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- Far From You
Far From You
Author(s)
Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
12+
Release Date
December 23, 2008
ISBN
1416975063
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Editor reviews
2 reviews
For Lisa Schroeder Fans
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
FAR FROM YOU is the only Lisa Schroeder book I hadn't read, and I was hesitant to check it out because I am not a fan of angels, which the cover emphasizes. I ignored my reservations and read this novel in verse, and there were hardly any references to angels anyway.
Alice is a teenager who has felt sad and angry since her mother's death years before. While her father has moved on to a new wife and a newborn daughter, Alice continues to write sad songs and complain about her family to her tattooed boyfriend Blaze and her best friend. Even they are tired of her inability to accept her stepmother, Victoria, into her life. When Alice, Victoria, and the baby are stranded in a car during a snowstorm, they get to know each other better and hope that it isn't too late.
I've never lost a parent nor had to watch the other move on, but I think I need to take a break from books that feature this trope, as I always end up on the side of the step-parent, not the mopey teen! That may also have something to do with my age. Regardless, I found Alice to be a prickly narrator and difficult to love. I usually mark the pages with quotes that I'd like to share, yet none stood out in this novel. The combination of those factors make me recommend this book to hardcore Lisa Schroeder fans only. Everyone else, read CHASING BROOKLYN instead!
Alice is a teenager who has felt sad and angry since her mother's death years before. While her father has moved on to a new wife and a newborn daughter, Alice continues to write sad songs and complain about her family to her tattooed boyfriend Blaze and her best friend. Even they are tired of her inability to accept her stepmother, Victoria, into her life. When Alice, Victoria, and the baby are stranded in a car during a snowstorm, they get to know each other better and hope that it isn't too late.
I've never lost a parent nor had to watch the other move on, but I think I need to take a break from books that feature this trope, as I always end up on the side of the step-parent, not the mopey teen! That may also have something to do with my age. Regardless, I found Alice to be a prickly narrator and difficult to love. I usually mark the pages with quotes that I'd like to share, yet none stood out in this novel. The combination of those factors make me recommend this book to hardcore Lisa Schroeder fans only. Everyone else, read CHASING BROOKLYN instead!
Good Points
A positive portrayal of a church-going teen.
User reviews
9 reviews
Overall rating
4.3
Plot
4.3(9)
Characters
N/A(0)
Writing Style
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Far away
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
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Characters
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Lea
Far From You was the first novel I've read of its type (poem style). Naturally, I had a hard adjustment. Alice seemed like a decent protagonist, I hated Blaze (Blaze? Blaze. Is that really his name?), Claire wasn't really necessary to me, Victoria was a little annoying, Ivy was a baby (nothing to say there). The best part of this entire novel was the end. It was a great scene, moment, whatever. I actually felt like something was happening, this was serious. It was nice to see Alice open her eyes a bit, and see life they way it is.
Far From You was the first novel I've read of its type (poem style). Naturally, I had a hard adjustment. Alice seemed like a decent protagonist, I hated Blaze (Blaze? Blaze. Is that really his name?), Claire wasn't really necessary to me, Victoria was a little annoying, Ivy was a baby (nothing to say there). The best part of this entire novel was the end. It was a great scene, moment, whatever. I actually felt like something was happening, this was serious. It was nice to see Alice open her eyes a bit, and see life they way it is.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Grab a sweater and a couple of blankets
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Jessica
In this beautifully written novel in verse, the reader is introduced to a teenage girl who's mother has died and her father is remarried with another daughter. As she tries to cope with living with a new mother and a new baby sister, she learns more about herself along the way, and about letting go of the past. After getting stranded in the car with her stepmother and baby half-sister during a blizzard, she learns quickly that she needs to trust her new step mother in order to get out of this alive.
Powerful words and chilling descriptions, "Far From You" is a wonderful read filled with passionate emotions about acceptance and love. While the majority of the novel is set inside the car which is slowly being buried by the winter's snow, flashbacks and thoughts truly tell the tale with a shockingly new voice. In today's society, a stepmother is something that isn't too shocking any longer, and this story is a wonderful novel for teens who are struggling to find a way to cope with this, or any teen who has ever felt as though they couldn't stand their family. Because in the end, family is all that we ever have.
In this beautifully written novel in verse, the reader is introduced to a teenage girl who's mother has died and her father is remarried with another daughter. As she tries to cope with living with a new mother and a new baby sister, she learns more about herself along the way, and about letting go of the past. After getting stranded in the car with her stepmother and baby half-sister during a blizzard, she learns quickly that she needs to trust her new step mother in order to get out of this alive.
