Sarah Crossan’s One tells the compelling and unique
story of conjoined twins, Tipi and Grace, through the point of view of the
quieter twin, Grace. This is a universal
story of the teenage girl, with heart wrenching complications and
challenges. It is the story of family,
of siblings and of difficult decisions.
The choice of free verse is a perfect vehicle for the narrative. I did
not want this book to end. Although at first, I was concerned that the free
verse format would not draw me into either character or plot, I was so quickly engaged
that I read the book in one sitting and was saddened that the story had to
end.
Updraft by Fran Wilde was a different sort of read. This well crafted fantasy with Kirit Densira as the
protagonist in a sky world explores the wildly popular theme of a society gone
awry while trying to meet the best interests of its citizens. Kirit and her friends uncover and challenge
the workings of the ‘Singers’ and set the book up for a forthcoming sequel. Anyone who has dreams of flight will enjoy the
beauty and challenges of these people as they put on their wings and catch an
updraft, flying from one community to another!
Readers who love fantasy and
dystopian literature will enjoy reading Updraft. It was a fun read, but didn’t hold our attention
or capture our hearts in the same way as One!
Both books deserve a place in our classroom libraries.
I've just finished One and I loved, loved, loved it. Particularly relevant to me right now as Jadon and Anias McDonald, 2 conjoined boys in the USA, were separated in a New York hospital in October of this year. This story showed up on a news website I follow and it caught my attention as a Mum.
ReplyDeleteOne, I felt, showed the pull and push the girls and those around them felt and explored the questions so many of us have in a thoughtful and human way. Tippy and Grace have lingered in my mind since I finished the book last night and I know it is a novel I will not soon forget.