6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fantastic Read for Young and Old!, July 14, 2007
I picked up this newly released book yesterday with the intention of reviewing it as a possibility for an eighth grade English class. As a teacher I used Mr. DeVita's earlier novel "Blue" for a school wide project at an arts Middle School in Wisconsin. My skimming review of the book for school use turned into a 12 hour addiction. Couldn't put it down! My teenage children and husband are fighting over whose turn it is to read. I can't recommend this book more highly. Not only is it an exciting fictional offshoot of three actual unsung heroes of the holocaust, reminiscent of Number the Stars, but an inspiring tale of activism in the face of overwhelming odds. The words "people deserve the government they're willing to tolerate" keeps ringing in my head. My students will be reading this in the fall, and I know it will spur on many historical and political discussions. This book is not only entertaining for all ages, but like every great novel, it makes one think about our responsibility in the world, and the courage it sometimes takes to fulfill that responsibility. You won't be able to put it down!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, July 3, 2007
In this vision of a government-controlled futuristic world, James DeVita introduces readers to Marena, a teenage girl who is just barely old enough to remember a world without the Zero Tolerance Party, which rules their lives and restricts everything from interactions with the opposite sex to education to reading and writing to private conversations to (it seems sometimes) thoughts.
Marena struggles to remember a time when people could talk to whomever they wanted, say what they wanted, live the way they wanted. As the ZTs took control, Marena's mother was one of a brave few who spoke out against what was happening to their country. And she was murdered for it.
Now, urged on by the memory of her mother, Marena and a couple of like-minded friends begin their own resistance: The White Rose. The White Rose will not be silenced...and the consequences for all of them, for their families, could be deadly. But they could be even worse if the ZTs are allowed uncontrolled power over everything and everyone.
THE SILENCED is an un-put-downable, fast-paced story that, scarily, doesn't seem so far off the mark sometimes, in regard to our country's future. It's definitely something to think about.
Besides raising important questions, this well-written novel is just entertaining. Despite its size (over 500 pages), the action moves fast enough to capture even some reluctant readers' attention. James DeVita is a talented voice in young adult literature, and I'll certainly be looking up his previous novel,
Blue, and waiting eagerly for whatever he writes next!
Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for young adults and not so young adults, July 13, 2007
This is a 'hard-to-put-down' depiction of life that must be read by every teen, young adult, and those of us who are older. Not only will this book deepen awareness of personal responsibility but it will give the reader a glimpse into what the human being is capable of doing - both negative and positive. This is a must read...thought provoking...essential book. It moves quickly and holds the readers attention throughout. If you get a chance to attend one of Jim's book readings/signings, don't miss it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
