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Break
Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before. And Jonah wants to be stronger—needs to be stronger—because everything around him is falling apart. Breaking, and then healing, is Jonah’s only way to cope with the stresses of home, girls, and the world on his shoulders.
When Jonah's self-destructive spiral accelerates and he hits rock bottom, will he find true strength or surrender to his breaking point?
262 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2009
50 people are currently reading
8315 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Moskowitz
26 books1,866 followersHannah Moskowitz wrote her first story, about a kitten named Lilly on the run from cat hunters, for a contest when she was seven years old. It was disqualified for violence. Her first book, BREAK, was on the ALA's 2010 list of Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, and in 2013, GONE, GONE, GONE received a Stonewall Honor. 2015's NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED was named the YA Bisexual Book of the Year. SICK KIDS IN LOVE was a Sydney Taylor Honoree, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and one of both Kirkus and Tablet Magazine's Best Books of the year. She lives in Maryland with several cats, none of whom are violent.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
June 12, 2012
Holy ballsweat! It's like a werewolf broke into my house and smashed the shit out of everything and then bought me dinner because GODDAMN, this book so owns my face now. Fucking property of Hannah Moskowitz on my goddamn forehead.
In a past review I decided Jay Bell's middle name was "Fuck yeah, bitch!" and so I will bestow such an honor on Ms. Moskowitz and from now on her middle name is "I came here to fuck bitches".
Artist's rendition:
So yeah, shit starts getting real because Jonah, the main character, falls off his skateboard. Hard. And his buddy Naomi is there to record it. The kicker? Jonah did it on PURPOSE. The dude is trying to break every bone in his body.
Holy. Fucking. SHIT.
I know! I was like "Is this bitch crazy?" but the sad thing is, his life is kinda fucked. His baby brother will NOT STOP CRYING and oh god that would make me lose my shit too. The REAL issue, though, is Jesse, Jonah's younger brother, who's allergic to life. Okay, no, but he's allergic to like fucking everything. Plus the parents should have divorced forever ago.
But why break bones? Why not try to snort a line of gummi bears and get a face tattoo like a normal person?
The back cover says it: "Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before"
So Jonah is trying to strengthen himself, and Naomi is helping him along. No one else knows what he's planning.
Like I said: Holy. Fucking. SHIT.
SIDEBAR: Some fucker on the bus just tried to have a conversation with me I'M ON GOODREADS DAMMIT!
anyway -
You know how people try to write like teenagers and end up sounding like someone for whom English is their 23904820842th language? NOT THIS FUCKER. HM gives it up hard & fast and you realize that teenagers are actually - GASP! - people. PLUS the wants and direction of the characters are clear and no one is all "I gotsa go to prom!" because fuck that! and SHIT GOES DOWN FOR REAL AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE FIGHT CLUB, THERE'S A TWIST BUT I WON'T REVEAL IT AND OH MY GOD MY CAPS LOCK IS STUCK, IT'S STUCK. THAT. THAT'S NOT... WAIT.
Sorry.
Where was I?! Plot twist. This sort of self-infliction can't go down without consequences, and shit goes DOOOWN. Plus Jesse reveals something that's an eye-opener. I so cared for these characters! They were goddamn real, I wanted the best for them. Even Jonah's parents, who were so fucking stupid sometimes. Shit.
I fully intend to read HM's books and bask in her bitch-fuckery. Team Moskowitz, baby. Suck it in.
In a past review I decided Jay Bell's middle name was "Fuck yeah, bitch!" and so I will bestow such an honor on Ms. Moskowitz and from now on her middle name is "I came here to fuck bitches".
Artist's rendition:
So yeah, shit starts getting real because Jonah, the main character, falls off his skateboard. Hard. And his buddy Naomi is there to record it. The kicker? Jonah did it on PURPOSE. The dude is trying to break every bone in his body.
Holy. Fucking. SHIT.
I know! I was like "Is this bitch crazy?" but the sad thing is, his life is kinda fucked. His baby brother will NOT STOP CRYING and oh god that would make me lose my shit too. The REAL issue, though, is Jesse, Jonah's younger brother, who's allergic to life. Okay, no, but he's allergic to like fucking everything. Plus the parents should have divorced forever ago.
But why break bones? Why not try to snort a line of gummi bears and get a face tattoo like a normal person?
The back cover says it: "Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before"
So Jonah is trying to strengthen himself, and Naomi is helping him along. No one else knows what he's planning.
Like I said: Holy. Fucking. SHIT.
SIDEBAR: Some fucker on the bus just tried to have a conversation with me I'M ON GOODREADS DAMMIT!
anyway -
You know how people try to write like teenagers and end up sounding like someone for whom English is their 23904820842th language? NOT THIS FUCKER. HM gives it up hard & fast and you realize that teenagers are actually - GASP! - people. PLUS the wants and direction of the characters are clear and no one is all "I gotsa go to prom!" because fuck that! and SHIT GOES DOWN FOR REAL AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE FIGHT CLUB, THERE'S A TWIST BUT I WON'T REVEAL IT AND OH MY GOD MY CAPS LOCK IS STUCK, IT'S STUCK. THAT. THAT'S NOT... WAIT.
Sorry.
Where was I?! Plot twist. This sort of self-infliction can't go down without consequences, and shit goes DOOOWN. Plus Jesse reveals something that's an eye-opener. I so cared for these characters! They were goddamn real, I wanted the best for them. Even Jonah's parents, who were so fucking stupid sometimes. Shit.
I fully intend to read HM's books and bask in her bitch-fuckery. Team Moskowitz, baby. Suck it in.
Read
February 3, 2011I wrote this book! Parts of it make me laugh.
March 12, 2015
It's definitely very strange to finish an author's latest book and then proceed to their debut straight after. The six year gap is definitely clear in the writing, yes, but even despite that, Hannah Moskowitz never fails to impress me.
To put it bluntly, I just fucking love her goddamn books, man.
To put it bluntly, I just fucking love her goddamn books, man.
March 10, 2010
Did you know that when you break your bones, they grow back stronger? Well that's what Jonah figures he'd do. Get stronger. Since his life and the people in it is so messed up he figures that he'll be strong enough for all of them.....
Basically BREAK is probably the strangest book I've read thus far, but it's concept is crazy fascinating. And then when the book is all said and done it hits something so deep that it makes you wonder if it's an issue that really happening. This is a thought provoking book. I know that self-torture is out there, scary but true but to take it this far? Wow!
Jonah has remarkable depth and intensity for a character with this kind of twisted issues. He's one messed up kid, it's like watching a train wreck over and over and over and over again. You just can't believe your reading the stuff this kid is doing, hell, what he's even thinking. But you can't help but be invested in his story the minute you read the first page. Powerful. Very, very powerful. This is a disturbing read, but it's also so utterly heartbreaking the way Jonah loves, cares, worries, takes over, takes on everything. It's simply brilliant.
