What do you think?
Rate this book
Wild Blues
The threat of two escaped convicts and a missing friend lead Lizzie on a harrowing journey through the wilds of the Adirondacks in this stunning novel from National Book Award finalist Beth Kephart.
Thirteen-year-old Lizzie’s favorite place in the world is her uncle’s cabin. Uncle Davy’s renovated schoolhouse cabin, filled with antiques and on the edge of the Adirondacks, disconnected from the rest of the world, is like something out of a fairy tale. And an escape from reality is exactly what Lizzie needs. Life hasn’t been easy for Lizzie lately. Her father abandoned their family, leaving Lizzie with her oftentimes irresponsible mother. Now, her mom has cancer and being unable to care for Lizzie during her chemotherapy, Mom asks her where she’d like to spend the summer. The answer is simple: Uncle Davy’s cabin.
Lizzie loves her uncle’s home for many reasons, but the main one is Matias, Uncle Davy’s neighbor and Lizzie’s best friend. Matias has proportionate dwarfism, but that doesn’t stop him and Lizzie from wandering in the woods. Every day they go to their favorite nook where Matias paints with watercolors and Lizzie writes. Until one day when Matias never arrives.
When news breaks about two escaped convicts from the nearby prison, Lizzie fears the worst. And when Uncle Davy goes missing, too, Lizzie knows she’s the only one who knows this area of woods well enough to save them. Armed with her trusted Keppy survival book, Lizzie sets out into the wilds of the Adirondacks, proving just how far she’ll go to save the people she loves.
Thirteen-year-old Lizzie’s favorite place in the world is her uncle’s cabin. Uncle Davy’s renovated schoolhouse cabin, filled with antiques and on the edge of the Adirondacks, disconnected from the rest of the world, is like something out of a fairy tale. And an escape from reality is exactly what Lizzie needs. Life hasn’t been easy for Lizzie lately. Her father abandoned their family, leaving Lizzie with her oftentimes irresponsible mother. Now, her mom has cancer and being unable to care for Lizzie during her chemotherapy, Mom asks her where she’d like to spend the summer. The answer is simple: Uncle Davy’s cabin.
Lizzie loves her uncle’s home for many reasons, but the main one is Matias, Uncle Davy’s neighbor and Lizzie’s best friend. Matias has proportionate dwarfism, but that doesn’t stop him and Lizzie from wandering in the woods. Every day they go to their favorite nook where Matias paints with watercolors and Lizzie writes. Until one day when Matias never arrives.
When news breaks about two escaped convicts from the nearby prison, Lizzie fears the worst. And when Uncle Davy goes missing, too, Lizzie knows she’s the only one who knows this area of woods well enough to save them. Armed with her trusted Keppy survival book, Lizzie sets out into the wilds of the Adirondacks, proving just how far she’ll go to save the people she loves.
Hardcover
First published June 5, 2018
14 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Beth Kephart
57 books336 followersI'm the award-winning writer of more than two-dozen books in multiple genres—memoir, middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books, history, corporate fable, and books on the making of memoir.
I'm also an award-winning teacher at the University of Pennsylvania, co-founder of Juncture Workshops, and an essayist and critic with work appearing in The New York Times, Life magazine, Ninth Letter, Catapult, The Millions, The Rumpus, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and elsewhere.
Please visit me at junctureworkshops.com or bethkephartbooks.com.
I'm also an award-winning teacher at the University of Pennsylvania, co-founder of Juncture Workshops, and an essayist and critic with work appearing in The New York Times, Life magazine, Ninth Letter, Catapult, The Millions, The Rumpus, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and elsewhere.
Please visit me at junctureworkshops.com or bethkephartbooks.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 21, 2018
The Adirondack Park, a protected park in the U.S. state of New York, is absolutely gorgeous. A great area to view the fall colors, go hiking, explore caves, enjoy rivers and streams as well as the abundance of wildlife. It is also a place you don’t want to get lost!
Lizzie favorite place to be is at her Uncle Davy’s cabin on the outskirts of the Adirondack Mountains. Nestled in and secluded, this is where she will spend her summer. Away from home, away from her mother who has cancer, away from her father who left them. Only her uncle, her best friend Matias, her writing and reading. Nothing stands in the way of a great summer to forget her troubles.
