The Death & Life of Charlie St. Cloud

The Death & Life of Charlie St. Cloud
Written by Ben Sherwood

"Trust your heart, If the sea's catch fire (and live by love, though the stars walk backward)"

About the Author

Ben Sherwood worked as a producer and associate producer for ABC News from the year 1989 to 1993. Sherwood has worked on Non-fiction writing for many years, and has been published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Parade Magazine and many other newspapers.

The Story
After a horrific car accident causes Sam St. Cloud to pass away, his older brother Charlie goes through everyday life with a heavy weight on his shoulders. When Charlie St. Cloud was only fifteen years old, he took his brother and his pet beagle, Oscar, to a Red Sox game. However on the return home, they crash into a lorry driver and fall over the side of a bridge, causing them both to pass on to the afterlife. Upon being found in the crushed car wreckage, Charlie is saved by the paramedics. Unfortunately However Sam is not. As Charlie grows up, he realises that thanks to his near death experience, he now has powers to see the deceased, and begins to work in the cemetery that Sam was buried in, and every evening at sundown, Charlie goes to see Sam and play catch with him. This goes on for a while, before Charlie is introduced to Tess Carroll, a young sailor on the verge or sailing around the world by herself. Tess soon comes to meet Charlie, and they hit it off straight away, until tragedy strikes and neither of them know how to handle the situation.

Characterisation
The novel has a small group of characters, the following three are our main characters in which our story revolves around:

• Charlie St.Cloud - Our main character, the story is centred around his experiences and told from his point of view
• Sam St. Cloud - Charlie's younger deceased brother
• Tess Carroll - The main female character and Charlie's love interest

Charlie is a bright and sweet 28 year old guy who wants nothing more than to just get on with his life as the days go by. He spends his days working at the Waterside Cemetery, burying the deceased residents of the town, whilst working alongside his good friend, Joe the Atheist. After a long day’s work digging up graves and filling them in again, Charlie might decide to cut the grass or trim some bushes, but never forgetting that every evening at exactly sundown, he must go to meet with his brother Sam in the Forest of Shadows at the edge of the cemetery and spend the first few hours of darkness playing catch. Charlie has kept up this same routine for the past thirteen years, never breaking the promise he made Sam when they were in the afterlife.
Being a twelve year old in the afterlife cannot be easy for Sam.
He loves being able to spend time with his brother in the evenings, but during the day he is nothing but a wondering spirit. We only ever encounter Sam in the story if he is being met by Charlie. Sam seems happy where he is, even though he may be lonely at times, but he always knows that Charlie will be along soon to meet him.
Tess is our young lead female in the story. She is a strong willed and strong hearted character and will stop at nothing to make sure that she can do what she wants to do, whether that be getting her
own way with her friend Tink, or sailing solo in an around the world race. Tess meets Charlie unexpectedly, and a bond is immediately created. Tess may have finally found the one she has been looking for.
Other characters mentioned throughout the story include, Tink, Tess's good friend who works on Tess' boat with her, Joe the Atheist, A friend of Charlie's who works in the cemetery, and Grace, Tess' mother.

All characters in the story seem to have things worked out for them. Tink has decided to work on boats, Tess wants to sail to world solo, and Sam just wants to spend the rest of his dead life experience making sure his brother lives a full life. Charlie however, doesn't quite seem to know what he wants to do. He was given a second chance at life when he was brought back from the dead, and he has not seemed to have found what it is he was meant to do in life.


Plot Lines
In this story I noticed a few plot lines that I liked, whilst there were others I didn't quite like as much. To start, I liked the idea of Charlie being able to visit his dead brother in the cemetery every evening at sundown. That made me happy because everyone wants to know that their loved ones are happy, or in a better place when they pass, but Charlie is actually able to see his brother and spend time with him. The bond between Charlie and Tess after Tess finds out she is a ghost is quite wonderful. You see romance bloom in many different forms in movies and TV shows, but I have not come across a ghost and human connection. A plot line that I did not quite enjoy however, was when Tess finally finds out she is a ghost. After being shown around by Sam on the workings of being a ghost, she goes back to see Charlie in his cottage, and there Charlie takes Tess up into his bedroom and the two engage in intercourse. My main question is how? It has been made clear in the story that Charlie is able to touch Tess and Sam in the afterlife, as they have not yet crossed over to the other side. They are technically caught in the "Middle Realm" which is between life and death. But yet it baffles me how the two are able to do what they do. It made the story predictable from here on out and it made the story quite difficult to read.

