Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Chosen One: A review


Rarely, do I read a book like The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams and then begin it over, again. A few days after the first reading.

I would like to see this book win the Newbery Medal Award in 2010.

James S. Jacobs, wrote this on the back jacket, "No one can get inside the head and heart of a thirteen-year-old girl better than Carol Lynch Williams, and I mean no one."

Mr. Jacobs was spot on correct.

I read The Chosen One through for the story. Now I'm reading it again to see just how Ms. Williams was able to ". . . get inside the head and heart of a thirteen-year-old . . ." I want to learn from her.

The book is intense, to be sure. It is also beautifully written. It made me grit my teeth in some scenes. It made me sad, but when Kyra found her courage to act, I rooted for her with a smile and a nod.

The one thing that caught me off guard, even on the second reading, is that Kyra is only thirteen. She seems so much more mature for her age, but then, children who are eldest of many children usually are.

The only disappointment was the ending, but it may not be an actual disappointment if Ms. Williams writes a sequel.

Great job, Ms. Williams, for a fine and wonderful story. And thank you for the message. I'm crossing my fingers The Chosen One is nominated and wins the 2010 Newbery Medal.

You can read more about the facts and history of the Newbery Medal.

Until next time . . . I'll be working through my winter reading pile. How about you?


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2 comments:

  1. Terry P.December 9, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    Jean,

    I felt that because Kyra grew up in a polygamist "cult" I totally bought her maturity. She didn't grow up in the same circumstances of an average thirteen year old. In these cults, quite often, as soon as girls are "of age" they're married. And up until that point, they're being primed to be a good wife and mother. Kyra's maturity was believable to me for that reason.

    But dang, wasn't it a great book???

    ;-) Terry

    Terry

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  2. Jean Ann WilliamsDecember 9, 2009 at 5:40 PM

    Hey, Terry,

    Thanks so much for dropping by. I love visitors!

    You are so correct. I hadn't thought about the cult aspect of Kyra's upbringing that would account also for her more mature age for only thirteen.

    Great to point that out!

    And yes, that was a fantastic read, and I'll watch for more from this author.

    :) Jean

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