*MY Thoughts*
After a Tornado devastates the small town of Elizabeth, Missouri, our story teller Jersey Cameron manages to survive, but much to her anguish, loses her her mother, her younger sister, and the only real home she's ever known. Struggling to pick up the pieces, Jersey finds her herself alone, without any real friends to help her out, and struggling for answers. Jersey is blindsided time and time again, to the point where she no longer knows who is telling the truth from all the lies that have stacked up over the years.
I have to say that this is my first taste of how Jennifer Brown writes and it most likely won't be the last. Torn Away blew me away with its opening, made me cringe in anger at how Jersey is treated by so called family, and made me cry happy tears with its ending. It also left me hopeful that Jersey will find a way to overcome her challenges, and succeed in life since she has already been to hell and back again. It also made me aware how utterly short life really is, and that we can no longer take things like living a long and happy life for granted.
Brown justifiably deserves all the appreciation and credit for researching what it is like trying to pick up the pieces after surviving a very powerful Tornado and for creating a character who I can immediately relate & attach myself to. Jersey's roller-coaster ride of survival and healing is realistic and painful to read about. Brown does a commendable job of putting the reader into her shoes as she struggles mightily to gain a bit of prospective after the horrors of a major storm leaves her life in tatters.
I feel for those who live in Tornado Alley, especially over the past several years which has seen massive Tornadoes and unprecedented damage to cities, towns, and peoples lives. While those of us who live in Hurricane Alley (Florida, The Gulf Coast, and East Coast) can appreciate and relate what these people have experienced in devastation and loss, we have had a fairly smooth weather front these past 5 years.
*Recvd via NetGalley 03/05/2014* Published: May 6th 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Author - Jennifer Brown
Title - Torn Away
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Released: May 6, 2014
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Format: Ebook 288 pages
Great review Shelley. I have read a lot of Jennifer Brown's books, and I always feel moved by them.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've seen some of her other books around, so, I might see if my local library has them in stock.
DeleteIt looks like an emotional read :) i have to check this out now! Lovely review
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Most definitely. I find myself getting teary eyed by the little things anymore. Thanks for reading & commenting!
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