Some may be offended by the excessively obscene language, but I think it amazingly fits the story so well that it wouldn't be the same without it.
Hannah Moskowitz delivers a passionate debut about one boy struggle to make his world sane by being insane. It's a story that I'll never forget!
A Must Read!
Basically BREAK is probably the strangest book I've read thus far, but it's concept is crazy fascinating. And then when the book is all said and done it hits something so deep that it makes you wonder if it's an issue that really happening. This is a thought provoking book. I know that self-torture is out there, scary but true but to take it this far? Wow!
Jonah has remarkable depth and intensity for a character with this kind of twisted issues. He's one messed up kid, it's like watching a train wreck over and over and over and over again. You just can't believe your reading the stuff this kid is doing, hell, what he's even thinking. But you can't help but be invested in his story the minute you read the first page. Powerful. Very, very powerful. This is a disturbing read, but it's also so utterly heartbreaking the way Jonah loves, cares, worries, takes over, takes on everything. It's simply brilliant.
Some may be offended by the excessively obscene language, but I think it amazingly fits the story so well that it wouldn't be the same without it.
Hannah Moskowitz delivers a passionate debut about one boy struggle to make his world sane by being insane. It's a story that I'll never forget!
A Must Read!
Read
September 30, 2021I don't know if it's because I read this in a middle of an anxiety episode. But I have no frickin clue what I've just read or what the ending was about. I get that the protagonist had self harm issues where he wanted to break all his bones to get stronger as they heal. But from the middle to the end I was extremely confused and didn't understand what was going on. Not sure if it's was because my headspace or I just don't understand the book. Can someone who have read it please explain? A PM is fine
February 14, 2011
What were you doing during your junior year in high school? Chasing boys? Cheering on the home team? Worrying about the perfect prom dress (or if you were even going to make it to prom)? Fighting with your parents because of their crazy restrictive curfews?
I don’t know what Hannah Moskowitz did to keep it real during eleventh grade. And considering she’s only nineteen, those days were, well, like, yesterday. I know one thing she did do, though. She got herself a little publishing deal with one of the biggest houses in the country. In the world. She wrote a book called Break, and it is easily the most uninhibited, mind-numbing, high-concept YA (young adult) book I’ve ever come across.
From the back cover: Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before. Jonah wants to be stronger—needs to be stronger—because everything around him is falling apart.
YA isn’t just for the under-20 crowd anymore. And even though Break was published by a children’s imprint, it’s anything but juvenile. Moskowitz has infused a maturity into her work that clearly relegates her in the realm of prodigies—human beings that age shouldn’t know the stuff she’s writing. The story sounds simple enough—a kid hell-bent on self-destruction who finds that breaking his bones provides the rush and release other kids get from cutting, huffing, or drinking. But Jonah, and the life he is surrounded with, is complex and entangled. His baby brother never stops crying, for undiscovered medical reasons; his parents are embroiled in a taut, passive-aggressive, not-in-front-of-the-kids marriage; and his not-much-younger brother suffers from deadly allergies to milk, and pretty much everything else on the planet. Moskowitz’s vivid description of the mother’s sloppy lactation habits alone is enough to make the reader scratch her head and say, “How the hell did she know about this?” Moskowitz writes with a level of profundity unseen in most adult writers I read (and I read a lot), infusing deep psychological underpinnings in the latter scenes of the book where Jonah comes unraveled, or quite literally, broken.
The best advice I’ve ever received from a writing instructor was that, as writers, we must inject tension into every single scene. Moskowitz has done this; each page is ripe with tension of varying shades, from the stomach-curdling description of Jonah’s bones as they snap to the sexual tension of a seventeen-year-old boy involved in a relationship with his “non-girlfriend” Charlotte. The interpersonal relationships between Jonah and secondary characters are believable and heartbreaking, another testament to Moskowitz’s skill as a gifted teller of stories.
Moskowitz has a poet’s sensibilities in her tight, terse sentences, choosing every word for its merit rather than the beauty of its sound as it rolls off the tongue. If you have a sensitivity for the “F” bomb (which the writer uses with regularity), Break might turn you off, but understand that her choice to include such language is completely in alignment with Jonah’s character. The dialogue is true to type, and honest in its presentation. More compelling is the fact that Moskowitz wrote Break from an entirely male perspective, while she is female, not a small feat in any literary undertaking.
It is interesting to note that after reading Break, I emailed the writer to ask how many of her own bones she had broken in the process of writing this book. She emailed back within moments: none. Yeah, it’s that good.
Beyond my fascination with Moskowitz’s knack for shock value lies a visceral, educated writer who packs a powerful punch into every single sentence. On her acknowledgments page, she gives a thumb’s up to Chuck Palahniuk, a phenomenal novelist who twists humor and the macabre into a lickable candy stick at every turn. I am a diehard Palahniuk fan, and Moskowitz is the Palahniuk of her generation. If he hasn’t read this book, he should; it’s like listening to Gershwin and hearing the threads of Rachmaninov in the piece. Delicious. He would be so proud of sweet young Hannah.
Moskowitz, whose next book Invincible Summer is due out in 2011, is a cutting-edge up-and-comer to add to your must-watch list. This first example of her talents promises a long career of smart, excoriated fiction that sucks the reader in and holds them by the throat for the duration of the story. Break is a quick read, but one that will leave a lasting impression long after the final page has been turned.
And check out her blog at http://hannahmosk.blogspot.com/.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
I don’t know what Hannah Moskowitz did to keep it real during eleventh grade. And considering she’s only nineteen, those days were, well, like, yesterday. I know one thing she did do, though. She got herself a little publishing deal with one of the biggest houses in the country. In the world. She wrote a book called Break, and it is easily the most uninhibited, mind-numbing, high-concept YA (young adult) book I’ve ever come across.
From the back cover: Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger than they were before. Jonah wants to be stronger—needs to be stronger—because everything around him is falling apart.
YA isn’t just for the under-20 crowd anymore. And even though Break was published by a children’s imprint, it’s anything but juvenile. Moskowitz has infused a maturity into her work that clearly relegates her in the realm of prodigies—human beings that age shouldn’t know the stuff she’s writing. The story sounds simple enough—a kid hell-bent on self-destruction who finds that breaking his bones provides the rush and release other kids get from cutting, huffing, or drinking. But Jonah, and the life he is surrounded with, is complex and entangled. His baby brother never stops crying, for undiscovered medical reasons; his parents are embroiled in a taut, passive-aggressive, not-in-front-of-the-kids marriage; and his not-much-younger brother suffers from deadly allergies to milk, and pretty much everything else on the planet. Moskowitz’s vivid description of the mother’s sloppy lactation habits alone is enough to make the reader scratch her head and say, “How the hell did she know about this?” Moskowitz writes with a level of profundity unseen in most adult writers I read (and I read a lot), infusing deep psychological underpinnings in the latter scenes of the book where Jonah comes unraveled, or quite literally, broken.
