FlumeAward – Waves Discussion page for Waves
This is a powerful and emotional book. The protagonist is male, but the emotional connections required to enter into the book may turn some boys off. Also, the cover makes it look like summer chick-lit, which it most definitely is not. It explores the psychological connection between siblings and the dynamics of parent/child relationships. The dialogue is realistically teen, between teens and teens and parents. The descriptive passages are evocative of the tensions building towards a cathartic climax. It is one of those books that stays with you for a long time after you close it up.
Sally Nelson, Leach Library.
Waves is a wonderful book for high school aged boys and girls. The perspective shifts between Hal and Charley, brother and sister, past and present, beginning with almost pure grief, but hurtling toward the solution to the mystery of what happened to Charley. The bulk of the book took place in Cornwall, but that doesn’t seem to have made much of a difference to the story -it could’ve taken place on the Cape just as easily. As Sally says, Waves is a powerfully emotional book.
-Kirsten, Lane Memorial Library, Hampton, NH