Remembering Mog [Hardcover]

Colby Rodowsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 1996

"Annie is about to graduate from high school, an event that intensifies all her memories of another graduation two years before, when her sister was murdered...Present-day events intermingle with Annie's recollections of the past. The shock, denial, and numbing grief are all realistically and starkly portrayed...This is an unsettling novel about an emotionally charged subject. It never falters. It will make an outstanding addition to any YA collection."-Starred/School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Once again the author of Sydney, Herself and Hannah in Between shows sensitivity and acute understanding of human nature as she probes the psyche of a troubled adolescent. It has been two years since Annie's older sister Mog was shot and killed by a stranger on the eve of her high school graduation, but as Annie's own graduation nears, Annie remembers more clearly than ever the events of that tragic day. Afraid to move forward and increasingly perceiving the world as an unsafe place, Annie seeks guidance from a counselor who provides a secure environment to vent disturbing feelings. Besides detailing the protagonist's healing process, Rodowsky explores various manifestations of grief, including the state of denial experienced by Annie's mother and the suicidal urges of the boyfriend who was with Mog the day she was shot. Without offering pat solutions, the end of this novel signifies the beginning of a new life for Annie and her family. Readers will believe in Annie and in her ability to face the future. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-Annie is about to graduate from high school, an event that intensifies all her memories of another graduation two years before, when her sister was murdered in a deserted section of the city. The family is still grieving and sorting out emotions, each one in his or her own way. As Annie remembers that terrible time, the events surrounding the tragedy emerge, as do the personalities of the characters involved. Annie's father remains morose. Her mother, functioning normally on a day-to-day basis, is curled into a fetal position emotionally. Annie herself has never fully dealt with her grief. She has made no plans for her future. Always before in her life, she has followed in Mog's footsteps. Now, she will have gone beyond Mog. None of this is helped by the fact that she has started to go out with Bobby, Mog's old boyfriend, who is not in much better shape than she is. Her turning point comes when she finally decides to seek counseling. Present-day events intermingle with Annie's recollections of the past. The shock, denial, and numbing grief are all realistically and starkly portrayed. This is all very powerful stuff, but it never comes across as maudlin. A terrible thing has happened to good and innocent people. This is an unsettling novel about an emotionally charged subject. It never falters. It will make an outstanding addition to any YA collection.
Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (April 23, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374346631
• ISBN-13: 978-0374346638
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,058,666 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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Remembering Mog by Colby Rodowsky, May 2, 2001

By 

Tracy Wilson (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remembering Mog (An Avon Flare Book) (Paperback)

Annie is finishing high school and has reached the point in her life that her sister, Mog, had reached when she was killed. Annie struggles with how she will go forward without having Mog's footprints to follow. She has trouble finding the comfort and support that she needs from her family. However, she is able to deal with her thoughts and fears as she reaches out to Harriet Jeffers, a therapist. I thought the book was great. Rodowsky does a fabulous job describing the feelings and thoughts of the characters. It was very easy to get interested in, and I felt like I knew the characters personally. It has a genuine feel for how one can handle grief so differently from others. NOTE TO TEACHERS: This is an ALA Notable Book and would be appropriate for middle school or high school students.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Remebering Mog, September 24, 2002

By 

"library97" (Dallas, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remembering Mog (Hardcover)

Annie must come to grips with the loss of her older sister and her mother's denial that Mog is gone. Finally, a book for young adults that is not hopeless and dreadful. Real issues, real struggles, real people yet "Dysfunctional Families in their Various and Nefarious Forms" isn't the theme of the book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book tells how a girl gets over her sister's death., November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Remembering Mog (Hardcover)

I like to read stories that tell about people's problems & how they get over them. This book is a good example of that kind of story. Annie's sister, Mog, was murdered two years ago. Suddenly Annie realizes that she has been following in Mog's foot-steps. Mog never graduated from high school. Annie is now a senior and doesn't know what she is going to do now. Things get so stressful that Annie has to seek for help.