OVERALL

Story: 6/10
Characterisation: 7/10
Re-readable: No
Recommendable: Yes

Overall I rate this book: 7/10

In the past I have read many novels. Many different genres, whether they be supernatural, sci-fi, romance and many others. I have read a lot of romance novels, and I would say “The Death & Life of Charlie St. Cloud” fits the genre nicely. There is a deep connection between Charlie and Tess which at first I liked a lot. Their bond made me want to know how the situation they found themselves in was going to affect them, but then all of a sudden within a page turn, I was bored of it. At first I was shocked at the revelation that Tess was what she was, and Charlie was just walking around as if he did this sort of thing every day, but as the bond grew between Tess and Charlie, I came to find that it was getting predictable. The novel itself has thirty-seven chapters, but by the time I got around the chapter twenty-five everything became predictable. I knew how the story was going to go in the following pages and how the story would end. This made it hard to read and I found it hard to continue, as if pushing my way through forcefully.

Theatrical Poster (2010)

The novel was made into a film adaptation in 2010 starring teen heart-throb Zac Efron. Much of the film has been changed, as all film adaptations of books are, but the start of the movie has a completely different beginning. Charlie appears to be a different age, and has a different reason for driving.

I enjoyed the book to a point, but it did start to become predictable. I would however, recommend it to others as a one-time read.

I would recommend this book to fans of Romance.



Other books by Ben Sherwood:

1. The Man Who Ate the 747
2. The Survivors Club - The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life

Kensuke's Kingdom

Book Cover (1999) 

Kensuke's Kindom
Written by Michael Morpurgo

"I heard the wind above me in the sails..."
"You shouldn't be doing this... I was in the cold of the sea before I could even open my mouth to scream"

About the Author
Michael Morpurgo was born in Hertfordshire, England in 1943. He attended the London University, where he studied English and French. Morpurgo first started a career in teaching in a primary school in Kent. During this time he realised that what he wanted to do most in life, was write stories for children.

The Story
Kensuke's Kingdom is a story within a story. The young lead character Michael is telling us the tale of when he was once washed up on the shore of a desert island. After Michaels family decide to take off on an around the world trip on their new boat, the "Peggy Sue", Michael must say goodbye to all his friends and his beloved Gran. However just over halfway through their trip whilst Michael is on watch one night on the deck, when he notices that his best friend - his pet dog - Stella Artios, had fallen over board. When Michael tries to reach for Stella, he realises too late that he is not wearing his life jacket and falls into the water. Before he knows it, Stella has disappeared and so has the Peggy Sue with his parents on board. No land is to be seen for miles and Michael is left alone in the water. When he awakens on the hot sand of a desert island, he finds that he is alone and no chance of finding anybody.

Is he really alone on the island?

Or will he find someone who is able to get him home?

Will he ever get back home?

Characterisation
Our leading characters are as followed:

• Michael - An 11 year old male protagonist that tells the story of being stranded in our story.
• Kensuke - The man that our story revolves around. Kensuke and his wide open desert island home offer key aspects of the story
• Stella Artois - Michael's pet dog and best friend. 

Michael, our young lead character, is an 11 year old boy who has set sail with his family to travel the world. He has had to leave his friends and the rest of his family behind, abandon his football team and his old home for his new life on board The Peggy Sue. Michael's pet dog Stella has a very deep connection with Michael. This may sound silly to some, considering the fact that Stella is in fact a dog, but many dog owners will know that you can create that special connection with your loyal companion. In the story both Michael and Stella become stranded together on the desert island, and must fight for their survival. However, just reading about Michaels feelings towards the fact he has Stella, that he is not lost alone, but the fact he has a friend nearby, makes the reader wish they had that sort of connection.

Kensuke, our other lead character, enters the story a little later on in the book. He is first introduced when Michael lands on the island. Michael learns of Kensuke's existence after building a fire to gain passing ships attention, however he is not happy about Michaels actions as he doesn't wish to be found and rescued, or even discovered for that matter. The reader begins to wonder why that is, why would someone that appears to have been stranded for, who knows how long, want to stay any longer? This raises questions, which us as the reader are intrigued to find out. Between the first meeting of Michael and Kensuke, Kensuke shows hostility towards Michael. He doesn't want Michael to start a fire and begins to berate him. However we find that every morning when Michael awakens in a nearby cave he discovered, he always comes to find that Kensuke has left him some fresh water and food to eat. 

