Sometimes I choose a book based on the awards that it states on the cover that it has received and as luck would have it, this novel has such a list. Luckily, it has lived up to its stated potential - a great read!Based on a true "murder" story set back in the early 1900's, this story weaves a tale around a young woman, Mattie Gokey, her family, friends, new romance, hardships and, yes, what the murder has done to her young life. Set in the "Northwoods" of upper state New York, the novel highlights the summer of a young high schooler, her passion for learning, her unfounded friendships at a summer resort, her future goals to attend college, and a budding romance with the "hot" neighbor.
The reader is drawn into A Northern Light and never disappointed with the unsolved "mystery" of the murder (be sure to read the author's note at the end) but intrigued, especially toward the end, with the unexpected finale, or was it, you tell me. This book is worth the effort.
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly was a Printz Honor recipient for excellence in young adult literature in 2004.
Reviewed by Mrs. Rozanski
I enjoyed this book, but I had to stick with it in the beginning - it didn't grab me right away.
ReplyDeleteThere are 2 stories going on here.
I liked the character of Mattie and admired her loyalty to her family, as well as her determination to overcome the many obstacles in her way to attend college and pursue her dream of becoming a writer in 1906 rural America.
The second story woven in with the story of Mattie is based on the true event of a young woman who drowns near the hotel where Mattie works. As I was reading this, it was so familiar to me. It finally occurred to me that it was the same story depicted in a movie called "A Place in the Sun" (a movie from 1951 starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift - a great movie, especially if you like black and white movies.)
Mrs. Dunaski
2/15/10