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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “A fast paced and facinating read into the horrid reoccuring world of abuse. I found this book to be more of a intellectual read than entertaining. Knowles created Lessons from a Dead Girl as an outsiders look into the life of an abused child, and the scars that are left behind for those that must...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “This book kind of freaked me out. Shows you just how controlling kids can be, making you think what they want you to think and controlling you. It makes me kind of nervous that this book is meant for young adults.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“I loved this book, It is awesome and was kind of well odd and interesting. A Story about friendship! :Þ”
K@ÎTlIn Mo0®e wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is very awkward to read. Im not sure how anyone could actually come up with the things said in it. Although it was not even close to a favorite for me, it was a book that I had to finish to find out with happened. One issue I had with it was the ending was the same as the beginning.”
Alexa A wrote this review Wednesday, December 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Laine struggles to come to terms with her friendship with troubled Leah Greene, whose secrets were too much for Laine to bear and whose actions sent Laine on a painful journey of self-discovery.”
barbara k wrote this review Sunday, November 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“blah♥”
corrina p wrote this review Wednesday, November 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Lessons From a Dead Girl was one of the most haunting books I have read in a long time. It was honest and dark, Knowles told Lainey’s story with strong emotion. From the first page I was pulled into the book. I wasn’t sure what to expect since I’d never read a book dealing with this kind of subject. It was hard to put down and I felt for all the characters. Almost all of them were dealing with something. Mainly Leah, who was dealing with so much. Even so, I had a hard time feeling sorry for her. Especially for how much of Lainey’s life she ruined. Abuse by friends is something I’ve never heard about, and Knowles presented the idea, so that the reader was in the book. I was there, horrified by what was happening, feeling all of Lainey’s emotions. Lessons From a Dead Girl was descriptive and emotional, with a plot line that tugged the reader in. I wouldn’t recommend it for younger readers, since Knowles didn’t spare any details. She wasn’t overly descriptive, but enough to the point that you could imagine what was going on. Overall I am really glad I read this book. It informed me about something I knew little about, and made me eager to read Jumping Off Swings, Knowles’s other book, which I am sure is going to be just as emotional and heart wrenching.
kelseyy(: wrote this review Sunday, November 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
There was hardly ever a time when I could put this book down. I read it straight through in a couple of hours and when I was finished I just sat back and thought about the book. The characters, plot, emotions, everything. It all stuck in my head long after I finished. Lainey’s experience will make all the readers feel for her and hate the evil in the book. At times I hated Leah, but other times I just had to think about her perspective. It was hard since Lainey was the narrator, but by the end I could kind of understand everyone’s perspectives. The ending was really sad as well, but it was the right ending. I don’t think I really did justice on this novel or how I felt about it, but if I can say one thing it’s that you should definitely pick up Lessons From a Dead Girl soon. It was a fantastic debut novel, and I’m anxious to read more by Jo Knowles.
Rating;
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Enjoyment: 9.5/10
Cover: 9/10
Overall: 46.5/50= 93%
”“the book was really great. it was very dramatic and it was to good to put down.”
Deja B wrote this review Friday, November 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“The book I just finished reading is about a girls best friend who dies from killing herself. And now Leah the one whos bestfriend died is remembering the past and feels like she is still where her and Lainey used to do everything together. Towards the end of the story Lainey is talking to Leah in Leah's mind saying what she did to herself and teaching Leah a lesson not to kill herself because it gets you nowhere, because when Lainey killed herself and Leah found out she wanted to do the same because she thought it was her fault. I would think this would be one of the best books I have ever read it teaches you alot of great lessons. I could never put this book down it was really good! The setting was during the school year in mid fall and it's a very quiet town. I chose to read this book because the cover looked interesting and friends told me to read it. expectations were that somebody close died and is teaching them a lesson not to do the same, and yes it was fulfilled.”
Taylor B wrote this review Monday, October 26 2009. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is very different from books I have read in the past because of the way the author set the book order, it starts out in the present then talks more about the past or history behind the book.”
EllenS wrote this review Wednesday, December 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ Laine is an ordinary teenager who just found out that her former friend Leah Greene had died from an automobile accident. Her mother explains it was a terrible accident which happened to Leah. But, Laine doesn't feel that way as she recalls those memories which ruined her life. At one point, she hates Leah and wished she was dead, which happened. She holds a secret that haunts her in her daily life as this recent event sets Laine into a journey to ultimately forgive Leah and herself. Leah who is Laine's former friend makes Laine's life miserable through an sexual abusive relationship.
Rosania P wrote this review Sunday, October 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
As a young girl, Laine always felt awkward and shy around her classmates. Until Leah Greene, her classmate chose her as a friend in fifth grade. At first their friendship was going fine since Leah wrote Laine's hand "L.G. + L.M. = F.F." meaning that Leah and Laine would be "Friends Forever" or would they... Leah forces Laine into secret sessions where Leah would kiss and touch her all over in a closest while they pretend to be husband and wife for “practice for when we get older." At first, Laine was confused about what Leah did but thought it was part of their friendship. After these incidents happened, Leah taunts Laine of enjoying the intimate contact and being perverted. Laine becomes more confused then ever. She admits that Leah's kisses feel exciting but dirty at the same time.
As they grew older, Leah becomes more nasty and distant towards Laine because of a promise Laine broke to Leah. Laine wants to have a normal relationship with a friend. But, she isn't sure how to support her new friendships since she's always guessing her new friend's motives. Leah has quickly spiraled into her self-destructive ways of behavior. One day, Leah was in an argument with her boyfriend and drives off into the highway. Laine goes into her truck, chases Leah, and tells her to slow down. Unfortunately, Leah dies in a terrible car crash.
This book was interesting to read because the author portrays the fear, guilt, and abuse of Laine in a way that doesn't make Leah the complete enemy. Leah did have some problems of her own as well such as her boyfriend and social life. I think people can learn a lesson from this book about how friendships can be complex and hurtful in a physical and emotional way. Sometimes, the relationships we make whether good or bad can shape our lives forever. I would recommend this book to older young adults because it deals with sexual problems, drinking, and its in a high school setting.”
