Phoenix Rising [Paperback]

Karen Hesse (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

An accident at the nearby nuclear power plant disrupts the peaceful lives of Nyle and her grandmother, as they confront death, anguish, and disaster. By the author of Letters from Rifka. Reprint. SLJ. K. AB.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW noted that "the author's understated approach heightens the emotional impact" of this tale about a girl forced to confront loss after a nuclear accident. Ages 11-13.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-A Vermont sheep farm seems an unlikely place to worry about radiation and its effects. However, Nyle Sumner, 13, and her grandmother are completely surrounded by the grotesque results of an accident at a nuclear-power plant. Because of the accident, Nyle's cousin Bethany has radiation poisoning. Then Gran does the unthinkable: she takes in two fugitives who were exposed to the worst of the radiation, Miriam Trent and her son, Ezra, who is also sick with the poisoning. They stay in the back bedroom, the room marked by the death of Nyle's mother and grandfather. Now it seems likely that it will be the place that Ezra dies too. The bleak setting of this book serves as a backdrop for the sensitive interaction among the main characters. Gran quietly acts on her principles, Nyle overcomes her own feelings to help Ezra, and her best friend, Muncie, forgives past wrongs for the sake of friendship. The characters overcome adversity, not through heroic deeds of epic proportions, but through simple acts of kindness. The message is poignant, but not overpowering. Hesse has displayed considerable skill in creating a contemporary tale of hope and love rising, like a phoenix, from destruction and despair.
Marilyn Makowski, Greenwood High School, SC
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140376283
• ISBN-13: 978-0140376289
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,542,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phoenix Rising, June 1, 2005

By 

missy (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phoenix Rising (Paperback)

Phoenix Rising was written by Karen Hesse. I really enjoyed this book because it showed me things I have never experienced before. The main character in this book is Nyle, she is 13 years old and she has a rough life. She went though a tough time because she has lose everyone in her family except her grandma. I think the author did a great job on using descriptive words. Nyle met a couple of new people and turned out to be her friends. She didn't really want new friends because she thought the same thing was going to happen to them that happened to the rest of her family. Overall I loved this book!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book, November 15, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Phoenix Rising (Paperback)

Phoenix Rising is the tale of thirteen year-old Nyle. Nyle lives with her Grandmother. After a nuclear power plant exploded in Massachussetts the radiation in the air causes damage to almost every buissness and farm in the VT,MA area. Nyle and her Grandmother take in two people who had no where to stay after the accident and learn to care for them.
Phoenix Rising is a great book. I live in southern Vermont and I know many people who go to school where Nyle does in the story {Leland and Grey}. Since I live in a tourist town an explosion like the one in this book would greatly effect my town.
Buy this book!!! and if you like it buy these to~ After the War-Carol Matas~Coffin Quilt-Ann Rinaldi and Johanna Hurwitz books{if your under twelve}

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aww yeah., April 29, 2005

By 

Nyle haha "<3 <3 <3" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phoenix Rising (Hardcover)

This was the best book I have ever read. I know that's really all I need to say, but I'm going to tell you a little about it too.

A girl named Nyle Sumner lives with her 'Gran' on a sheep farm in Vermont. A nuclear power plant in Cookshire, Massechusetts (? I'm guessing it's MA) exploded, causing radiation to leak out and affect cities miles away. Nyle's grandmother decides to take in evacuees from the accident, Miriam and her son Ezra. She doesn't want to be friends with Ezra at first, but she eventually does...other characters include...a midget, Nyle's best friend, named Muncie Harris. Who is super cool. So anyways, I hope you enjoy/enjoyed this book even half as much as I did. (: Email me if you want to talk about it, I obviously have no life.

[e-mail]

aww, I know my email adress is...quite strange. But oh well.