Greg Pattridge
Congratulations, Greg and expect an email from me asking for your mailing address.
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Now on to today's MMGM feature. Remember to visit Shannon Messenger's blog for other links.
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead (Wendy Lamb Books/Random House, August 4, 2015, 304 pages, for ages 10 and up)
Source: Random House
Synopsis (from Indiebound): Bridge is an accident survivor who's wondering why
she's still alive. Emily has new curves and an almost-boyfriend who wants a
certain kind of picture. Tabitha sees through everybody's games or so she tells
the world. The three girls are best friends with one rule: No fighting.Can it
get them through seventh grade?
This year everything is different for Sherm Russo as he gets to know Bridge
Barsamian. What does it mean to fall for a girl as a friend?
On Valentine's Day, an unnamed high school girl struggles with a betrayal. How long can she hide in plain sight?
Each memorable character navigates the challenges of love and change in this captivating novel.
Why I recommend it: There's a lot to love about this novel, including realistic dialogue and great characters, but my favorite part is the gradual blossoming of the friendship between Bridge and Sherm. I love that neither of them are ready to be more than just friends yet.
Have to admit I also felt a strong kinship for Bridge since she's an accident survivor. And as an aneurysm survivor, I can tell you her feelings are spot-on. Rebecca Stead has done her research. But I wouldn't expect anything less from the author of First Light, When You Reach Me, and Liar and Spy, all of which I've read and enjoyed.
Favorite line: "Tab's mom said that when people reached out to hurt your feelings, it was because they secretly felt they deserved to be talked to that way." (p. 140)
Bonus: Plenty of diversity, as one would expect in a NY city school. But the author doesn't hit you over the head with it.
Rebecca Stead's website
Follow her on Twitter
Bonus: Plenty of diversity, as one would expect in a NY city school. But the author doesn't hit you over the head with it.
Rebecca Stead's website
Follow her on Twitter
I'm more than thrilled to win. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteAlso thanks for this review of Rebecca Stead's newest. She one of my favorite authors and I always read her books twice. Once for enjoyment and once more to take note of her marvelous writing style.
Good for you, Greg. I certainly did read When You Reach Me several times, but I rarely re-read books, simply because the TBR stack is taller than I am. :)
DeleteCongrats to Greg!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this book, Joanne! It means I will enjoy it too since I love Rebecca Stead's writing. :)
Oh good, Akoss. You will definitely get a lot out of this one.
DeleteSounds as if there is a lot going on in this novel--as there always is in Rebecca Stead's books. To add to her workload, I heard she also became an agent!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, too, to Greg. I love his own MMGM reviews.
I heard that about her too, Michael. Don't know where she finds the time!
DeleteI LOVED First Light, so will be adding this to my list. Great to be back, and thanks for the awesome recommend, as always! :D
ReplyDelete--Suzanne
www.suzannewarr.com
Nice to have you back, Suzanne.
DeleteCongrats to Greg! Thanks for this review of Rebecca Stead's book. I hadn't heard of it. I will check it out.
ReplyDeleteHope you get a chance to read it someday, Rosi.
DeleteThis sounds really good! I've loved almost everything Rebecca Stead has written so far, and this one sounds really intriguing. I like what you've said about them not being ready for more than friends yet and I'm curious to see how she handles the accident survival bit.
ReplyDeleteJenni, to me, those were the best parts of the novel. The flashbacks were beautifully handled.
DeleteThanks for the review! I'm intrigued and will look for this one.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Andrea.
DeleteThis one is high on my TBR list. I love Rebecca Stead's books!
ReplyDeleteYay! Another Rebecca Stead fan!
DeleteYay! for Gregg! Very cool. Aw...the angst of 7th grade. This book sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Sheri!
DeleteCongrats to Greg! What a win! :)
ReplyDeleteI have only read one book by this author, but I did enjoy it. This sounds like a good read too. Thanks for sharing!
~Jess
Oh, Jess, you should definitely try to read another book by her, whether it's this or something else.
DeleteCongratulations, Greg. I can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteIt's worth it, Theresa.
Delete