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Purple Daze
Purple Daze is a young adult novel set in suburban Los Angeles in 1965. Six high school students share their experiences and feelings in interconnected free verse and traditional poems about war, feminism, riots, love, racism, rock 'n' roll, high school, and friendship.
Although there have been verse novels published recently, none explore the changing and volatile 1960's in America-- a time when young people drove a cultural and political revolution. With themes like the costs and casualties of war, the consequences of sex, and the complex relationships between teens, their peers, and their parents, this story is still as relevant today as it was 45 years ago.
207 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Sherry Shahan
50 books16 followersSherry Shahan is a photographer and an author. She enjoys watching, photographing, and writing about the otters that play in the sea near her home in California. Sherry also wrote and photographed The Changing Caterpillar for Richard C. Owen Publishers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 4, 2018
The 1960s continue to be a source of interest and inspiration for generations long removed from the decade. This is a unique novel, set in 1965, told entirely in poetry/prose, and aimed toward a YA audience. Readers are introduced to a variety of people's experiences of this era, from participants in peace and civil rights demonstrations, to young men drafted into the Vietnam war.
Some readers will probably have strong reactions to the format in which the story is presented. There were some apparent anachronisms that I found jarring. Did anyone actually use the phrase "my peeps" in 1965?
Some readers will probably have strong reactions to the format in which the story is presented. There were some apparent anachronisms that I found jarring. Did anyone actually use the phrase "my peeps" in 1965?
March 23, 2011
So if you’re a regular reader of my blog you know that I’m not the world’s biggest historical fiction fan. That said, I have a big love for near histories as well as novels in verse. And of course, a great story will always get me on board. Sherry Shahan‘s PURPLE DAZE is all of these things. The book spans the year of 1965 as a group of teenagers write in journals and exchange letters in a world that is changing — and quickly.
As the story opens, the whole group — Ziggy, Cheryl, Nancy, Don, Mickey, and Phil — live in the same L.A. neighborhood, and some of them go to school together. But Ziggy and Mickey’s relationship is on the rocks — not that his less-than-admirable opinion of her as “the kind of girl who puts out” is helping — and Phil is about to get drafted into the Marines, putting his girlfriend Nancy in a tailspin. Cheryl is the only one who writes him regular letters, while she keeps a private journal about her crumbling relationship with her best friend Ziggy, her blooming relationship with her mom, and her creepy neighbor next door. Mickey is about to take a big step of his own, sick of his dad’s drunken behavior, and Don is on the verge of making a big mistake in his relationship with Cheryl. But one thread binds them all: much-needed friendship in the face of fear, flux, and change.
The lives of these six teens are so interwoven. The author is irrelevent, because it is the poems these characters place in the pages that makes this novel special. They speak to each other and to the reader. Spliced between the characters’ stories are quotes and newsclips from political leaders and pop culture figures, keeping us up to date with the goings on of 1965. The novel is, in a word, unforgettable. In three words, it’s a beautiful experience.
As the story opens, the whole group — Ziggy, Cheryl, Nancy, Don, Mickey, and Phil — live in the same L.A. neighborhood, and some of them go to school together. But Ziggy and Mickey’s relationship is on the rocks — not that his less-than-admirable opinion of her as “the kind of girl who puts out” is helping — and Phil is about to get drafted into the Marines, putting his girlfriend Nancy in a tailspin. Cheryl is the only one who writes him regular letters, while she keeps a private journal about her crumbling relationship with her best friend Ziggy, her blooming relationship with her mom, and her creepy neighbor next door. Mickey is about to take a big step of his own, sick of his dad’s drunken behavior, and Don is on the verge of making a big mistake in his relationship with Cheryl. But one thread binds them all: much-needed friendship in the face of fear, flux, and change.
The lives of these six teens are so interwoven. The author is irrelevent, because it is the poems these characters place in the pages that makes this novel special. They speak to each other and to the reader. Spliced between the characters’ stories are quotes and newsclips from political leaders and pop culture figures, keeping us up to date with the goings on of 1965. The novel is, in a word, unforgettable. In three words, it’s a beautiful experience.
March 28, 2012
This story is raw, honest, powerful, told from 6 points of view and taking place mostly in 1965. I was a teen during the time of this novel so am familiar with the music and themes. The characters lived in California where drugs were more prevalent. The author packs a lot of punch into an easy-to-read format, which isn't to say it would have been easy to write. The characters feel authentic. The mandatory draft, the Vietnam War, the drug culture, including parents, the angst and trials of teen years all are part of the story.
It's a timeless story, even though it's steeped in a historical period. Teens always struggle with romance and temptation and real life issues. Not all parents are the Cleavers and we all need love. The tone of the book seemed optimistic, upbeat, despite the tough spots most teens experience. The moments of anger didn't drag on.
The story could be educational for those who didn't live through this time, and for others who did but weren't involved in the drug culture or the war. There are clips of real quotes and events of the day sprinkled throughout. The story will zing for those who were young people in this era and who will understand all the various words and references.