The best advice I’ve ever received from a writing instructor was that, as writers, we must inject tension into every single scene. Moskowitz has done this; each page is ripe with tension of varying shades, from the stomach-curdling description of Jonah’s bones as they snap to the sexual tension of a seventeen-year-old boy involved in a relationship with his “non-girlfriend” Charlotte. The interpersonal relationships between Jonah and secondary characters are believable and heartbreaking, another testament to Moskowitz’s skill as a gifted teller of stories.
Moskowitz has a poet’s sensibilities in her tight, terse sentences, choosing every word for its merit rather than the beauty of its sound as it rolls off the tongue. If you have a sensitivity for the “F” bomb (which the writer uses with regularity), Break might turn you off, but understand that her choice to include such language is completely in alignment with Jonah’s character. The dialogue is true to type, and honest in its presentation. More compelling is the fact that Moskowitz wrote Break from an entirely male perspective, while she is female, not a small feat in any literary undertaking.
It is interesting to note that after reading Break, I emailed the writer to ask how many of her own bones she had broken in the process of writing this book. She emailed back within moments: none. Yeah, it’s that good.
Beyond my fascination with Moskowitz’s knack for shock value lies a visceral, educated writer who packs a powerful punch into every single sentence. On her acknowledgments page, she gives a thumb’s up to Chuck Palahniuk, a phenomenal novelist who twists humor and the macabre into a lickable candy stick at every turn. I am a diehard Palahniuk fan, and Moskowitz is the Palahniuk of her generation. If he hasn’t read this book, he should; it’s like listening to Gershwin and hearing the threads of Rachmaninov in the piece. Delicious. He would be so proud of sweet young Hannah.
Moskowitz, whose next book Invincible Summer is due out in 2011, is a cutting-edge up-and-comer to add to your must-watch list. This first example of her talents promises a long career of smart, excoriated fiction that sucks the reader in and holds them by the throat for the duration of the story. Break is a quick read, but one that will leave a lasting impression long after the final page has been turned.
And check out her blog at http://hannahmosk.blogspot.com/.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
January 20, 2015
SPOILERS AHEAD
What did I just read?
Okay so there should be some pretty strong arguments against spam-reading a novel in one morning because you don't want to go to sleep but damn Break is something else. Sometimes I thought it was great and interesting, other times confusing, inaccurate and in its own special way irritating as hell - I mean I broke my hands over the summer and the cathartic release was momentary but the pain was agony and I have one hell of a high pain threshold yet this kid doesn't even take pain killers?
And the supporting characters? Honestly I liked his brother to begin with and their relationship was reasonable but what the hell happened in that last section? It wasn't even a logical turn for the kid to suddenly start acting like an asshole. And his friends, in particular the girls, god they were just as bad. In fact, I'd happily go as far as to say no-ones development was particularly satisfying throughout the novel.
Also how does he trigger his mates in the psych ward so quickly, including the volunteer? Was that just thrown in to give us some kind of messed up segue into him escaping? Like honestly sometimes I felt like the plot saw what A to B might be and decided to scroll backwards and find it through the medium of Z to C.
By the end I understood nothing, in fact I might have understood more by the middle of the book based on my own assumptions rather than whatever the hell the story line turned into...
I don't mean to sound too scathing and yes it did warrant 3/5 stars (although I'd have preferred to put 2.5/5 because I can only be entirely divided about the novel). But what the fuck did I just read? I was pretty damn okay with everything up until the trainwreck that started to unravel once he got placed in the psych ward. I feel bitter and cheated out of what could potentially have been a pretty great epiphanic episode from the point of view of the protagonist, I'd almost go as far as to say it was rushed into something big and dramatic for absolutely no reason.
What did I just read?
Okay so there should be some pretty strong arguments against spam-reading a novel in one morning because you don't want to go to sleep but damn Break is something else. Sometimes I thought it was great and interesting, other times confusing, inaccurate and in its own special way irritating as hell - I mean I broke my hands over the summer and the cathartic release was momentary but the pain was agony and I have one hell of a high pain threshold yet this kid doesn't even take pain killers?
And the supporting characters? Honestly I liked his brother to begin with and their relationship was reasonable but what the hell happened in that last section? It wasn't even a logical turn for the kid to suddenly start acting like an asshole. And his friends, in particular the girls, god they were just as bad. In fact, I'd happily go as far as to say no-ones development was particularly satisfying throughout the novel.
Also how does he trigger his mates in the psych ward so quickly, including the volunteer? Was that just thrown in to give us some kind of messed up segue into him escaping? Like honestly sometimes I felt like the plot saw what A to B might be and decided to scroll backwards and find it through the medium of Z to C.
By the end I understood nothing, in fact I might have understood more by the middle of the book based on my own assumptions rather than whatever the hell the story line turned into...
I don't mean to sound too scathing and yes it did warrant 3/5 stars (although I'd have preferred to put 2.5/5 because I can only be entirely divided about the novel). But what the fuck did I just read? I was pretty damn okay with everything up until the trainwreck that started to unravel once he got placed in the psych ward. I feel bitter and cheated out of what could potentially have been a pretty great epiphanic episode from the point of view of the protagonist, I'd almost go as far as to say it was rushed into something big and dramatic for absolutely no reason.
Read
April 20, 2011Ho scritto questo libro. :)
June 18, 2017
If this book isn't proof that teenagers are fucking amazing, I don't know what is.
(Hannah wrote this when she was in high school.)
I am so impressed w/ her and w/ this book. Wow.
It'll BREAK (heh) you, but it's worth it.
(Hannah wrote this when she was in high school.)
I am so impressed w/ her and w/ this book. Wow.
It'll BREAK (heh) you, but it's worth it.
February 28, 2012
(Re-posted from http://theturnedbrain.blogspot.com.au/)
The first thing that struck me about Break was how nice it was to read a YA book that didn't revolve around or devote a huge chunk of itself to romance. Jonah already has a girlfriend, (well, kind of), and while he likes her a whole heap he doesn’t obsess over her or doubt her feelings or worry overmuch about the relationship or any of that standard YA jazz. Break is a book hugely concerned with relationships, just not the teenagers in love kind.
This a book about family. Jonah has a brother, Jesse, who is allergic to pretty much everything. Regular trips to the emergency room kind of allergic. Good chance of dying young kind of allergic. His parents weren’t coping so well with it before, and they’re coping even less now there’s a new baby in the house. It doesn’t help that milk is among the many, many, many things Jesse is allergic to, and with a new baby there’s a lot more of it around. It’s a family on the edge of breaking, (that point between broken and unbroken is a running theme through this aptly titled novel) and Jonah is doing everything he can to hold it together.
