Splintering

                This six weeks I read Splintering by Eireann Corrigan, copyrighted in 2004, the book is a work of fiction about what happens to a family after a traumatic break in happens. The story begins with a flashback from the youngest sister describing how her and her mother had to barricade the door with bookshelves while on the phone with 911 while her sister tries to shatter the window in hopes that someone will notice and help them. The rest of the story, with exception of other flashbacks which helps you understand what happened to the rest of the family during the attack, talks about the aftermath of what happens to the family through the words of Jeremey, the middle child, and Paulie, the youngest. I think the overall theme of the book is that no matter what happens your family will always be there for you.
               
                The book is told in free verse poem told from first person point of view by brother and sister Jeremy and Paulie.  The intended audience for this story is  for teens who enjoy reading realistic fiction.  The genre of the book is realistic fiction and the author keeps the book really realistic  having the characters deal with normal real teen problems and dealing with sex, drugs, and alcohol. The author also makes the book realistic with having the family dealing with the hardships of what happens with a dysfunctional lifestyle. after a traumatic accident. The author keeps you interested in the book by having the switching point of views because the two characters don't have the same expireances so you understand what both of them go through instead of in a one person narrative book you only get to read for that person. Her  style is very effective for her intended audience because the reader stays interested, especially if the reader enjoys poetry. 

                 Every time I read this book it gives me chills because of how good it is, the book always makes me thankful for my amazing family and how lucky I am. I don't think this book really changes any of my views but I learned that if someone high of PCP ever breaks into my house that I should immediately call 911 and lock myself in a room that they can't get into. 

                I think this book is fantastic and I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys reading about realistic situations, but I wouldn't suggest it to anyone who has a problem with profanity, drug use, and sex because then I don't think they would enjoy the book as much. 

TAYLOR BRICE
12/19/2013