It's a timeless story, even though it's steeped in a historical period. Teens always struggle with romance and temptation and real life issues. Not all parents are the Cleavers and we all need love. The tone of the book seemed optimistic, upbeat, despite the tough spots most teens experience. The moments of anger didn't drag on.
The story could be educational for those who didn't live through this time, and for others who did but weren't involved in the drug culture or the war. There are clips of real quotes and events of the day sprinkled throughout. The story will zing for those who were young people in this era and who will understand all the various words and references.
August 31, 2012
One of my first books in verse was What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones, which I first read as a middle schooler, and I’ve had a soft spot for this format ever since. When I received a pitch for Purple Daze, I was intrigued because of this and the period in history and that it took on this format. Although Purple Daze does not lack emotion, it tries so hard that it left no impact on me.
Purple Daze has been one of my quickest reads of 2012. Although some passages are written in the form of prose writing assignments or letters instead of poetry, it’s still a fairly short book. Readers get to see how characters interact with each other, as well as their inner monologues.
These elements make Purple Daze an interesting story, but are ultimately why I didn’t like it. This book is told from the perspective of six different characters, which was too many for me given the length of the book. I picked up on a few basic plot points, but got confused and never really tied the whole format together. Coupled with the odd formatting, it meant that even though I read the book, I had a hard time absorbing what I was reading.
I was underwhelmed by the literary quality of Purple Daze. This story had a great deal of potential, but read as thought it required more stringent editing and plotting. As a librarian, I would pass this book on to a teen looking for a book about this particular period, but otherwise, I’m dubious about recommending it.
Purple Daze has been one of my quickest reads of 2012. Although some passages are written in the form of prose writing assignments or letters instead of poetry, it’s still a fairly short book. Readers get to see how characters interact with each other, as well as their inner monologues.
These elements make Purple Daze an interesting story, but are ultimately why I didn’t like it. This book is told from the perspective of six different characters, which was too many for me given the length of the book. I picked up on a few basic plot points, but got confused and never really tied the whole format together. Coupled with the odd formatting, it meant that even though I read the book, I had a hard time absorbing what I was reading.
I was underwhelmed by the literary quality of Purple Daze. This story had a great deal of potential, but read as thought it required more stringent editing and plotting. As a librarian, I would pass this book on to a teen looking for a book about this particular period, but otherwise, I’m dubious about recommending it.
April 12, 2011
Follow six high school friends through the tumult of 1965 in this powerful young adult novel from Sherry Shahan. Interspersed with their letters, diaries and thoughts are excerpts from speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. and Lyndon B. Johnson, a Selective Service form, song lyrics, and news stories. A chronology of the year closes out the volume. Taken together these all provide a fascinating and lively story. Each of the six friends comes alive in their short entries. Two of the guys enter the military, one of them going off to Vietnam, and the picture of the grunt experience that emerges is real. Fractured families, drugs and relationship issues play a role too, and they also have a veracity to them that is characteristic of this book. It is more than a young adult novel. Highly recommended.
April 19, 2011
Take me back in time baby and give me the ride of my life! This book is super easy, super fast to read. It is told from six different point of views. It was either in a poem form, letter, or just thoughts. There was lots of information about what is going on in there time. There was president's speeches, war drafts, civil rights laws, birth's and death's of important people who played an important role in our history.
The whole drama of these six people made for a great story. All of their lives intertwined with the war, music, and laws, made you feel like you were really in the sixties. The reader got to see a great insight to how things really were back then. All of the six people stories were amazingly told with good writing.
The whole drama of these six people made for a great story. All of their lives intertwined with the war, music, and laws, made you feel like you were really in the sixties. The reader got to see a great insight to how things really were back then. All of the six people stories were amazingly told with good writing.
April 5, 2011
I highly recommend this book as a must-read for all ages. (Don't let the "Young Adult" shelving fool you--it packs plenty of adult appeal.) The verse was so effortless and easy to read, and some of the lines were pure brilliance. I love that it was set in 1965, the year I was born. To hear what was going on during that year (other than The Sound of Music and the Dodgers winning, which I already knew) from this perspective was so enlightening. I think I learned more about Vietnam in the two hours it took me to read than in three years of high school history and government classes. Really, really wonderful book!
January 26, 2011
excellent book! As many as I read, I'm still always impressed when an author writes such a good book in verse. I was in 7th-8th grade in 1965, so just a few years younger than these high school characters, and just becoming aware of the strong social and political currents running through the country. 1965 does't get as much press as 1968, but it's when the intensity of the late 60's and early 70's really ramped up. By having the characters tell the story with their own lives, Shahan makes it all more real and clear than any textbook or documentary. Well done!
January 13, 2011
I LOVED this book. I had the pleasure of running into the author at ALA Mid-Winter and she was delightful. I read this in one evening because I couldn't put it down. Historical Fiction Novel in Verse is my FAVE! I fell in love with the characters in this book and learned about 1965. Sherry Shahan has created a beautiful mix of fact, fiction and poetry. Well Done!
April 14, 2011
AMAZING! There were single lines in this one that took my breath away.