It’s a lot of stress for a 17 year old kid, which probably explains why Jonah has also gone a little bit nuts. So apparently when you break a bone it heals stronger. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but Jonah certainly believes it is, and that’s why he’s embarked on a mission to break every bone in his body. As crazy as this sounds Jonah actually has a well thought out system of logic behind his quest, and slowly figuring out where his mind was at with this was one of my favourite aspects of the book. (Hint: it's not as obvious as you might think).
But still, ouch much? I don’t if the author Hannah Moskowitz broke a bunch of bones when she was a kid or maybe in the name of art she went out and broke a bunch for research, but she has the descriptions of it down. The anticipation of pain, the sick feeling, the crunch… It’s not so hard, I think, for an author to make a reader feels empathetic pain, but to make them feel physical pain along with the character… Moskowitza pulls it off, and I don’t know whether to be impressed or annoyed at her. There’s one scene where Jonah dives into an empty pool that made my heart physically race it was so awful. I don’t want to give the impression that the book is full of gore or going for cheap shocks, because it’s not like that at all. But it is definitely full on!
Another thing I liked was the relationship between Noah and his brother. But then, I’m a real sucker for brothers. I liked the way Jesse was obviously so fed up with Jonah’s overbearing concern, but at the same time obviously cares about him and panics at the thought of being without him. Similarly I liked that Jonah cared for Jesse so much, but at the same time resented him just a little. Their relationship was complex and convincing.
Less convincing were the parents. I had trouble accepting that they could be so very bad at looking after Jesse and dealing with his allergies. Or that they could be so blind to the fact that their other son was regularly doing himself serious damage. It’s not that I doubt such parents exist, they just seemed to be a bit over the top with their failing in this book.
I also had some issues towards the end of the book. (No spoilers, I promise). Jonah starts to unravel, and really strange things start to happen. I initially thought it was an excellent example of an unreliable narrator, that Jonah was really, really losing it and his perception of reality was slipping. But by the end of the book this appears to have not been the case, which kind of ruined things for me a bit. I mean, some of these things were really bizarre or just straight up weren’t explained at all.The ending is really abrupt, so maybe that's where my issue lies. Things went nuts and then things just ended.
Moskowitz had a really tight hold on the plot for the first three quarters of the book, so it was a shame to see it unravel all over the place like it did at the end.
Despite this, I still found Break to be highly engaging and also very, very interesting. I recommend it, especially if you're looking for a YA read that isn’t all about the make outs.
The first thing that struck me about Break was how nice it was to read a YA book that didn't revolve around or devote a huge chunk of itself to romance. Jonah already has a girlfriend, (well, kind of), and while he likes her a whole heap he doesn’t obsess over her or doubt her feelings or worry overmuch about the relationship or any of that standard YA jazz. Break is a book hugely concerned with relationships, just not the teenagers in love kind.
This a book about family. Jonah has a brother, Jesse, who is allergic to pretty much everything. Regular trips to the emergency room kind of allergic. Good chance of dying young kind of allergic. His parents weren’t coping so well with it before, and they’re coping even less now there’s a new baby in the house. It doesn’t help that milk is among the many, many, many things Jesse is allergic to, and with a new baby there’s a lot more of it around. It’s a family on the edge of breaking, (that point between broken and unbroken is a running theme through this aptly titled novel) and Jonah is doing everything he can to hold it together.
It’s a lot of stress for a 17 year old kid, which probably explains why Jonah has also gone a little bit nuts. So apparently when you break a bone it heals stronger. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but Jonah certainly believes it is, and that’s why he’s embarked on a mission to break every bone in his body. As crazy as this sounds Jonah actually has a well thought out system of logic behind his quest, and slowly figuring out where his mind was at with this was one of my favourite aspects of the book. (Hint: it's not as obvious as you might think).
But still, ouch much? I don’t if the author Hannah Moskowitz broke a bunch of bones when she was a kid or maybe in the name of art she went out and broke a bunch for research, but she has the descriptions of it down. The anticipation of pain, the sick feeling, the crunch… It’s not so hard, I think, for an author to make a reader feels empathetic pain, but to make them feel physical pain along with the character… Moskowitza pulls it off, and I don’t know whether to be impressed or annoyed at her. There’s one scene where Jonah dives into an empty pool that made my heart physically race it was so awful. I don’t want to give the impression that the book is full of gore or going for cheap shocks, because it’s not like that at all. But it is definitely full on!
Another thing I liked was the relationship between Noah and his brother. But then, I’m a real sucker for brothers. I liked the way Jesse was obviously so fed up with Jonah’s overbearing concern, but at the same time obviously cares about him and panics at the thought of being without him. Similarly I liked that Jonah cared for Jesse so much, but at the same time resented him just a little. Their relationship was complex and convincing.
Less convincing were the parents. I had trouble accepting that they could be so very bad at looking after Jesse and dealing with his allergies. Or that they could be so blind to the fact that their other son was regularly doing himself serious damage. It’s not that I doubt such parents exist, they just seemed to be a bit over the top with their failing in this book.
I also had some issues towards the end of the book. (No spoilers, I promise). Jonah starts to unravel, and really strange things start to happen. I initially thought it was an excellent example of an unreliable narrator, that Jonah was really, really losing it and his perception of reality was slipping. But by the end of the book this appears to have not been the case, which kind of ruined things for me a bit. I mean, some of these things were really bizarre or just straight up weren’t explained at all.The ending is really abrupt, so maybe that's where my issue lies. Things went nuts and then things just ended.
Moskowitz had a really tight hold on the plot for the first three quarters of the book, so it was a shame to see it unravel all over the place like it did at the end.
Despite this, I still found Break to be highly engaging and also very, very interesting. I recommend it, especially if you're looking for a YA read that isn’t all about the make outs.
November 19, 2015
Read this shortly after it came out as I 'met' the author on a writer's site. I promptly went out and got it.
Intense and amazing. I was most worried about the little brother though, and felt my focus shift to him (and not the MC.) I kind of knew what was up with Jonah, who constantly breaks his bones so they'll re-heal stronger, but the baby brother? I kept reading hoping the baby would simply stay alive from one page to the next ...
A quick read, a good read, from a truly unique writer.
Intense and amazing. I was most worried about the little brother though, and felt my focus shift to him (and not the MC.) I kind of knew what was up with Jonah, who constantly breaks his bones so they'll re-heal stronger, but the baby brother? I kept reading hoping the baby would simply stay alive from one page to the next ...
A quick read, a good read, from a truly unique writer.
April 6, 2015
This book is really really hard to rate. On the one hand, it was well written; I started it about 20 minutes until bedtime, and stayed up late to finish it. On the other hand, I found that all of the characters pissed me off, for different, but spoiler-y reasons.
Ultimately, I don't feel like things were really resolved at the end.
