From: Elisabeth LeBris <lebrise>
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:02:00 -0600

I found some of the symbolism a bit heavy handed as well but over all that did not deter me from wanting to know what was going to happen next. I found the big black dot instantly intriguing and the fact that the chapters started over again at that point. My interpretation was that it was a huge period. The end of many things and an important turning point in Daisy's life. More of a stop and start rather than a black hole which swallows everything into it. I have since given the book to my 15 year old son. He is a fairly typical teen but still allows his mom-librarian the luxury to suggest a book to him. The last one I headed his way he said was "pretty good" (high praise). He did read it straight through and I know I heard him laughing quite a bit. The book was Carolyn Mackler's "The earth, my butt and other big round things". Another serious story wrapped in a lot of intelligent humor. I will be very curious what he thinks of "hiln" which has a much more somber tone and action.

Parenthetically, has anyone noticed the common elements with Hilary McKay's "indigo's star"? Such as the English village setting, the Americain teen leaving home because of a remarried dad and an evil pregnant step-mom, the gifted/unusual younger sister/cousin who the teen becomes very attached to, a mom who is barely present so that the young people are really left up to their own devices, missing dads, just to mention a few. I read the books one after the other and it really struck me. I suppose my question is why would these elements be ones that repeat at this time?


Elisabeth LeBris Sears School (K-8) Director of Library Tech. Services Kenilworth Il
Received on Mon 28 Feb 2005 04:02:00 PM CST