological thriller from an extraordinary writer.
Sally is this year's victim - and she faces the worst year of her life. Humiliated and isolated, her friends desert her and teachers turn a blind eye. But when Shadow Council's demands become increasingly sinister, Sally begins to suspect that maybe more than bad luck is against her . . .
A dark and powerful psychological thriller from an extraordinary writer.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2002
16 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Beth Goobie
30 books76 followersBeth Goobie is best known for her quirky and dark young adult novels. She's published several of them, beginning in 1994. Her novel Before Wings won the Canadian Library Association's Young Adult Book Award in 2000, and was chosen by young readers for the Best Books list of the American Library Association.Much of the turmoil in Goobie's life has been laid bare in two books for adult readers, Scars of Light, which is autobiographical poetry, and The Only-Good Heart, a book of short stories. Both are built on the theme of cults, abuse, and emotional torture. They were, she says, both therapeutic for herself and a warning to others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
November 5, 2011
Hmm. How do I review this book. I really can’t seeing as I couldn’t even finish it. Not that that’s stopped me from reviewing a book before. SO here I go. This review is basically a review to take apart this book. SO avert your eyes if you actually liked it. Are your eyes averted? If not then you must want to watch me take apart this book. Right here we go.
The Writing – First person (I think), not very memorable, not very catching, easily forgotten. I just couldn’t get involved in this book and when that happens I normally blame the writing, so here I am. Blaming the writing and if I had to grade it, I would give it a D-, yeah that’s bad people, I’d say it’s about 16%. NOT GOOD!
The Characters – Easily forgettable. I seriously can’t remember any of the characters names or what happens to them. I couldn’t connect with any of them. I just didn’t like them!
The Plot – Interesting Concept! The author did not pull it off. I cannot remember what happened all I know is that if the author had been able to pull off the concept, I would have been able to actually finish the book.
I recommend this to – Younger readers. Like... Year 2 – 5. Any one older and they won’t enjoy it, any one younger and they won’t enjoy it. And even people that age there is no guarantee that they will like it.
The Writing – First person (I think), not very memorable, not very catching, easily forgotten. I just couldn’t get involved in this book and when that happens I normally blame the writing, so here I am. Blaming the writing and if I had to grade it, I would give it a D-, yeah that’s bad people, I’d say it’s about 16%. NOT GOOD!
The Characters – Easily forgettable. I seriously can’t remember any of the characters names or what happens to them. I couldn’t connect with any of them. I just didn’t like them!
The Plot – Interesting Concept! The author did not pull it off. I cannot remember what happened all I know is that if the author had been able to pull off the concept, I would have been able to actually finish the book.
I recommend this to – Younger readers. Like... Year 2 – 5. Any one older and they won’t enjoy it, any one younger and they won’t enjoy it. And even people that age there is no guarantee that they will like it.
May 19, 2011
The premise of the book with its secret society and whole 'victim' concept was intriguing but I think it was stretched too thin. Honestly the society didn't do anything FOR the students in anyway, so why was it revered so much and how come no one went to a superior with this? I mean Jenny Weaver looked like the sensible sort who'd end the drama once and for all. And I suppose that's what I'm unhappy about the most, the drama never ended. Till the end, the Shadow Council never disbanded or one member was given a taste of their own medicine. I realize the focus of the book was Sal's inner walls crumbling away and being freed from her guilt but how come such horrible people [and yes Willis - for all that the author has to say about him- is just equally horrible] were let off scot free. I 'm disappointed I suppose that such a sick twisted world was not eradicated entirely. It may be naive but that's what I look for in a book - One insignificant person raising up to the challenge and changing the course of life. Ah but that was not to be with this book.
Besides the unsatisfying ending I didn't really feel any connection with the characters. I couldn't decide whether Sally was going to be the one who stood up for herself and displayed self-respect or the one who sat meekly on a stool and gasped for air in the corridor. Although the self-respect portion was only in front of Willis, when both were alone, so I suppose she falls in the latter category and hence will never be anywhere near my favourite category. Besides her I didn't fancy any of the other characters either, Willis I hated for the weakness he displayed from the moment he was introduced and for a moment I was horrified Sal might fall in love with him and if the story hadn't taken such a U-turn from Sal loving her time as the slave back to detesting it I would have flung the book out the window. Thankfully, Breydon was back in the picture, not that he was much of a win but opposed to Willis I'd take him any day! And if I found the development of the relationship of Breydon and Sal to be mellow , the closeness between her and her bro was really putting me on the weird edge
Besides the unsatisfying ending I didn't really feel any connection with the characters. I couldn't decide whether Sally was going to be the one who stood up for herself and displayed self-respect or the one who sat meekly on a stool and gasped for air in the corridor. Although the self-respect portion was only in front of Willis, when both were alone, so I suppose she falls in the latter category and hence will never be anywhere near my favourite category. Besides her I didn't fancy any of the other characters either, Willis I hated for the weakness he displayed from the moment he was introduced and for a moment I was horrified Sal might fall in love with him and if the story hadn't taken such a U-turn from Sal loving her time as the slave back to detesting it I would have flung the book out the window. Thankfully, Breydon was back in the picture, not that he was much of a win but opposed to Willis I'd take him any day! And if I found the development of the relationship of Breydon and Sal to be mellow , the closeness between her and her bro was really putting me on the weird edge
April 12, 2009
"The Lottery" is about fifteen year old Sally Hanson, who was chosen randomly out of fifteen hundred students to be the Shadow Council's new go-fer. The phrase "everybody loves a victim" is used numerous times to describe her predictament, seeing as everyone in the school including her former best friends have chosen to shun and ignore her. Although it seems that trying to resist is pointless, Sally decides to give the notorious Shadow Council a run for its money.