Every day Lizzie and Matias head out to their favorite spot in the woods to paint and pass the time. Matias has proportionate dwarfism and is from San Salvador. Despite his crutches, he gets along well and lets nothing stand in his way. He spends lots of times talking to Lizzie about his country and brings pupusas to share. A traditional Salvadoran dish of a thick corn tortilla stuffed with a savory filling.
One morning, Matias does not show. Confused she searches for him without any luck. As she tries to get back to her uncle, she notices that he is missing as well. There is but one thing she must do now…be brave and find her friend who won’t be able to get around well in the woods in his condition.
***
This is a lovely read. Very lyrical and poetic in structure and style. Lizzie’s thoughts, fears and wonders of the world are expressed amazingly deep. She has so much to process and understand about her parents and the different world her friend comes from. The reader is taken on her journey of growth and understanding, a way of a coming of age.
I did like the description of the beautiful surroundings that this takes place in. I am not sure if a middle grader can perhaps appreciate or enjoy the prose and depth of Lizzie's thought process this well yet. For that, I think, it would definitely make a great literary read as a class project to learn of San Salvador, the Adirondacks Mountains and explore about dwarfism and difficult family dynamics.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
For more reviews visit: https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
Lizzie favorite place to be is at her Uncle Davy’s cabin on the outskirts of the Adirondack Mountains. Nestled in and secluded, this is where she will spend her summer. Away from home, away from her mother who has cancer, away from her father who left them. Only her uncle, her best friend Matias, her writing and reading. Nothing stands in the way of a great summer to forget her troubles.
Every day Lizzie and Matias head out to their favorite spot in the woods to paint and pass the time. Matias has proportionate dwarfism and is from San Salvador. Despite his crutches, he gets along well and lets nothing stand in his way. He spends lots of times talking to Lizzie about his country and brings pupusas to share. A traditional Salvadoran dish of a thick corn tortilla stuffed with a savory filling.
One morning, Matias does not show. Confused she searches for him without any luck. As she tries to get back to her uncle, she notices that he is missing as well. There is but one thing she must do now…be brave and find her friend who won’t be able to get around well in the woods in his condition.
***
This is a lovely read. Very lyrical and poetic in structure and style. Lizzie’s thoughts, fears and wonders of the world are expressed amazingly deep. She has so much to process and understand about her parents and the different world her friend comes from. The reader is taken on her journey of growth and understanding, a way of a coming of age.
I did like the description of the beautiful surroundings that this takes place in. I am not sure if a middle grader can perhaps appreciate or enjoy the prose and depth of Lizzie's thought process this well yet. For that, I think, it would definitely make a great literary read as a class project to learn of San Salvador, the Adirondacks Mountains and explore about dwarfism and difficult family dynamics.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
For more reviews visit: https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
February 15, 2019
The story: When Lizzie's best friend Matias and her Unvle Davy are kidnapped by a couple of escaped convicts, she knows it's up to her to remember every detail of everything she knows. But...that seems like too little, too late, and Lizzie sneaks off to attempt a rescue on her own, never knowing just how dangerous it can be out there alone in the Wild Blue.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (kidnapping) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: This book had a couple of starred reviews, so I kept reading it, wondering when the action and adventure were going to start. (Hint: page 225.) Lizzie's story is a "victim impact statement", but she tells her story in such a disjointed way that it makes it very difficult to feel a sense of forward motion...right up until about page 225. Trust me, MS readers will have bailed on this book long before that. This is definitely one of those titles that appeal to adult readers far more than to the intended audience. Too bad kids aren't the ones giving out the starred reviews.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes (kidnapping) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: This book had a couple of starred reviews, so I kept reading it, wondering when the action and adventure were going to start. (Hint: page 225.) Lizzie's story is a "victim impact statement", but she tells her story in such a disjointed way that it makes it very difficult to feel a sense of forward motion...right up until about page 225. Trust me, MS readers will have bailed on this book long before that. This is definitely one of those titles that appeal to adult readers far more than to the intended audience. Too bad kids aren't the ones giving out the starred reviews.
April 17, 2018
A truly remarkable novel for middle grade readers. Lush with compelling characters, a gorgeous Adirondack setting, and a riveting plot, Wild Blues whirls you into a world of peril and friendship that you won’t soon forget. Beth Kephart is one of the most original, imaginative writers we have. Wow.
