Customer Reviews

Last Safe Place On Earth

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book teaches people about the different thoughts and religions of other people. This book shows how personal thoughts and beliefs can tear apart friends, and even family. In the book, Todd, a high school sophomore, carries on a normal life. He goes to school, works, fights with his siblings, and does teenage things. Then, Laurel comes to babysit his little sister Marnie. Todd thinks she is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Laurel begins to talk to Marnie about what is bad and good, and what will get her to heaven. Laurel tells her that Halloween is bad and involves witches and demons. Marnie had been looking forward to Halloween because she was making her own witch costume. Marnie begins to become frightened by what Laurel is telling her and tells her parents. This brings about a lot of problems within the community. The book ends in a peaceful way with Todd realizing know one is perfect, and everybody is different. I give this book three stars because I really enjoyed reading it, and learned about different religious beliefs.

When I began reading this book, I was unsure if I would like it or not. But soon after beginning, I found myself caught up in the plotline. The way Peck so vividly describes the world we live in, as well as the false sense of security that many have, struck me. What was particularly fascinating was how he captured the attitudes of high schoolers, how they wish to be "cool", and the uncertainty many people experience below placid facades. This book is a must-read for anyone, young or old, male or female, "cool" or not.

Todd, the main character in the book is in tenth grade. Everyone in his town thinks they live in a picture perfect town and community. They soon realize that not everything is what it seems. They also find out that outside forces are not going to stop influencing their towns and their children. Todd's little sister starts getting horrible nightmares and wakes up screaming in the night. The parents think that removing all the bad books from the library will eliminate the nightmares and influences that books, TV/media have on kids. It is a story about censorship and trying to keep kids in a "bubble" away from the rest of the world. I enjoyed this book because it was easy to understand and it was a good mystery and suspenseful book.

Todd, the main character in the book is in tenth grade. Everyone in his town thinks they live in a picture perfect town and community. They soon realize that not everything is what it seems. They also find out that outside forces are not going to stop influencing their towns and their children. Todd's little sister starts getting horrible nightmares and wakes up screaming in the night. The parents think that removing all the bad books from the library will eliminate the nightmares and influences that books, TV/media have on kids. It is a story about censorship and trying to keep kids in a "bubble" away from the rest of the world. I enjoyed this book because it was easy to understand and it was a good mystery and suspenseful book.

Todd, the main character in the book is in tenth grade. Everyone in his town thinks they live in a picture perfect town and community. They soon realize that not everything is what it seems. They also find out that outside forces are not going to stop influencing their towns and their children. Todds little sister starts getting horrible nightmares and wakes up screaming in the night. The parents think that removing all the bad books from the library will eliminate the nightmares and influences that books, TV/media have on kids. It is a story about censorship and trying to keep kids in a bubble away from the rest of the world. I enjoyed this book because it was easy to understand and it was a good mystery and suspenseful book.

I really enjoyed this book as a teenager and could relate to the problems in life Todd faced.
Todd is 15 years old in the 10th grade. He lives in Walden Woods a nice dressed up suburb. His family moved here because they thought it was a safe sane neighborhood to raise their kids but they soon learn the reality that no place as is safe as their own house. He is not the most popular kid in school but gets by with a few close friends and his sister Diana who is the same age. Todd developes a crush on his little sister Marnie's baby sister not realizing what she was about. Todd learnes the hard way he is wrong when Laurel, the baby sitter tries and almost succeeds in brainwashing Marnie that Holloween is bad and that the Devel is everywhere. This book tought me that you don't always know people the way you think you do and that no one is as normal as you.
This is an easy reader I recomend to any one out there looking for a mind bogling plot.

this book really made me aware of evil in the world, and how even though something looks nice and civilized, it can be bad. the way that laurel made the little girl into a brainwashed weirdo when she babysat was a great plot twist. i give this book a nine instead of a ten because the story never really ended. i didnt feel the sense of closure that i always feel when i finish a book.

Why does this book wind up "missing" from public and school libraries?

It is probably one of the most relevant books for YA and adults to read together and discuss today.

As this book disappears in libraries, it is a great choice for online access at public libraries -- then many more people will have the pleasure of reading this most important and thought-provoking book.

The concepts covered in this book are definitely important book to discuss with up-and-coming generations...

Richard Peck has weaved a story that is well written, extremely interesting, believable and relevant.

Engagingly narrated in the first person by main character Todd Tobin, the book reveals the Tobins to be crafted as an All-American family. They are not perfect, however, in the vein of Leave it to Beaver or Ozzie and Harriet. This family has its flaws, questions its actions and makes mistakes. You can easily believe that they are based on a real family.

In addition to the excellent writing and characterization, the text touches on some alarmingly real and modern issues facing families today. One of the Tobin family helps organize an AIDS seminar which is virtually ignored by the conservative community. Todd's best friend has an alcoholic mother. The Tobin's babysitter is from a religious fanatic family and has corrupted the youngest daughter's mind in a way that borders on child abuse. Several members of the community are trying to ban books from the school library because they do not show Christianity in a superior position to other religions. Mr. Peck does not resolve all these issues and there aren't any easy answers, just like real life.

These are all important issues that touch the livesof all. Everyone should be required to read this book.

this book kept me wanting to read.
This family moved out of their town that they were in to get out of the misery they had in it. They moved to a town they thought was going to be different. It was different until they found out that the sitter they have had for their daughter Marnie was telling her that witches were real, and were getting things in her head about them. Like they were real and they will come and get you. Marnie has always loved halloween until the sitter was telling her that stuff. Marnie was changing drastically, she was changing in a bad way. She was always in her room all by herself every night and every day. The family got worried and had to think of something to do.
This book was interesting to read. I liked it