The Other Side of Dark
by Sarah Smith
Antheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2010
309 pages
Book Giveaway: See below
Compelling, mysterious, and just outright in-your-face fierce, The Other Side of Dark is a novel that should not be missed. Told in chapters by the two main characters, Katie tells her story of becoming an orphan--an orphan who just happens to see ghosts. What's more: she draws them in her sketch book and knows their stories. Law tells his story: son of an African American Harvard professor and a white historian mother, his story is the story of a house divided by a father who expects--no, demands--reparations from the white man for all the evils of slavery and a mother who cares more about saving old homes than repairing her marriage.
Law is from a cultured family with ties to the upper crust of Boston. Katie, on the other hand, is not from the upper crust. She has never known the big houses with butler's pantries and Ivy League parents.
Katie and Law meet and are attracted to each other. They both are broken--Katie grieves her mother's death and doesn't want to talk to ghosts anymore. Law doesn't feel that he is good enough or black enough to be his father's son. He'll never live up to his father's plans for him. What Law really wants is to study architecture--not politics or race relations--he doesn't want to fight his father's fight. Law refers to his father as "the Voice" and says "he's always on." His father is always the orator, the teacher, the professor. Law has a passive-aggressive relationship with his father that simmers just under the surface.
That's only part of the book. When Katie starts seeing George, a ghost with Down's Syndrome, she finds a mystery in a burned out mansion--Pinebank Mansion which is set to be destroyed by the city of Boston--and She sees a slave ship, a lost fortune, a broken family, and the slaves' stories begin to haunt her. The teens launch a website to preserve the mansion but neither of them realize the secrets preserved at Pinebank.
Truly a book that will make a difference. Highly, highly recommended for high school students. Mature readers in grade 8 might also enjoy the book, but do realize there are language issues.
Language, racially charged language--used by Law when speaking of his father and his father's causes.
FTC Required Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for my review.
Book Giveaway: I have 5 copies of this novel for giveaway. Post a comment and include your email. Deadline is December 15, 2010 at 12:00 a.m. MST
Books from Simon & Schuster
Thanks for posting on LM_NET and referring to your blog. I'm always on the lookout for blogs that review books and I already have added some books from your blog to my Amazon list.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Faith
faithm@gmail.com
My students would love this book thanks for posting the review.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Doyle
Lhslibrarian@gmail.com
I love getting a chance to read what others thought about a book. Thanks for posting on LM-NET and giving others the opportunity to experience this good read.
ReplyDeleteKaty Charles
catalina1972@gmail.com
I always enjoy what others write when they review books - I review as well and it is good to see how others approach a book. Thanks for posting on LM Net. My students would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteDiane Gallagher-Hayashi
daichan@shaw.ca
You have a wonderful way with words and make a book come alive. I have several readers who would love to read this book - The Other Side of Dark. It would be a situation where one reader turns the book in, having another reader right behind them to check it out!
ReplyDeleteRachel Bhattacharyya
rbhatt4633@gmail.com
Love to have librarian blogs to follow! I'll definitely add you to my g-reader. The book sounds wonderful and would be a great addition at my school library.
ReplyDeletesngick at gmail dot com
Thank you for sharing your blog... I will be sure to visit it in the future and have added this book to my list for future purchases. I can't wait to read it
ReplyDeleteThis book seems to be right up my student's alley. They love mysteries with a dark side and then a twist. I can see that this book would be one that never stayed on the shelves due to continuous check-outs. One of these books would certainly get the book going and then I should be able to add more next year. As so many districts are doing...we too are looking for ways to get new and interesting books into our student's hands due to out states dilemma. We are hoping for a windfall but for now we hang on by shear will power. I certainly appreciate the review. I am sure you have introduced a book that would have possibly been overlooked had you not given your inside interest and favor of the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with all of us!
Brana
Thanks to an email about this post, I found your blog! Not only do I love the warm look of your design (beautiful, retro flowers!) but I'm enjoying your reviews. I work in El Paso, Texas and I'm always interested in a freebie!
ReplyDeleteThis books seems very interesting to me. When I was in college, one of the complaints that my boyfriend had was friends said he wasn't "black enough." What does that mean and how do you deal with it? My boyfriend was a great grandson of a famous black inventor and how could he still not be "black enough?" Well, anyway, I am interested in this book!! Thanks for the review and my email is: barnumsb AT elpasotexas.gov
Nice blog! I also work for the El Paso Public Library System, and order YA books for my branch. : )
ReplyDeletemartinezlx@elpasotexas.gov
Nice reviews! I will add your blog to my teen list!
ReplyDeletecwagner@assets-school.net
Thank you for sharing! Always looking for new great reads :)
ReplyDeleteStacey
luvya157@hotmail.com
This book sounds very exciting and engaging. Thanks for posting the review and the chance to 'win'. I'm a new librarian and will add your blog to my favourites.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Kathleen
kehdub@gmail.com
Great blog site! I have started a book club at Juvenile Hall this year and the kids LOVE this kind of book--they love to see their own difficult situations mirrored in the lives of others. I think it makes them feel not so alone.
ReplyDeleteI would love to share a copy of this book with them.
Thanks,
Anne Hinchcliff
ahinchcliff@siskiyoucoe.net
Thanks for introducing me to your book blog. Thanks also for the opportunity to win a book.
ReplyDeleteLois
lsmits@hollandchristian.org
I'd love to be able to win this! Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteMegan
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
Sounds good! Will be checking you blog for YA reads.
ReplyDeletekennybnp (a) gmail dot com
I know several of my students who will be in line to read this one. Thanks for posting a link to your blog on LM_NET!
ReplyDeletepphs.library [at] gmail.com
As a high school Media Specialist, I am always looking for a great book for the students to read. This fits the bill- thanks for the information as well as the offer!
ReplyDeletespurlockconnie@yahoo.com
How have I missed this blog? It's great! I love YA lit, and I love when other media specialists really get into it too. I have so many kids in my school that would love this book. I can't wait to see what you review next!
ReplyDeleteAngie
achambliss@jackson.k12.ga.us
Thanks for all your posts. This book would definitely circulate well in our library.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your posts on LM-NET!
Katherine Wright
wrightk[at]norwichfreeacademy[dot]com
I appreciate your reviews and posts. They really help a busy librarian with a tiny book budget. My students would love this book.
ReplyDeleteHow do you find the time to read and review so many books?! Keep up the good work :)
ReplyDeletelhicks@gunterisd.org
Lisa Hicks
District Librarian
Gunter ISD
PO Box 109
Gunter, Texas 75058
Thanks for posting this on lm net. Sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeletecolson@lmusd.org
You write fantastic reviews! Keep them coming - thank you!
ReplyDeleteMolly
molly.madrinich@mnsu.edu