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April 13, 2020
First of all, I actually read an ARC of this book my friend bought me years ago. So it's possible there were some changes made to the final book. In any case, I understood what it was trying to do: relay some history of the Vietnam War through the uber-casual perspective of six teens (who are all friends), so as to be relatable to a YA audience. While I loved the concept, the writing was poor and it was hard to tell the characters apart, mostly because they all spoke the same way. "Don tickles my tonsils" and "sleeping with uncertain synapses" are two phrases I could stand to never read again, as well as "bitchin," which is used liberally.
The poems about historical events pack on details, until they no longer read like poems but newspaper clippings. Sometimes even the kids' poems were confusing and it was hard to know what was even going on. The book also deals with some pretty serious topics: the draft, drugs and alcoholism, sex, abortion, feminism, dropping out. Unfortunately, I can't say that any of them were really dealt with in a satisfying way. By the end of the story, it feels like nothing is resolved and just ends abruptly. There's also a cheating/love triangle plot that had me rolling my eyes. And Mick's racism is never corrected/addressed?!
The poems about historical events pack on details, until they no longer read like poems but newspaper clippings. Sometimes even the kids' poems were confusing and it was hard to know what was even going on. The book also deals with some pretty serious topics: the draft, drugs and alcoholism, sex, abortion, feminism, dropping out. Unfortunately, I can't say that any of them were really dealt with in a satisfying way. By the end of the story, it feels like nothing is resolved and just ends abruptly. There's also a cheating/love triangle plot that had me rolling my eyes. And Mick's racism is never corrected/addressed?!
February 28, 2018
I only picked this up because a student noticed it in the library, and she questioned some of the content she stumbled upon when she first opened it. Based on my reading, it is one that I will keep on my own shelf, but I am a bit cautious to put it in my classroom library incase it would fall into immature hands.
However, it proved to be an engaging text written in verse; the combination of narrative perspectives and non-fiction prose from politics of the 60s is an interesting mix. I felt that the characters were a bit indistinguishable in voice-- they all have unique conflicts, but other than that, it was difficult to form a vision of each one independently.
However, it proved to be an engaging text written in verse; the combination of narrative perspectives and non-fiction prose from politics of the 60s is an interesting mix. I felt that the characters were a bit indistinguishable in voice-- they all have unique conflicts, but other than that, it was difficult to form a vision of each one independently.
June 15, 2022
A book of 6 high school friends in 1965 L.A. area. The friends are writing journal entries and poems about their lives. Some of it takes place in high school one friend winds up being drafted to Nam and another friend joins the navy and they have drastically different experiences. The female friends also have to deal with problems like abortion, and heartbreak. It was a little hard to keep the friends straight, I wish that the author had included a character introduction at the beginning of the book.
September 2, 2023
Need me one of them Vietnam girls they talk about
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March 21, 2011Purple Daze, set in the LA of 1965, follows a loosely-knit group of six teenage friends during this time. Written primarily in verse, the book is a combination of their letters, poems, and journal entries interspersed with news headlines and articles from that time period.
As someone who pretty much just thought the cover was awesome-looking, I was thrilled to discover that the story is told in verse. Though I'm a huge fan of novels written in this way, I really think that some stories work better in this format than others and I wasn't sure where this story would fall. Happily, this look at the political and social scene of 1965 works surprisingly well told in verse. I can't explain it any better than to say that, with this book, the style just fits.
Another thing that works really well here is the split-narrative. Through the eyes of six different teenagers we get a bigger story than we'd get if the book were only from one character's point of view. Unfortunately, there are pitfalls to having so many narrators and with this book one of the pitfalls is that it was hard to tell how the characters were related. Though some were obviously dating and others were best friends, I found myself having to best-guess at the relationships between some other characters (Cheryl and Phil, for instance). Additionally, though I know some people will love this aspect of the book, for me the scattered news excerpts pulled me out of the story.
One of the things this book does best, to its credit, is defining the setting. The time and place of these characters rings out loud and clear, easily pulling even someone who knows very little about this part of history (ie. me) into the story and the narratives. The further into this book I got, the more I cared about the characters and their relationships and individual stories. I found myself cheering for them, hoping for things to turn out a certain way. This is one of those "quiet" books that I fear won't get the attention it should. The writing is honest and at times beautiful, the characters are well-written, and the setting is great. Despite being set in a very turbulent time, the book itself is action-light and character-heavy, which I love and I think through this it manages to paint an incredible picture of the time period.
I especially recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about the social and political climate of America in the 1960s, readers who enjoy split narratives, or who want to read a book in verse.
As someone who pretty much just thought the cover was awesome-looking, I was thrilled to discover that the story is told in verse. Though I'm a huge fan of novels written in this way, I really think that some stories work better in this format than others and I wasn't sure where this story would fall. Happily, this look at the political and social scene of 1965 works surprisingly well told in verse. I can't explain it any better than to say that, with this book, the style just fits.
