Picture retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/Where-Things-Come-Corey-Whaley/dp/1442413344
Whaley, J. C. (2011). Where things come back. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Where Things Come Back is a book about people who live in a small southern town with children. As the children begin to mature and some are about to graduate from high school they begin to wonder if their small town is all that life has to offer. Meanwhile when a middle-aged bird watcher comes to town looking for a bird that everyone believes is extinct; their small town is propelled into media frenzy. In addition, 15 year old Gabriel, brother of the protagonist Cullen, is kidnapped and their lives will never be the same.
I really enjoyed reading Where Things Come Back and I truly understand why this book won the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. From the moment you start reading this book you do not want to put it down. It is filled with mystery, adventure, and surprise. The author John C. Whaley holds your attention by telling different stories about the lives of some of the families in this small town within the story. The stories are all woven together like a beautiful quilt. From the young lady who leaves home to find true happiness, to the young man who becomes disillusioned with his faith and commits suicide there is never a dull moment. I highly recommend this book for readers 14 and above, you will not be disappointed. Moreover, in a classroom setting I would use this book to discuss the afterlife in other words is there life after death? Below is information about the author, songs that motivated him while writing Where Things Come Back, and his website. I hope you enjoy listening.
Biography
John Corey Whaley is an American Young Adult author from Louisiana. His first novel, WHERE THINGS COME BACK is the winner of the 2012 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature and the 2012 William C. Morris Debut Fiction Award.
Whaley was named a Spring 2011 Flying Start Author by Publishers Weekly as well as a Top Ten New Voice for Teens by the ABC Children's Group at ALA and a Spring 2011 Okra Pick from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance. WHERE THINGS COME BACK has also been nominated for the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012. He was recently selected by the National Book Foundation as a Top 5 Under 35 author, making him the first YA author to be awarded the honor.
Where Things Come Back is based on the true story of the Lazarus Woodpecker: The supposed reappearance of the ivory-billed woodpecker is a true story that inspired expression in a variety of media. Author John Corey Whaley was inspired to write the book after he heard Sufjan Steven’s "The Lord God Bird" on NPR. Here he provides a custom playlist--one he listened to while writing the book--and some background on each song choice, including the song that inspired the book. Listen to his playlist.
To learn more about John Corey Whaley and WHERE THINGS COME BACK, visit www.johncoreywhaley.com
Source retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/Where-Things-Come-Corey-Whaley/dp/1442413344To learn more about John Corey Whaley and WHERE THINGS COME BACK, visit www.johncoreywhaley.com
Oh, Jedda, I love that comment, "the stories are all woven together like a beautiful quilt." This is a book I want to check out for myself.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was really impressed with this author. I look forward to his next book.
DeleteI really like how well Whaley developed the characters. I really liked Cullen and was genuinely concerned about Gabriel.
ReplyDeleteSo did I.
DeleteThanks for another good one. It really makes you think about the circle of life. I can't wait to add this to my pleasure reading.
ReplyDeleteOh yes you will not be disappointed.
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