So Much to Tell You

by John Marsden

Overview

Winner of Australia's Book of the Year Award. Set in Australia and written in the form of a diary, this is the tragic story of the effects of divorce and her parents' anger on a young woman's life. "Remarkable...few readers will come away from the portrait of Marina's ordeal unshaken. "—Publishers Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780449703748
Publisher:	Random House Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/28/1990
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	4.20(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	870L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 Years

About the Author

John Marsden is one of Australia's most critically acclaimed and bestselling authors. His works include So Much to Tell You, Checkers, Letters from the Inside, The Dead of the Night, and A Killing Frost. In addition to his writing career, Marsden has also taught at grammar schools and served as a school principal.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 7-9-Australian young adult author John Marsden's powerful classic (Joy Street Books, 1989), which was immediately popular both in Australia and in the U.S., translates well to the audio format and becomes accessible to an even wider audience in this medium. Marina, the high school-aged protagonist, suffers from elective mutism, occasioned, we learn across time, by abuse she's suffered at home. Now she is in the supportive environment of a boarding school, learning slowly to trust both peers and adults. A diary assignment she has been given by her English teacher becomes this novel. Marsden builds a compelling and vivid world quickly, and develops a variety of female characters cogently. Kate Hosking reads quietly, which befits the mute aspect of the protagonist who is also the narrator. In audio format, this will make a good discussion book for groups with varying literacy, as well as a good choice for teens alone or sharing car trips with parents.--Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Marina hasn’t spoken since the tragic, life-altering event that left her face scarred. Now at boarding school, she must keep a journal for English class. John Marsden’s writing is artful without being self-conscious. With consummate skill, he has Marina record the events around her and, through them, reveal herself. Kate Hosking’s voice is older, deeper than we’d expect from a 14-year-old, but her matter-of-fact delivery of painful facts keeps the focus on the story, and her interpretation of Marina embodies every bit of the damaged teenager. Marina writes the truth as she sees it, including letters from her emotionally unavailable mother, and listeners will find themselves rooting for her as she struggles from her silent world. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

APR/MAY 06 - AudioFile