Review of Wild Song by Jane Eagland
5 stars
I reviewed a complimentary e-book copy received from the publisher
via NetGalley, in return for my provision of a fair and impartial review.
Most of us who have been readers and dedicated to reading
for a long time are concerned about the apparent drop in reading at all, and in
reading comprehension, over the last several decades. Kudos to publisher Stoke
Books for addressing this need with books that are easily comprehensible and
more, are appealing, for adolescent readers who read at less-than-grade-level. “Wild
Song,” for example, has a protagonist who is an adolescent girl, growing up in
an extraordinarily isolated, and lopsided, home environment. It is aimed toward
a readership of adolescents operating at the level of third or fourth grade
reading; yet readers older can enjoy it as well. Anna lives on an island off
the coast of Scotland. She has never seen (to remember) anything else or anywhere
else. She wants to study geography, but her researcher/inventor father insists
on only maths. Anna wants to travel, to see the world, to meet new faces; yet
she is afraid. She admires Max, her father’s assistant, until she begins to
notice his strange behavior as Rob, a shipwreck victim, washes on to the
island. Anna’s coming of age is near, as those in her environment change, and
are revealed as they are, and she finds she must make decisions of
extraordinary cost.
Below is a note from the publisher, Stoke Books, regarding “Wild
Song” by Jane Eagland:
” Please note that Stoke Books are created
specifically for reluctant or dyslexic readers. The books are short and
action-packed with compelling narratives. This book is aimed at kids aged 13
and up with a 3rd grade reading level.” http://www.stokebooks.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment