Chasing Forgiveness by Neal Shusterman

Title: Chasing Forgiveness

Author: Neal Shusterman

Release Date: October 13, 2015

Publisher: Turtleback Books

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★★★★★

Synopsis:

Preston Scott was only twelve years old when his father killed his mother. He never saw it coming. Despite his parents' constant fighting, Preston always thought they were perfect together. He never dreamed his father would be capable of murder. Then again, who could ever predict something like this?

Fast forward: Preston is now fourteen. His father has just been released from jail and is moving near his grandparents house, where Preston and his younger brother Tyler have been living. His grandparents forgave his dad long ago for killing their daughter, and although Preston tries to feel the same kind of forgiveness, it s not easy: he ll never see his mother again, and yet, he still loves his father. How is that possible? Will Preston ever be able to reconcile his dueling feelings for his father, and move past this tragedy?

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My Review:

Neal Shusterman's Chasing Forgiveness is one of my top favorite books.

I just finished reading it for the second time.

Chasing Forgiveness is a beautiful, coming-of-age story based on a true story about a family that experienced a tragedy. It's a story about forgiveness.

Preston Scott's father kills his mother. Even though Preston's grandparents - his mom's parents - forgave their son-in-law for killing their daughter, Preston struggles to feel the same.

I loved Preston's grandmother, Grandma Lorraine! I loved her patience and faith in God - the fact that what they're going through is a test from God. I loved the theme, especially the fact that the author incorporated religion and belief in God.

Even though I hated the mom, she didn't deserve to die. I felt bad for the dad, who went above and beyond to make her happy.

One note: when referring to God, He should always ALWAYS be capitalized.

This is a book that HAS to turn into a movie. As I was reading it, I kept thinking of how I could write it as a screenplay. ;)

The Tower Treasure (The Hardy Boys #1) by Franklin W. Dixon

Title: The Tower Treasure

Series: The Hardy Boys

Author: Franklin W. Dixon (pen name)

Release Date: First published January 1, 1927

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

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Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

A dying criminal confesses that his loot has been stored "in the tower." Both towers of the looted mansion are searched in vain. It remains for the Hardy boys to make an astonishing discovery that clears up the mystery and clears the name of a friend’s father.

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My Review:

The Tower Treasure is the first Hardy Boys book ever written. Glad to finally get my hands on it.

In the first installment of the Hardy Boys series, a dying criminal confesses that he hid the treasure "in a tower". The Hardy boys search in vain in both towers of the Applegates' mansion, the old and the new...

The Tower Treasure was a very well-written mystery. Every time I thought the Hardys were close to finding the treasure, they don't...

I loved the suspense this book kept me in. I was intrigued until the end. I'm usually a very slow reader, but this didn't take me long to finish.

I loved the character of Slim, the Hardys' friend and the son of the accused man; despite all that was going on, I really admired his patience. Also, I was happy to see the Hardys' good ole pals, Chet, Biff, Tony, and Phil.

Would recommend to Hardy Boys and mystery fans.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Title: Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Paterson

Release Date: October 21, 1977

Publisher: HarperCollins

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Rating: ★★★☆☆

Synopsis:

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie's house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.

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My Review:

It was alright.

Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia is a classic middle grade about friendship, which is one of my favourite themes, and grief. It follows Jess and Leslie, who form a bond, and build their own fantasy land that only the two of them know about, Terabithia.

Attracted by the beautiful cover as soon as I laid my eyes on it at a friend's house, I borrowed it. I mean, hearing that it contained shirk (when one worships something other than God or associates partners with Him) based on a review I read, I was hesitant about reading it in the beginning. But hearing how popular it was and the fact that it was beautiful, my curiousity got the better of me, and I decided to borrow it.

Okay, so I really enjoyed Bridge to Terabithia, and it was a beautiful story about friendship that kept me reading until the end. But of course, the shirk part prevented it from being a five-star read. The kids call upon the spirits instead of God.

She was more at home with magic than religion.

It was not the best example for kids. Is the author against religion or something?

Also, I'm not sure if it was just me, but I found Jess's and Leslie's friendship a little... random. One minute, he couldn't stand her, and then the next thing we know, poof! They're best friends. I didn't get what changed Jess's mind about her suddenly. There was not enough development for their friendship to form.

Overall, other than that, I enjoyed it.