Powerful words and chilling descriptions, "Far From You" is a wonderful read filled with passionate emotions about acceptance and love. While the majority of the novel is set inside the car which is slowly being buried by the winter's snow, flashbacks and thoughts truly tell the tale with a shockingly new voice. In today's society, a stepmother is something that isn't too shocking any longer, and this story is a wonderful novel for teens who are struggling to find a way to cope with this, or any teen who has ever felt as though they couldn't stand their family. Because in the end, family is all that we ever have.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Get lost in the winter storm this book puts you in
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Jessica
This book was great and sad. Great because its an amazing story about a girl whose lost her way and finds the road again with the help of her dead mother. Sad because it reminds me of my friend who lost her mother about a year ago. Im so impressed with how Lisa Schroder can write in poetry and still get the same picture out of it. I cant write one poem let alone get a picture out of it. Alice was a relatable character for me. She deals with her mothers death by distancing herself from her family. She throws herself into her music and the love of her boyfriend. I really like this cover because of the snowflakes. I also like how the girl is a shadow and it sais "do you believe in angels?" I don't think I really have a favorite character because there really aren't that many characters to chose from, but I like Alice's boyfriend because he's really supportive of her and that's a good thing to have in a guy. Looking for more Lisa Schroeder? When looking for more books she has written I came across a book that I love and didn't know had the same author, the book is called I Heart You You Haunt Me and it's a really fun fast read. Also go check out her website at, http://www.lisaschroederbooks.com/ Find out what happens when Alice is stuck in a snowstorm and her options are work with the people she has been avoiding ever since they came into her
This book was great and sad. Great because its an amazing story about a girl whose lost her way and finds the road again with the help of her dead mother. Sad because it reminds me of my friend who lost her mother about a year ago. Im so impressed with how Lisa Schroder can write in poetry and still get the same picture out of it. I cant write one poem let alone get a picture out of it. Alice was a relatable character for me. She deals with her mothers death by distancing herself from her family. She throws herself into her music and the love of her boyfriend. I really like this cover because of the snowflakes. I also like how the girl is a shadow and it sais "do you believe in angels?" I don't think I really have a favorite character because there really aren't that many characters to chose from, but I like Alice's boyfriend because he's really supportive of her and that's a good thing to have in a guy. Looking for more Lisa Schroeder? When looking for more books she has written I came across a book that I love and didn't know had the same author, the book is called I Heart You You Haunt Me and it's a really fun fast read. Also go check out her website at, http://www.lisaschroederbooks.com/ Find out what happens when Alice is stuck in a snowstorm and her options are work with the people she has been avoiding ever since they came into her
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Far from You
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Severa Drabczyk
This was an excellent book. I love books that are in poetic format, it makes them a quicker and lite read. This book had a great message to it and made me think about how I treat my family and how I should change myself, and not take my family and my friends for granted. You never know when something tragic might happen, so you should forgive and forget. Always live life to the fullest, as if you'll die in a few hours. Then maybe we can all experience life as if we've just entered it every single day. Wonder book, i recommend it to everyone.
This was an excellent book. I love books that are in poetic format, it makes them a quicker and lite read. This book had a great message to it and made me think about how I treat my family and how I should change myself, and not take my family and my friends for granted. You never know when something tragic might happen, so you should forgive and forget. Always live life to the fullest, as if you'll die in a few hours. Then maybe we can all experience life as if we've just entered it every single day. Wonder book, i recommend it to everyone.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
The story of a girl through poetry
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Lauren
Far From You is a poetry book by Lisa Schroeder. The poems follow Alice as she copes through her life. Her mother died from cancer, leaving her heartbroken, and then her father got married. Alice doesn't feel like she belongs anymore, and is constantly trying to lose herself to a life with her best friend and her boyfriend. When her step-mom gets has a baby, she doesn't want to be related to her new stepsister, but also feels like she doesn't get any attention from her family anymore.
Everything changes when she takes a road trip home and she, her stepmother, and her new baby sister get stuck in the car in the middle of a snowstorm. Forced to work together with one of the people she just can't stand, Alice tries to survive with little food for all three of them. The question is, will Alice learn to accept her new life in the days trapped in the car?
Anyone who enjoys poetry books (like Ellen Hopkins) would enjoy Far From You. It's the perfect tale of acceptance, and living life even when depression strikes.
Far From You is a poetry book by Lisa Schroeder. The poems follow Alice as she copes through her life. Her mother died from cancer, leaving her heartbroken, and then her father got married. Alice doesn't feel like she belongs anymore, and is constantly trying to lose herself to a life with her best friend and her boyfriend. When her step-mom gets has a baby, she doesn't want to be related to her new stepsister, but also feels like she doesn't get any attention from her family anymore.
Everything changes when she takes a road trip home and she, her stepmother, and her new baby sister get stuck in the car in the middle of a snowstorm. Forced to work together with one of the people she just can't stand, Alice tries to survive with little food for all three of them. The question is, will Alice learn to accept her new life in the days trapped in the car?
