“Okay, so I'm cheating here by not posting my personal review. But his reader/poster on Amazon reviews it perfectly.
* Reviewed by an Amazon user, June 7, 2006
No two people are exactly alike; it is our differences that set us apart and make us unique. This is precisely the topic that author Iain Lawrence addresses in Ghost Boy. Through his use of visual imagery and foreshadowing, Lawrence is able to create an adventuresome tale of a boy who grows up to understand more about the world in which he lives.
Since the story is easy to read, it is the passages of lush imagery that keep the interest of the advanced. The entire story is based around Harold, a teenage albino boy who has no friends. He lives in a small town where his unusual looks are target for the other kids to bully him. His "skin like rich white chocolate" and his "eyes [of] such a pale blue that they [are] almost clear, like raindrops" make Harold extremely self-conscious about himself (1). However, through his growth and development, Harold comes to accept himself, despite his unusual appearance. Lawrence poses the question of who is to decide what makes someone normal in the first place?
Adding to the suspense that moves the story along is foreshadowing. When Harold decides to run away and join the circus, he meets the Gypsy Magda. She reads his tea-leaves one night and predicts three major events to happen in the near future. She mentions a young child that will be on death's door, yet will be saved, she talks about a great danger, and she claims that a devastating tragedy will occur. Around the middle of the book the first two predictions come true. The reader is then left wondering if any of various small occurrences could be the big tragedy that is predicted. However, it is not until the end that the reader realizes exactly what the tragedy is.
Although Ghost Boy is suitable for young adult readers, it is the more mature readers who will be able to pick up on the hidden meanings and lessons in the text. Lawrence encourages one to be more accepting of those who are different, while also writing a story to be remembered.
”
Dalee wrote this review Tuesday, August 21 2007.
(
reply |
permalink )
