Customer Reviews

Together Apart

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This story, told as it is from the alternating viewpoints of a girl and boy who shared a close-to-death experience, is full of powerful images and strong emotions. The cast of characters covers a wide range of personalities, some colorful, some heart-warming, and some downright mean. The plot grabs you and pulls you along, as the two teens leave their homes to live in town, meeting those who will be in their lives forever and others who'd like to send them back home. A wonderfully good read for older kids who enjoyed Little House on the Prairie.

When I first read the the synopsis of Together Apart, I thought it would be another book about storm survival. While the blizzard that affected the lives of the main characters was a real event known as The School Children's Blizzard, Together Apart is about much more. Many people who survive natural disasters say that the main thing is that their family lived. While that may be true, it is also just as true that the real story lies in what happens after the disaster. Together Apart is what happens to the fictional Hannah Barnett, whose two brothers died in the blizzard of 1888. As for Hannah, she huddled with a local boy to keep warm--incurring rumors in the community about their relationship and causing estrangement with her farming family. Needing her own space to grieve, Hannah applies for town for work. She receives a job from the unconventional Eliza Moore, who prints a gazette promoting women's suffrage. Together Apart is also about Isaac, the boy with whom Hannah huddled to stay alive. When Isaac tires of abuse from his step-father, he runs away but only to the nearby town because he wishes to stay close to his mom. There are plenty of other things I could tell you about Together Apart, such as how much I loved the chapter about the play that Hannah writes about Fair Wind and Wild Wind, but I'd prefer for you to discover these delectable treasures for yourself by reading the book.

Using a real historical event (The Children's Blizzard of 1888), Gray constructs a believable story of two young people trying to overcome their own struggles. Hannah feels guilt over surving the terrible blizzard while her brothers did not. Isaac -- who kept Hannah safe during the blizzard -- has a terrible home life. They both join leagues with Eliza Moore, a young widow and suffragette. Young readers will sympathsize with Hannah and Isaac who are trying to stand on their own two feet and make a difference in the world. Readers will also wonder if Hannah and Isaac's growing fondness for each other will turn into something more permanant. A good read for 5th grade and up.

I think this book was extrordinary piece of literature i love the gossip that people have about these two characters and what they did do in the hay stack i like the way it goes from hannah to iisac then back to hannah i think gray should make a sequal to this book. I cryed when i read it it is a emotional and caring book and Gray did a Fabulous Job so good work.