Izzy, Willy-Nilly

by Cynthia Voigt | Teens | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 0689804466 Global Overview for this book
Registered by fushmush of Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on 4/26/2004
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1 journaler for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by fushmush from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Monday, April 26, 2004
"Before, Izzy's life had been colorful as a pretty, popular cheerleader, but grayness swallows her up after a car accident results in the amputation of her leg. Her trio of girlfriends are too uncomfortable to be around her, but the void of their friendship is filled by unattractive, blunt Rosamunde, who bounds into her life, providing bolstering support. It's Rosamunde's persistence that helps Izzy over the hurdle of returning to school. Several expedients effectively convey Izzy's stages of reaction: the miniature Izzy visualized in her head that does back flips expresses her true feelings; the way denial is demonstrated by Izzy not looking at the empty leg space until 30 pages after the doctor tells her he has to take it off; the cool reserve of the black therapist which makes her "examine" herself. As with other Voigt characters, the perspective is from within. Readers see the mental anguish and self-pity through Izzy's eyes. Consciously, the pace is slow, as is the healing process, and the tone is ponderous throughout. The story is about learning to balance: physically as Izzy maneuvers herself on crutches and emotionally as she sorts out her friends and a new self-identification as Isobel. Work on the school paper, the prospect of a prosthesis and Rosamunde's staunch support start to mend her crippled life. No one will be able to finish this story without understanding the psychological trauma an amputee faces." -- Amazon

Journal Entry 2 by fushmush from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, May 5, 2004
I love revisiting novels that I loved when I was a teenager. I quickly reread this and surprisingly it was just as good as I remembered. Izzy is such a strong character and a wonderful role model for teenagers. The book really captures Izzy as a real person who has trouble adjusting to her new role in life.

Although the book does portray the dangers of irresponsible driving (you crash, you lose a leg), I think that Marco, the drunk driver, should actually get in trouble for the accident he causes. He does seem to get off rather lightly because Izzy isn't willing to dob him in. Although this is probably true of a teenage reaction to the situation, I think we have a social responsibility to send the right message to the kids reading this book. Drink Driving is bad... don't do it.

Ok, enough moralising. I haven't decided what to do with this yet. Maybe release it as part of the Alphabet challenge. We'll see...

Released 19 yrs ago (10/8/2004 UTC) at Erskineville Public School, Swanson St in Erskineville, New South Wales Australia

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Released for the Election Day release challenge

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