Honestly? These issues with the characters/plot would usually garner a 2 star review, however, the writing on this was worth a 4 star, so I am averaging it as 3. I think that I will most likely read a lot of reviews (or receive a personal recommendation) before attempting another book by this author.
Ultimately, I don't feel like things were really resolved at the end.
Honestly? These issues with the characters/plot would usually garner a 2 star review, however, the writing on this was worth a 4 star, so I am averaging it as 3. I think that I will most likely read a lot of reviews (or receive a personal recommendation) before attempting another book by this author.
February 6, 2010
Three words: intense, fast-paced, awesome!
What an incredible debut! Moskowitz is an extremely talented writer! Break was full of fantastically portrayed three dimensional characters and an insane central idea. A goal to break every bone in your body? How does that not pique your curiosity. Well, it did mine and this lead to me completely devouring the entire novel in one setting.
Moskowitz did an outstanding job of creating that are relatable, they have problems, feelings, and circumstances that are are not only associated with teens, but adults as well. Moskowitz’s did an excellent job with her portrayal of Jonah. I didn’t expect a young writer to conquer such a feat so well!
My only complaint would be the ending. It had a great premise, overall the writing was exceptional as well as the characters, but the ending was a little lackluster. The book was so great, I guess I was expecting a little bit more.
I’m really looking forward to reading anything from Moskowitz in the future.... so very talented! Just wow.
What an incredible debut! Moskowitz is an extremely talented writer! Break was full of fantastically portrayed three dimensional characters and an insane central idea. A goal to break every bone in your body? How does that not pique your curiosity. Well, it did mine and this lead to me completely devouring the entire novel in one setting.
Moskowitz did an outstanding job of creating that are relatable, they have problems, feelings, and circumstances that are are not only associated with teens, but adults as well. Moskowitz’s did an excellent job with her portrayal of Jonah. I didn’t expect a young writer to conquer such a feat so well!
My only complaint would be the ending. It had a great premise, overall the writing was exceptional as well as the characters, but the ending was a little lackluster. The book was so great, I guess I was expecting a little bit more.
I’m really looking forward to reading anything from Moskowitz in the future.... so very talented! Just wow.
June 7, 2010
This book knocked my socks off. I don't even know where to begin because all I want to say is you need to read it.
Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body, because everyone knows that broken bones heal back stronger and he needs to be strong. Everything else in his life is absolute chaos. He has one brother who is allergic to everything, a baby brother who doesn't stop crying (literally), parents who seem to be hanging on by a string, and friends who have no idea why he is doing what he is doing.
The "voice" in this book is exceptional. The pace of the story is fast and intense. One thing that I took away from this story was the devotion the brothers had for each other.
Really loved it. It was hard to read another book right after because everything else felt slow in comparison. I had to take a couple of days off to get into another book. *truly*
Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body, because everyone knows that broken bones heal back stronger and he needs to be strong. Everything else in his life is absolute chaos. He has one brother who is allergic to everything, a baby brother who doesn't stop crying (literally), parents who seem to be hanging on by a string, and friends who have no idea why he is doing what he is doing.
The "voice" in this book is exceptional. The pace of the story is fast and intense. One thing that I took away from this story was the devotion the brothers had for each other.
Really loved it. It was hard to read another book right after because everything else felt slow in comparison. I had to take a couple of days off to get into another book. *truly*
December 21, 2012
I don't get it. *SPOILERS* So Jesse spends the entire book need need needing Jonas, begs Jonas to leave the hospital and when Jonas finally does, Jesse pulls a total 180 and reems Jonas out for always making J believe he is going to die? Did I miss something? Was this all in Jonas' head? And since when do volunteers at a psychiatric treatment center think it is a good idea to break their own bones because a patient does it? Do they not conduct mental health screenings for these volunteers? When I finished this, I was just left with a big load of WTF?
April 25, 2013
Good concept. Nice start. However, halfway through my enthusiasm waned. The characters were alternately likeable and frustrating. The plot just seemed to go in circles. Jesse has allergies, Jonah freaks out and babies him. Repeat ad nauseum. I love this author but this wasn't my favorite of hers. See Gone, Gone, Gone or Teeth.
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July 9, 2023I read this when I was younger and although I don’t remember much I do remember it being heartbreakingly sad, so much so that I can recall the books title from memory. Maybe I’ll give it a reread in the future.
July 4, 2011
I bought this book and Invicible Summer at the same by Hannah but I wanted to read this one first. The concept really caught my attention. As someone whose broken a few too many bones in her lifetime...I know the pain that comes with it. I could never ever imagine doing it to myself on purpose, so I was intrigued.
If I were Jonah, I think I would've strangled my 8 month old brother, Will. I can't imagine being in a house where a baby is crying, constantly, since the moment he was born. I'd go insane, I truly would. And then to top that off having a brother whose a year & a half younger than you who is basically allergic to everything and has reactions every other day that you love and want to protect more than anything? Yeah...insane. And I get Jonah's reasoning...a family being a unit and not individuals. When there's a problem, its not just your problem but everyone's problem in the family. And he feels that breaking bones makes them only stronger, so if he broke every bone in his body, he would be stronger not just physically but also in every way for his family. It's touching, it is. But disturbing, as well.
Not to mention Hannah was shy with using the word fuck which happens to be one of my favorite words. Most teenagers really talk like that. I love that she kept it how it is. I hate books (especially YA ones) where they'll say 'friggin' or 'fudgin' like really? I don't know any teenager that says that, not even when I was a teenager lol. So kudos to her for keeping it real!
If I were Jonah, I think I would've strangled my 8 month old brother, Will. I can't imagine being in a house where a baby is crying, constantly, since the moment he was born. I'd go insane, I truly would. And then to top that off having a brother whose a year & a half younger than you who is basically allergic to everything and has reactions every other day that you love and want to protect more than anything? Yeah...insane. And I get Jonah's reasoning...a family being a unit and not individuals. When there's a problem, its not just your problem but everyone's problem in the family. And he feels that breaking bones makes them only stronger, so if he broke every bone in his body, he would be stronger not just physically but also in every way for his family. It's touching, it is. But disturbing, as well.
Not to mention Hannah was shy with using the word fuck which happens to be one of my favorite words. Most teenagers really talk like that. I love that she kept it how it is. I hate books (especially YA ones) where they'll say 'friggin' or 'fudgin' like really? I don't know any teenager that says that, not even when I was a teenager lol. So kudos to her for keeping it real!
August 8, 2009
Authored by a senior in high school, this debut novel would make a veteran author proud. Jonah worries about a lot. He worries about his parents, worries about the fact his baby brother cries all the time, but most of all he worries about his younger brother, Jessie, who is severe and life-threatening allergies. After being hurt in a car accident, Jonah has started trying to break every bone in his body to make himself stronger. He is helped by his best friend, Naomi, who films him breaking his bones. As Jonah moves deeper and deeper into pain and breaking, the question is who is worrying enough about Jonah to help him.
