 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Breathe My Name
- By R. A. Nelson
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Teen copes after sisters die at mom's hand.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a book you may want to read before your kids do. A mother kills three of her children and attempts to kill a fourth. Parents should also be aware there are instances of serious mental illness, sexual situations, some product placement, and issues of adoption, forgiveness, coping, and trust in this very heavy, often disturbing book.
What's the story?
Frances' story could have been ripped from the headlines: "Mother Kills Her Three Children, Attempts to Kill Fourth." This novel picks up after the incident -- Frances copes with her grief and anger while she tries to live a normal life. When she's paired up in chemistry class with an unusual new student, Nix, Frances struggles with trusting their friendship with her biggest secret. How can she open up when she still worries about her mother finding her again?
Is it any good?
BREATHE MY NAME is an intense novel that's hard to put down. The reader is forced to relieve the most horrific moments in Frances' childhood. If they can cope well with the startling subject matter, they will enjoy this nicely paced, contemporary story.
R.A. Nelson walks the audience through Frances' emotional journey with grace, conveying horror without sensationalism. Teens will see themselves in Frances as she struggles with things outside of her control, like her past, while navigating through the trials of the average teen experience. The tone is increasingly hopeful except for one jarring moment in the final plot twist that feels more like a made-for-TV movie incident. That aside, this will entrance the right mature reader who likes books on tough teen topics.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how important trust is in a friendship. Do you have a friend who you can trust with your own issues and pain? Have you ever had a friend place their trust in you?Families can also talk about the media's role in sensationalizing the news and empathizing with those who are featured in news stories.
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AGE
No hook.
There was absolutely nothing worthwhile about reading this boook except for the pleasure of finishing it. It was a drag from start to finish. The main character seems untouchable. Throughout all of these horrible events in her life you never find out what she is THINKING! In order to write a novel, you need a good basis of characters. It is obvious that the author didn't know her characters well enough to tell us what they were thinking. I mean the girl is tied to a chair and almost killed and all R.A. Nelson gives us is an "gee, i'm scared." This book falls flat on many different levels including the emotional one.
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AGE
You Have To READ THIS!!
It was an amazing book. Kind of hard to follow at first but stick with it. You will not be disappointed.
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AGE
Lacks the oomph needed to attract the reader's interest.
I tried (as hard as I could) to read this book, but the first chapter in itself felt emotionless, demented, and dragged on for what seemed like hours. After about the third or fourth chapter I finally just said "Enough!" Frances' voice carries no emotion at all. The other characters as well were emotionless and rather flat. I do not recommend this book to anyone.
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AGE
It's good for mature teens
I loved it when I read it, I actually named it one of my favorite books.
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AGE
frightening because the monsters are real
My teen recommended this book, and I read it in about 3 hours. I could not put it down, it was very, very compelling. Of course, after reading it, and knowing my teen had found it so compelling as well, led to a serious discussion of the mental health and violent images in the book. This was good, however, I wish I had read the book before her and prepared for the issues. It is a heartbreaking, tragic story, that will make you want to hug your kids for a long time!
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AGE
good for 15 and up but too involved for anyone younger
I actually really enjoyed this book because the story was incrediable. the main character goes through so much it just breaks your heart reading it.
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AGE
scary
kind of great book but too scary for children under 13
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| Author: | R. A. Nelson |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Razorbill |
| Publication date: | October 18, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 320 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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