March 12, 2019
Another beautifully written book for middle-grades that adults will enjoy and many tweens/teens will abandon before they’re halfway through.
October 17, 2021
I give it only two stars because, mainly, of the writing. From the first few chapters, I could tell that the prose would be more purple than lavender! Not to say that it is a bad thing, because others might really enjoy it and its excessive flowery-ness, but I was not particularly patient with the repetitive lines and the strange, cryptic narration and the inflatedness of the main character's voice. The plot itself was intriguing, but somewhat a little predictable, and everything is over-amplified by the dramatic storytelling, I would say.
This is just my opinion. Maybe I would have really liked this book a few years ago. The story is still intriguing, and the characters are described to a point. But I personally would not read this again.
This is just my opinion. Maybe I would have really liked this book a few years ago. The story is still intriguing, and the characters are described to a point. But I personally would not read this again.
June 2, 2018
Lizzie's mom has to undergo cancer treatment, so she asks Lizzie where she would like to spend her summer. Lizzie chooses to go to her uncle Davy's renovated schoolhouse home in the Adirondacks, near where her good friend Matias, an immigrant from El Salvador who has proportionate dwarfism also lives. Not long after Lizzie arrives, however, two dangerous convicts escape from the prison, kidnapping both Matias and Uncle Davy and leaving Lizzie entirely on her own. Determined not to lose the people she loves most in the world, Lizzie sets out to bring them home, not realizing how dangerous this plan really is.
This middle grade novel is told in the form of a victim impact statement given by Lizzie to a listener whose identity is unknown to the reader for much of the book. This, combined with the suspense of the kidnapping and rescue mission, would make for compelling reading all on its own. But, as with Kephart's 2016 young adult novel, This is the Story of You, it is the gorgeous writing style that makes this book truly stand out as original and beautiful. Many middle grade books seem to have a singular generic voice, which can make it hard to differentiate one story from another. This one, however, is not just a memorable story, but a distinctive piece of writing. What Kephart has to say becomes more meaningful because of the way she says it. This book is filled with moments where the author employs just the right detail in just the right way at just the right time for maximum emotional impact. I was genuinely surprised several times when I suddenly felt like crying over some turn of phrase or turn of events in the story. It's been a while since a book got a true reaction out of me like that.
Content-wise, I think this book is probably more appropriate for middle school readers than elementary school readers. The writing is a bit flowery, making it more complex to read, and the idea of escaped convicts is more likely to trouble a third grader than an eighth grader. (Incidentally, there was a prison break in my hometown when I was a kid, so this book was extra interesting to me!) There are also some mentions of Uncle Davy's past relationship with a man whom he loved. Lizzie refers to him as a friend, however, and it would be easy for kids with no other context not to think there was anything more to the connection than friendship. The point is really just to show the vulnerable side of Uncle Davy and that he has experienced a loss, not to dwell on any adult themes.
The ARC of this book did not include the final full-color paintings which serve as the book's illustrations, but the preview images shown on Edelweiss are beautiful, and they do much to enhance the mood of the book. Art plays a major role in the stories of both Matias and one of his captors, and having Matias's paintings represented in the book adds a lot to the reader's knowledge of his character. . The fact that the illustrator is the author's husband, who is himself Salvadoran, is also a nice touch.
I would put Wild Blues in a category along with Lauren Wolk's books - that is, literary fiction for the middle school reader who likes description and action, strong character development and meandering reflections about life. It's certainly not going to resonate with every child, but there are definitely readers out there for whom this special book will be an instant and enduring favorite. It certainly is for me.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
This middle grade novel is told in the form of a victim impact statement given by Lizzie to a listener whose identity is unknown to the reader for much of the book. This, combined with the suspense of the kidnapping and rescue mission, would make for compelling reading all on its own. But, as with Kephart's 2016 young adult novel, This is the Story of You, it is the gorgeous writing style that makes this book truly stand out as original and beautiful. Many middle grade books seem to have a singular generic voice, which can make it hard to differentiate one story from another. This one, however, is not just a memorable story, but a distinctive piece of writing. What Kephart has to say becomes more meaningful because of the way she says it. This book is filled with moments where the author employs just the right detail in just the right way at just the right time for maximum emotional impact. I was genuinely surprised several times when I suddenly felt like crying over some turn of phrase or turn of events in the story. It's been a while since a book got a true reaction out of me like that.