Plot Lines
In this story there is a definite start, middle and end. The beginning explains how Michael and his family first come to buying the boat and why they want to set sail. Saying goodbye to their friends and family, and just beginning their new life together.
The first major plot line in our story, I think, is when Michael first gets thrown over the side of the boat. Our author describes in detail how Michael is feeling stranded in the middle of the ocean, his fear and what might become of him. But when he is washed up on the shore, the real story begins. Michael must fight to survive on a desert island with only his dog by his side. We follow Michael as he searches the island and tried to find food and fresh water to drink. We learn of the howling from the trees, and how he fears something may be out there ready to eat him alive.
The next bog event is when the reader is introduced to Kensuke for the first time. The reader paints a picture of a frail old man, which intrigues us as the reader. Meeting Kensuke is the readers first introduction to "Kensuke's Kingdom". Michael refers to the island as "Kensuke's Kingdom" because he has yet to meet anybody else. Kensuke might just well be the only living soul on the island, and Michael realises he must trust and befriend him to stay alive.
The chapters in the book are quite long in some places, but they helped to add extra detail and flesh out certain parts of the story. Michael is able to describe everything, what he can see, hear, smell and sometimes taste in the air. But it all adds up to help us create a mental image of what Michael may is experiencing, whether he considers it a dream, or a nightmare.

OVERALL

Story: 8½/10

Characterisation: 8/10

Re-readable: Yes (Have read this at least 8 times over)

Recommendable: Yes (Convincing a friend to read it at the moment)

Overall I rate this book: 8/10

The first time I ever read Kensuke's Kingdom, I was roughly around 12 years of age and was still in primary school. I felt the book made a real connection with me, which made me want to read it again and again.
Michael Morpurgo is in fact a children's writer, and Kensuke's Kingdom is a children's book, however, the story is so well written and in depth that I would recommend the book to any person of any age. The story has really stuck in my mind over the years, I have read it nearly 10 times in total. "Kensuke's Kingdom" is one of my favourite books of all time, and I can honestly say I know I will read it again in the future will and probably pass it on to my kids.  Michael Morpurgo is also the writer of The War Horse which was released as a film adaptation starring Jeremy Irvine, which was released in 2011.

The story of Kensuke's Kingdom is short book to read, whether it be to yourself or to your children, because I guarantee they will love it as much as you do. I loved it at the age of 10, and it has been nearly 10 years since, and I still love every page of it. A classic in disguise. If you liked The War Horse, then I know you will love Kensuke's Kingdom. 

I would recommend this book to Young Fiction readers.





Other books by Michael Morpurgo:

1. The War Horse
2. The Sleeping Sword
3. Escape from Shangri-La
4. Twist of Gold

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

2010 Original Cover

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Written by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

"I've left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page.If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please."

About the Author
Rachel Cohn was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. She attended Barnard College, and graduated with a B.A in Political Science. David Levithan was born in Short Hills New Jersey. At age 19 he was offered an internship at Scholastic Corporation. This is where he began writing The Baby-Sitters Club series.
Cohn and Levithan have written 3 novels together and both work as full time authors in the United States.

The Story
Our story begins with young Dash taking a stroll around his favourite book shop, The Strand, when he suddenly comes across a red Moleskine notebook. He opens it to find a note, he presumes from a girl due to the neatness of the handwriting, and a list of book names and numbers. Little does he know that by cracking the code in the notebook and passing it on, he finds himself caught in the middle of a goose chase, but nevertheless the romantic adventure of a life time. Dear, sweet and innocent Lily has no idea who has picked up her Moleskine, no clue of his name or what he looks like, just the hope that he is the right guy for her. But with the help of her well connected family, she is able to find ways to communicate with Dash through the notebook, without the pair ever crossing paths.

Is Dash the right guy for Lily? 

Or are they only destined to share dreams and desires, and not each other?

Will their personalities connect just like inside the notebook?

Or will they be a mismatch of outrageous proportions?

The Characters
The story has a wide range of characters. Main characters in our story are as follows:

• Lily - The female protagonist, and the reason the notebook began.
• Dash - Young, dashing male lead character, the one to find the notebook and start the journey.
• Langston - Lily's homosexual brother. The person who gives Lily the notebook idea in the first place.
• Boomer - Dash's best friend. Usually sent on an errand by Dash to drop off the notebook in mysterious places.