Another thing that works really well here is the split-narrative. Through the eyes of six different teenagers we get a bigger story than we'd get if the book were only from one character's point of view. Unfortunately, there are pitfalls to having so many narrators and with this book one of the pitfalls is that it was hard to tell how the characters were related. Though some were obviously dating and others were best friends, I found myself having to best-guess at the relationships between some other characters (Cheryl and Phil, for instance). Additionally, though I know some people will love this aspect of the book, for me the scattered news excerpts pulled me out of the story.
One of the things this book does best, to its credit, is defining the setting. The time and place of these characters rings out loud and clear, easily pulling even someone who knows very little about this part of history (ie. me) into the story and the narratives. The further into this book I got, the more I cared about the characters and their relationships and individual stories. I found myself cheering for them, hoping for things to turn out a certain way. This is one of those "quiet" books that I fear won't get the attention it should. The writing is honest and at times beautiful, the characters are well-written, and the setting is great. Despite being set in a very turbulent time, the book itself is action-light and character-heavy, which I love and I think through this it manages to paint an incredible picture of the time period.
I especially recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about the social and political climate of America in the 1960s, readers who enjoy split narratives, or who want to read a book in verse.
October 22, 2011
I am beyond happy that I received this book for review because I totally would have missed out on a great book! This is the second book in the last few months I've read that has been a historical fiction written in verse and I love this trend. "Purple Daze" is a fast read where historical facts don’t bog you down. The flow of the writing combined with the unique character voices was hypnotic. I breezed through this book in only a few hours. I don't usually comment on covers, but this one is awesome. It is just so vibrant; I think it will definitely draw in readers.
The voices of all the characters sucked me into the story; I didn't particularly like them all, but they were very amusing and realistic. Mickey is a character I wasn't overly fond of, but he was the perfect character to give a compelling account of what it was like being a young man in the Navy. I think my favorite character was Phil; his letters were the most powerful. I also feared for his safety with the characters in the book. Even though Ziggy is a morally shady character, I still felt for her and wanted her life to get better.
I also really enjoyed how the book had an open ended ending. Some of the characters' personal issues were wrapped up, but the book could have gone on for longer. I didn't feel unsatisfied, but I wonder if other people will be. Fighting in a war halfway around the world that seems endless and civil rights issues are still things that are happening today. The futures of these things have not been decided. There will always be causes for future generations to protest and wars to fight. Even though this book is about the past, there are a lot of issues addressed that teens can relate to.
I highly recommend "Purple Daze" to pretty much anyone looking for a good book, especially to readers who either want to read more about the 1960's or enjoy historical fiction. This would also be a great book for readers who may not particularly like reading historical fiction, but who enjoys coming of age stories. If you enjoyed "Three Rivers Rising" or "Out of the Dust" then you would probably enjoy "Purple Daze".
*As stated earlier, I did receive a copy of this book for review.
The voices of all the characters sucked me into the story; I didn't particularly like them all, but they were very amusing and realistic. Mickey is a character I wasn't overly fond of, but he was the perfect character to give a compelling account of what it was like being a young man in the Navy. I think my favorite character was Phil; his letters were the most powerful. I also feared for his safety with the characters in the book. Even though Ziggy is a morally shady character, I still felt for her and wanted her life to get better.
I also really enjoyed how the book had an open ended ending. Some of the characters' personal issues were wrapped up, but the book could have gone on for longer. I didn't feel unsatisfied, but I wonder if other people will be. Fighting in a war halfway around the world that seems endless and civil rights issues are still things that are happening today. The futures of these things have not been decided. There will always be causes for future generations to protest and wars to fight. Even though this book is about the past, there are a lot of issues addressed that teens can relate to.
I highly recommend "Purple Daze" to pretty much anyone looking for a good book, especially to readers who either want to read more about the 1960's or enjoy historical fiction. This would also be a great book for readers who may not particularly like reading historical fiction, but who enjoys coming of age stories. If you enjoyed "Three Rivers Rising" or "Out of the Dust" then you would probably enjoy "Purple Daze".
*As stated earlier, I did receive a copy of this book for review.
July 7, 2011
Purple Daze was a unique and interesting novel written in a mix of verse and prose. This opened my eyes to the lives of teenagers growing up in the 1960’s. Young people played such a large role in making a difference. War, sex, racism, alcoholism, and more were all explored in this short book and it definitely packed a punch.
This was told from the perspectives of six teenagers (all friends or couples) and it was heartbreaking, especially, to read the letters from the young men in Vietnam. Back in America people were dealing with a lot, too. There were riots and protests against the war, racism, and pro-feminism. So many issues were tackled in this book and in between the chapters from the point of view of one of the six teenagers, speeches of the President, Martin Luther King, JR, and more were included.
I learned a lot reading this and it was an intriguing way to tell the story of young adults experiencing the 1960’s and the changes occurring during that time. For me, I wish it was told in prose. I didn’t get to know the characters as well as I would have hoped and by the time I was really into their stories, the book was done. This could have been a really impressive novel, but I was disappointed that it didn’t allow the character’s to develop very much.