Content-wise, I think this book is probably more appropriate for middle school readers than elementary school readers. The writing is a bit flowery, making it more complex to read, and the idea of escaped convicts is more likely to trouble a third grader than an eighth grader. (Incidentally, there was a prison break in my hometown when I was a kid, so this book was extra interesting to me!) There are also some mentions of Uncle Davy's past relationship with a man whom he loved. Lizzie refers to him as a friend, however, and it would be easy for kids with no other context not to think there was anything more to the connection than friendship. The point is really just to show the vulnerable side of Uncle Davy and that he has experienced a loss, not to dwell on any adult themes.
The ARC of this book did not include the final full-color paintings which serve as the book's illustrations, but the preview images shown on Edelweiss are beautiful, and they do much to enhance the mood of the book. Art plays a major role in the stories of both Matias and one of his captors, and having Matias's paintings represented in the book adds a lot to the reader's knowledge of his character. . The fact that the illustrator is the author's husband, who is himself Salvadoran, is also a nice touch.
I would put Wild Blues in a category along with Lauren Wolk's books - that is, literary fiction for the middle school reader who likes description and action, strong character development and meandering reflections about life. It's certainly not going to resonate with every child, but there are definitely readers out there for whom this special book will be an instant and enduring favorite. It certainly is for me.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
July 4, 2018
Amazing writing and pure storytelling, as expected from BK. A story of friendship and persistence.
June 3, 2018
This is a complicated story about a girl named Lizzie who is spending her summer with her uncle in a remote cabin. She loves spending time with him and hiking in the 6 million acre woods behind his house. She also has a best fried, Matias, who is an artist and she's looking forward to spending time with him. There are some big issues here-dealing with a serious illness, mental illness, friendship, bravery, and courage. I found it compelling, but maybe overly complicated-the story flashes around in time and part of the time Lizzie is talking to a character that you don't really get who it is until probably the last 10% of the book. I liked it well enough to finish it but I'm not sure I would recommend it to kids.
July 21, 2018
*I received an e-gally from Netgalley in return for an honest review.*
So...it kind of leaves you at that.
Lizzie is spending the summer with her uncle at his renovated schoolhouse in the woods while her mother takes radiation pills for her cancer. She is excited to hang out with her uncle and her summer best friend Matias. Story alternates in time periods from the previous summer, to the current summer, to where Lizzie is now...which you figure out as the story goes along. The ending leaves you...wondering, hanging, dissatisfied? Something, like you still are trying to put together what happened I guess.
So...it kind of leaves you at that.
Lizzie is spending the summer with her uncle at his renovated schoolhouse in the woods while her mother takes radiation pills for her cancer. She is excited to hang out with her uncle and her summer best friend Matias. Story alternates in time periods from the previous summer, to the current summer, to where Lizzie is now...which you figure out as the story goes along. The ending leaves you...wondering, hanging, dissatisfied? Something, like you still are trying to put together what happened I guess.
July 20, 2018
Oh beautiful and sigh. Kephart is one of my favorite authors and this book was pitch perfect lovely. Poetic and graceful and full of heart, a story about a girl who goes to great lengths to save the people she loves. I will say the ending felt a little easy, but it didn't wreck the book for me. I love how Kephart weaves language through her plot, how there are echoes of things, of words, of sounds. She really is a terribly gifted artist.
August 30, 2018
Did not finish this one...100 pages in...hard to understand for a child...this book is almost written for an adult. Told by the 13 year old main character, this book contains lots of choppy sentences and just doesn't flow. It doesn't sound like a 13 year old is telling the story.
July 24, 2020
One of those I had to read it twice books. Thankfully, the short chapters made this story told by Lizzie easy to skim the second time. When her best friend and uncle go missing in the Andirondacks, can she find them in time? And who is she telling this story to? That person is the reason I had to read this twice.
Even with short chapters, the story can be confusing as times as it jumps arouind in time and place from chapter to chapter. Give this to those who are looking for a more challenging read or are ready for an upper level read. Or read it twice like me to fully enjoy it.
Even with short chapters, the story can be confusing as times as it jumps arouind in time and place from chapter to chapter. Give this to those who are looking for a more challenging read or are ready for an upper level read. Or read it twice like me to fully enjoy it.
February 21, 2019
Gorgeous, gorgeous writing!
