Write Before Your Eyes
By Stephanie Dunnewind,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
An unoriginal fantasy plot, but some good discussion points.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
Eighth-grader Gracie realizes anything she writes in the journal she picked up at a yard sale becomes true, at least in a sense. When she writes that a fuchsia elephant appeared, for example, a jogger with a purple elephant on his shirt runs past. Aided by her best friend Dylan, Gracie tries more elaborate wishes (her dad gets a new job, her older sister's crush asks her out) and discovers that even good events carry repercussions. As problems spiral out of control, Gracie loses the journal -- and must get it back so she can set everything straight.
Is It Any Good?
Some readers might relate to Gracie's experiences as the middle child in a dysfunctional family or how she feels mousy and nondescript. There's plenty for kids to talk about around the idea of this book, though it should have been developed better.
A magical diary is the central clichh in WRITE BEFORE YOUR EYES; the "be careful what you wish for" message is supported by a host of other clichhs, including a grinning Cheshire cat, a subplot where Gracie doesn't know if her brainy crush likes her for real or because of her wish in the book, and an invisibility mishap. Several subplots remain undeveloped (the principal at Gracie's school is fired then reinstated; Dylan doesn't remember that Gracie manipulated his feelings for her). Unappealing characters don't help either: Gracie's shallow older sister Jen tells her jobless dad, "It's so humiliating to tell people we live in this apartment. I don't even want to invite anyone over." The writing often feels forced; when their mother insists she wasn't really mad, "all three kids looked at each other as if they'd been send at Warp 7 on the Starship Enterprise to another galaxy." Even Star Trek fans will say "Huh?" to that allusion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they would do with a magical book that turned written statements true. In the book, Gracie's wishes don't always work the way she intended; can family members anticipate any potential problems if their desires came true? Gracie uses some of her wishes to fix problems with her parents' marriage and some to make a boy "more than friends" with her. Do you think someone should have the power to manipulate the feelings of others?
Book Details
- Author: Lisa Williams Kline
- Genre: Fantasy
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: October 14, 2008
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 192
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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