The+Impossible+Knife+of+Memory

//The Impossible Knife of Memory// by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson scores another home run with me! The characters are believable and you root for them, the plot is angsty and dramatic in all the right places, and there are so many well-written phrases. I've not read a lot of teen books about PTSD so this was also a plus. I also appreciate some good romance thrown in. I highly recommend for high school and up and for the Flume list!~Kathy Watson, Kimball Library, Atkinson

Not sure if it's just been so long since reading //Speak// and loving it that I don't remember Anderson's writing style, but I found this very choppy and really not well-written. I thought the story was fairly interesting, had a decent plot and provided an interesting viewpoint of the pain that Vets may experience - as well as the pain felt by those around them. While the experiences that Hayley has seem genuine, I didn't like her constant whining, and I thought the "zombie" label she slapped on other kids was driven into the ground a few too many times. I'm a bit on the fence about this book in terms of the Flume list, but I'd probably give in and add it to the list - though it wouldn't be my first choice. I actually groaned when having to pick it up to read and finish. (Sorry Kathy Watson! But knowing us, it isn't too surprising that we have opposite viewpoints on a book!) Lisa Houde, Rye Public Library ***Lisa, I love that we don't like the same things! It doesn't mean I don't highly value your book opinions. :)***KW

Definitely a Teen angst book, but a good twist with the PSTD thrown in. I am beginning to wonder why most teenage books always have to have romance thrown in the mix. My teens are so tired of it. I really had a problem with the stepmother role. I felt there wasn't enough back story shared to justify the hatred Hayley had towards her. I agree with Lisa about the whining and the "Zombie" label. Not sure this is the best choice for the Flume list. I know my teens won't read it. Barb Ballou, Whipple Free Library