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Summary:
What if you had a secret talent that you are not very proud of? Jem can see in people's eyes and know the date of their death. She is trying to live a normal life even though it is really not so quite as normal anyway. She is an orphan who made friends with a boy they call Spider. She tries to keep it to herself until one day tragedy occurred at the London Eye Ferris Wheel and forces Spider out of the area before anything could happen. What will be the outcome of the talent she possesses? Will it help her and her friend or destroy her?
What if you had a secret talent that you are not very proud of? Jem can see in people's eyes and know the date of their death. She is trying to live a normal life even though it is really not so quite as normal anyway. She is an orphan who made friends with a boy they call Spider. She tries to keep it to herself until one day tragedy occurred at the London Eye Ferris Wheel and forces Spider out of the area before anything could happen. What will be the outcome of the talent she possesses? Will it help her and her friend or destroy her?
Reviews:
Ward's first novel is a fast-paced thriller with deep philosophical roots and tremendous empathy for those who don't fit the mold, not to mention a jaw-dropping ending that stands alone beautifully while whetting readers' appetites for the sequel. Clear, straightforward prose is the perfect voice for prickly Jem, and Ward's complex, intriguing characterizations challenge the reader to look beyond appearances. The British setting and tone will intrigue, not deter, U.S. readers. A fascinating premise, creatively explored.
Carton, D. (2009, December 15). Staring down death. [Review of the book Num8ers, by R. Ward]. Booklist 106(8), 336. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com
Ward's first novel is a fast-paced thriller with deep philosophical roots and tremendous empathy for those who don't fit the mold, not to mention a jaw-dropping ending that stands alone beautifully while whetting readers' appetites for the sequel. Clear, straightforward prose is the perfect voice for prickly Jem, and Ward's complex, intriguing characterizations challenge the reader to look beyond appearances. The British setting and tone will intrigue, not deter, U.S. readers. A fascinating premise, creatively explored.
Carton, D. (2009, December 15). Staring down death. [Review of the book Num8ers, by R. Ward]. Booklist 106(8), 336. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com
Impressions:
The main character was the kind of person that I wanted to desperately help. She was in need of attention and wanted to tell someone of her unfortunate talent of knowing when a person's time was up in the world. Many of the teenagers can relate to how they feel like no one is there for them at times even though many adults have no idea they feel that way. There is a hook that readers may not be able to resist.
The main character was the kind of person that I wanted to desperately help. She was in need of attention and wanted to tell someone of her unfortunate talent of knowing when a person's time was up in the world. Many of the teenagers can relate to how they feel like no one is there for them at times even though many adults have no idea they feel that way. There is a hook that readers may not be able to resist.
Suggestions:
This book can be great for a book club discussion. Participants can discuss what parts of the story interest them, how they would change the ending of the story, or try to explain why the main character had the special talent and how she could have used it in a positive way.
This book can be great for a book club discussion. Participants can discuss what parts of the story interest them, how they would change the ending of the story, or try to explain why the main character had the special talent and how she could have used it in a positive way.
Bibliography:
Ward, R. (2009). Num8ers. New York, NY: Chicken House/Scholastic.
Ward, R. (2009). Num8ers. New York, NY: Chicken House/Scholastic.
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