Ziggy, Cheryl, Nancy, Phil, Don, and Mickey each faced a lot of tough times and there were some important messages buried in the story. The plot spanned a large amount of time, but I felt some important details were missing. There were some interesting sub-plots and, as I mentioned before, so many important issues and themes of the 60’s were included in Purple Daze.
All in all, I am glad I read this and I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, fast paced look at the 1960’s and what life was like for teenagers in that time. Purple Daze didn’t entirely live up to my expectations, but I did take some interesting facts away from it.
Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
This was told from the perspectives of six teenagers (all friends or couples) and it was heartbreaking, especially, to read the letters from the young men in Vietnam. Back in America people were dealing with a lot, too. There were riots and protests against the war, racism, and pro-feminism. So many issues were tackled in this book and in between the chapters from the point of view of one of the six teenagers, speeches of the President, Martin Luther King, JR, and more were included.
I learned a lot reading this and it was an intriguing way to tell the story of young adults experiencing the 1960’s and the changes occurring during that time. For me, I wish it was told in prose. I didn’t get to know the characters as well as I would have hoped and by the time I was really into their stories, the book was done. This could have been a really impressive novel, but I was disappointed that it didn’t allow the character’s to develop very much.
Ziggy, Cheryl, Nancy, Phil, Don, and Mickey each faced a lot of tough times and there were some important messages buried in the story. The plot spanned a large amount of time, but I felt some important details were missing. There were some interesting sub-plots and, as I mentioned before, so many important issues and themes of the 60’s were included in Purple Daze.
All in all, I am glad I read this and I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, fast paced look at the 1960’s and what life was like for teenagers in that time. Purple Daze didn’t entirely live up to my expectations, but I did take some interesting facts away from it.
Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
October 12, 2011
Let me start by saying that I absolutely love the way this novel is set up. Important historical facts and events are skillfully woven into this novel-in-verse to paint a vivid picture of the social and political issues that young people were faced with in the 1960s. All of the references and allusions to events and pop culture of the 1960s make this a wonderful historic read without the dryness of a history book. A truly excellent way to pull in relunctant readers, especially those who shy away from anything history-related.
Why only 3 stars then? While I love the set-up and even grew to like a couple of the characters, I was not really impressed with her the era faced. No doubt sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll were the scene. treatment of some of the social issues and pressures that teens of These things create a vivid picture of the times, and indeed, are issues that should be addressed. Yet, I feel the novel came up short trying to do so. You see the snowball effect that the characters' choices lead to in some cases, and some of the resulting consequences, but ultimately, the story kind of leaves you hanging and doesn't really drive home a solid message. It left me with "that's just the way it was" feeling and I didn't like that. I would rather see some resolve or a positive message being sent to readers. For example, if the author could more realistically portray the turmoil that Ziggy would have gone through following her actions, it would have added some depth, rather than illustrating her to be permanently stoned and a "that's that" attitude.
The writing is very creative and the historical background is very good, but the turmoil of the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, among other events should not be used as justification for poor choices of the young generation. It's still worth a read, but there are probably other books that can do better than this one.
Why only 3 stars then? While I love the set-up and even grew to like a couple of the characters, I was not really impressed with her the era faced. No doubt sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll were the scene. treatment of some of the social issues and pressures that teens of These things create a vivid picture of the times, and indeed, are issues that should be addressed. Yet, I feel the novel came up short trying to do so. You see the snowball effect that the characters' choices lead to in some cases, and some of the resulting consequences, but ultimately, the story kind of leaves you hanging and doesn't really drive home a solid message. It left me with "that's just the way it was" feeling and I didn't like that. I would rather see some resolve or a positive message being sent to readers. For example, if the author could more realistically portray the turmoil that Ziggy would have gone through following her actions, it would have added some depth, rather than illustrating her to be permanently stoned and a "that's that" attitude.
The writing is very creative and the historical background is very good, but the turmoil of the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, among other events should not be used as justification for poor choices of the young generation. It's still worth a read, but there are probably other books that can do better than this one.
April 12, 2016
HS book in verse
Shahan, Sherry. Purple Daze (2011).
Couldn't put the book down. Purple Daze was a unique, quick read, and interesting novel written in a mix of verse and prose.
In 1965, the U.S. was committing more troops to Vietnam, Malcolm X was assassinated, civil rights demonstrators marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and riots broke out in Los Angeles. Sex, drugs and rock and roll was the mantra of the day. The story is about six high school friends (Ziggy, Cheryl, Nancy, Phil, Don, and Mickey) who navigate these unsettling times along with other challenges of growing up, like having alcoholic parents, deciding whether or not to have sex with a boyfriend, trying to get through school, and getting drafted. However, one thread binds them all: much needed friendship in the face of fear, flux, and change. This opened my eyes to the lives of teenagers growing up in the 1960's. Young people played such a large role in making a difference.
The story is told in journal entries, verse, headline news clips and letters that give us insights into the inner lives of each of the characters, as well as a feeling for the backdrop of historical events of the time. This format is powerful and compelling, getting to the heart of all the issues with a minimum of words.The use of poetry gives the reader a direct line to the characters' emotions without exposition or excessive description. The end result is a brilliantly crafted time capsule that is as addictive. I really enjoyed how the book had an open ended ending. You need to read it to find out.
