Shoulder the Sky [School & Library Binding]

Lesley Choyce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2002

Martin Emerson's family, friends, and even his therapist have trouble figuring him out. He never showed much of a reaction to the death of his mother, and his behaviour of late has been getting more and more bizarre.

And yet, his website -- Emerso.com -- has made him something of a cult figure to followers who believe that, if not having all the right answers, "Emerso" at least has all the right questions.

Shoulder the Sky is a rarity among young adult novels - it challenges the reader with philosophical thought and complex observations.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Martin Emerson's website has made him something of a cult figure to those who believe that, if not having all the right answers, at least "Emerso" has all the right questions. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Lesley Choyce is one of Canada's most prolific authors. A resident of East Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, he has published more than fifty works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Shoulder the Sky is his fifteenth young adult novel. He is also the author of the adult novel Sea of Tranquility, forthcoming from Dundurn Press in spring, 2003.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: San Val (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061390074X
• ISBN-13: 978-0613900744
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars spellbinding read, April 30, 2004

By 

Shelly (British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shoulder the Sky (Paperback)

This is the most amazing young adult book i have read in a long time. "Shoulder the Sky" is filled with humour, philosophy and keen observations, ideas commonly excluded by many, many crappy YA books out there. Lesley Choyce challenges the reader to think outside the box, and raises concepts we should be aware of - existentialism, for example.

I am not a fan of history, science, or philosophy, but "shoulder the sky" has influenced me to RESEARCH on people like Immanuel Kant, Dali, and Herodotus for FUN. This amazing, intelligent, and often laugh-out-loud funny book actually makes me want to learn.

I strongly encourage you to overlook the unattractive cover and READ this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A matter of life and death, September 6, 2003

By 

Valerie Sherrard (New Brunswick) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shoulder the Sky (Paperback)

An exceptional book that faces issues head on even as its protagonist tries to avoid them. Emerson's reaction (or, non-reaction) to loss depicts the internal shutdown (its own kind of death) that those left living often experience when facing the death of a loved one.

Masterfully written, Choyce has created highly believable characters and events in Shoulder the Sky.

This is a book you won't want to put down, and one that will stay with you for a long time after the last page is turned.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, June 30, 2003

By 

Cameron M (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shoulder the Sky (Paperback)

Everyone says it's odd how Martin has expressed no grief since his mother died. He didn't cry at the funeral, and he continued on like nothing had happened. His therapist Dave, urges Martin to be rebellious, get out some anger or emotion by having a tantrum or taking up smoking (Dave is not your average therapist).

Martin has his own ways of coping. He has authored a website, Emerso.com, which discusses everything under the sun (and changes depending on his mood) from Norway to Nietzche. But how long can he keep everything bottled up inside?

This book, like Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder, challenges the reader to think about their own morals and ethics and different philosophical ways of thinking. But it presents in a more humorous and readable way, one that will appeal to teens. This is a very powerful and interesting story about loss.