Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “a disturbing, but compelling look at life in a U.S. high school and how a tenth grader relives a tragedy that happened to his younger brother; the title will become apparent, but try to figure out what the illustration reflects!” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It“It was OK. It was kind of confusing. Justin saw his brother Mark accidentally shoot himself. He relives a day in his life at school under hypnosis. this changes things for him. But he doesn't seem to do things that much differently. |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“It was OK. It was kind of confusing. Justin saw his brother Mark accidentally shoot himself. He relives a day in his life at school under hypnosis. this changes things for him. But he doesn't seem to do things that much differently.
Lynda wrote this review Friday, June 10, 2011. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I got this book because of its title (!) The only thing I get with the title is the echo of the gun, but it doesn't even play a very big role in the story. Another thing that makes this story confusing.
Anyway, a satisfying ending - but forgettable.
”“a disturbing, but compelling look at life in a U.S. high school and how a tenth grader relives a tragedy that happened to his younger brother; the title will become apparent, but try to figure out what the illustration reflects!”
Mr. Kenney wrote this review Saturday, April 16, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Unreliable narrator. That concept describes this story well enough. Justin has to relive the two worst days of his life over and over again, in order to face some disturbing truths, and unreliable memories. The echoes are painfully violent, and in this sense, Morgenroth has created a strong novel.
ACS Librarian wrote this review Thursday, January 6, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Too much of the unreliability, however, seems unintentional. Justin and his friends have always been more cruel than sympathetic. So why should the reader care whether this is really a case of Billy tormenting Justin, or Justin tormenting Billy? And the first appearance of Daniel is enough of a shock to derail the rest of the story. Besides, how many high schools nowadays have Lolita on the class reading list?”
“it was different. but everything made sense to me.”
Kiyoko Kitamura wrote this review Sunday, November 21, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Fine...”
Michael J wrote this review Saturday, August 14, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“this book is about a teenage boy losing his little brother in an accident .and every one at school acts like hes the reason why OOPPSs ive to much you have to read it for your shelf soo ha ha ”
peachie poohh wrote this review Saturday, August 14, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“really intense....i love how every time he goes back things are a little different, until it becomes drastically different from the first time....and yeah, i cried”
Melissa F wrote this review Monday, January 11, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The accidental death of his younger brother, Mark, leaves Justin emotionally wrecked. His parents have turned their backs on him and he feels totally adrift. The kids at school, even his best friends and even his girl friend think he's psycho and somehow to blame for Mark's death since he was with him when it happened. The story is like the movie "Groundhog's Day" because Justin keeps repeating a day at school over and over again. And it just happens to be the one-year anniversary of his brother's death. The story could be confusing, but is so gripping that you can't put it down! With only 137 pages, it is quick and easy to read. I would recommend to most students, but not to emotionally young or immature readers.”
Connie P wrote this review Wednesday, November 18, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
TeensReadToo.com wrote this review Tuesday, July 21, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It's never easy to lose a sibling. When you actually see your younger brother die in front of you, though, it's even worse.
That's what happened when Justin, playing around with his twelve-year-old brother, Mark, saw his brother accidentally shoot himself in the head with their father's gun. For almost a year now, Justin has been plagued by ever-increasing problems. The guilt is horrible, as are the questions that keep running through his mind: Was Mark's death his fault? Did Mark really shoot himself by accident?
Although Justin is supposed to be on medication to help with his depression, he's stopped taking it. There's a voice inside his head that makes him relive his brother's death over and over again on a daily basis. His mother is alternately hostile and nonchalant towards her remaining son. His father doesn't have much to say beyond "don't upset your mother." In this family, guilt is a constant, nagging reminder of what could have been, and what is instead.
Ms. Morgenroth is great at creating realistic situations and characters that pull at the heartstrings. Although you can see this family breaking down inside the pages of ECHO, it's not immediately clear how each family member is dealing with Mark's death -- or, rather, not dealing with it.
I recommend this book for older teens, especially those who have dealt with loss and/or depression. ECHO is a psychological thriller that you won't want to miss.”
