Customer Reviews

The Silenced

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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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!

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

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.

I picked this book up at the library because it was thick, and new, and looked interesting. When began reading it, I was sucked into the story. This is a book about a dystopian society, one that could very well be in our future. This is a story about what happens when people allow a government to control every aspect of their lives-from where they can live to what they can believe. This is also a story about what happens when someone dares to fight back. The main character of the book, Marena, is a girl who sees the injustices of her society and dares to defy those in power.
I read this book in under two days, it was that engaging. Even though the book is fairly large, the pace is quick and it's very easy to get lost in the story.

Dystopian literature was never an addiction of mine (that would be more my friend Coral's area of expertise), but I picked up this book anyway, based strictly on the fact that it was written by one of my favorite actors from a local theater company I adore. The story, like most of its genre, is a fairly straightforward one- the oppressed begin to learn who they are and to rise against the totalitarian regime- but was inspired by The White Rose, a German resistance group formed against the Nazis during 1942. The knowledge of that inspiration made the whole book more interesting to me. In addition, the characters were well-formed, and the story is paced well, leading you to the (rather predictable) ending while maintaining suspense.

And I loved every page.

Based loosely on the White Rose dissident movement in Nazi Germany that resulted in the murder of some college students for speaking out against Hitler's regime, this sci-fi page-turner grapples with the big questions: how do you resist evil when the consequences for you or your family can be so terrible, can you rely on your instincts in knowing whom to trust, how some can rationalize evil away in order to continue functioning, and the deadening effect of totalitarian propaganda on a community. Middle schoolers will want to read this book, and it would provide a great opportunity for discussion in any unit on Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, the current regime in Iran, the Soviet regime and its eastern European satellites, Communist China, or in a government class that covers the purposes of the First Amendment. It is sad to see that this book did not find enough of a market to warrant a paperback version. I hope the publisher reconsiders.

I bought this book for my niece's 12th birthday. She read it in 2 days. My sister said she was even reading it in the car. She is interested in reading more about Sophie Scholl since this book was inspired by her and the White Rose (The author's note gives a good mention of this). I read a few pages and I was immediately drawn into the story. If I would have had more time before the birthday party, I may have read the entire book.

The Silenced portrays how human traits can reach such limits as to there is only a fine line between human and animal. Placing Nazi-like operations in a futuristic setting. Exciting and captivating, this book is a great read for a traveler or a person yearning to understand the human mind. I hope who ever reads this book will enjoy it, because it reminds us of how the world once was

Fantastic. This story pulls you in right away. One of its central themes is "people deserve the government they tolerate" and has become quite a contemporary issue. I really loved this book. It deals with some very intense issues, similar to 1984, but it is much more accessible. It makes you think about totalitarian regimes and their techniques of controlling populations without freaking you out or putting you off. It's an easy read, good for early teens and adults that makes you think and empowers the reader.

Marena is sent to school with all of the other kids at the local YTF, Youth Training Facility. These grounds are roamed by Stofs, mindless troopers patrolling for any sign of rebelliance against the state. In this "state", you must be at your housing unit by curfew, or else. When you disobey, you are punished. Teachers are students are "disappeared" for just speaking their mind. And we all know that disappeard means "neutralized". So Marena teams up with two friends and creates a resistance called The White Rose, in honor of her mother, who was slaughtered by the dominant political party, called ZT (Zero Tolerance), years ago. But you never know who is listening, and who will soon be silenced.

James DeVita is an excellent writer. He fully develops his characters and settings, making the Nazi-esque society as believable as it can be. You sympathize with heroes and hate villains with a vengence. Your heart pounds and you are kept on the edge of your seat until it ends. And it ends with a bang. DeVita engages you with the slightest things, and even when there isn't action, you are still riveted to your seat, unable to move except to turn the page and possibly cross/uncross your knees.

You Have No Right To Be Silent.