Jane by: April Lindner

 

"Did you find out who set the fire?"  I whispered.

He nodded. "It's all taken care of.  There's nothing more to worry about."  I waited for him to say more but he was silent.

We have a few English classes that read Jane Erye every year and I wanted to review this retelling of Jane Eyre for them.  I think they would enjoy this book just as much, if not more than the original because of the modern setting.  I read this book back in 2010 when it was released, being a fan of classic retellings, I was thrilled that this one was written for a Young Adult audience. 

Summary:
Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.

But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing secret from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love?

An irresistible romance interwoven with a darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers. .

My Review:
Jane is a modern retelling of the classic Charlotte Bronte novel Jane Eyre.   April Lindner takes a beloved character, modernizes her and spins a classic story with a fresh voice.  I loved Jane Moore the moment  I met her on page one, she is an incredible tribute to the original Jane.  This story surprised me at how faithful it was to the original, yet how perfectly set in a modern time made the story stand out on its own.  Jane Moore was just as independent, practical and plainspoken as Jane Eyre and just as lovable. 

Mr. Rathburn was just as brooding, mercurial and mysterious as our original hero Mr. Rochester. Yet, there was something different about Mr. Rathburn in the sense that I think he was a bit more vulnerable than the original but that just made him all the more captivating. 

I loved the Rock-Star element in the story, it was so fun and unique!  This story had me captivated from the beginning to the end. It made me immediately want to pick up my tattered, tabbed copy of Jane Erye to read again!   That is the same effect I hope it will have with students.   It was a wonderful tribute to a beloved classic novel and an enchanting story of loss, love and redemption.  I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year,...more

Keep Holding On by: Susane Colasanti

 

Who doesn't run the other way when she thinks her life is being threatened?  Who doesn't fight to stay alive? Every single day of my life is a fight.  But yesterday, I gave up without even trying.  I want to keep fighting.  I really do.  I'm just so tired of how nothing ever gets better.

 

Chew.
Swallow.
Chew.
Swallow.
Don’t look up.

Lunch is the worst, but there’s no safe place at school for Noelle. Keeping her mortifying home life a secret and trying to ignore the kids who make her life miserable are Noelle’s survival strategies. Her emotionally distant boyfriend, Matt, isn’t the one she really wants to be with. But there’s no way she could ever be with Julian Porter.

When Julian starts talking to her, Noelle is terrified. It seems safer to stay with Matt than risk a broken heart. But when the bullying of a friend goes too far, Noelle realizes it’s time to stand up for herself—and for everything that makes her keep holding on.

 I am a big fan of Susane Colasanti, I love her books.  When this book came out recently it was greeted with mixed reviews.  I read it and I think it is a really great book that handles the "Big B" epidemic well.  Bullying is real and it happens in all schools, and turning away from it doesn't make it go away.  In this story, Noelle, is bullied and she is ashamed.
She is ashamed that she is poor that subjects her to the bullying.
She is ashamed that she has no back bone to stand up for herself or those around her that are also being bullied.
She is ashamed that her mother doesn't love her.
She is ashamed that she allows her "boyfriend" to keep her a secret.
She is ashamed to be who she is. 

This story can be any ones story.  It is real, it is raw and I feel it is a must read.