Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Zevin, G. (2007). Elsewhere. New York: Squarefish. ISBN: 0312367465

Plot Summary

  Lizzie is killed in a hit and run accident and Elsewhere is the story of her after life. At just 15, her life is taken without her consent. She boards a cruise ship that is destined for Elsewhere. She rejects her new life and spends hours keeping track of her family and friends through coin operated telescopes. She refuses to take advice from the leaders and it isn't until she meets her grandmother who she never knew, that she begins the process of acceptance.

Critical Evaluation

  This is an absolute must read. No one knows what happens when you die and Zevin makes Elsewhere easier to accept death and to appreciate where they are in life. The tone is hopeful, the writing is realistic, and the ending is perfect. All questions about the afterlife are covered, from animals to reincarnation. The thought of growing younger in heaven until the possible rebirth, is an interesting take on living forever in the afterlife. Even if you don't believe in Heaven or other religious endings, this book is a book about acceptance and appreciation of the life you are living.

Readers Annotation

  Don't let dying being you back to reality.

Information about the Author

  Gabrielle was born October 24, 1977 in New York City. She grew fond of typing after receiving an IBM electric typewriter as a gift and she would spend house typing nonsense stories which gradually turned into autobiographies and then plays on her new computer. She then used her computer to write anything from letters to pen pals to music reviews. She published her first novel, Elsewhere, in 2007, after telling her best friend that she would never finish a novel. This book was nominated for the 2006 Quill Award and the 2007 Independent Spirit award for her screenplay, Conversations with Other Woman.

  She still lives in new York with her pet pug.

Genre

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

  Can be used in creative writing classes.

Booktalking Ideas

 - Would you mind sharing your beliefs of the afterlife?

  - Would you want to keep track of what your friends and family are doing from above? Why or why not?

  - What are your thoughts of the way Elsewhere's system works?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Religion
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I received the galley.