Monday, July 20, 2015

All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven


Theodore Finch (A.K.A Theodore Freak,) has always been considered the "Weird Kid" at Barlett High. On the other hand, Violet Markey is a shy, delicate girl after a tragic accident in which her sister passed away. Such a strange pair, but one that fits...
Embark on a thrilling adventure as these two souls venture into the world, on a roller coaster of exciting journeys. “Sorry wastes time. You have to live your life like you'll never be sorry. It's easier just to do the right thing from the start so there's nothing to apologize for.”
― Jennifer Niven, All the Bright Places

All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven, is one of my absolute favorite stories of all time, with thrillers that make you not want to stop reading. There are many life lessons to learn from this book, and can apply to anyone. I especially enjoy the characters and how they change throughout the story. This is just a spectacular read through and through. I would definitely recommend this to teen readers of all ages, and wouldn't mind reading it again.

Reviewed by Grace B., Grade 6
Montrose Library 

4 comments:

Teen Speak said...

Jennifer Niven tells the story of two young teens, named Theodore Finch and Violet Markey, who both struggle with forms of depression. Theodore has an odd obsession with the idea of death and often speculates on the idea of suicide. Violet, after losing her sister in a car accident, becomes overcome with grief. When they first meet on the ledge of a bell tower at their school, it is Finch who saves Violet, though their fellow students thought otherwise.

When they are paired together for a school project, they help bring out the bright personalities in each other that was lost under the layers of grief and loneliness. However, over time, as Violet grows with the aid of Finch’s love and support, Finch faces the misery of his mental illness and struggles against the return of his fatal thoughts.


First off, this was an utterly depressing book. The way the characters grew to discover the joys of love and living life offered a glimmer of hope that was crushed when the characters returned to their suicidal thoughts, one deciding to ending his life, leaving the other to return to a state of depression as she lingered on the positive path they could have taken together. One of the hardest parts of writing a fictional piece touching the harsh topic of suicide is to be aware of the target audience and how the characters might affect readers who connect with them. It was very alarming when I realized the characters were depicted as if their mental illnesses were a pure definition of who they were, whether it was the intention of the author or not. It seemed as though the author decided to write this story for the sake of having depressed characters, since it is a hot topic in society nowadays and a common trend in stories targeted towards teens, rather than for the purpose of creating a story in which the characters actually develop and go on a path to living a virtuous life. I am concerned about the affect this book might have on readers who are actually struggling with depression themselves, for the story oddly implies that there is no hope for them, no one to save them from their condition. Another odd thing about this book is the fact that there were no adults noticing this dilemma. Suicide is an extremely sensitive and serious topic and the decision to address such topics must be handled carefully.

One of the minor things that bothered me about this book was the use of the name Finch, which any literature student would know is also the last name of the inspirational and powerful family depicted in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Though I do acknowledge that Harper Lee obviously does not own that name, it is quite irritating how the author, who inevitably must know about Lee’s book, used that name associated with standing up for equality, loving each other, and valuing all life, and used it as a last name for a character who failed to learn to value even his own life.

Reviewed by R.O., Grade 10
Casa Verdugo Library

Teen Speak said...

The book is about two different characters on the outside, but on the inside they are very much alike. Going through similar problems Violet Markey and Theodore Finch end up meeting each other on the school bell tower, asking themselves should i stay or should i go. Violet and Finch both end up saving one another and also end up working on a there last high school project called the "nature wonders". Violet is a well know, typical, popular teenage girl until losing her sister in a car accident that she survived. Finch is weird, judged for being and outsider, and doesn't really care about what he looks like or what people say about him. At the beginning of the project Violet was somewhat cold to Finch. Finch didn't mind because she was the reason he wanted to stay and live here on earth. They went and found there wonderings, leaving something important to each wondering they visited. As things were looking great for Violet finally getting her life back. Finch was going to the opposite direction and know one not even Violet knew why.

I think All the Bright Places is a fantastic book! The book as well as the characters were thrilling and suspenseful. I thought that it really spoke to a variety of people ranging from middle schoolers to young adolescents. Our generation these days are under a lot of stress with school, money, family, work and many more things that this book shows through characters who are going through the same things that in the end everything will be all rite. I think it shows the ups and downs about life and how we just have to live each day to the fullest!

Reviewed by SB, Grade 11
Glendale Central Library

Melissa said...

All the bright places by Jennifer Niven is the most inspirational and deep novel that I have ever read. It’s about a young girl named Violet and a young boy named Theodore who had this bond of friendship and a deep connection of love. Though the novel is extremely sad it is truly inspiring to hear the story of Theodore who was contemplating suicide. Violet similarly has the same thoughts and they use each other to save each other. The small little happiness is that brings them closer together takes them steps apart from committing suicide. From a beautiful death to a beautiful love the story is written in the deepest and sincere way.

I truly enjoyed reading this book not only did I read the book but I also watch the movie that was created with it. The book is always better than the movie, and I find that the author wrote the book in such a deep and loving way it seemed like it was coming from within. I love to be able to feel a book to feel the characters and every move that they make this book delivered that perfectly. I would recommend this book to any student or any adult who is interested in reading about a love story. Love is very powerful and he can do very powerful things, love saves these two great characters and I believe that love is the biggest power to life

Reviewed by SS, Grade 12
Montrose Library

Melissa said...

This book is about two contrasting characters. Theodore Finch, a teenage boy who always thinks about death, and Violet Markey, a more outgoing girl. Although Violet is generally more outgoing, one day she finds herself on the edge of bell tower in her school. Coincidentally, Finch is there as well. They both save each other from what could have been a tragic ending. They both end up pairing up for a class project, where the task is to explore their state of Indiana. Both characters grow extremely comfortable with each other and end up forming a relationship. However, just as Violet’s life is getting better, Finch’s life is growing seemingly worse.

This book was an easy read, but it was definitely not my favorite. The ending was extremely predictable, but still heartbreaking. Both of these characters definitely needed therapy, but continually depended on each other for their well being, which was sweet at times, but otherwise very concerning. I would not recommend this book for people who get triggered easily. What I did like about it was the symbolism. The water - also known as the Blue Hole - which represented life and death. Also the most obvious one, Violet represents life because of flowers. Both of the characters were so different, but the author beautifully portrayed how different people can both struggle so greatly. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy heartbreaking romances.

Reviewed by DL, Grade 12
Pacific Park Library