Keeping in mind that our main characters take quite a while to meet in person, the connection that is built through the notebook is amazing. Lily and Dash are able to get to know each other through the power of writing. By giving each other dares and challenges, they are allowing each other access to their worlds. The relationship between Dash and Lily is extraordinary, They were able to form a friendship, and eventually a romance with one another based on what they had read.

Minor characters related to Lily include; her cousin Mark, and Mrs Basil. E, her Great Aunt. 

Mark works at The Strand bookstore and was able to pass on the notebook back to Lily once Dash had figured out the code. Mrs Basil. E was Lily's great aunt who worked at Madam Thussauds NY, and also helped pass on the notebook between Dash to Lily.

Other characters mentioned in the novel include Lily's Grandpa, Sofia, Yohnny, Dov and Priya.
Sofia is Dash's ex-girlfriend from before her family moved to Spain. Priya is a young girl that Dash goes to school with, and is also good friends with Sofia. Yohhny and Dov are good friends of Dash's who help him with one of the notebook swaps, but they fail when Lily makes a run for it.

Plot Lines
I have read many romance novels in the past. Stories that capture your heart no mater what the circumstances, but I love when an author is able to create a new way that a couple can meet. I have read novels when couples will meet unexpectedly, some in high schools, some through pen-pal letters, others when the couple meet through paranormal or supernatural circumstances, but I love how original the meeting of our characters in this story is. The premise of someone leaving a notebook for me to find is quite intriguing. I could honestly say that it would make me want to find out who the person was. Many people are not spontaneous and will refuse to take on a challenge, or will not do something because of what the consequences may turn out to be. Dash, however, surprised me by actually wanting to get to know the girl who caught his attention.

Another aspect that I really liked about the story was the places and people that were visited and met, and how they became involved with the story surrounding the notebook.
In one way or another, each character will eventually be connected to the notebook. Langston and his boyfriend Benny were the idea behind the notebook, Lily placed it, Dash found it, Mark passed it on, Boomer gave it to Lily, and so on and so forth.
My favourite aspect of the book was the challenges introduced by the characters. My favourite challenge was Lily sending Dash to see Santa to receive a letter from her. Little did Dash know that Santa was actually Lily's Uncle Carmine. he was asked to rub Santa's belly if he really wanted to get Lily's letter and was consequently chased around Macy's for the unacceptable touching of Santa.

The novel has been written from both characters points of view. Our first chapter is based from Dash's point of view when he finds the notebook. And then the second chapter is based from Lily's point of view before she wrote in the notebook. Chapters alternate between characters, but also alternate between days of the week. The story starts on December 21st and ends on New Years day.

OVERALL

Story: 8/10

Characterisation: 9/10

Re-Readable: Yes

Recommend to a friend: Yes

Overall I rate this book: 8/10

I loved this book for a few main reasons.

1. The authors have found an original way to allow our characters to meet. The fact it had to be by chance adds a little suspense to the story. The tension that built up to the characters meeting makes you want to know how its going to happen.
2. The bond that is created between Dash and Lily, even though they only write to each other. They have never met before, have no idea of what the other looks like, yet they have got to know each other through the power of not really knowing each other. "Never judge a book by its cover" is something you always hear in movies or on a television show, but this book just goes to show that you don't need to be able to tell a difference between the way that someone looks, and what is really on the inside.

Release Poster (1998)

I have read that people are describing "Dash and Lily's Book of Dares" as the new "You've Got Mail", because it is based around new young locals of Manhattan. It has been said that the inevitable meeting between the two is similar to the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan love story, however i do not agree with this, as "Dash and Lily's Book of Dares" introduces two completely new parties and it does not follow the ideas of a regular romance. 

The basis of the story is about whether the connection between Lily and Dash will ever be a true connection, or whether it may just all fall through. The love story that could or, could not have a happy ending.

I recommend this book to fans of Young Teen Romance.

Other books by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

1. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
2. Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

For Fans of:

• Rachel Cohn (GingerBread)
• David Levithan (Boy Meets Boy)
• Kate Lauren (Torment)

If you liked this, you'll also like:

• Becca Fitzpatrick - Hush Hush
• L.J Smith - Secret Vampire
• L.J Smith - Strange Fate