Overboard

Rating:
Summary: A great book about a heroic teenage girl
Review: Everyone in my family enjoyed this book. With prose that is both beautiful and realistic, it interwines the story of the internal struggles of an adolescent girl with her struggle to survive in the sea. Over a couple of days, we watch Emily grow from a child to a brave and generous individual whose problem-solving, decisions, and courageousness are critical to her own life and the lives of others. From the moment she entered the water, we were constantly on the edge of our seats waiting to see what new challenges she would face at the next turn and whether she would survive. Along the way we learned so much about Indonesia (language, customs, and geography) and the Muslim religion. My 6th grader read this book on her own, while my 2nd grader and I read it together. It is a wonderful choice for a book club and a great gift idea.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and excellent work...
Review: Exciting story that keeps you holding your breath to the end. No wonder it was recognized as YALSA Best Books for Young Adults.

Rating:
Summary: Quite gripping
Review: I preread this book for my 9 yr old daughter, who never read it because she prefers unicorns...
I was completely hooked from almost the very beginning. The author shows us a different part of the world, a different way of life (even though Emily is floating in the water most of the time), and a new way to look at life.
I really enjoyed this book. It is not, however, a happy book, even though the ending is "a happy ending." Perhaps this would be a good book to use as a springboard for conversation with your "young adult" reader.

Rating:
Summary: Overboard
Review: I thought this book was really good. It's a little slow at the beginning, but it explains a lot about the rest of the book. I really never wanted to put this book down, but with only 15 minutes a day in class, it took a while to read. It was very suspenseful, but in a good, realistic way. Most books have severely dramatized situations, but with this one, it was a very descriptive scenario. The book kept me guessing the whole time. Just when I thought I had figured something out, it went a whole new direction with a whole new twist. In one part it gets a little gross, because the main character is pushed up against a dead body while she's caught in a whirlpool. But if you like suspenseful books, then I highly suggest this one.

Rating:
Summary: Pageturner that teaches great values!
Review: My daughter and I each read this book in one sitting. It is simply too good to put down. The plot, the imagery and the character development are extraordinary. What's more, this novel transmits wonderful values of tolerance and true heroics. When's the last time you read a book about a teenage girl that was at once realistic (her moodiness, dissatisfaction with life) and idealistic? I love that my daughter might easily identify with such a character and perceive altruism as a fact of life. Also, in this time of anti-immigrant sentiment, this book lovingly reminds us of the value of people quite different from ourselves. You'd never know right off that the book has these effects because it disguises all of this in ONE GREAT READ! It will be the birthday gift for all our friends this year!

Rating:
Summary: Needed to be more descriptive
Review: This book is a good, quick read, but still is a little empty. I guess the author did a good job for what was probably a difficult story line: the boat crashes in the very beginning, the rest of the story is her trying to survive out in the ocean. That's not much to work with. Still, she could have used more details and descriptive words. For instance, instead of saying "She fell asleep", say "Her eyelids suddenly felt very heavy, and sleep overcame her" or something like that, just so we can get a feel of what's happening. There are also little things that are never explained, such as why Emily refers to her parents by their names. Since it IS so short, the book does keep your attention despite its faults, but if it was longer it probably wouldn't.

Rating:
Summary: An adventure that you aren't sure how it will end...
Review: This book is based on a 1995 ferry accident that happened in Malaysia. By interjecting the main character, Emily, an American living in Malaysia on board, we get to see what it was like for the lucky ones- those who could swim. Emily, angry at her parents for bringing her around the world while they try to heal the sick children of third world countries, decides to go visit her uncle, who is visiting a nearby island. She never suspects the ferry ride won't make it to the other shore. The book will disgust you at times, thinking of all the time wasted to get to people like Elizabeth, or how people act in the face of living or dying. You can't be so sure with this one how the story will end.

Rating:
Summary: Really Kool
Review: This book is worth anyone's time. You learn about culture and religon (*grin*). The main character sounds like a lot of teenagers today (I know because I am one). They often feel sorry for themselves and are selfish. The main character is like this but under all of that she's strong. Through this expierence she becomes mature.
Very good book. I read it a long time ago but it is still fresh in my memory.