Shoes….are sometimes taken as a symbol of what kind of a person we are….and in Deborah Kerbel ‘s Girl on the other side, shoes do in deed become a personification of the two girls in this novel.
Tabby Freeman and Lora Froggett…..two girls from opposite worlds… one is a rich, popular, self-assured ‘queen-bee’ and the other a social outcast, who has been shunned and rejected by her peers since grade one.
As the story progresses and perspective shifts from one girl to another, we are witness to a subtle transformation of both characters….for in their own world…each conceals a secret filled with loneliness and personal pain. A succession of events and circumstances have the worlds of these two girls colliding in a way that neither could have ever imagined!
Kerbel’s sensitive portrayal of issues such as bullying, humiliation and peer pressure makes this novel a very engrossing and thought-provoking read appealing to many teens.
I found this book to be a fast-paced, engaging read and the accurate use of teen vocabulary adds credibility to the story.
Highly Recommended!!
Reading Ability: Grade 7,8,9
Genre: Realistic fiction
Theme: Bullying; Teen Social issues; Peer Pressure; Family life; Friendship
Book Trailer on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnXOUo_9Uj0
