Sunday, March 24, 2013

WILD SONG by Jane Eagland_Review


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/

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