memoirs of a teenage amnesiac (Farrar, Stauss and Girioux, 2007) by Gabrielle Zevin is very, very good. It’s an interesting concept, and very believable.
16-year-old Naomi fell and hit her head. She can’t remember anything from the last 4 years: her boyfriend; her parent’s divorce; her half sister; her best friend, Will Landsman, who calls her Chief; why she loves working on the Yearbook; French; how to drive a car. She doesn’t know why she was with Ace; she’s interested in James, the new guy, who rescued her when she fell. She decides she doesn’t like who she was. THEN, she remembers . . . everything!
Go to author Gabrielle Zevin’s website to read about all the awards this book has garnered. There’s also a book trailer, and news that it’s being made into a movie!
Gabrielle also wrote Elsewhere (review here) and a number of books for adults.
Tag: Gabrielle Zevin
Elsewhere
I didn’t expect to like this book. The prologue is written from the viewpoint of a dog, which I found odd. Then, I thought the story was going to be depressing–the main character is dead after all. And the premise doesn’t match up with my view of the afterlife.
But, I couldn’t stop reading about Elizabeth Hall. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen to her in this place called Elsewhere. Was she going to get over her death? Was Liz going to choose an avocation? Was she going to be happy again? Page, after page, I read on until I reached the satisfying end.
Gabrielle Zevin has created a fascinating other world in Elsewhere. Don’t pass it up. Read her bio at http://www.teenreads.com/authors/au-zevin-gabrielle.asp