The plot of the book was very interesting - that some dark club would randomly select one student out of the entire student body to be their dog. However, the beggining of the book was difficult to get into despite the interesting storyline. Some of the characters seemed under-developed, and there were numerous plot lines that weren't executed well. It picked up in the middle of the story, but the ending felt rushed and abrupt to a point. Not a horrible book, though.
The plot of the book was very interesting - that some dark club would randomly select one student out of the entire student body to be their dog. However, the beggining of the book was difficult to get into despite the interesting storyline. Some of the characters seemed under-developed, and there were numerous plot lines that weren't executed well. It picked up in the middle of the story, but the ending felt rushed and abrupt to a point. Not a horrible book, though.
August 25, 2015
Set in a secondary school where a group of senior pupils are secretly controlling the school via a lottery,in which I pupil is chosen each year to carry out their wishes, the book is all about the way in which collusion and fear can quickly take hold and spread like wildfire. Wining the lottery is both desirable and unknown so when the heroine is chosen she is initially excited and proud to have "won." Gradually she begins to realise winning is not all it's cracked up to be as a bit of "harmless fun" rapidly escalates. A book that challenges the young reader to develop their awareness of the ethical maze yet reads like a thriller.
July 26, 2016
With a nod to both Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Robert Cormier’s The Chocolate War, Beth Goobie’s The Lottery is still an original take on the high school scapegoat story. The novel is complex because it interweaves other issues into the plot, specifically mental and physical disabilities, as well as the death of a parent. This combination of subjects may have weakened the climax of the book (I found things to be resolved too quickly, too neatly), but it did create more suspense.
There’s a bit of swearing in the novel, as well as drinking and drug use. I would recommend it for students in grade 10 or up.
There’s a bit of swearing in the novel, as well as drinking and drug use. I would recommend it for students in grade 10 or up.
April 17, 2016
Really interesting and creepy - each year the school's evil "shadow council" (basically the bitchy popular kids) draw another student's name in a lottery and that person is to be totally ignored by their peers all YEAR. And they have to do the shadow council's bidding. And anyone who doesn't ignore them will also be bullied... it's horrible. A whole year?! I mean if it was a different person each week or even month I could buy it more but a year seems to be stretching it a bit thin. And everyone in the school just goes along with it. Well one of Sal's friends tried not to but he's wheelchair-bound and was threatened with having his tyres slashed every day :(
January 8, 2019
Never have I wanted to listen to Pink Floyd more. Loved this book. Highly recommended.
March 25, 2019
Mobbing ist ein Thema das immer mehr in Vordergrund rückt. Schön ist dies nicht, denn es zeigt das es manchen Menschen Spaß macht, andere Personen zu schikanieren. Sei es aus Langeweile, Machtdarstellung oder aus purer Gehässigkeit, es ist grausam und kann schlimm enden, wenn das Opfer die Qualen nicht mehr aushält.
Im Buch geht es um Sal, welche an der High-School ist und dieses Jahr zur Gewinnerin der alljährlichen Auslosung geworden ist, welche ein Komitee aus Schülern veranstaltet. Ein Jahr lang soll sie nun die Sklavin dieser Gruppe sein und jede erdenkliche Aufgabe für sie erledigen. In der Hinsicht fängt das Buch äußerst spannend an, da man die Schrecksekunden von Sal mit erleben kann, in denen sie erfährt, was ihr jetzt ein Jahr lang blüht. Auch wenn man sie erst ein paar Seiten kannte, wollte ich nicht, das sie das erleben müsste, denn gerade lustig klang diese Auslosung nicht.
Im Laufe des Buches erlebte ich schließlich was Sal für Aufgaben erledigen musste und war ehrlich gesagt irritiert. Ich hatte erwartet, das Sal jetzt das Opfer für alle wäre. Sie wurde zwar von allen gemieden, aber es erfolgten keine Versuche ihr zu schaden. Jedoch merkt man recht schnell wie sehr ihr die Ablehnung der Anderen zu schaffen macht, denn wenn plötzlich nicht einmal die Freunde zu einem halten, kann die Welt sehr schnell sehr grau wirken.
