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What Members Thought
Annie and her younger brother Rew live with their elderly grandmother in a town called Sunshine. They've dubbed the woods behind their house "Zebra Forest" because of its black and white trees, but this book definitely explore issues that are not so black and white. An unexpected visitor arrives at their house via Zebra Forest and turns Annie and Rew's world upside down. The story takes place in the summer of 1980, but the only hint of that is Annie's fascination with the Iran Hostage Crisis. An
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I liked this one A LOT. The writing, the characters, and the strange circumstances (pulling the boundary of "realistic", but it's the best fit) all kept me reading. It's a short but satisfying story. Two children, who live at the edge of what they call Zebra forest with their ailing grandmother, are starting their summer vacation when there is a riot at the nearby prison and almost 50 prisoners escape. One of them hides out in their house, and what transpires surprises them all. This was a very
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3.5 Stars
This is a very quiet book. I was expecting to be blown away because the reviews have been so great, and I was just a little disappointed. I was disappointed not so much in the storytelling, however, but the lack of action. It's a very good story, just not exactly what I was expecting.
This isn't quite YA, but I would hesitate to recommend it to younger middle grade readers - hostages, manslaughter, a prison break, etc.- scary stuff. ...more
This is a very quiet book. I was expecting to be blown away because the reviews have been so great, and I was just a little disappointed. I was disappointed not so much in the storytelling, however, but the lack of action. It's a very good story, just not exactly what I was expecting.
This isn't quite YA, but I would hesitate to recommend it to younger middle grade readers - hostages, manslaughter, a prison break, etc.- scary stuff. ...more
This book was so intriguing. I can't wait to give it to some students to get their opinions as readers. I would call this riveting.
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When an escaped prisoner takes two children and their grandmother hostage, many family skeletons are revealed.
Strong characters, pervading sadness and loss. The strong focus in the plot kept me reading, and I'll be thinking about the characters for a while. There was an unclear plot element that didn't get answered that weakened the book a bit. But still worthwhile.
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Don't know why, but this one just didn't do it for me. Brother and sister who live with aging grandma encounter their father who has escaped from prison and holds them hostage in their home.
Yeah. Just not easily relate-able. ...more
Yeah. Just not easily relate-able. ...more
Wow. This one grabbed me and wouldn't let me put it down.
Summer #bookaday 39 ...more
Summer #bookaday 39 ...more
Feb 05, 2013
Rachel
marked it as to-read
Sep 05, 2013
Anamaria
added it
Nov 19, 2013
Jodi
marked it as to-read
Jan 11, 2014
Julie
marked it as to-read