The characterization here is nicely done, capturing the stress, fear and worry of being a teen as well as the dysfunction of mental illness. Moskowitz also excels at dialogue, offering very authentic back and forth between the teens. Jonah is a complex character, struggling with an affliction that he can’t admit to almost anyone and seeing himself though the lens of being normal. It creates a powerful dichotomy. The author also captures Jonah’s mental illness without alienating him from readers.
My only problem with the novel is the ending. The first three-quarters of the book are taut and fascinating. In the end, the novel starts to unravel losing its believability in action that never quite reaches a climax worthy of the previous writing. That said, the book is still worth reading.
Start this book when you have time because it is very hard to put down. An immersive experience that teens will really respond to, this novel is appropriate for 14-17 year olds.
The characterization here is nicely done, capturing the stress, fear and worry of being a teen as well as the dysfunction of mental illness. Moskowitz also excels at dialogue, offering very authentic back and forth between the teens. Jonah is a complex character, struggling with an affliction that he can’t admit to almost anyone and seeing himself though the lens of being normal. It creates a powerful dichotomy. The author also captures Jonah’s mental illness without alienating him from readers.
My only problem with the novel is the ending. The first three-quarters of the book are taut and fascinating. In the end, the novel starts to unravel losing its believability in action that never quite reaches a climax worthy of the previous writing. That said, the book is still worth reading.
Start this book when you have time because it is very hard to put down. An immersive experience that teens will really respond to, this novel is appropriate for 14-17 year olds.
July 5, 2010
The main character in Break and I virtually have nothing in common, except for our ages. I'm a seventeen-year-old writing girl who doesn't swear and is absolutely too terrified to get in any likely-bone-breaking situations...and Jonah is a boy with a complicated mess of a home life, the pressures of his world on his shoulders, and a habit of intentionally breaking bones. Nevertheless, I found him tremendously sympathetic and compelling. This book really explores the burden of the responsibility he feels to his brother and to his family--the burden of constant tension and worry and noise. The way Jonah deals with this is obviously heartbreaking and sometimes gruesome; you just want to go into the story and make him better somehow, relieve him of all his pressures Of course, this only makes for a more interesting story. This book had huge I-just-want-to-keep-reading appeal, hence me writing this review just after I finished reading at 1:44 A.M.; it should be a pretty quick read for most, if that's something that you want in a book. The strongest aspect of the novel is Jonah's relationship with Jesse, which was complex, realistic, and filled with both love and dysfunction. Amidst the serious subject matter, Hannah Moskowitz is even able to provide some welcome humor. Her style, by the way, is superb. It packs a punch and suits this novel and her character so very well. Overall, Break is a darker, grittier sort of book than I usually read, but I ended up really enjoying it! I look forward to reading Hannah's future novels, particularly her middle grade debut.
February 1, 2011
BREAK is a story about a family, each of is broken in very different ways. It's a difficult book to read on many levels and a brilliant book given that Hannah Moskowitz was still in high school when she wrote it.
The narrator, the oldest son, Jonah, feels responsible for protecting his younger, highly allergic, brother from all of the environmental and food elements that can kill him. There's a baby who cries incessantly and his mindlessly religious parents are quick to lash out verbally at one another with anger and blame. Jonah's reaction to all of this is to internalize the idea that broken bones, once healed, grow stronger.
So he sets off to grow stronger by breaking every bone in his body.
Moskowitz has written a story that is both a quick read but very complex in both its subject and its characters. There is an emotional intensity to BREAK, one that carefully balances Jonah's gruesome obsession with friendships, love and dependence on others that makes this an impressive read.
The narrator, the oldest son, Jonah, feels responsible for protecting his younger, highly allergic, brother from all of the environmental and food elements that can kill him. There's a baby who cries incessantly and his mindlessly religious parents are quick to lash out verbally at one another with anger and blame. Jonah's reaction to all of this is to internalize the idea that broken bones, once healed, grow stronger.
So he sets off to grow stronger by breaking every bone in his body.
Moskowitz has written a story that is both a quick read but very complex in both its subject and its characters. There is an emotional intensity to BREAK, one that carefully balances Jonah's gruesome obsession with friendships, love and dependence on others that makes this an impressive read.
June 3, 2010
Moskowitz is a talented young writer who effectively conveys teenage angst in a confident voice. Jonah purposely breaks his bones as a coping mechanism to his brother Jesse’s severe food allergies. Believing that his bones will heal stronger is his way of controlling the stress of his family, which includes a constantly ill Jesse, a screaming infant brother and feuding parents. But when the people who care about him find out his injuries are self-inflicted, Jonah has to face the repercussions of his destructive behavior.
I found it interesting that Meskowitz thanked Chuck Palahniuk for his inspiration in her acknowledgements because Break is very inventive and outside of the box like Chuck. I wish she had developed some aspects more, like Jonah’s parent’s faith or baby Will’s colicky-ness. However, her style is distinct and I was pleased to have enjoyed a young adult novel so much.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Amazon Vine Program.
I found it interesting that Meskowitz thanked Chuck Palahniuk for his inspiration in her acknowledgements because Break is very inventive and outside of the box like Chuck. I wish she had developed some aspects more, like Jonah’s parent’s faith or baby Will’s colicky-ness. However, her style is distinct and I was pleased to have enjoyed a young adult novel so much.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Amazon Vine Program.
April 26, 2016
Dammit, where do I even start with this story? I loved it. I don’t have that much to say about it, but that doesn’t mean I loved it any less. I just cannot find the words to say how much this story touched me. It’s one of those slow-building, soul-crushingly beautiful contemporary stories about brotherhood, family, pain and yes, love. It stole my heart. Broke me down. I loved Jonah and his relationships with Jesse. I adored Jesse. I loved Jonah’s mission – twisted and sickening as it was. The writing was goddamn beautiful, and I think Hannah Moskowtiz has now joined my “need to consume anything and everything they’ve ever written” list. If you loved Bruiser, read this one next. Or vice versa. They’re similar in theme and writing style, but in a good way (not in a plagiarized, need to call the cops way).
March 22, 2011
3.5 stars
An interesting and unique read. Easy and quick to get through.
Jonah eventually figures out his reason for breaking his bones, but my reaction to it was probably similar to the psycologist's. It was a strange reason and didn't entirely make sense to me. (Although, I can kind of see why Jonah would think it made sense.) Another thing, I didn't understand what was up with those people in the psych ward. Why did they think that what Jonah did was so great? It was creepy. This book just made me feel uncomfortable. o_o;;
An interesting and unique read. Easy and quick to get through.
