One of the Survivors
by Susan Shaw
Available September 8, 2009
TELL ME HOW!
Joey Campbell experiences them all, even though he knows what he should really feel is lucky. Lucky to have survived the fire that burned Village Park High School to the ground. Lucky that his best friend, Maureen, also survived, when no one else in his freshman history class managed to make it out alive.
Writing in a journal provides some solace, but Joey knows that redemption lies with the living. If only the living students and parents didn't blame him for the fire...
Startling, relevant, and honest, Joey's story is simply unforgettable.I have always been a fan of Susan Shaw and her books have always been very popular in our middle school library. Once again I was not disappointed! Susan has written another poignant, and at times, gut-wrenching story.
After Joey and Maureen survive the fire that caused the death of the rest of their classmates, people start to wonder how they knew to get out. Surely only someone who had something to do with the fire would know when and how to escape.....right?
Joey tells us his story through journal entries as he describes what he is experiencing in the aftermath of the fire. At first things seem a little blurry, but as you read on it becomes clear that Joey has a story of his own and you soon find out why he and Maureen escaped the fire in their classroom that fateful day.
This story shows the need that people seem to have that when a tragedy occurs we must blame somebody...somebody must be responsible and therefore be punished. As if in some cosmic way this make things even and just.
At times frustrating (as frustrating situations are) sad, and heart-warming this story of guilt, forgiveness and redemption will stick with me for a long time. Recommended for middle school and up!
For more information on Susan Shaw's award winning books visit her website www.susanshaw.org
3 comments:
I've surprisingly never heard of this author, though the book sounds good. I'll have to add it to my TBR list. Thanks for the review!***Mindful Musings Book Blog
~Natalie
Awesome reviw. I hadn't heard of this before but I really want to read it now. it sounds amazingly intense, and I love those type of stories. I like the unique premise too with survivor's guilt and everything.
Lauren
Wow, thanks for introducing us to this one! Looks like a heartbreaker, but a good one :)
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