Die Geschichte zeigte dann immer mehr wie Sal sich in ihrer Rolle fügte und dabei Dinge tun musste, die dann wirklich Mobbingübergriffe darstellten. Hier wurde es für mich dann auch sehr emotional, da die Attacken doch sehr heftig waren und ich ein starkes Mitleid mit den Opfern bekam. Und trotzdem stellte ich mir die Frage: “ Würdest du es auch tun, nur damit deinen Freunden oder deiner Familie nix geschieht?“. Die Antwort bleibt hier jeden selber überlassen.
Auch wenn dies Buch von Mobbing handelte, so gab es Punkte im Buch, die ich nicht wirklich verstand. Z.B. gab es an der Schule ein Mädchen welches an Autismus liet. Dies allein ist kein Problem, aber Tauni, wie sie hieß, hatte große Schwierigkeiten damit sich überhaupt selbst zu finden. Sie eckte stets irgendwo an, da sie sich nicht immer auf ihre Füße konzentrieren konnte. Kurz um, ich machte mir mehr Sorgen um sie, als um Sal, da diese wenigstens ihre Handlungen steuern konnte. Ich weiß leider nicht, wie man mit dieser Erkrankung umgeht, aber sie einfach in die Schule gehen zu lassen, ohne eine passende Aufsicht für sie zu haben, fand ich gerade zu fahrlässig. Ich verstand daher nicht, was ihr Person im Buch zu suchen hatte.
Ein Mysterium waren mir auch die Lehrer, welche natürlich seit Jahrzehnten nix von der ganze Sache mitbekamen. Dabei wirkten sie sehr clever und aufgeweckt. Dies wollte somit auch nicht so recht passen.
Das Komitee selbst war auch eine eigenartige Gruppierung, bei der ich nicht so recht verstand, weshalb es sie überhaupt gab. Ganz nach Klischee wurde sie natürlich von den beliebtesten Schülern geführt, aber warum, blieb mir ein Rätsel. Zudem merkte man schnell das die unterschiedlichen Persönlichkeiten schnell aneinander eckten und kein Vertrauen herrschte. Zwar handelten sie meist nach Abstimmung, aber selbst diese waren fragwürdig und undurchdacht.
Das Ende empfand ich dann komplett als Katastrophe, da hier irgendwie nix wirklich passen wollte. Ein unerwartetes Liebespaar, plötzliche Freundschaften und ein eigenartiger Beschluss des Komitees, schrien förmlich nach Happy End, doch für mich klang dies ehr nach einem Versuch, das Ende gut aussehen zu lassen, denn die Auslosung würde im nächsten Jahr ja weiter gehen. Es hatte sich somit nix geändert.
Trotz der Kritik muss ich sagen, das ich recht gut durch das Buch kam. Es war leicht geschrieben und gerade zu Anfang sehr spannend. Dann ließ es leider stark nach, da man zu viele Elemente miteinander mischte und einige Dinge einfach keinen Sinn ergaben. Zudem wurde die Thematik „Mobbing“ nur angeschnitten und nicht vollwertig behandelt. Es gab keine Hilfe für die Opfer und keine Ende der Auslosung, alles ging einfach weiter.
Mein Fazit
Ich hatte mir einiges mehr vom Buch versprochen. Die Geschichte wirkte auf mich nicht gerade glaubhaft, zudem wurde das Thema Mobbing nur angekratzt und nicht bei weiten so gezeigt, wie es wirklich ist. Denn ich weiß was es heißt ein Mobbingopfer zu sein und das kommt nicht ansatzweise an das heran, was ich hier las.
Im Buch geht es um Sal, welche an der High-School ist und dieses Jahr zur Gewinnerin der alljährlichen Auslosung geworden ist, welche ein Komitee aus Schülern veranstaltet. Ein Jahr lang soll sie nun die Sklavin dieser Gruppe sein und jede erdenkliche Aufgabe für sie erledigen. In der Hinsicht fängt das Buch äußerst spannend an, da man die Schrecksekunden von Sal mit erleben kann, in denen sie erfährt, was ihr jetzt ein Jahr lang blüht. Auch wenn man sie erst ein paar Seiten kannte, wollte ich nicht, das sie das erleben müsste, denn gerade lustig klang diese Auslosung nicht.
Im Laufe des Buches erlebte ich schließlich was Sal für Aufgaben erledigen musste und war ehrlich gesagt irritiert. Ich hatte erwartet, das Sal jetzt das Opfer für alle wäre. Sie wurde zwar von allen gemieden, aber es erfolgten keine Versuche ihr zu schaden. Jedoch merkt man recht schnell wie sehr ihr die Ablehnung der Anderen zu schaffen macht, denn wenn plötzlich nicht einmal die Freunde zu einem halten, kann die Welt sehr schnell sehr grau wirken.
