42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer is aptly named, for it is just 42 miles between the two different life’s that JoEllen lives. 42 miles between the doorstep of her Mother’s downtown city apartment and her father’s farm. When she’s in the city she goes by Ellen and loves to hang out with her friends. On the weekends, she’s Joey who hangs out with her cousin and rides horses. JoEllen doesn’t want to be Ellen or Joey anymore. She just wants to be JoEllen. She no longer wants to be split between two different worlds. Why can’t they merge? She wants nothing more than for her thirteenth birthday to have all of her family and friends together.
42 Miles is a free-verse novel. What I love about free-verse novels is that they cut out all the unnecessary and rather get right to the heart of the matter.
In math class today
Mr. Howard showed us how
the line of symmetry
can divide a shape
precisely in half:
a hexagon
a butterfly
a sunflower’s face,
the same on each side.The formula for my life:
school days in the city with Mom
weekends on the farm with Dad
holidays, birthdays, summer vacation –
all negotiated.They try to split me
like an apple’s pale heart
on either side of the blade,
pretending
my life is like
Mr. Howard’s hexagon,
equal parts
no matter
how many times they cut it.
Well worth the few minutes that it took to read. In it’s short 73 pages, JoEllen came alive and I wanted to see her happy, no longer two separate halves but rather a whole. Would make for a great read for tweens who may be adjusting to changes in their family through separation or divorce.
Links of interest: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction, Free Verse. Approx ages 9-12.
Publisher: Clarion Books. March 18, 2008
Hardcover, 80 pages. ISBN 0618618678
Source copy: Library
42 Miles is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Tags: Fiction, free verse novel, published 2008, Publisher: Clarion Books, U-Z Author
 |
| or | 
|
Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.
I just recently read my first verse novel (Ellen Hopkins’ Tricks) and I have to say I like them way more than I thought I would.
on April 16th, 2010 at 9:59 amThis sounds sooo good and definitely a great book that I could read out loud to my students! The excerpt you shared is really touching, and although unfortunate, something that I know many kids can relate to.
on April 16th, 2010 at 3:32 pmInteresting premise, but I’ve never had good luck with free verse novels.
on April 17th, 2010 at 5:28 amI love free verse novels! I guess it doesn’t hurt that teen readers actually like them (even though they don’t admit it at the time). Thanks for pointing this one out. I’ll have to put this on my teacher list of books that are in this style. Thanks!
on April 17th, 2010 at 10:16 pmHa, this is how I feel about my life and I’m 24! I’ve never attempted a free verse knowledge. I can’t really handle about 97% of poetry, so I’m thinking it might not work too well with me…
on April 21st, 2010 at 2:17 pmThere is a book with a similar plot called “Three Names for Katherine” by Shirley Sargent. It’s OOP, of course, but if you ever see it you should grab it. It’s one of my favorites.
on April 26th, 2010 at 6:55 pm