Jonah eventually figures out his reason for breaking his bones, but my reaction to it was probably similar to the psycologist's. It was a strange reason and didn't entirely make sense to me. (Although, I can kind of see why Jonah would think it made sense.) Another thing, I didn't understand what was up with those people in the psych ward. Why did they think that what Jonah did was so great? It was creepy. This book just made me feel uncomfortable. o_o;;
January 5, 2009
Hannah Moskowitz is a a teenage Chuck Palahniuk. Her debut novel, BREAK, is clever, intense, and highly emotional. Absolutely one of the most original novels I've ever read.
February 4, 2018
4.5 stars | Blog
WOW. This was the first book I've read of Hannah Moskowitz's and it did NOT disappoint. Break was an easy read and it also (rather rudely) enjoyed toying with my feelings.
The minute I read the premise, my eyebrows shot up. Who breaks bones for fun? Well, ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you: seventeen-year-old Jonah McNab.
Break is about Jonah going on a bone-breaking spree and his best friend, Naomi, is there to capture it all on video. In this novel, there was always something happening. Not once did I ever want to put the book down (except to maybe a grab a snack every few hours). Near the end, however, the story began to feel a little fuzzy, almost dream-like and unrealistic. This cleared up later on and by the last chapter, the nice tie-in from the beginning completely enveloped me.
Jonah is your typical teenager. Minus the part where he breaks his bones for fun. He works, has a girlfriend-not-girlfriend and has a best friend who encourages his bone-breaking behaviour. Then there's Jesse, his brother with severe food allergies; Will, his baby brother that never stops crying; and his parents who always find something to fight about. All these characters were well written with their own quirks and problems. Though sometimes the characters may make you want to tear your hair out and curse them for staying in problematic relationships, these guys are teens. And teens are very good at not listening.
On that note, I was relieved to read about characters who actually sounded their age, and not like a thirty-five-year-old trapped in a seventeen-year-old's body.
The writing of Break flowed extremely well. Hannah Moskowitz manages to find that balance between excessive and minimal description and dialogue which made for a quick read. The descriptions, like those of the broken bones, conjured such vivid images that I found myself shuddering throughout the novel. Another thing: she does a fantabulous job with capturing emotions. I've never read anything that made me feel so much with the characters. Props to her for this!
After finishing Break, I was went through a "NOO THAT CAN'T BE THE END!" bit. The novel certainly resonated with me in a way that I never expected it to. So yes, I would totally recommend Break, especially for those who are interested in books centering on complex families, relationships and self-harm.
"Break a bone, grow a better body. The worse you're hurt, the stronger you get."
WOW. This was the first book I've read of Hannah Moskowitz's and it did NOT disappoint. Break was an easy read and it also (rather rudely) enjoyed toying with my feelings.
The minute I read the premise, my eyebrows shot up. Who breaks bones for fun? Well, ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you: seventeen-year-old Jonah McNab.
Break is about Jonah going on a bone-breaking spree and his best friend, Naomi, is there to capture it all on video. In this novel, there was always something happening. Not once did I ever want to put the book down (except to maybe a grab a snack every few hours). Near the end, however, the story began to feel a little fuzzy, almost dream-like and unrealistic. This cleared up later on and by the last chapter, the nice tie-in from the beginning completely enveloped me.
Jonah is your typical teenager. Minus the part where he breaks his bones for fun. He works, has a girlfriend-not-girlfriend and has a best friend who encourages his bone-breaking behaviour. Then there's Jesse, his brother with severe food allergies; Will, his baby brother that never stops crying; and his parents who always find something to fight about. All these characters were well written with their own quirks and problems. Though sometimes the characters may make you want to tear your hair out and curse them for staying in problematic relationships, these guys are teens. And teens are very good at not listening.
On that note, I was relieved to read about characters who actually sounded their age, and not like a thirty-five-year-old trapped in a seventeen-year-old's body.
The writing of Break flowed extremely well. Hannah Moskowitz manages to find that balance between excessive and minimal description and dialogue which made for a quick read. The descriptions, like those of the broken bones, conjured such vivid images that I found myself shuddering throughout the novel. Another thing: she does a fantabulous job with capturing emotions. I've never read anything that made me feel so much with the characters. Props to her for this!
After finishing Break, I was went through a "NOO THAT CAN'T BE THE END!" bit. The novel certainly resonated with me in a way that I never expected it to. So yes, I would totally recommend Break, especially for those who are interested in books centering on complex families, relationships and self-harm.
November 24, 2009
Some teens play sports. Other drink and party. But Jonah breaks bones—his own. Sure, it hurts, but broken bones always grow back stronger, and that’s what’s important. Jonah’s on a mission to break every bone in his body, because he wants to be stronger. It’s not because of his younger brother, who’s severely allergic to practically every food and thus frequents the ER too many times. It’s not because of his parents, who can barely handle their own affairs, let along anyone else’s. it’s not because of his baby brother who never stops crying or his best friend’s obsession with filming his destructive behavior or anything else he has to deal with at school or anywhere else. At least that’s what Jonah tells himself. But as Jonah’s life gets even more out of control, he must ask himself if breaking all his bones is the right way to become strong—before everything falls apart along with his body.
Break is a very emotional story about how the stresses of everyday life can push people nearly to their breaking point. For a debut author, Moskowitz displays extraordinary adeptness at communicating the social and psychological friction within relationships, particularly the alienation that can result when that tension becomes too much. Jonah’s story is one raw with emotion and pain, and the reader will form a deep connection with his character because of all he goes through and how realistic he is. Many readers will be able to sympathize and empathize with Jonah’s feelings of powerlessness amidst external events he can’t control but desperately wants to fix and his subsequent attempts to take back control of his life. Jonah’s violent self destruction is somewhat difficult to read about, as are the deteriorating conditions around him, but it only makes Jonah’s pursuit of real strength all the more important. Moskowitz nearly perfectly captures the psychological and emotional struggles that many teens face in this powerful and ultimately hopeful novel. I did notice several scenes that could’ve been better articulated and designed, but overall, Break is a very impressive debut.
This novel will resonate with every teen, especially any who’s ever felt their life is spiraling out of control, and with those who liked Crash Into Me by Albert Borris, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott, and Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers. I greatly look forward to more novels from Moskowitz.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
Break is a very emotional story about how the stresses of everyday life can push people nearly to their breaking point. For a debut author, Moskowitz displays extraordinary adeptness at communicating the social and psychological friction within relationships, particularly the alienation that can result when that tension becomes too much. Jonah’s story is one raw with emotion and pain, and the reader will form a deep connection with his character because of all he goes through and how realistic he is. Many readers will be able to sympathize and empathize with Jonah’s feelings of powerlessness amidst external events he can’t control but desperately wants to fix and his subsequent attempts to take back control of his life. Jonah’s violent self destruction is somewhat difficult to read about, as are the deteriorating conditions around him, but it only makes Jonah’s pursuit of real strength all the more important. Moskowitz nearly perfectly captures the psychological and emotional struggles that many teens face in this powerful and ultimately hopeful novel. I did notice several scenes that could’ve been better articulated and designed, but overall, Break is a very impressive debut.