Die Geschichte zeigte dann immer mehr wie Sal sich in ihrer Rolle fügte und dabei Dinge tun musste, die dann wirklich Mobbingübergriffe darstellten. Hier wurde es für mich dann auch sehr emotional, da die Attacken doch sehr heftig waren und ich ein starkes Mitleid mit den Opfern bekam. Und trotzdem stellte ich mir die Frage: “ Würdest du es auch tun, nur damit deinen Freunden oder deiner Familie nix geschieht?“. Die Antwort bleibt hier jeden selber überlassen.
Auch wenn dies Buch von Mobbing handelte, so gab es Punkte im Buch, die ich nicht wirklich verstand. Z.B. gab es an der Schule ein Mädchen welches an Autismus liet. Dies allein ist kein Problem, aber Tauni, wie sie hieß, hatte große Schwierigkeiten damit sich überhaupt selbst zu finden. Sie eckte stets irgendwo an, da sie sich nicht immer auf ihre Füße konzentrieren konnte. Kurz um, ich machte mir mehr Sorgen um sie, als um Sal, da diese wenigstens ihre Handlungen steuern konnte. Ich weiß leider nicht, wie man mit dieser Erkrankung umgeht, aber sie einfach in die Schule gehen zu lassen, ohne eine passende Aufsicht für sie zu haben, fand ich gerade zu fahrlässig. Ich verstand daher nicht, was ihr Person im Buch zu suchen hatte.
Ein Mysterium waren mir auch die Lehrer, welche natürlich seit Jahrzehnten nix von der ganze Sache mitbekamen. Dabei wirkten sie sehr clever und aufgeweckt. Dies wollte somit auch nicht so recht passen.
Das Komitee selbst war auch eine eigenartige Gruppierung, bei der ich nicht so recht verstand, weshalb es sie überhaupt gab. Ganz nach Klischee wurde sie natürlich von den beliebtesten Schülern geführt, aber warum, blieb mir ein Rätsel. Zudem merkte man schnell das die unterschiedlichen Persönlichkeiten schnell aneinander eckten und kein Vertrauen herrschte. Zwar handelten sie meist nach Abstimmung, aber selbst diese waren fragwürdig und undurchdacht.
Das Ende empfand ich dann komplett als Katastrophe, da hier irgendwie nix wirklich passen wollte. Ein unerwartetes Liebespaar, plötzliche Freundschaften und ein eigenartiger Beschluss des Komitees, schrien förmlich nach Happy End, doch für mich klang dies ehr nach einem Versuch, das Ende gut aussehen zu lassen, denn die Auslosung würde im nächsten Jahr ja weiter gehen. Es hatte sich somit nix geändert.
Trotz der Kritik muss ich sagen, das ich recht gut durch das Buch kam. Es war leicht geschrieben und gerade zu Anfang sehr spannend. Dann ließ es leider stark nach, da man zu viele Elemente miteinander mischte und einige Dinge einfach keinen Sinn ergaben. Zudem wurde die Thematik „Mobbing“ nur angeschnitten und nicht vollwertig behandelt. Es gab keine Hilfe für die Opfer und keine Ende der Auslosung, alles ging einfach weiter.
Mein Fazit
Ich hatte mir einiges mehr vom Buch versprochen. Die Geschichte wirkte auf mich nicht gerade glaubhaft, zudem wurde das Thema Mobbing nur angekratzt und nicht bei weiten so gezeigt, wie es wirklich ist. Denn ich weiß was es heißt ein Mobbingopfer zu sein und das kommt nicht ansatzweise an das heran, was ich hier las.
August 23, 2024
The only reason Sal found herself and got rid of the guilt from her past was by defying the Shadow Council, which I thought happened really late in the book, as it is written that she won't become a victim in the Summary in my copy of the book. So her going against the Shadow Council (what, like 50 pages from the end?), seemed late. The book isn't that long though and it flied by, but maybe it still could've happened earlier.
After all is said and done, Sal is not the victim anymore (it seems like). She moves on, and so does the Shadow Council...surprise new victim! This no-good Council needs to be stopped, they're abusing their peers. It's ridiculous.
It included a wheelchair student, and an autistic student, which I never see in books (not just school-centred ones). So that is good on the author for including.
Sal's relationship with her brother and mother is different from my own, it was interesting to read.
I felt it was similar to The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. And the name is the same too.
After all is said and done, Sal is not the victim anymore (it seems like). She moves on, and so does the Shadow Council...surprise new victim! This no-good Council needs to be stopped, they're abusing their peers. It's ridiculous.
It included a wheelchair student, and an autistic student, which I never see in books (not just school-centred ones). So that is good on the author for including.
Sal's relationship with her brother and mother is different from my own, it was interesting to read.
I felt it was similar to The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. And the name is the same too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2018
I don’t even know whether to rate this.... if I could rate it no stars I would. I found absolutely no reason to read this book. I couldn’t get into the story, I started reading it last year. I read the first 2 chapters however I never continued. I’m not one to stop reading a book at the start in hope that I can get into it. Whenever I pick up this book I look at it, open it and then put it back onto my bookshelf... this book is now in my pile that’s going to the charity shop and I feel sorry to the poor bugger that’s going to pick it up.