Purple Daze is not only a good way to learn more about this time in our country's history, it's also a moving look at how the lives of young individuals were affected. While many of the issues were particular to the era, others are more universal for teens at all times. This is a rare book which will captivate both today's YA and the adults who lived through the 1960's.
Target audience: 15 + years.
Shahan, Sherry. Purple Daze (2011).
Couldn't put the book down. Purple Daze was a unique, quick read, and interesting novel written in a mix of verse and prose.
In 1965, the U.S. was committing more troops to Vietnam, Malcolm X was assassinated, civil rights demonstrators marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and riots broke out in Los Angeles. Sex, drugs and rock and roll was the mantra of the day. The story is about six high school friends (Ziggy, Cheryl, Nancy, Phil, Don, and Mickey) who navigate these unsettling times along with other challenges of growing up, like having alcoholic parents, deciding whether or not to have sex with a boyfriend, trying to get through school, and getting drafted. However, one thread binds them all: much needed friendship in the face of fear, flux, and change. This opened my eyes to the lives of teenagers growing up in the 1960's. Young people played such a large role in making a difference.
The story is told in journal entries, verse, headline news clips and letters that give us insights into the inner lives of each of the characters, as well as a feeling for the backdrop of historical events of the time. This format is powerful and compelling, getting to the heart of all the issues with a minimum of words.The use of poetry gives the reader a direct line to the characters' emotions without exposition or excessive description. The end result is a brilliantly crafted time capsule that is as addictive. I really enjoyed how the book had an open ended ending. You need to read it to find out.
Purple Daze is not only a good way to learn more about this time in our country's history, it's also a moving look at how the lives of young individuals were affected. While many of the issues were particular to the era, others are more universal for teens at all times. This is a rare book which will captivate both today's YA and the adults who lived through the 1960's.
Target audience: 15 + years.
May 9, 2011
Purple Daze recounts the stories (based on real letters) of four teenagers on the brink of the Vietnam War and their last year of high school in the 1970s. While examining the current events of the time, the foursome face war, protest, a messy love triangle and the consequences of their mistakes as well as friendship. Eventually, the characters’s lives become as scattered as the world around them.
The most interesting thing about this book is the way it is written: a cross-between verse and prose. While the very short-style passages that are suppose to resemble the teenage mind is fun, the plot is not much more than blips of randomness. Understanding some of the dialogue or relationships between a few of the characters is a bit difficult because the passages were so quick and vague. Also, please be aware that there is a lot of talk of drugs, drinking, sexual references and content so this is not a good book for younger readers.
Purple Daze is a unique way of expressing life but I just didn’t like the plot nor the “focus” of some bits of the story. I did however, like the inspiration of one of the male characters (Phil). His character was based on a real guy the author knew in high school. She even dedicated the book to him: To Phillip Cole...because you waited.
Recommendation: Enjoyed the style but not the actual “story”. However I believe it was a good message about consequences and choices; not recommended for anyone younger than age 16.
Content: Language, drugs, alcohol, sexual content, descriptions of war (R)
See the rest of the review here at booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com
The most interesting thing about this book is the way it is written: a cross-between verse and prose. While the very short-style passages that are suppose to resemble the teenage mind is fun, the plot is not much more than blips of randomness. Understanding some of the dialogue or relationships between a few of the characters is a bit difficult because the passages were so quick and vague. Also, please be aware that there is a lot of talk of drugs, drinking, sexual references and content so this is not a good book for younger readers.
Purple Daze is a unique way of expressing life but I just didn’t like the plot nor the “focus” of some bits of the story. I did however, like the inspiration of one of the male characters (Phil). His character was based on a real guy the author knew in high school. She even dedicated the book to him: To Phillip Cole...because you waited.
Recommendation: Enjoyed the style but not the actual “story”. However I believe it was a good message about consequences and choices; not recommended for anyone younger than age 16.
Content: Language, drugs, alcohol, sexual content, descriptions of war (R)
See the rest of the review here at booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com
February 8, 2011
Hmm, I'm not sure if I am bit biased against novels told in verse or this one just didn't resonate for me as much as
or stuff by Ellen Hopkins. I think the cover might attract some teen wannabe hippies and the brevity of a tale told with mucho white space will appeal to others. If kids are curious about their own kind back in California (and Vietnam) in 1965, this is as good a way to learn more about the time as any and better than some of the alternatives.
Following the lives of six teenagers, three dating couples, the narrative stretches to include the young folks' own poetry and letters, through the journals and suggestion box of an enlightened English teacher, but some accounts and pieces of verse are third-person and require a bit more thought to digest.