August 16, 2018
I want to say that the four star rating of this book solely comes from the writing. The actual content of the story did very little for me, but the way it was told made me want to read more.
On paper, this story would be over and done with very quickly. Not very much happens, though what does happen speeds by in the course of a day or two. There is a lot of telling versus showing, but, given how the story is narrated, it makes sense but it still irked me.
Honestly, the style is the only thing that saved the book for me. If any other author had written, I'd probably set it down without looking back. It's a very straightforward story told in a not so straightforward way, which I appreciate. Her writing is very lyrical and insightful, leaning towards the abstract. I very rarely see this style in books targeted towards kids and I wish there were more of them. It's books like this that get kids interested in crafting language and making something beautiful out of words.
On paper, this story would be over and done with very quickly. Not very much happens, though what does happen speeds by in the course of a day or two. There is a lot of telling versus showing, but, given how the story is narrated, it makes sense but it still irked me.
Honestly, the style is the only thing that saved the book for me. If any other author had written, I'd probably set it down without looking back. It's a very straightforward story told in a not so straightforward way, which I appreciate. Her writing is very lyrical and insightful, leaning towards the abstract. I very rarely see this style in books targeted towards kids and I wish there were more of them. It's books like this that get kids interested in crafting language and making something beautiful out of words.
December 29, 2019
Wild Blues by Beth Kephart, 317 pages. Atheneum Books, 2018. $18.
Language: G; Mature Content; G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
Thirteen-year old Lizzie loves visiting her Uncle Davy, so when Lizzie’s mom gets cancer and has to take a radioactive treatment, Lizzie chooses Uncle Davy’s place to get away from the treatment. Lizzie and her best friend, Matias, love discovering all the beauty of the woods around Uncle Davy’s, but one day when Matias isn’t at their meeting place, Lizzie starts to realize that something is very wrong.
This book has a compelling storyline and I don’t mind the stream of conscience writing style, but I’m not sure young readers will be patient with that style. There were also a couple of turns in the plot that were unrealistic and frustrating and I was disappointed in the weird ending.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Language: G; Mature Content; G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
Thirteen-year old Lizzie loves visiting her Uncle Davy, so when Lizzie’s mom gets cancer and has to take a radioactive treatment, Lizzie chooses Uncle Davy’s place to get away from the treatment. Lizzie and her best friend, Matias, love discovering all the beauty of the woods around Uncle Davy’s, but one day when Matias isn’t at their meeting place, Lizzie starts to realize that something is very wrong.
This book has a compelling storyline and I don’t mind the stream of conscience writing style, but I’m not sure young readers will be patient with that style. There were also a couple of turns in the plot that were unrealistic and frustrating and I was disappointed in the weird ending.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
September 22, 2018
Beautiful language...like reading a poem, but the pacing is off. Moves too slow but the ending is rushed.
May 11, 2018
Gorgeously written, with a slow building tension that reaches a crescendo in the wilds of the Adirondacks. It’s interesting that there are two prison break books already this year - this one is a little more complex than Kate Messner’s Breakout and it is truly stunning the way Kephart uses language to describe both place and emotion. I absolutely love the way Lizzie tells her story to an unknown person in the form of a victim impact statement; trying to figure out who that person is gives this an element of mystery and intrigue that is unusual and memorable.
May 18, 2019
Wow. Just wow!
Wild Blues by Beth Kephart is a middle grade novel set in Adirondacks during the escape of two convicts from a nearby prison. It's the same inspiration as Breakout by Kate Messner, but with a very different execution.
Thirteen year old Lizzie has been living with her Uncle Davy while her mother gets her life together. She has a year-rounder friend and together they've been learning the forest backwards and forwards.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comm...
Wild Blues by Beth Kephart is a middle grade novel set in Adirondacks during the escape of two convicts from a nearby prison. It's the same inspiration as Breakout by Kate Messner, but with a very different execution.
Thirteen year old Lizzie has been living with her Uncle Davy while her mother gets her life together. She has a year-rounder friend and together they've been learning the forest backwards and forwards.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comm...
