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Review: I'll Be There

>> Wednesday, January 11, 2012


Reviewer: Taylor
Title: I'll Be There
Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan
Published: May 17, 2011
Source: Library
Series: no
Pages: 400
Rating: 5/5
 
Raised by an unstable father who keeps the family constantly on the move, Sam Border hasn't been in a classroom since the second grade. He's always been the rock for his younger brother Riddle, who stopped speaking long ago and instead makes sense of the world through his strange and intricate drawings. It's said that the two boys speak with one voice--and that voice is Sam's.
Then, Sam meets Emily Bell, and everything changes. The two share an immediate and intense attraction, and soon Sam and Riddle find themselves welcomed into the Bell's home. Faced with normalcy for the first time, they know it's too good to last.
Told from multiple perspectives, Holly Goldberg Sloan's debut novel offers readers fresh voices and a gripping story, with vivid glimpses into the lives of many unique characters. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I'll Be There is a story about connections both big and small, and deftly explores the many ways that our lives are woven together. 

The Main Idea: I'll Be There could be considered your typical middle-high class girl meets poor boy, and they fall in love kind of story- but it isn't. All I can say is that if you are looking for a truly beautiful albeit heart wrenching at times story, PLEASE pick this one up to read. I was amazed.

Wow guys. This book.. just WOW. Going into it, I had absolutely NO real idea of what it was about. And for that, I am glad. And, because of that, this will be somewhat of a short review because I do not want to spoil it for the rest of you! 





Basically, Sam and his brother have been raised by their theiving, has-no-heart father. They have moved around their whole lives, have had absolutely no friends, and are doing whatever they can do to survive. On the other hand, Emily's biggest worry is the solo her dad is making her sing in church and trying to find a boyfriend. These two stories are the farthest thing from going "hand-in-hand." But, as you will see, the book is all about how one person's actions can change things in multiple person's lives. That's really all I want to say about the plot for fear of spoiling anything!

That being said, I can still tell you that this book was just heart-breakingly amazing. (I know that's not really a word.. oh well.) For one thing, there are SO many characters. And it's not just dual point of view; it's from the point of view of at least 10 different people- focusing mainly on a select few. It was fun getting to hear and read things from various sides of the story. 



I also was not expecting so much action. Well, maybe it wasn't exactly action, but my heart was definitely racing for a good couple of chapters. You will know which ones when you read it- which you definitely should.
 

It could be considered your typical middle-high class girl meets poor boy, and they fall in love kind of story- but it isn't. All I can say is that if you are looking for a truly beautiful albeit heart wrenching at times story, PLEASE pick this one up to read. I was amazed.

Well done Holly Goldberg Sloan. Well done.



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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Review: I'll Be There


Reviewer: Taylor
Title: I'll Be There
Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan
Published: May 17, 2011
Source: Library
Series: no
Pages: 400
Rating: 5/5
 
Raised by an unstable father who keeps the family constantly on the move, Sam Border hasn't been in a classroom since the second grade. He's always been the rock for his younger brother Riddle, who stopped speaking long ago and instead makes sense of the world through his strange and intricate drawings. It's said that the two boys speak with one voice--and that voice is Sam's.
Then, Sam meets Emily Bell, and everything changes. The two share an immediate and intense attraction, and soon Sam and Riddle find themselves welcomed into the Bell's home. Faced with normalcy for the first time, they know it's too good to last.
Told from multiple perspectives, Holly Goldberg Sloan's debut novel offers readers fresh voices and a gripping story, with vivid glimpses into the lives of many unique characters. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I'll Be There is a story about connections both big and small, and deftly explores the many ways that our lives are woven together. 

The Main Idea: I'll Be There could be considered your typical middle-high class girl meets poor boy, and they fall in love kind of story- but it isn't. All I can say is that if you are looking for a truly beautiful albeit heart wrenching at times story, PLEASE pick this one up to read. I was amazed.

Wow guys. This book.. just WOW. Going into it, I had absolutely NO real idea of what it was about. And for that, I am glad. And, because of that, this will be somewhat of a short review because I do not want to spoil it for the rest of you! 





Basically, Sam and his brother have been raised by their theiving, has-no-heart father. They have moved around their whole lives, have had absolutely no friends, and are doing whatever they can do to survive. On the other hand, Emily's biggest worry is the solo her dad is making her sing in church and trying to find a boyfriend. These two stories are the farthest thing from going "hand-in-hand." But, as you will see, the book is all about how one person's actions can change things in multiple person's lives. That's really all I want to say about the plot for fear of spoiling anything!

That being said, I can still tell you that this book was just heart-breakingly amazing. (I know that's not really a word.. oh well.) For one thing, there are SO many characters. And it's not just dual point of view; it's from the point of view of at least 10 different people- focusing mainly on a select few. It was fun getting to hear and read things from various sides of the story. 



I also was not expecting so much action. Well, maybe it wasn't exactly action, but my heart was definitely racing for a good couple of chapters. You will know which ones when you read it- which you definitely should.
 

It could be considered your typical middle-high class girl meets poor boy, and they fall in love kind of story- but it isn't. All I can say is that if you are looking for a truly beautiful albeit heart wrenching at times story, PLEASE pick this one up to read. I was amazed.

Well done Holly Goldberg Sloan. Well done.



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