A review that warms my heart
Updated!
This just came over from Google Alerts. (I love Google Alerts!)
It’s a review by Melissa, who’s 14, and it was published in KidsWWwrite, an e-zine published by the Kalamalka Institute for Working Writers, out of the Okanagan. (That’s in British Columbia, Canada.) She kindly gave me permission to reprint it here:
What is a person, anyway? The home he comes from and the people he calls parents? Or the clothes he wears, the music he listens to, the games he plays? Maybe it was as easy to change one as the other. Life is unstable, and that felt just about right.
Peter is still young; he has his whole life ahead of him. What would make him throw it all away? Why would he run away from home, and jump on a bus to some destination that even he isn’t sure of? Why, on earth, would he take such uncalled for actions? Well…things change after your father dies. A lot of things change.
Something about this book hooks you right away. It isn’t the strange graffiti-style writing on the front cover. It is the actual story itself. The author’s approach to this particular plot was great! He kept me reading, despite its weird nature. I thought this book was a little odd, slightly confusing…or surreal at times, but that’s what makes the novel so interesting. Although the weirdness was getting sort of creepy, I still enjoyed the book. Another reason I liked this story so much was the gripping way the author portrayed emotion. It was captivating and very real. I would recommend this novel for people thirteen years and up.
This reviewer gives Runnerland four dreamlike stars. John Burns creates an awesome setting in his first book for teen readers. RATING: ♦♦♦♦
Coming from an actual, real-live teenager makes this better for me than if it was in the New York Times. Plus, she’s a girl after my own heart: three book reviews in this issue alone! That’s the kind of overworking I like to do. Thanks, Melissa!
PS: Melissa replies to my request for a reprint…
OMG YES! Please, please please please tell him I say yes! I feel faint in the presence of a real author…wow. *gasps* Tell him thank you! And that the pleasure was all mine ^^ Mel
I absolutely love it John! I agree with you. Praise coming from audience that the book was written for is the highest form of praise.
Congratulations! I’m going to spread the review to others at Raincoast!
~Crystal
Actually, John, I believe Melissa is the author of five reviews in the April issue of KIdsWWwrite.
Absolutely right. My bad.
Going back to check that reminded me what the slogan is for Sarah’s Stars, the book review section of the zine. It’s “Reading makes your brain bigger!” I like that. (Though it must get uncomfortable for your head after a while…)
i think it is better if you can write more.