July 10, 2019
Absolutely one of my favourite books of all time, hands down! It's about a Canadian high school, run by a secretive group of students called "Shadow Council", and how Sally Hanson was the unfortunate "winner" of The Lottery. The lottery winner is essentially Shadow Council's pet, however Sal goes against the norms and rules and essentially says, "Screw it!" Good read.
January 24, 2022
After reading the synopsis, I stupidly believed this book was going to be a psychological thriller. Maybe I've been watching too many episodes of Buried in the Backyard. In any case, this story was not what I expected. It's mediocre at best. If you like stories about high school losers who find their voice in the end, then this is for you.
May 4, 2025
This was extremely problematic. It deals with something that many high school students fear but is also very unrealistic. No one in this book is good. It’s terribly fat-phobic, does not bring up Autism in a realistic way, and HAS NO CONCLUSION! Pointless AND no redemption for any of the characters.
September 28, 2025
My favourite book. Dark and complex and so full of love in unexpected place - the kind of love that really saves lives. Changed my world as a teenager and to this day, I am so glad it exists.
You always know who your friends are in life by isolating the people who help you find the mouth in your face.
You always know who your friends are in life by isolating the people who help you find the mouth in your face.
April 6, 2021
I had to read this for my school ISU. My whole group thinks it's bad. Do not recommend to anyone.
The plot was interesting, but the execution was horrible. The book could end on chapter 3 and I couldn't care less.
The plot was interesting, but the execution was horrible. The book could end on chapter 3 and I couldn't care less.
August 14, 2017
The plot was good and most of the book was enjoyable but the ending was a let down.
September 25, 2017
3-3.5 stars - decent premise with some interesting plot points
February 24, 2019
A personal favorite from hightschool has waves of meaning and lessons to carry on beyond the social bubble that is grade school.
December 8, 2020
Read this ages ago. Beth Goobie is an amazing author, and of all the books I read when I was a teen, the Lottery and its cast of interesting characters stuck with me.
October 2, 2022
Loved this book! My students in the Grade 12 Literacy course really liked it too.
March 23, 2025
It was ok :). Thanks macka
November 12, 2025
I read this back in high school and at the time I liked it but thinking back on it, well, it wasn't that great. It felt lacking in a lot of areas sadly.
May 16, 2013
"The Lottery" was a dark and disturbing book that takes you inside the exaggerated life of a teenage girl. If there's one thing Goobie is good at, it's taking a common typical teen issue like bullying or exclusion or feeling like an outsider, and really making it stand out as a huge problem in an extreme way. The concept of a club like Student Council ruling the school by choosing yearly victims to shun was really creepy, but effective.
At first, it was difficult to get into the story. It felt very repetitive and as if nothing interesting was happening. Sal got ignored, called down to the Celts clubroom, and sent to do some horrible task. However, as the book progressed, the story of her family problems and her extremely close relationship with her older brother Dusty brought some real substance to the plot.
"The Lottery" was a tough story of true friends, the power of family, and what inner guilt can do to a girl. I loved seeing Sal try and work her way through her situation. She was such a sweet, strong girl who made friends with everybody and always tried to keep her head up. At times when she lost control, the depth of her character showed intensely as she needed the comfort of her brother's arms to help her through. Sal endured all the bullying, exclusion, losing friends, and being hated, and eventually learned that life is what you make it and that she should not let anybody else control her life.
The only thing that was slightly unrealistic was the way everybody followed Shadow Council like sheep and went along with their cruel games, seemingly for no reason. But, I know that it was needed to get across the point of the book. Sometimes, leaders aren't always recognized for doing what is right.
The ending was the most satisfying end I've recently read in a book. It was so perfect and it suited the book very well. My favourite parts were the connections between Sal and Dusty. They brought me to tears and showed such strong love that you couldn't help but be mesmerized by their special relationship. I loooooved the book and Goobie is a very talented writer on the topic of teens. It was a powerful and important read, definitely relevant, accurate and necessary. Amazing :)
At first, it was difficult to get into the story. It felt very repetitive and as if nothing interesting was happening. Sal got ignored, called down to the Celts clubroom, and sent to do some horrible task. However, as the book progressed, the story of her family problems and her extremely close relationship with her older brother Dusty brought some real substance to the plot.
"The Lottery" was a tough story of true friends, the power of family, and what inner guilt can do to a girl. I loved seeing Sal try and work her way through her situation. She was such a sweet, strong girl who made friends with everybody and always tried to keep her head up. At times when she lost control, the depth of her character showed intensely as she needed the comfort of her brother's arms to help her through. Sal endured all the bullying, exclusion, losing friends, and being hated, and eventually learned that life is what you make it and that she should not let anybody else control her life.
