Review of Awaken

This novel will not be published until April 2010...

Here is my review. Enjoy!

Review of novel Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

This Young Adult novel, set in 2060, takes place within a society that is fully integrated with technology. Every aspect of each citizens life is monitored, safeguarded, and controlled through technology. The idea of meeting face to face to discuss an issue or enjoy a cup of coffee is a foreign concept to most. Individuals have never experienced the ocean, the mountains or real grass, as the landscape has been transformed through the use of plastic trees and grass.

The main character of the novel is Madeline Freeman, the heiress of Digital School which her father envisioned, implemented and controls. She, however, is a teenager who questions the circumstances in which she finds herself. And therefore, in this society, is also then questioning her father's authority and his way of life.

Many of the issues presented within the context of this novel are valuable to teenagers who can easily relate to Madeline's dilemmas regarding authority and social awkwardness. The idea of never being able to voice your opinion if it is against the social norm is something that many teens struggle with. They are seen as defiant and disrespectful instead of inquisitive and questioning.

As our current society becomes more and more reliant on technology we are becoming a culture where manners and social interactions are being disregarded. If you don't believe that, just stand in line at the grocery store while someone talks on their cell phone about problems that are more appropriate for X rated movies.

In the novel, information is shared, but in a secretive way. One can always "delete" interactions and not have to live the idea of others knowing your personal information and most embarrassing situations. There is a "awkwardness" of social situations, like in Chapter 4 when Justin rang the doorbell. We are becoming a society who relies on "friends" from social networks to fill voids that are best filled by real people in real situations.

A novel that contains themes that teens can easily relate to: parenting, technology, peer pressure, social awkwardness, and many others.

An enjoyable read.

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak




Wanted to finish the book - and then a sense of emptiness when I am done. That always happens to me when I read a book that is truly amazing.

I love the quote at the end... "If a guy like you can stand up and do what you did, then maybe everyone can. Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of."



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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. A well written story with a very interesting narrator - Death. At the end, I felt disappointed that it was over. Amazing since it was 550 pages!



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Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Even after reading this book, I am not sure of my reaction to it. The content - so important in today's world for teenagers - was disturbing to me in so many ways. A must read for young girls who are falling victim to eating disorders.



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The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was not prepared to enjoy this book, but I truly did. I had to slow down and stop myself from reading the other two that are in my classroom library. I will get to them this year though.



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The Year We Disappeared: A Father - Daughter Memoir by Cylin Busby

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I thought I would enjoy this book from the standpoint of hearing a police officer's story, since I am married to a police officer. Unfortunately, that was not the case.



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Summer Reading - Mark Twain

Being from the Elmira, New York area... we are famous in the fact that Mark Twain lived here during the summers at Quarry Farm and wrote some of his most famous pieces while vacationing on the Chemung River.

Reading Mark Twain, in today's world - like many other classics - is challenging in and of itself. With the word usage and language of the times - not really gelling with our word usage and language... it can be a bit troublesome.

What I enjoyed about the books was their charming qualities (I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Prince and The Pauper)... but... I also wondered how much students are able to get from the books when reading on their own without any guidance regarding the time period in which the tales were composed.