Undercover (Library Binding)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"(An) intelligent, multilayered love story…Neatly balancing action and contemplation, Kephart offers a plethora of images, ideas about literature and even some well-known poems along with a plot that will speak to many teens." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A beautifully written, engrossing tale…This is a book that no serious-minded teen will want to miss, and high school English teachers may also take note as it has a well-crafted and highly teachable text." Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library -- School Library Journal (starred review)

"Readers will fall easily into the compelling premise and Elisa’s memorable, graceful voice, and have no trouble recognizing the teen’s quiet courage as she leaves her comfortable isolation, claims her own talents, and embraces the people who matter most." -- Booklist (starred review)

Review

"A beautifully written, engrossing tale.This is a book that no serious-minded teen will want to miss, and high school English teachers may also take note as it has a well-crafted and highly teachable text." Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library (School Library Journal (starred review) )

"(An) intelligent, multilayered love story.Neatly balancing action and contemplation, Kephart offers a plethora of images, ideas about literature and even some well-known poems along with a plot that will speak to many teens." (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )

"Readers will fall easily into the compelling premise and Elisa's memorable, graceful voice, and have no trouble recognizing the teen's quiet courage as she leaves her comfortable isolation, claims her own talents, and embraces the people who matter most." (Booklist (starred review) )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Library Binding: 288 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (September 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061238945
• ISBN-13: 978-0061238949
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,980,518 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Talents and Loneliness, January 26, 2008

By	Little Willow (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Undercover (Laura Geringer Books) (Hardcover)

The Cantors were once a happy family, but now they are drifting apart. The mother and older daughter, Jilly, match, with their gleaming smiles and shiny blond hair. The father is often out of town on business, sending her postcards from other cities. The youngest daughter, Elisa, would rather be alone with her thoughts than gossiping with her classmates.

Elisa has a talent for writing and poetry. At school, she secretly writes love notes for boys to give to the girls they like - the kind of girl she will never be - the kind of girl she has no desire to be. After taking her mother's old skates down to a frozen pond, she discovers a new talent: ice skating. She tries to keep these talents hidden and stay undercover, but, bit by bit, a classmate, a teacher, and her family discover them - discover her.

Written in lyrical, descriptive prose with occasional poems and quotes from Cyrano de Bergerac, Undercover is like Elisa: quietly beautiful, artistic, and hopeful.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story + great blog too, October 20, 2007

By	Jennie Nash (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Undercover (Laura Geringer Books) (Hardcover)

As the mom of a 'tween and a teen girl, I wanted to stand up and cheer for this story. The best thing I can say is that it's REAL. It feels like the real thoughts of a real girl living a real life, and in this world dominated by High School Musical I think that's something we desperately need. And FYI: Beth Kephart has a great blog at
http://beth-kephart.blogspot.com/

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Writing, November 15, 2007

By	Dale R. Niemeier (Southern USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Undercover (Laura Geringer Books) (Hardcover)

As a secondary level instructor, I am always seeking well written novels for my students to read. Undercover, by Beth Kephart, is written in a beautifully descriptive tone throughout. She never misses a beat. Elisa, the heroine, is a girl whom most students can easily admire and desire to emulate. This novel helped my students understand why it's necessary to work on their language skills in order to have the power to communicate their feelings, hopes and desires.