Checkers

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: A classic. John Marsden is one of the most talented writers of all time. He captures the story with such great detail, I feel as if I was there.

Rating:
Summary: My Dog, Checkers
Review: A Review by Robin

An Australian teenage girl lived with her mom, dad and brother in a beautiful home in the suburbs; and she had a dog named Checkers. She suffers from depression and she now lives in a mental hospital. She never had many friends, at school or at the hospital. She and several other teenagers attend a daily meeting called group. She has never said anything in group because she is afraid of what people will think of her. One day, she just couldn't handle it anymore. She had to tell somebody. This is her story of how she got there.

I like how this book tells a story about a teenager's life experiences. I can relate to them, such as depression and social issues. This story is suspenseful. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. You just want to keep reading. The author doesn't give away the story of how she got in the hospital until the very end. You can easily follow the book with big font and easy to read words. And if you have any troubles with some "aussie" words, there's a glossary in the front of the book to tell you what they are and what they mean. But the characters were realistic, and seemed alive. They're just like people you would meet in an everyday encounter acquaintance. They were believable.

I would recommend this book to people who like stories about real life conflicts and experiences. It would satisfy your needs if you are the type of person who likes to read other people's diaries or journals. I would especially recommend it to any teenagers who think they have it rough or bad. You think you know, but you have no idea.

Rating:
Summary: ONLY IN A MARSDEN
Review: Checkers is one of the BEST books I have ever read. I was held captive as this young girl describes all that is happening in her life, and I cried my heart out when I read the last chapter and found out the sweet little doggy's fate. I think the best parts of the book were the parts describing life at the institution. I loved learning about Oliver, and especially Daniel. This book is more than I ever hoped for in a novel. It is told with a certain sympathy and actuality that can only be found in a Marsden. I strongly recommend this to anyone who loves a good book and wants to read something a little better than the ordinary, dull books of today...meaning the ones Mr.Marsden didn't write!

Rating:
Summary: A great book for intermediate readers
Review: Checkers is one of those books you are drawn into and simply can't forget. Encompassing political corruption, dishonesty, and the eventual collapse of a family, it's simply amazing. It's not a light read, but then again, none of Marsden's work is. The nameless young woman who tells her story from a psychiatric hospital will move you- she's so real it's like you feel as though she's a friend of yours by the time you've finished the book. Although I'm no longer considered a "young adult", I adore everything John Marsden has written, but Checkers is something particularly moving. Even from the start of this novel you'll possibly be moved to tears- coming from someone who hardly cries at anything, it's hard to believe that even the character's recollection of her family life had me reaching for the tissues... Simply amazing... Incredibly true-to-life- as with many of his works, you find yourself thinking, "This could happen in reality..."

It's one of those books you need to read a few times- but you wish you were reading for the first time every time you open it.

Rating:
Summary: Keep a box of tissues beside you
Review: Checkers is one of those books you are drawn into and simply can't forget. Encompassing political corruption, dishonesty, and the eventual collapse of a family, it's simply amazing. It's not a light read, but then again, none of Marsden's work is. The nameless young woman who tells her story from a psychiatric hospital will move you- she's so real it's like you feel as though she's a friend of yours by the time you've finished the book. Although I'm no longer considered a "young adult", I adore everything John Marsden has written, but Checkers is something particularly moving. Even from the start of this novel you'll possibly be moved to tears- coming from someone who hardly cries at anything, it's hard to believe that even the character's recollection of her family life had me reaching for the tissues... Simply amazing... Incredibly true-to-life- as with many of his works, you find yourself thinking, "This could happen in reality..."

It's one of those books you need to read a few times- but you wish you were reading for the first time every time you open it.

Rating:
Summary: A Disturbing and Engrossing Read
Review: Chekers tells the story of a wealthy Australian teenage girl. Although her personality and story and well-defined, her name is never given. Told through memories and flashbacks, the story illustrates the girl's plummet from the utmost joy, like getting a puppy checkers and living in a lush home, to her arrival in the phsyc ward that she is currently living in. Told as any true aussie teen would, the story is in fact realistic and chilling. John Marsden carefully reveals that even a wealthy business family can be torn apart by corruption.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Every once in awhile, you find a book that you fall totally inlove with. You love the plot, the characters, the drama. This is theway I felt about Checkers.

Rating:
Summary: John Marsden has stolen a Kid and is holding her captive!!
Review: How else can you explain his writing? He is near 50 years old, and yet, me, a 15 year old can totally relate to everything he writes. I think this is really a young persons vergion of ONE FLEW OVEr THE CUCKOO'S NEST. It is about a girl who is in a mental institution because her dad was a polititian. Sound good? well it is, so get it!

Rating:
Summary: Simply the best.
Review: I cried. I think that almost anyone who read this book would. IT is very emotional, and after the last page I simply sat there and thought for ages. Definitely a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Checkers
Review: I just finished reading Checkers by John Marsden. The intesity of the character and the truth to her is wonderful. This book had me pondering on it for a very long time. This was a great book that I could not put down.