December 23, 2018
Some readers will be put off this story by how it is written, with thirteen-year-old protagonist, Lizzie, giving a victim impact statement while she recovers from her injuries. But once they get past that, most of them will fall in love with the writing and admire Lizzie's determination and loyalty. As she does most summers, Lizzie is spending several weeks with her beloved Uncle Davy in his secluded cabin in the Adirondacks while her mother is dealing with thyroid cancer. She lives for these times since she also gets to hang out with her best friend, Matias Bondanza, who has proportional dwarfism and uses two canes to walk. He's also a talented artist and gifted storyteller, relating what life was like in El Salvador where he grew up. When Matias isn't at their usual meeting place, Lizzie knows something is wrong, and tries to find him. When she is rescued, it turns out that her uncle is also missing as are two convicted murderers, escapees from a secluded prison. Using a wilderness guidebook given to her by her uncle, Lizzie decides to atone for not being able to remember an important clue and decides to rescue them. It won't be easy, and it is certainly foolish for her to do so, but it also shows just how much she loves them even if she's risking her own life. I was a bit frustrated with the lack of police involvement and how we see only very brief glimpses of the criminals as well as how the story ends, but I still enjoyed following Lizzie as she made her way through the wilderness. I love books in which the characters' personalities and background are revealed gradually, something this one does quite well. Like Lizzie, I felt a sense of urgency that these two individuals needed to be found as quickly as possible before something terrible happened. I also liked how the author hinted at what caused the marriage of Lizzie's parents to fail and her uncle's own broken heart over his lost love. Readers can read between the lines and make what they will of that.
August 1, 2018
Wild Blues are the first blues (sky) of the day.
Beth Kephart's stories have never been told anywhere else. So unique, so lyrical, so emotional.
Two best friends: Mathias; he's from El Salvador and he has dwarfism, but doesn't sulk about it and it a talented, devoted water-colorist too. He is a very loyal friend to Lizzie. Lizzie knows how to be a loyal, cherished friend right back and she loves biology and asks a ton of questions of Mr. Genzler, her science teacher. The story is set in the Adirondacks, in a remote cabin, where Uncle Davy lives, and where Mathias spends his summers. Uncle Davy is a collector, who is famous, and who is currently estranged from Lizzie's mom. Her Mother is dealing with a certain cancer treatment, which makes it necessary for Lizzie to choose where she would like to spend the summer. She chooses to spend it with Uncle Davy and nearby Mathias and his family, the Bondanzas's. Did I mention there is a prison down in the valley, and in this particular summer there is a prison break.
Again, I have to come back to Beth Kephart and say she is a wonderful storyteller. To paraphrase a Van Morrison song, she articulates, 'the inarticulate speech of the heart."
Beth Kephart's stories have never been told anywhere else. So unique, so lyrical, so emotional.
Two best friends: Mathias; he's from El Salvador and he has dwarfism, but doesn't sulk about it and it a talented, devoted water-colorist too. He is a very loyal friend to Lizzie. Lizzie knows how to be a loyal, cherished friend right back and she loves biology and asks a ton of questions of Mr. Genzler, her science teacher. The story is set in the Adirondacks, in a remote cabin, where Uncle Davy lives, and where Mathias spends his summers. Uncle Davy is a collector, who is famous, and who is currently estranged from Lizzie's mom. Her Mother is dealing with a certain cancer treatment, which makes it necessary for Lizzie to choose where she would like to spend the summer. She chooses to spend it with Uncle Davy and nearby Mathias and his family, the Bondanzas's. Did I mention there is a prison down in the valley, and in this particular summer there is a prison break.
Again, I have to come back to Beth Kephart and say she is a wonderful storyteller. To paraphrase a Van Morrison song, she articulates, 'the inarticulate speech of the heart."
September 17, 2018
This book took me by surprise. At first the chopped sentences, 1-3 sentence chapters, and the not knowing who the main character was directing her story to, all had me really questioning if I could even finish the book. But by the time I got to chapter 8, I couldn't put it down because I had to know what happened to Lizzie and Matias and Uncle Davy! The book deals with an absent father, very sick mother, estranged family, and especially friendship.
Lizzie and Matias are 12-13 yrs. old. This book would really make pre-teens and even older teens wonder what they would do in the situation. Questions like "What secrets really need to be told?", and "How far am I willing to put myself out to help someone else?" and "What is the right thing to do?"; all cry out to be answered by the reader. I believe this would be a great book for the classroom.
SPOILER: There are no detailed accounts of violence within the kidnapping, so safe for classes. You may think it's coming, but it doesn't.
