Bridge to Terabithia is on a 810L Lexile reading level (7th grade equivalent). In this book, Jess and his new-found friend Leslie, create their very own kingdom in the woods. For this story’s activity, the teacher may teach students about vivid imagery. The teacher can distribute art materials to the class, read a passage aloud from the book, and have students create an image based off of the imagery that the author writes about in the book. The students can then compare their creations, 

As I said I would in my last post, I have read far further into Passenger, my selected novel. I have discovered that Alexandra Bracken, the author, not only uses imagery often, but uses strong words inside of that imagery. When words such as "clogged" and "hot" are used, readers can get a sense of how it was feeling at the time. This allows them to experience the book on a higher level, as they can associate the words with experiences I'm sure they've had in real life. In addition, Alexandra Bracken uses very specific words to convey her point. The words "charred" and "rotting sweetness" in the quote above are very specific and uncommon scents. By narrowing the smell down, readers know exactly what was being described. If anyone is interested in seeing what other readers make of Passenger and its style, here is a link to some comments regarding it https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20983362-passenger?from_search=true .

As per usual, I will continue to update my blog as I discover more about my chosen work of literature and author. Until then, happy reading!

-Julia

Harper is a marine archeologist, and he has a job with an oil company, mapping out new drill sites on the Great Barrier Reef. His boss doesn’t want to hear about how what they’re doing there is killing the reef.

At night, Harper is visited by a gorgeous man in his dreams—a stunning soul that leaves him breathless. (And me, I’d like to add).

Harper needs a break. He gets one, when one day, his old friend Stick calls him: Stick is a woman I loved from the second she walked onto the page. There is an underwater archeological dig, in the Mediterranean, by a Greek island. And there are intelligent and knowledgeable people running the dig. Smart and fun. Such a treat. Off they go!

The story takes a fantastic turn when Harper starts diving. This is a thriller. With twists. And it’s hot. Very hot.

I fell into this story, as always with this author, and came out on the other side in an amazed daze. I love how there are a gazillion things happening at the same time, there is action and stuff going on at several levels, and then BAM! It’s over, and I’m still reeling.

I don’t know how Mancy crams so much into so few pages; this is a short story of some 150 pages, but holy moly, he packs them full!

There are plenty of technical details about the underwater world and work, details that convince you of the well-documented research that has gone on behind the scenes to write this story. I am forever impressed with the erudition of this author, his stories span such diverse topics.

The point of a short story is to be precise, concise, and pack a punch at the end.

Well, then. Check, check, and check.

To add to the marvel, I am in love with the cover. Such a radiant underwater feeling of magic and slanting sunshine. I just love it so much.

Extra bonus: Proceeds from this book go to supporting three different causes:  Le Refuge in France, Arcigay in Italy, and The Trevor Project in USA.

So, even though I was given an ARC for review purposes, I went and bought my own copies. Yes, plural, because this short story was also released in French—and the translation by Bénédicte Girault is absolutely stunning. Every nuance, every feeling, masterfully rendered in French colors. I hear the Italian version will be coming soon, so I’ll wait for that one, too.

Well worth my time to read this, and then read it again.

Try it.

Because you’ll also help some very good organizations.

***

I was given a free review copy of this e-book from the author, but then I went to buy my own eBook copies to support the good causes.

A positive review wasn’t promised in return.