The only thing that was slightly unrealistic was the way everybody followed Shadow Council like sheep and went along with their cruel games, seemingly for no reason. But, I know that it was needed to get across the point of the book. Sometimes, leaders aren't always recognized for doing what is right.
The ending was the most satisfying end I've recently read in a book. It was so perfect and it suited the book very well. My favourite parts were the connections between Sal and Dusty. They brought me to tears and showed such strong love that you couldn't help but be mesmerized by their special relationship. I loooooved the book and Goobie is a very talented writer on the topic of teens. It was a powerful and important read, definitely relevant, accurate and necessary. Amazing :)
February 10, 2013
The Lottery is a really good book, full of depth and details. I really don't understand why some people say the plot and writing style were horrible.
Some people think, 'Why didn't anybody do anything about this, or go to a teacher or whatever.' And I think, 'Well, you're obviously not in school anymore.' People say, 'Shadow Council doesn't do anything for the school, so why are they revered so much?' Seriously? If you had bothered to finish reading the book you would get it, as it explained A LOT at the end. Everbody loves a victim. What part of that don't you understand?? And there's that tiny detail of Shadow Council threatening them.
Also, you might think that Sal's pathetic, not standing up for herself, and that if she had, the book might have been more enjoyable. Well, reality check, most people aren't like that. Heck, I'm not like that, and that's one of the reasons I love this book so much. Sal isn't some nobody that miraculously gets courage right when people start picking on her. In fact, I thought she stood up for herself more than some (if not most) people would be able to. She accepted being shunned for the rest of high school, didn't she?
Another thing, the writing style. If you seriously think that this is horrible writing, I'd like to see you do half as well. I've almost never seen such beautiful writing, full of details and comparisons that are just....I can't even find words to describe them. And it may be a little confusing, but the human mind is confusing, especially with what Sal is going through.
I'll admit, it took me a little while to get into it. I read the first 30, 40 pages or so and thought, 'Meh. This isn't bad, but not terribly amazing either.' Then I got to around page 60 and there was a spot that I didn't really feel like reading at that moment. I didn't read it for a little bit, then when i picked it up again, I finished it at midnight that night. Needless to say, it was worth the read.
(And by the way, most people that wrote horrible reviews hadn't even finished the book. That's like riding a roller coaster and then jumping off because the first 20 feet were boring. Very smart.)
Some people think, 'Why didn't anybody do anything about this, or go to a teacher or whatever.' And I think, 'Well, you're obviously not in school anymore.' People say, 'Shadow Council doesn't do anything for the school, so why are they revered so much?' Seriously? If you had bothered to finish reading the book you would get it, as it explained A LOT at the end. Everbody loves a victim. What part of that don't you understand?? And there's that tiny detail of Shadow Council threatening them.
Also, you might think that Sal's pathetic, not standing up for herself, and that if she had, the book might have been more enjoyable. Well, reality check, most people aren't like that. Heck, I'm not like that, and that's one of the reasons I love this book so much. Sal isn't some nobody that miraculously gets courage right when people start picking on her. In fact, I thought she stood up for herself more than some (if not most) people would be able to. She accepted being shunned for the rest of high school, didn't she?
Another thing, the writing style. If you seriously think that this is horrible writing, I'd like to see you do half as well. I've almost never seen such beautiful writing, full of details and comparisons that are just....I can't even find words to describe them. And it may be a little confusing, but the human mind is confusing, especially with what Sal is going through.
I'll admit, it took me a little while to get into it. I read the first 30, 40 pages or so and thought, 'Meh. This isn't bad, but not terribly amazing either.' Then I got to around page 60 and there was a spot that I didn't really feel like reading at that moment. I didn't read it for a little bit, then when i picked it up again, I finished it at midnight that night. Needless to say, it was worth the read.
(And by the way, most people that wrote horrible reviews hadn't even finished the book. That's like riding a roller coaster and then jumping off because the first 20 feet were boring. Very smart.)
August 30, 2014
Have you ever picked up a book without knowing a single thing about it? Because I did with this one. And I'm glad I did. I was impressed.
The cover makes it look like it's one of those teen paranormal books, but it's not. It's about a girl and her friends caught up in a very strange school tradition. Every year, a group of students known as the Shadow Council select someone from the student body to be their victim - a kid who delivers messages for them, and does the dirty work when no one else will. This year, it's Sal Hanson's turn.
Being the "lottery winner" means that the entire school shuns you for the year as you do the Shadow Council's bidding, so Sal's thrown into this world where all of a sudden she's completely abandoned and alone, bullied by fear into following the orders of a group of some not so nice students. It's an interesting study into what it's like to go to a school ruled by a group of empowered students who aren't very nice, but also into what it's like when people stop letting themselves be bullied. It's one of those books with a great sense of hope. That's what makes it so great. It's about sticking up for yourself and for your friends and for doing what's right, instead of what's expected. It's about knowing that you can't rely on other people to start the revolution, that you have to take the first steps yourself.
