FICTION, FANTASY, & YA

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rosoff, Meg. 2004. How I live now. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN: 0385746776

2. PLOT SUMMARY

When fifteen year old Daisy arrives from New York to spend the summer with her relatives in England she has no idea what to expect. Certainly not to fall in love with her cousin Edmond and then to be caught up in a new world war. Soon after her aunt leaves on a diplomatic mission a series of terrorist bombing escalate into open warfare with the result that England becomes occupied by the never – identified enemy. Daisy and her young cousin Piper are separated from the others and placed in a British Army encampment. When hostilities reopen, the girls escape during a battle and go searching for the others. Traveling on their own, they learn to scavenge and live off the land . They finally reach their home only to discover it deserted. Daisy and Piper struggle to repair the damage and eke out an existence on the farm. A phone call out of the blue signals the end of the war. Daisy is sent back to America only to return later to be with Edmond and help him recover emotionally from his war - time experience

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Intense characterization highlights this novel as Daisy’s first – person narrative provides the reader with an anchor point from which to view the dramatic events as they unfold. Her on- going commentary tinged with sarcasm which evolves through feelings of love, horror, and determination to a state of fateful acceptance of whatever life brings. The exigencies of war and the struggle for survival act as a catalyst to transform a self – absorbed teenager into mature women. Meg Rosoff has written a powerful and totally believable novel that will linger in the reader’s mind long after is finished.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT
“Though the novel has disturbing elements, Rosoff handles the harshness of war and the taboo of incest with honest introspection. This Printz award winner is a good choice for book discussions as it considers the disruption of war both physically and emotionally and should be on every high school and public library shelf. “
Wysocki, B., & Mandell, P. (2005). How I Live Now. School Library Journal, 51(8), 68. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

5. CONNECTIONS

Rosoff, M. (2006). Just in case. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.ISBN: 9780385746786