In Saving Zoe, by Alyson Noel, 15-year old Echo is dreading the one-year anniversary of her sister's death. Being used to living in a world where no one paid her any mind, Echo has found unwanted attention ever since Zoe was brutally murdered. Since her sister's death, Echo has become all to familiar with the stares, whispers, and inappropriate gestures, she knows that all she has to do is survive through this day. Gaining strength from her two best friends, Abby and Jenay, Echo knows that this year will be a little easier than when the murder first occurred.
A year ago while awaiting her fourteenth birthday party, instead of cake and ice cream, Echo finds police officers and news cameras. After learning that Zoe was brutally murdered, she knows that someone has to stay strong for her mom and dad. Not knowing how to make sense of it all, Echo goes through the five stages of grief with the help of her psychiatrist. Just when she was ready to step in to stage 5, the acceptance stage, Echo receives an unwanted visit from her sister's ex-boyfriend Marc.
When Marc reveals that he has Zoe's diary and would like Echo to have it, Echo wants no part of it. She has already laid her sister to rest, and does not want to bring sad memories back to the surface. As Marc insists on her having it so that she can really know her sister, Echo is offended and disgusted. Seeing that Marc will not leave her alone, she takes the diary and learns of the secret life that her sister was living. Not wanting to know more, Echo wonders if this diary holds the key to the loose ends that the police could not tie together. Should she follow her first mind and leave Zoe's memory as is, or should she try to save her sister's memory so she can truly rest in peace? These are the type of questions that leave the readers turning page after page until the very end.
Alyson Noel does a wonderful job balancing all the issues that Echo must face. This novel is engaging from page one to page two-hundred thirty. Educators can use this novel as a way to address death, sisterhood, friendship, betrayal, dating, drugs, sex, violence, all the issues that teenagers face in this evolving society. This novel is an appropriate read starting at the junior high level. The craft of Alyson Noel's writing makes Saving Zoe a must read.
A year ago while awaiting her fourteenth birthday party, instead of cake and ice cream, Echo finds police officers and news cameras. After learning that Zoe was brutally murdered, she knows that someone has to stay strong for her mom and dad. Not knowing how to make sense of it all, Echo goes through the five stages of grief with the help of her psychiatrist. Just when she was ready to step in to stage 5, the acceptance stage, Echo receives an unwanted visit from her sister's ex-boyfriend Marc.
When Marc reveals that he has Zoe's diary and would like Echo to have it, Echo wants no part of it. She has already laid her sister to rest, and does not want to bring sad memories back to the surface. As Marc insists on her having it so that she can really know her sister, Echo is offended and disgusted. Seeing that Marc will not leave her alone, she takes the diary and learns of the secret life that her sister was living. Not wanting to know more, Echo wonders if this diary holds the key to the loose ends that the police could not tie together. Should she follow her first mind and leave Zoe's memory as is, or should she try to save her sister's memory so she can truly rest in peace? These are the type of questions that leave the readers turning page after page until the very end.
Alyson Noel does a wonderful job balancing all the issues that Echo must face. This novel is engaging from page one to page two-hundred thirty. Educators can use this novel as a way to address death, sisterhood, friendship, betrayal, dating, drugs, sex, violence, all the issues that teenagers face in this evolving society. This novel is an appropriate read starting at the junior high level. The craft of Alyson Noel's writing makes Saving Zoe a must read.
4 comments:
At first I was thinking that you might be giving away too much of the story but then I realized I wanted to know more. You did a really great job of making this book seem appealing. I'm thinking I will go pick it up tomorrow.
It was a great read and I tried my best to only give away enough of the plot so that you all would go pick it up and read it.
I agree with Priscila. Your review made me feel the same way I felt after reading Looking for Alaska- unfulfilled. Only in this case, I get to read the book and find out what actually happens. LFA was the book so I was stuck in the uncomfortable position of not getting to know more. I definite;y want to read this book.
I really think you gave just enough away to make us want to go get this book and know more about Echo and the death of her sister. I think it is interesting how Noel has Echo go through the five stages of grief and probably really realistic towards real-life. Some authors get caught up in a certain part of the grieving process and never let their characters out of it. It seems that Echo was just beginning to be herself again despite her sister's death when her life was turned upside down again. Great review...I put it on my list to pick up at the library after reading your review!
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