It's well written, though Sal probably could have had more depth and development as a character, especially as it seems she's got PTSD. It's interesting, it has its moments of humour, and, would you believe it, there's no unnecessary romantic subplot! Hooray for Beth Goobie! Well, it's there, but it's not enacted, which is good. God knows there are too many young adult novels which start out with a good plot and then pass it over as secondary to some stupid romance.
I'd say read this book if you have the chance. Don't expect brilliance, but at least you don't have to sit through a book just like every single other young adult one on the shelf.
The cover makes it look like it's one of those teen paranormal books, but it's not. It's about a girl and her friends caught up in a very strange school tradition. Every year, a group of students known as the Shadow Council select someone from the student body to be their victim - a kid who delivers messages for them, and does the dirty work when no one else will. This year, it's Sal Hanson's turn.
Being the "lottery winner" means that the entire school shuns you for the year as you do the Shadow Council's bidding, so Sal's thrown into this world where all of a sudden she's completely abandoned and alone, bullied by fear into following the orders of a group of some not so nice students. It's an interesting study into what it's like to go to a school ruled by a group of empowered students who aren't very nice, but also into what it's like when people stop letting themselves be bullied. It's one of those books with a great sense of hope. That's what makes it so great. It's about sticking up for yourself and for your friends and for doing what's right, instead of what's expected. It's about knowing that you can't rely on other people to start the revolution, that you have to take the first steps yourself.
It's well written, though Sal probably could have had more depth and development as a character, especially as it seems she's got PTSD. It's interesting, it has its moments of humour, and, would you believe it, there's no unnecessary romantic subplot! Hooray for Beth Goobie! Well, it's there, but it's not enacted, which is good. God knows there are too many young adult novels which start out with a good plot and then pass it over as secondary to some stupid romance.
I'd say read this book if you have the chance. Don't expect brilliance, but at least you don't have to sit through a book just like every single other young adult one on the shelf.
July 16, 2010
This book takes the concept of Shirley Jackson's short story of the same name and places it in a high school setting--like Jackson's short, The Lottery raises questions about why society needs a victim. The protagonist is Sal, a fifteen-year-old third clarinettist and this year's Shadow Council lottery winner: the dud of the year. Nobody will speak to her or acknowledge her existence except the mysterious Shadow Council, an elite group ruling the school with fear.
I enjoyed the concept of this book and the interplay between Sal and the other characters. There was an interesting motif of the musical duet called "Inside the Question"--the song written by the president of the Shadow Council and practiced in secret with Sal--and this gave the tense and haunting story some extra symbolic layers. I liked the way even the worst of the Shadow Council was a complex character who says, "I look in the mirror and my face gets further and further away..."
The novel has a way of feeling not quite contemporary--nods to The Chocolate War and A Separate Peace give it a sort of timeless feel to it. Sal's character is generally strong and funny, even when she is playing the docile victim.
I do think the book possibly tries to tackle too many things at once--the plotline about Sal's guilt about her father's car crash, the autistic girl, the wheelchair-bound friend who first betrays her and then is redeemed, and especially the issue with her former best friend's brother--and it's sort of like there isn't enough space in the book to adequately explore and resolve all of these. Still, the book was engaging from beginning to end, with strong prose and interesting conflicts.
I enjoyed the concept of this book and the interplay between Sal and the other characters. There was an interesting motif of the musical duet called "Inside the Question"--the song written by the president of the Shadow Council and practiced in secret with Sal--and this gave the tense and haunting story some extra symbolic layers. I liked the way even the worst of the Shadow Council was a complex character who says, "I look in the mirror and my face gets further and further away..."
The novel has a way of feeling not quite contemporary--nods to The Chocolate War and A Separate Peace give it a sort of timeless feel to it. Sal's character is generally strong and funny, even when she is playing the docile victim.
I do think the book possibly tries to tackle too many things at once--the plotline about Sal's guilt about her father's car crash, the autistic girl, the wheelchair-bound friend who first betrays her and then is redeemed, and especially the issue with her former best friend's brother--and it's sort of like there isn't enough space in the book to adequately explore and resolve all of these. Still, the book was engaging from beginning to end, with strong prose and interesting conflicts.
April 19, 2012
The good thing about this book is that it is a good read. It kind of has The Chocolate Wars kind of feel to it, but not really.
Basically there is a council of students, mainly of juniors and seniors, that "rule" the school. They have a lottery every year of the students in the school. The so-called winner of this lottery is their lackey for the entire school year. They've been doing this for years, and no one has ever said a word to them about it. It's a simple fact.
Sally Hanson is picked to be this years lottery winner. At first she isn't sure if she is the lottery winner because the first scroll she receives with a black ribbon is completely blank. But eventually she is summoned to the council.
When you have won the lottery you are pretty much alienated from any friends you had at school before you were picked. Which is what happened to every lottery winner before. Sally should be no different. And should a friend of yours even TRY to act like nothing is wrong, well, they'll be threatened and the next day you won't exist.
