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Liked It “this book it the best book ive read in a long time” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “This book is about two teenagers who are in love, and they write letters to each other because her boyfriend is in jail. And they talk about their love for each other, and sex, and other topics. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, because it's weird, and if you're not into lovey dovey...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“this book it the best book ive read in a long time”
Kayla K wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No![]*Shaniah.*[](http://shelfari-userimages.s3.amazonaws.com/usr2251845633937377601204703.jpg)
“Wow, this book is Amazing.
]*Shaniah.*[ wrote this review Thursday, November 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
it was written in notes about this 16 year old biy in jail for killing his father and his girl friend sticking with him during it all.
this is a great book and the end will shock you.”“It's a revealing story about a couple of African American teenagers. The boy was in jail and they keep on dating. It showed the other of life that could be so depressing. ”
kgirl_xoxo wrote this review Thursday, October 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“this is nice book. it talks about love between Antonio and Natasha. they love very much but there is a problem take place. it is Antonio finds himself thrown in jail, accused of murdering his own father.they embrark on a series of heart breaking letters as they attempt to kepp their relationship going across a great divide.finally, Natasha married with other person and they had a son. about Antonio, he left her. i think no love forever”
Jenny N wrote this review Monday, September 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This unusual novel is told in the form of letters between to teenagers, both from Harlem, both sixteen, both coming from less than ideal living conditions. From the first letter Antonio writes to Natasha, we learn he is in prison and about to go to trial for killing his father. The first words he writes to Natasha is "Baby, do you believe I killed my daddy?" Thus begins a correspondence that spans almost ten years.
Betsy Ellis wrote this review Sunday, September 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
At first they believe that, being a juvenile, Antonio won’t get prison time. But as that dream fades away, their letters are full of their love and commitment for each other. This love is tested as Antonio must adjust to a life in prison while Natasha, deciding to focus on school, is presented with opportunities that will change her life. Maintaining their relationship while their lives take different arcs become increasingly difficult.
This book was hard to put down. The letter-writing style and distinctive voices really grabbed me, and the characters are firmly in my memory. There are no happy endings here, but there are real-world lives dealing with what life hands out.
”
“ Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com
TeensReadToo.com wrote this review Saturday, July 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
UPSTATE is a powerful, moving story told in the form of letters written by Antonio and Natasha, two Harlem teens who are seventeen and sixteen years old, respectively, when the story starts. The first letter is from Antonio to his girlfriend Natasha, written from jail, asking if she believes what everyone else does: that Antonio murdered his father.
No matter what Natasha believes or what the truth is about what happened on that night, Antonio is convicted of the crime and goes to a prison in upstate New York (hence the title), sentenced to ten years. Ten years of just struggling to survive, clinging to his letters from Natasha, his lifeline even if they can't, realistically, be together forever, no matter what they believe as optimistic teenagers when Antonio first goes to jail. Natasha, on the other had, isn't having an easy time of growing up and becoming a real adult. She's facing tough choices, probably almost as desperate for the next letter as Antonio.
This is an emotional story, a love story, but a real one, not a happily-ever-after, "no problems whatsoever" story like a Disney movie. The characters in UPSTATE are just as real as the story, and Antonio's and Natasha's authentic voices are a great addition to this novel.
Usually, I am not a big fan of novels written in letter form (or e-mail or instant message form, as is sometimes now the case), but Kalisha Buckhanon's novel is certainly an exception to that. It is very well-written, with believable characters that make this story what it is: fantastic.”“This book is about two teenagers who are in love, and they write letters to each other because her boyfriend is in jail. And they talk about their love for each other, and sex, and other topics. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, because it's weird, and if you're not into lovey dovey stuff, then this book isn't good for you. i didn't like it because most of the stuff they said was I love you, and that got me annoyed. ”
sHaNiCe B. wrote this review Wednesday, June 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Watch these two characters grow and change; watch them face the challenges that come their way. Buckhanon writes from experience, and the book is realistic. Many swears, by the first few pages there is straightforward sexual content, but that will work for high school kids--especially those for whom this book will ring true.
Ms. McCloskey wrote this review Wednesday, April 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
My school is considering this book for a class novel for upper grade students. Should be interesting.”
“This book is completely written in "letter" form. I loved this book, and it kept me up, in the wee hours of the morning, yearning for more letters. Great novel!”
Christina M wrote this review Friday, April 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“In 10th grade a woman from the library came in and brought this book. It was just as I was experiencing something in relation to the theme, of jail. I was unable to read it at the time. I could not face what I was going through. Now, 2 years later, I have gathered the strength to face this time of my life. This book was very similar, and yet very different to my experience. It was a love story which did not end with a happy ending. I like the non-stereotypical love story, very much!”
ERIN Y wrote this review Monday, November 3 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
