Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Publisher: Penguin Aus
Pub. Date: June, 2006
Age Rank: Young Adult
Pages: 256pp
Format: paperback
Source: from publisher - Penguin Aus

Francesca battles her mother, Mia, constantly over what's best for her. All Francesca wants is her old friends and her old school, but instead Mia sends her to St. Sebastian's, an all-boys' school that has just opened its doors to girls. Now Francesca's surrounded by hundreds of boys, with only a few other girls for company. All of them weirdos--or worse.

Then one day, Mia is too depressed to get out of bed. One day turns into months, and as her family begins to fall apart, Francesca realizes that without her mother's high spirits, she hardly knows who she is. But she doesn't yet realize that she's more like Mia than she thinks. With a little unlikely help from St. Sebastian's, she just might be able to save her family, her friends, and--especially--herself.

Remember what I said about this book in IMM post? I said it was interesting from page 1. Let me rephrase that - it's actually amazing from page 1 to page 256. I'm officially a fan of Melina Marchetta now.

The plot of this story is really familiar to young readers - a teenager stuck in a mess of problems not knowing how to get out because everything seems to be against her. But it's different because there's something new and fresh - an all boys' school started to accept girls and the unbalanced fight between the gender begun from here. This is, in my opinion, what makes the book so exciting from the very start.

Francesca's life at the new school sucked like hell. She missed her old friends, she hated the girls she was with now, and worse, she was accidentally the presentative of the girls to fight against the school boys- those who treated the ladies with no respect. I feel empathetic with Francesca because she had to deal with such a difficult situation but then it was still so fun seeing the boys and the girls mocking and bickering with each other. You'll for sure love the fight - it was honest, hiarious and never too intense. Like the story wasn't mainly focused on it, but it was always there from the beginning to the end.

In spite of how engrossed I am into the girls' protest to have their rights in St. Sebastian's, I couldn't but be lured in another issue in Francesca's life - her mother's sudden breakdown. It was so well - described that I found myself in our poor girl's place. First I was so confused, then I was depressed/hopeless and later, super duper shocked. I was surprised by how the author kept the reason behind it all for a long time and didn't make me feel bored or annoyed at all; also, how she revealed it was a nice touch - it appeared kind of random but still managed to wrap up all the emotions and "explosion" of a climax.

I really like the characters and their relationships in this book. We all can find a piece of ourselves in Francesca. Actually, she's the most relatable character I ever came across. Her problems expose all the insecurities of a teenager: sometimes you just keep a lot to yourself and do not open much to peple and they think you're a snob, or you try to hard to blend into a crowd of those you believe are your friends just to feel safe, or you don't hang out with people who have bad reputation so no one can judge you even though you know they're actually good. Seeing Francesca breaking her shell to come out and be who she is - like her mother always said - will make you feel so warm and free, and maybe, if you're any like her, want to do the same thing. Francesca's love for her mother is also something very significant. I love it a lot. Melina skillfully lets us explore Francesca's heart slowly so that step by step we get to know how her mother meant to her life, even though all the time the girl complained that she was the one who held the real Francesca back.

One more character to mention - the one and only Will. His relationship with Francesca is so interesting. It makes the story cuter and sweeter than ever. He seems to have to sides - one is decent, cold and nerdy when the other flirty and kind of bad. Although how their mutal feelings blossom is typical, the complication makes up for it. You just have to love the couple.

This book is amazing. That's all I can say. You should pick it up as soon as possible!

Rating: 4.5/5

Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban by J.K Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Pub. Date: September 1999
Age Range: 9 to 12
Pages: 435
Format: hardcover
Source: purchased

For Harry, the Hogwarts campus has always been a sanctuary, but when Black escapes from the horrifying clutches of Azkaban Prison, all clues suggest the madman is headed for Hogwarts and Harry himself. As a result, the school starts to feel more like a prison than a sanctuary as Harry finds himself constantly watched and under guard. What's more, the terrifying Dementors -- the horrifying creatures who guard Azkaban Prison -- are lurking about the campus looking for Black. And their effect on Harry is a devastating one. Still, life at school offers plenty of distractions. Harry really likes the new teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Lupin, who might be able to teach Harry how to defend himself against the Dementors. But Professor Snape's behavior toward Lupin has Harry wondering what secrets the two men are hiding. Harry's friend Hermione is also acting very strangely. And, of course, there is the tension caused by the ongoing Quidditch competition between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins and the never-ending bullying of the Slytherin leader, Draco Malfoy.

To be honest when I chose to accept be a part of Operation Retirement Rescue Challenge I didn't have any ideas of the books I'd review. I hardly have any English books that were released five years ago or more so I was kind of hopeless. Thankfully, HP series suddenly crossed my mind and I picked Book Three immediately.

There're so many reasons why I love HP and The Prisoner Of Azkaban. Firstly, the storyline is so much better than the first and the second book. It's more dangerous, more myterious, yet, close to a life of a normal teenager. Harry has to deal with not only an infamous prisoner who is after him, but also with ordinary problems - the Quidditch Games, the study, the permission to hang out with friends on the village. All of them make the story more interesting but still, do not bring readers feelings of burden or the likes. Actually it's super duper fun.

Secondly, needless to say, J K Rowling writing is just perfect. I love how everything flows. The scenes, vary from natural ones to fighting ones, are so real and just right. This book is like the end of a peaceful period for Harry himself and everyone in the magic world so it's really different. It doesn't have the sadness or the gloominess of death like the next ones, it ain't just innocent as the first two either. To me it's pure and nostagic. It's a nice combination of the joy and the thrill.

I especially adore the family love in book Three. It comes with such a twist that I bet no readers would think of. It's so cute to see Sirius and Harry together, all happy and warm, it also proves how brilliant the author is. Looks like she's planned all the details even from book One because it makes perfect sense, there's not a tiny flaw. One more thing to mention is the investment in fear. It leads you to understand Harry more and more, and at the same time, you can relate to yourself as well.

Thrilling, warm-hearted and fun, HP and The Prisoner Of The Azkaban will always remain my favorite off the series. If you haven't read HP and want to skip a few books to get to the end quicky, I suggest picking this one!

Rating: 4.5/5