Sally's duties are to deliver notes to other students. Some of them contains tasks that the students much complete. After a while, Sally gets into creating trouble at the school. She begins to feel a part of the council. At the same time however, she doesn't want to be alienated.
The book ends with her no longer being the lackey for the council. They just decide hold another lottery and pick another kid. There's no real ending, or any real conflict in the book. Just Sally not wanting to be alienated from her friends. And that other thing with her dad. But that's it.
Basically there is a council of students, mainly of juniors and seniors, that "rule" the school. They have a lottery every year of the students in the school. The so-called winner of this lottery is their lackey for the entire school year. They've been doing this for years, and no one has ever said a word to them about it. It's a simple fact.
Sally Hanson is picked to be this years lottery winner. At first she isn't sure if she is the lottery winner because the first scroll she receives with a black ribbon is completely blank. But eventually she is summoned to the council.
When you have won the lottery you are pretty much alienated from any friends you had at school before you were picked. Which is what happened to every lottery winner before. Sally should be no different. And should a friend of yours even TRY to act like nothing is wrong, well, they'll be threatened and the next day you won't exist.
Sally's duties are to deliver notes to other students. Some of them contains tasks that the students much complete. After a while, Sally gets into creating trouble at the school. She begins to feel a part of the council. At the same time however, she doesn't want to be alienated.
The book ends with her no longer being the lackey for the council. They just decide hold another lottery and pick another kid. There's no real ending, or any real conflict in the book. Just Sally not wanting to be alienated from her friends. And that other thing with her dad. But that's it.
September 20, 2013
I really enjoyed this captivating, suspenseful novel, which is set in a high school that has a "secret" student organization (Shadow Club). This club essentially threatens and bullies the student body into either doing its bidding or quietly going along (so as to avoid retribution--such as getting stuffed into a trash can and winding up in the hospital, which happens to one character). Every year the Shadow Club chooses one student via a lottery. This person will be a pariah, a person that everyone shuns. When Sal is chosen, she at first things her friends will stick by her, but she soon learns that even they refuse to acknowledge her.
The blurb on the novel mentions Robert Cormier (and one of the characters is even reading Cormier's most famous book, The Chocolate War), and it wasn't difficult to see the comparisons between the two. In The Lottery one of the themes is that victims often begin to support their captors (as in the Stockholm syndrome). This book also reminds me that teachers don't often know everything that happens at school amongst the student population. Even though it is doubtful that a school could have a club so powerful that everyone would shun one person, I was willing to suspend my disbelief so that I could enjoy the powerful story and a shocking ending. This book will also go on my 8th grade only shelf due to the issues explored in the novel.
The blurb on the novel mentions Robert Cormier (and one of the characters is even reading Cormier's most famous book, The Chocolate War), and it wasn't difficult to see the comparisons between the two. In The Lottery one of the themes is that victims often begin to support their captors (as in the Stockholm syndrome). This book also reminds me that teachers don't often know everything that happens at school amongst the student population. Even though it is doubtful that a school could have a club so powerful that everyone would shun one person, I was willing to suspend my disbelief so that I could enjoy the powerful story and a shocking ending. This book will also go on my 8th grade only shelf due to the issues explored in the novel.
December 6, 2015
This book is amazing. Goobie seems to perfectly capture the agony of being a teenager, or any period of intense stress and isolation and transition. The Lottery was published in 2002 but it reminds me of Lois Duncan YA novels from the 70s like I Know What You Did Last Summer (not to be confused with the mediocre movie version). The characters are complex and likable, even the jerks. I was enraptured from start to finish.
EDIT: I accidentally put this review under The Lottery by Shirley Jackson initially. After reading descriptions of Jackson's short story, I think that this book might be a kind of retelling of that original story. I don't think that takes away from the brilliance of Goobie's work, but it does make me interested in reading Jackson's story as well.
EDIT: I accidentally put this review under The Lottery by Shirley Jackson initially. After reading descriptions of Jackson's short story, I think that this book might be a kind of retelling of that original story. I don't think that takes away from the brilliance of Goobie's work, but it does make me interested in reading Jackson's story as well.
December 21, 2012
Soooo, this book is marketed as a thriller?
Right, well, it's more like a teenage-angst ridden jaunt through a year in high school, more about friendship and band class than anything else. At least what I remember from it. The protagonist isn't that engaging, and nor are some of the other main characters, but I remember really liking the secondary characters - they certainly fleshed out the world of high school much more.
Probably need a reread if that summary is actually nothing as to how I remember this book, haha!
Right, well, it's more like a teenage-angst ridden jaunt through a year in high school, more about friendship and band class than anything else. At least what I remember from it. The protagonist isn't that engaging, and nor are some of the other main characters, but I remember really liking the secondary characters - they certainly fleshed out the world of high school much more.
Probably need a reread if that summary is actually nothing as to how I remember this book, haha!
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