Anyone who enjoys poetry books (like Ellen Hopkins) would enjoy Far From You. It's the perfect tale of acceptance, and living life even when depression strikes.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Expectency
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by EshInoBi
Something disappointing about this world is expectency. I expected
better of FAR FROM YOU because it was writte by author Lisa Schroeder,
the author of I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME... That book was okay, but
seeing as this is her second book, I really wanted more.. It was okay,
but average and could happen to anyone... I heart you, you haunt me,
was a more original story, while Far From You seems like it could
happen to any person... But, this was still an inspirational book that
could possibly urge someone with these problems to endure them and live
on. :]
Something disappointing about this world is expectency. I expected
better of FAR FROM YOU because it was writte by author Lisa Schroeder,
the author of I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME... That book was okay, but
seeing as this is her second book, I really wanted more.. It was okay,
but average and could happen to anyone... I heart you, you haunt me,
was a more original story, while Far From You seems like it could
happen to any person... But, this was still an inspirational book that
could possibly urge someone with these problems to endure them and live
on. :]
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
poems
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by stephanie
I was sorely disappointed when I opened this book up. I expected paragraphs and full sentences. Instead, I got stanzas and verses. Did I mention that I hate poetry? However, though I was at first disappointed, at the end, I was pretty surprised at the interest the book had gained...from me! [of all people] It was surprisingly quick and entertaining. I was able to finish this book in about 30 minutes even though it's a 400 page novel. The book also brought some tears to my eyes because while Alice was trapped in the car with her little sister and her new stepmom, she managed to stay courageous and faced issues that she had been avoiding. It was a book about miracles and about finding your own guardian angel. I highly, highly recommend this book.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Alice's Adventures in a Blizzard
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Krista
Alices mother died of cancer years ago. However, she has yet to move on. Things worsen when her father remarries, and her half-sister, Ivy, is born. Of course, Alice has a few things in her life: her wonderful boyfriend Blaze, her best friend Claire, her music, and most importantly, her faith.
However, one day over Thanksgiving Break, Alice, Ivy, and her stepmom become trapped in a snowstorm. Now Alice must deal with issues she has long avoided and wait for her angel to save her&
I enjoyed Far From You. The greatest strength of novel is that it is written in verse. I dont normally read books in verse, so I wasnt sure what to expect. I am pleased to say I was not disappointed. Schroeders writing is engaging, this novel definitely makes me believe in the phrase, Less is more. I am now more interested in reading Lisa Schroeders other work I Heart You, You Haunt Me.
The only real criticism of Far From You I have is the cast of characters. I felt that they were underdeveloped. After I finished reading the book, I realized that I knew very little about Blaze, Claire, or even Alice, but this is not something that should detract anyone from the novel. It is worth reading.
Alices mother died of cancer years ago. However, she has yet to move on. Things worsen when her father remarries, and her half-sister, Ivy, is born. Of course, Alice has a few things in her life: her wonderful boyfriend Blaze, her best friend Claire, her music, and most importantly, her faith.
However, one day over Thanksgiving Break, Alice, Ivy, and her stepmom become trapped in a snowstorm. Now Alice must deal with issues she has long avoided and wait for her angel to save her&
I enjoyed Far From You. The greatest strength of novel is that it is written in verse. I dont normally read books in verse, so I wasnt sure what to expect. I am pleased to say I was not disappointed. Schroeders writing is engaging, this novel definitely makes me believe in the phrase, Less is more. I am now more interested in reading Lisa Schroeders other work I Heart You, You Haunt Me.
The only real criticism of Far From You I have is the cast of characters. I felt that they were underdeveloped. After I finished reading the book, I realized that I knew very little about Blaze, Claire, or even Alice, but this is not something that should detract anyone from the novel. It is worth reading.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
A Suspenseful Surprise
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Julie M. Prince
Lyrical prose written in verse, FAR FROM YOU is a great follow up to Schroeders debut novel in verse, I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME.
FAR FROM YOU is a memorable story about Alice, a teen still troubled by the death of her mother several years prior. No one seems to understand why Alice isnt ready to deal with her new step-mother and the excitement of a baby sister on the wayespecially her clueless and distracted father.
Alices music and her boyfriend, Blaze, are the only things she has going for her, so when she and her best friend have a huge fight and stop playing music together and then her family drags her away from Blaze for a Christmas road-trip, things look bleakbut theyre about to get even bleaker.
The pages of this book seem to turn themselves as the tale unfolds, moving forward faster and faster through the phenomenal second half. The story is mesmerizing with the constantly heightened tension, bringing a strong climax that will keep the main character squirming and readers transfixed.
The gorgeous language strikes a chord that resonates long after the tale is done.
Lyrical prose written in verse, FAR FROM YOU is a great follow up to Schroeders debut novel in verse, I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME.
FAR FROM YOU is a memorable story about Alice, a teen still troubled by the death of her mother several years prior. No one seems to understand why Alice isnt ready to deal with her new step-mother and the excitement of a baby sister on the wayespecially her clueless and distracted father.
Alices music and her boyfriend, Blaze, are the only things she has going for her, so when she and her best friend have a huge fight and stop playing music together and then her family drags her away from Blaze for a Christmas road-trip, things look bleakbut theyre about to get even bleaker.
The pages of this book seem to turn themselves as the tale unfolds, moving forward faster and faster through the phenomenal second half. The story is mesmerizing with the constantly heightened tension, bringing a strong climax that will keep the main character squirming and readers transfixed.
The gorgeous language strikes a chord that resonates long after the tale is done.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
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