So Ziggy is the easy one who sleeps with Mickey and barely survives when he joins the Navy. He writes letters back and forth with Cheryl, who won't put out for Don but is bright and the best pen-pal because she also writes to Phil who was drafted into the hell of the first big time escalation year of the Nam. We get some civil rights, some LSD, some Beatles and Rolling Stones, some pot, some abortion, some war protest, some step-families, infidelity, and friendship. I was minus one year old in 1965, but it seems a pretty fair snapshot of both a time caught in wide angle and close-ups to humanize it.
or stuff by Ellen Hopkins. I think the cover might attract some teen wannabe hippies and the brevity of a tale told with mucho white space will appeal to others. If kids are curious about their own kind back in California (and Vietnam) in 1965, this is as good a way to learn more about the time as any and better than some of the alternatives.Following the lives of six teenagers, three dating couples, the narrative stretches to include the young folks' own poetry and letters, through the journals and suggestion box of an enlightened English teacher, but some accounts and pieces of verse are third-person and require a bit more thought to digest.
So Ziggy is the easy one who sleeps with Mickey and barely survives when he joins the Navy. He writes letters back and forth with Cheryl, who won't put out for Don but is bright and the best pen-pal because she also writes to Phil who was drafted into the hell of the first big time escalation year of the Nam. We get some civil rights, some LSD, some Beatles and Rolling Stones, some pot, some abortion, some war protest, some step-families, infidelity, and friendship. I was minus one year old in 1965, but it seems a pretty fair snapshot of both a time caught in wide angle and close-ups to humanize it.
April 11, 2011
3.5 stars! Excerpt from my review below. You can read my full, in-depth review here: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2011...
"Purple Daze is a vivid portrayal and exploration of the 60's, touching on both the lighter and heavier aspects of events and happenings during the year 1965. There was humor and fun but also some strong, deeper emotions and meanings as well. Knowing that this story is based on the author's own life during this year just made everything feel that much more real. Weaved into the plot are factual excerpts from famous speeches, events, etc, and I thought these were included in in a way that was informative and intriguing, but not overbearing. I really felt that they added to the plot. My only actual complaint, which is becoming a bit of a pattern, is that I think the plot could have greatly benefited from the book being longer................................................................
So while Purple Daze may have had its flaws, I also found it to be a very worthwhile and entertaining read. I can honestly say that I have never read anything like this book and, in the end, I'm still glad to have read it. I can tell this story probably won't be everyone's cup of tea--why always tea, why not coffee or milk?-- but if it sounds interesting to you, then I say go for it. Since Purple Daze is such a quick read, it is possible that I will read it again later on down the road."
"Purple Daze is a vivid portrayal and exploration of the 60's, touching on both the lighter and heavier aspects of events and happenings during the year 1965. There was humor and fun but also some strong, deeper emotions and meanings as well. Knowing that this story is based on the author's own life during this year just made everything feel that much more real. Weaved into the plot are factual excerpts from famous speeches, events, etc, and I thought these were included in in a way that was informative and intriguing, but not overbearing. I really felt that they added to the plot. My only actual complaint, which is becoming a bit of a pattern, is that I think the plot could have greatly benefited from the book being longer................................................................
So while Purple Daze may have had its flaws, I also found it to be a very worthwhile and entertaining read. I can honestly say that I have never read anything like this book and, in the end, I'm still glad to have read it. I can tell this story probably won't be everyone's cup of tea--why always tea, why not coffee or milk?-- but if it sounds interesting to you, then I say go for it. Since Purple Daze is such a quick read, it is possible that I will read it again later on down the road."
January 3, 2012
In 1965 the U.S. was committing more troops to Vietnam, Malcolm X was assassinated, civil rights demonstrators marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and riots broke out in Los Angeles. Sex, drugs and rock and roll was the mantra of the day. In Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan, six high school friends navigate these unsettling times along with other challenges of growing up, like having alcoholic parents, deciding whether or not to have sex with a boyfriend, trying to get through school, and getting drafted.
The story is told in journal entries, verse, headline news clips and letters that give us insights into the inner lives of each of the characters, as well as a feeling for the backdrop of historical events of the time. This format is powerful and compelling, getting to the heart of all the issues with a minimum of words. As the year progresses and the characters are more and more affected by events within their own group of friends and in the country, each of them struggles to determine how they will respond and what they truly believe in.
Purple Daze is not only a good way to learn more about this time in our country’s history, it’s also a moving look at how the lives of individuals were affected. While many of the issues were particular to the era, others are more universal for teens at all times. I recommend it for ages 15 and up.
The story is told in journal entries, verse, headline news clips and letters that give us insights into the inner lives of each of the characters, as well as a feeling for the backdrop of historical events of the time. This format is powerful and compelling, getting to the heart of all the issues with a minimum of words. As the year progresses and the characters are more and more affected by events within their own group of friends and in the country, each of them struggles to determine how they will respond and what they truly believe in.
Purple Daze is not only a good way to learn more about this time in our country’s history, it’s also a moving look at how the lives of individuals were affected. While many of the issues were particular to the era, others are more universal for teens at all times. I recommend it for ages 15 and up.
August 9, 2013
I appreciate what Shahan tried to do with this book, but in the end I felt that there were just too many voices vying for attention. I find this is a problem with a lot of verse novels that attempt multiple protagonists. While this is a form that lends itself to experimentation, and certainly some verse novels with multiple protagonists work extremely well (many of Ellen Hopkins’s books for example), PURPLE DAZE struggles to express a coherent narrative, instead spending a lot of energy and time creating the moment (the late sixties). I was left with a very unresolved feeling at the end of this. Not in the good way that sometimes happens, wherein questions are left in your head to ponder at the end of a book. Rather I felt that this book ended before it really took off. At the end I knew a lot about the period, about the war and the protests etc, but very little about the characters and their motivations. And I had no sense of where any of them were headed. Some lovely verse in this and interesting historical detail but a bit disappointing overall.
August 22, 2016
Interesting conceptually, but I think this might have been trying to do too much. Six different points of view with spare verse and the occasional more newsy segment thrown in for outside context... What is really interesting is the disconnect between the POV characters and the events going on nationally and globally; the reader gets bits and pieces of the big-news end of things as well as the characters' angst about relationships and sex and so on and so forth. For some of them the two eventually intersect, as two of the boys end up in the military, but a certain distance remains.
I suspect that this would have worked better for me with either a more traditional (non-verse) format or fewer POV characters, as I couldn't keep them straight and consequently never really cared much about any of them. It also gets a bit abstract in places, again compounded by the verse. So...not really my cuppa. (I remain on the hunt for a suitably psychedelic, hippie-dippie, 60s/70s-historical-fiction YA novel, but this isn't it.)
I suspect that this would have worked better for me with either a more traditional (non-verse) format or fewer POV characters, as I couldn't keep them straight and consequently never really cared much about any of them. It also gets a bit abstract in places, again compounded by the verse. So...not really my cuppa. (I remain on the hunt for a suitably psychedelic, hippie-dippie, 60s/70s-historical-fiction YA novel, but this isn't it.)
July 28, 2011
For all my older teens, you might want to check out: Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan, a novel in verse that utilizes six different teenage voices in the year 1965. Interspersed with historical documents, this is one book that will really help a younger generation understand the controversial nature of the 1960s. Three male voices and three very different female voices cover topics like drugs, abortion, Martin Luther King, and more. One male ends up fighting in Vietnam and writes letters back to his friend's girlfriend, Cheryl. The letters are gory and shocking so this book is designed for more mature audiences. (Students that likeHopkins, Ellen orGo Ask Alice, will really enjoy this one!)
October 29, 2015
This verse novel was the epitome of a verse novel. It was beautifully written and the characters were very much alive. I could really feel the heartache of the things they were going through during this war-time era. I really enjoyed the verse and I felt that I really connected with the characters. I think this would be a great read for teens especially ones who don't like long novels. This gives them a great story and a lot of history on an important time. Verse novels are some of my favorites and I think this one was done well. It was hard to read at some points when the men were talking about the war but you could really feel the hurt and understand what they were going through. I would recommend this to teens.
March 13, 2019
Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan is a story surrounding six teens in 1965 and their lives. Told through striking poetry, this book introduces the reader to ideas and lifestyle of a teenager in the 60's; dealing with drugs, sex, friendship, war and politics. Each character has their own voice and issues but are all interconnected by their relationships.
I didn't really expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. The book is told through poetry, but the formats change constantly. The best parts for me were the letters from the boys during the war. This was such a huge issue at the time that Shahan does a really good job in making the characters and their suffering feel real. Her book is a great collage of the later 1960's and paints a picture of all the things that were happening at the time.
I didn't really expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. The book is told through poetry, but the formats change constantly. The best parts for me were the letters from the boys during the war. This was such a huge issue at the time that Shahan does a really good job in making the characters and their suffering feel real. Her book is a great collage of the later 1960's and paints a picture of all the things that were happening at the time.
April 13, 2016
Ugh. There are three things that I think I could have made this book readable:
1. If it had been a movie - the story was interesting enough, it was mostly just the writing that bugged me.
2. If the author chose to write from the POV of one character.
or
3. If the author had chosen to write in prose.
As is I found it extremely confusing, I don't like books that switch POV's so much as it's hard to keep track of all the characters, and boring with the potential to be a decent book. I stopped reading when I couldn't remember which character was dating which and which ones got drafted and which enlisted.
1. If it had been a movie - the story was interesting enough, it was mostly just the writing that bugged me.
2. If the author chose to write from the POV of one character.
or
3. If the author had chosen to write in prose.
As is I found it extremely confusing, I don't like books that switch POV's so much as it's hard to keep track of all the characters, and boring with the potential to be a decent book. I stopped reading when I couldn't remember which character was dating which and which ones got drafted and which enlisted.
August 11, 2011
Being an avid devourer of all the sixties-related YA literature I can find, I snapped this up. It was underwhelming, to say the least. It's told from the point of view of Cheryl, Mickey, Don, Nancy, Ziggy, and Phil, six teenage friends in Los Angeles in 1965. The characters run together, there isn't much of a plot, and serious issues like protest and abortion seem thrown in at the last minute just to add "depth." The war descriptions seemed like they were in there to just to hit the readers over the head with their repetitive "War is bad!" message. The well-done historical anecdotes sprinkled in save this from being a one-star review.
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