This novel will resonate with every teen, especially any who’s ever felt their life is spiraling out of control, and with those who liked Crash Into Me by Albert Borris, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott, and Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers. I greatly look forward to more novels from Moskowitz.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
May 10, 2010
When I first picked this book up, I was hooked. Jonah's voice is so fresh and real, and the writing is sharp. His relationship with his brother, Jesse, is heartfelt and strong. In fact, all of the younger characters in this book are very real.
The first two thirds of the story really pulled me in. I was dying to find out why the baby brother, Will, cried so much. I had to know more about Jesse's allergies. And, this question was burning a hole in the back of my mind: what is Jonah going to do to make things better? I happily read the story, unable to put it down, until the big intervention. After that, several instances didn't make sense to me.
*SPOILER ALERT*
-I just couldn't believe that Jonah would willingly remove himself from his home. It was clear that he believed his parents were incompetent, which set off Jesse's allergies constantly. Since Jesse is obviously so important to him, I just can't see him leaving without putting up a serious fight.
-I can't believe Jonah's medical condition would have been overlooked for so long at the rehab center. Or that he'd be thrown into isolation so easily.
-The twist with Naomi threw me for a loop. The whole story was set up such that she liked Jonah - she doesn't like seeing him with Charlotte even though she likes Charlotte, she wears his sweatshirt, she encourages him to break his bones, etc. So I didn't understand why she suddenly went for Jesse.
-I was incredibly disappointed we never found out why Will cried so much. This aspect of the story played such a huge part that it should have gotten a bit more attention in the end.
*END SPOILER ALERT*
Overall, I think my reaction to this story can be boiled down to the characters: the kids vs. the adults. The beginning of the book focuses more on the kids, and, in the end, the adults step in. The kids in this story are wonderfully dynamic and three-dimensional. The adults, however, are flat. Once I found out how old the author was, that made sense. She hasn't been an adult yet, and therefore doesn't completely understand them. But she's obviously observant and insightful, and is only limited by her own experience. So it's only a matter of time before her adult characters are leaping off the page. I look forward to her future books.
I think this story is one that teens will instantly relate to, but adults will have a harder time. I would definitely recommend it to older teens - the large amount of profanity and violence of the subject matter is likely too mature for a younger audience.
The first two thirds of the story really pulled me in. I was dying to find out why the baby brother, Will, cried so much. I had to know more about Jesse's allergies. And, this question was burning a hole in the back of my mind: what is Jonah going to do to make things better? I happily read the story, unable to put it down, until the big intervention. After that, several instances didn't make sense to me.
*SPOILER ALERT*
-I just couldn't believe that Jonah would willingly remove himself from his home. It was clear that he believed his parents were incompetent, which set off Jesse's allergies constantly. Since Jesse is obviously so important to him, I just can't see him leaving without putting up a serious fight.
-I can't believe Jonah's medical condition would have been overlooked for so long at the rehab center. Or that he'd be thrown into isolation so easily.
-The twist with Naomi threw me for a loop. The whole story was set up such that she liked Jonah - she doesn't like seeing him with Charlotte even though she likes Charlotte, she wears his sweatshirt, she encourages him to break his bones, etc. So I didn't understand why she suddenly went for Jesse.
-I was incredibly disappointed we never found out why Will cried so much. This aspect of the story played such a huge part that it should have gotten a bit more attention in the end.
*END SPOILER ALERT*
Overall, I think my reaction to this story can be boiled down to the characters: the kids vs. the adults. The beginning of the book focuses more on the kids, and, in the end, the adults step in. The kids in this story are wonderfully dynamic and three-dimensional. The adults, however, are flat. Once I found out how old the author was, that made sense. She hasn't been an adult yet, and therefore doesn't completely understand them. But she's obviously observant and insightful, and is only limited by her own experience. So it's only a matter of time before her adult characters are leaping off the page. I look forward to her future books.
I think this story is one that teens will instantly relate to, but adults will have a harder time. I would definitely recommend it to older teens - the large amount of profanity and violence of the subject matter is likely too mature for a younger audience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2015
Okayyy. So, when I finished this book I seriously thought I liked it. I even went straight to GR to update that I had finished it, hit it with 4 stars, and then got in bed. That’s when it all changed. This might get a bit spoilerish, so if you plan on reading this ever and might get pissed that I spoiled something for you…mosey on past.
April 25, 2010
Here's the thing with Break. First off it's a great read. The language is wonderful and the timing is great. I think this is young adult novel. That thought is neither here nor there but I thought I'd state it anyway. The pacing is almost spot on as well. Aside from that the author seems to be wise beyond her years. Hannah Moskowitz does a great job adding interesting information to the story at times when you don't expect it. Refreshing. This is a clever read as well. Our protagonist, is clearly defined with memorable attributes.
With all this said, as I moved towards the back of the novel something hit me as not quite right and I couldn't figure out what it could have been. Then I figured it out. Of course this would only be worth bringing up with a strong story, to begin with. At some point, I told myself that this was a character story and not a plot driven story as one might think. Jonah, the main character has a situation to overcome or as someone might put it, conflict. The thing is the reader never quite gets the sense that he's in the conflicting condition his is in, not mentally. The elements are there but you never actually believe he has a problem. To some degree it seems that the author isn't trying to convince us of this, which is perfect because that would have taken the story somewhere that the tone wouldn't have supported. However, it is noticeable.
Yes, the end is a little rushed. That didn't matter.
The other thing is that I really wanted resolution with his parents and to some degree I wanted his name cleared as far as all that stuff in the hospital (not trying to do the spoiler thing, here).
Keep in mind that if you like Chuck Palahniuk you should enjoy this. Break has much of the same cadence as something he might write. In the future I would definitely pick up a book by Hannah Moskowitz.
With all this said, as I moved towards the back of the novel something hit me as not quite right and I couldn't figure out what it could have been. Then I figured it out. Of course this would only be worth bringing up with a strong story, to begin with. At some point, I told myself that this was a character story and not a plot driven story as one might think. Jonah, the main character has a situation to overcome or as someone might put it, conflict. The thing is the reader never quite gets the sense that he's in the conflicting condition his is in, not mentally. The elements are there but you never actually believe he has a problem. To some degree it seems that the author isn't trying to convince us of this, which is perfect because that would have taken the story somewhere that the tone wouldn't have supported. However, it is noticeable.
Yes, the end is a little rushed. That didn't matter.
The other thing is that I really wanted resolution with his parents and to some degree I wanted his name cleared as far as all that stuff in the hospital (not trying to do the spoiler thing, here).
Keep in mind that if you like Chuck Palahniuk you should enjoy this. Break has much of the same cadence as something he might write. In the future I would definitely pick up a book by Hannah Moskowitz.
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