Customer Reviews

Earthshine

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Earthshine was incredibly moving and touching; changing the way I think and feel about many serious issues that are dealt with in this novel. The main character, Slim, is a confused, unstable and hurting twelve year old. She narrates to her diary, and her feelings were so well expressed I felt as if I had always known her. When she hurt, I hurt, when she suffered, I suffered. And so when she changed and grew, so did I.

The main conflict is that Slim's father has been diagnosed with AIDS. He is upbeat and hilarious, with a good natured attitude toward life. But as the fatal virus takes over his body, he becomes weak and feeble. The book deals with Slim's journey through grief--showing her pain and worry, her anxiousness and confusion, and finally her resolutions and growths. After many agonizing, pain-filled months, Slim's father finally passes away. But not without leaving Slim with hope for the future, a love-filled heart and strong values that I as the reader also acquired from this book.

Overall, I found this book to be incredible, eye opening and profound; changing the way I feel about those with AIDS. By all means, it is worth your time to read.

We empathise with 12 year old Slim as her father's condition inexorably proceeds through the closing stages of AIDS, with the various effects honestly outlined. The tension inherent in the situation leads us to share the unrealistic sense of hope posed by a supposed miracle man - though the miracle proves to be emotional peace for Slim's dad and his partner. A fascinating secondary character is Isaiah,  whose pregnant mother has AIDS while his late father died from the disease. Both Isaiah and Slim belong to a group for relatives of AIDS patients run by a liberal church. There are no "happy endings," yet Earthshine reflects the force of human love, the diverse meanings of "family," and the resilience of the human spirit.

In the book "Earthshine" 12 year old Margery McGranahan recognized as Slim's who lives in California has a father named Mack is diagnosed with AIDS. Everyday Mack is getting sicker, but still is upbeat and maintains a good attitude. For the period when Mack is sick he wants Slim to go to a Support Group for people with a family member who has AIDS. There she meets a good kid named Isaiah, 11, whose cheerfulness makes her depressing and positive at the same moment in time. In which his father already had died of AIDS. Isaiah is continuously trying to give optimism to the "doubting Thomasina" who would to a certain extent bring to a close moment in time than discover what life may hold for her. Isaiah believes that the Miracle Man in "Hungry Valley" which is north of Los Angeles can cure her father. Slim doesn't believe in Miracles, she only believes what she sees. But Isaiah's great attitude starts to rub off on Slim and she starts to consider that her father will be capable of being saved. The major clash is with the purpose of Slim's father has been diagnosed with AIDS. He is cheerful and entertaining, by way of a high-quality attitude on the way to life. Except at the same time as the incurable disease takes in excess of his body, he becomes fragile and weak. The book deals by way of Slim's expedition from beginning to end grief, and performing her hurting and her loss of sleep. Then her anxiousness and confusion, and finally her resolutions and growths. At that time Slim, Mack, Isaiah, Larry, and other then pack up to go to Miracle Mountain wishing and hoping for a miracle for Slim's father. Will Slim and her father find a miracle? Read the book. All in all I thought this was a very good book, it really brought to my attention what the effects of AIDS really are. This book is great a well meaning for your time to read.

A young girl Margery McGranahan, also known as Slim, has a father, Mack, who is dying of AIDS. Mack has a companion, Larry, who helps take care of Mack. But Slim's problems are too much for her and her father sends her to join a support group for family members who live with people who have AIDS. Here she meets Isaiah, whose father has already died of the disease and whose pregnant mother is now sick and worried about her unborn child. Isaiah believes the Miracle Man in the "Hungry Valley" north of Los Angeles can cure her mother. Slim doesn't believe in miracles, she only knows that her father is dying and no one is attempting to prevent it. But Isaiah's soon starts to rub off on Slim and she starts to believe that her father can be saved.
This book is as much about mortality as it is about homosexuality. We are taken through the emotions that Slim has while her father is dying. Through it all, Slim is still left with hope for the future.

Twelve year old Margery Grace McGranahan, or Slim, was not happy living with her mother and her stepfather. Instead, she decides to move to Hollywood to live with her father, Mack, and his friend, Larry. Because her father is a PWA, or person with AIDS, Slim's time with her father even more precious than usual. Her friend Isaiah is constantly trying to provide hope to the "doubting Thomasina" who would rather stop time than discover what life may hold for her. This is a griping novel that not only exposes children to life with a PWA, but allows adults a glimpse inside a child's head. Through her inner thoughts and journal writings, we discover how much Slim suffers and finally accepts her father's condition. While the novel is fascinating, it becomes intense, suggesting an older audience of readers who are mature enough to handle the topics and issues raised

Earthshine is a book dealing with a tough subject. The death of a parent, no matter the cause, is hard on children, especially those old enough to understand what is going on. Slim's voice is eloquent for a 12 year old and she acts and thinks like she's 12 too, which makes this book blessedly accessible to the age group for which it's written.

Earthshine is a great book that teaches how people sufer with AIDS. Slim is leaving with her father (Mack) Her father is sick with AIDS and he will die soon. Each day Mack gets more and more sick when Slim goes to school Larry(Larry lives with Slim and Mack) takes Mack to the hospital.A novel that wil break your heart.

A GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!

Earthshine is a good book if you are looking for a good read to see how the world is. I liked the book but there were some points where I thought Nelson made the book to dissapointing. For example the let down in the Hungry Valley. I thought she should have made it like Isiah hoped it would be instead of how things would normally end. I personally dont like the Tuck Everlasting endings where theres a big twist in the end. The detail Nelson put in the book is riviting and exciting over all. This is a good down to Earth book and I would give it at least 2 stars anyday (I am a tough critic.)