Lizzie and Matias are 12-13 yrs. old. This book would really make pre-teens and even older teens wonder what they would do in the situation. Questions like "What secrets really need to be told?", and "How far am I willing to put myself out to help someone else?" and "What is the right thing to do?"; all cry out to be answered by the reader. I believe this would be a great book for the classroom.
SPOILER: There are no detailed accounts of violence within the kidnapping, so safe for classes. You may think it's coming, but it doesn't.
August 27, 2018
A good YA book where a young teenager sets off to find her missing Uncle and best friend in the Adirondacks. It’s written in a very interesting style. Lizzie is telling her story to an unknown person. As she tells her story she also converses with the listener, but the remarks are rather cryptic because we don’t know who the listener is or all that has transpired. This keeps you turning the pages to find out more. I couldn’t put it down and read it in a day. Written in beautiful language with strong themes of friendship, bravery, and acceptance. I could see this being a good book for a middle school teacher to read aloud to a class because it would spark discussions on what they think has happened or is going to happen.
November 7, 2018
I wanted to like this as it was highly recommended but I found the language stilted and awkward (surgeried?). The sensitivity of the young protagonist kept my attention enough to finish it ...but I wasn't drawn back to it and, indeed, took a month to finish it while reading other books at the same time. It was just a bit too abstract and disjointed for me.
I'm in the minority per Goodreaders; a couple mentioned the Adirondacks but, frankly, being from that area, I felt the setting wasn't vividly rendered.
I'm in the minority per Goodreaders; a couple mentioned the Adirondacks but, frankly, being from that area, I felt the setting wasn't vividly rendered.
April 29, 2019
I was totally creeped out by the first half so that it was actually hard for me to read. I was thinking - wow, this is for kids, not even YA! But then I've read other emotionally difficult books for children so I know there is a following. The tension was very well constructed and the characters appealing. The second half of the book was slower for me and the ending didn't wow me, but overall I thought this was a creative worthwhile piece of work that pushed me as a writer to consider new edges and possibilities in my work.
April 25, 2020
I loved the lyricism of the prose, but it almost felt too grown up for a middle grade read. I tend to reach for middle grade because I love viewing the works from the perspectives of young people. Lizzie’s view of the world was very philosophical, in a very adult way. That said, the writing was beautiful and the story was intriguing. My real feel rating is three stars, but I think that’s because I read this during COVID-19. It’s a bit heavy for me right now. So I’ve given it an extra star so my blues don’t affect the average rating.
November 7, 2021
I found this book lyrical and poetic in style, even though it is not a novel in verse. Lizzie's story unfolds slowly, with flashbacks and hesitations and side comments to someone who is listening to her (in addition to the reader as "listener"). And that's part of the problem... While the book is marketed as a middle grades novel, it reads far more like a book for adults with a middle grades protagonist. I kept waiting for the action to unfold - and it does, quite late in the book - but I don't see many of my middle school readers being as patient.
July 31, 2018
I love this author’s use of language and the way she creates characters. Adventure, bravery, friendship, grief... There’s a prison break and cancer and wilderness survival and it all comes together brilliantly in this well-told story.
(It took me a while to determine to whom the main character was telling her story. I liked that bit of unknown.)
(It took me a while to determine to whom the main character was telling her story. I liked that bit of unknown.)
October 11, 2018
Fascinating storytelling. It's both memorizing and confusing. You don't want to stop reading because you are just barely holding on to the story as is.
Sounds like I didn't like the book but this is a huge story about love and loyalty. Highly recommended to readers who can handle unusual narration.
Grades 7 and up.
Sounds like I didn't like the book but this is a huge story about love and loyalty. Highly recommended to readers who can handle unusual narration.
Grades 7 and up.
November 4, 2018
This was a riveting story of suspense and love. It surprised me and made me empathetic because I learned that people don't have to die to make trauma; the terrifying experience Lizzie had, plus the breaking of so many bones, were more than enough to break a heart. A great description of the Adirondack Mountains, families that have issues (narcissism, estrangement), and undying friendship.
February 28, 2019
Loved the voice of Lizzie in this story — it grabbed me right away. The fierce love and loyalty of a tween, the wonderful antique outdoor guide (written by the author’s great-grandfather!), the stories of her friend Matias’ El Salvador, the quirky uncle, the suspense of the kidnapping!, all set against the Adirondacks during the prison break of two murderers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews