All of Mattie Lyon's hopes and dreams are riding on her summer job at the Glennmore Hotel. She'll make enough money to go to college in the fall. She'll prove to her father that she is responsible. She'll learn how to survive in the sophisticated world beyond her dad's brokeback farm. But all her plans fall to pieces when a young woman turns up drowned in the lake. Only Mattie knows that her death is a murder.An astonishing and heartbreaking story set in 1906, this novel will take its place beside To Kill a Mockingbird, Little Women, and other classics that hark back to times of lost innocence.A NORTHERN LIGHT is Jennifer Donnelly's first published young adult novel, and it marks the debut of a major new talent.
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"I really enjoyed the way history was brought into the story, and now I want to reread Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy (which I first read in high school). Mattie is a strong heroine whose emotional drive would be an inspiration for any modern young woman. I'm wary about some of the story's digressions (small plotlines coming out of nowhere then disappearing), but overall I really liked the book!" — Margo (4 out of 5 stars)
"I really enjoyed the way history was brought into the story, and now I want to reread Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy (which I first read in high school). Mattie is a strong heroine whose emotional drive would be an inspiration for any modern young woman. I'm wary about some of the story's digressions (small plotlines coming out of nowhere then disappearing), but overall I really liked the book!"
“A fine blending of characters, setting, and suspense.”
“The author’s ability to recast the murder mystery as a cautionary tale for Mattie makes the heroine’s pending decision about her future the greatest source of suspense.”
“Jennifer Donnelly has populated her first young-adult novel with a community of distinctive characters who ring rich and true.”
" I bought this on a whim, hopefully I'll find time to read and enjoy it soon. One of my best friends has it on her bookshelf, so here's to hoping that I will enjoy it -- and I am enjoying it thus far. I'm up to the second chapter, I think. X "
" I'm disappointed that I didn't really like this book. I really enjoyed Donnelly's Revolution, but this one just didn't do it for me. I didn't like the way it went back and forth in time, and the plot didn't really intrigue me much, and I often didn't feel much sympathy for the characters. "
" Good story about a real murder, as told through a fictional 17 year old girl who worked at the resort where the murder occurred. The murder was also the basis for the Elizabeth Taylor movie A Place in the Sun. I had actually gone to the library to check this book out when I saw the library was showing the movie later in the week. Fate, I tell you! Good read for both YA and adults. "
" My friend Anne DeC let me borrow this audio book since I had enjoyed Revolution so much. "
" I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Donnelly wove the real-life story of Grace Brown with Mattie's story. Made me look up Grace Brown and read about her on the innerweb! "
" I absolutely loved this book. I kinda wanted Mattie to end up with royal, but I know she wouldn't have been happy. But I'm glad he tried with the cookbook, I think they both genuinely cared for each other! But in the end, Mattie did what was right for Mattie :) and I'm proud of her for it "
" 4 1/2 to 5. I have decided, at almost 67, must be a "young adult." About 4 times now, in all the years on GR, I have accidently ordered a "young adult" book, and have enjoyed them immensely. "
" Love this book!I am not sure if I have ever read a book twice before. "
" Not a bad book. I really enjoyed reading, as it seemed to happen before me while I'm reading it. "
" I really, really loved this book. The quality and style of writing was so luxuriant that I found myself lost in it, and the story was so exciting, thought-provoking and enjoyable that I was very sad when it ended. Perusing the charity shops and picking a book at random most definitely paid off! "
" This was entertaining. A book you could recommend to just about anyone. I loved the language the character used to explain herself. I enjoyed reading how she assimilated what happened to her in life and the lessons learned. "
" This book is brutal. Save yourself the time and don't read this story that is incredibly boring and has no plot. The most exciting part was when the cow dies. seriously, don't do it "
" This is Awesome "
" Loved this book. It was written for teenagers, but I was absorbed in the story line - historical fiction. "
" Great read. Although it is Young Adult literature, I think any woman can identify with the story. "
" I liked the ending. I'm glad the author did what she did. I would have liked it less had the ending been different. "
" A slow start, but worth the patience. "
" A Northern light is a great book. I recommend it to lots of people. There was lots of nice details and I liked how she picks a word everyday. I really adore this book "
" I seemed to always choose other books to read even tho I had started this, so I flipped to the last quarter and read that. At least there is something going on there. I guess the rest was just slow. Could not relate to the story. Liked the idea of the plot. Just too slow. "
" I would probably give it a 3 1/2 stars if it was an option. I enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed the main character of this book. I rooted for her and was excited with her ending. I would actually even like to know more of her story and also Weaver's. An enjoyable read. "
" Nice style - read for book club. "
" I liked the historical aspect of this novel and being able to see how life was like in the Big Woods. This story is about following your dreams and not allowing others to stop you ect... "
" I absolutely LOVED this book. The 16 year old and her love of books and words reminded me so much of my daughter. I couldn't put this book down. I didn't realize that it was based off a true story. I may just have to read it again! "
" I liked this book. Feel good. Mystery. "
" loved this book. best work of hers yet "
" She made a promise to her dying mother and she didn't keep it. She felt it was more important to follow her dream of attending college and becoming a writer. So sad. "
" I read this one quickly (all my books have to go back to the library), and enjoyed it. It was interesting, well-written. Nothing to freak out about, but good. "
" Wonderfully written, informative on the life and times in the Adirondack mountains in the early 1900s, and a page turner. The main character is wrought with guilt and learns to find her way. "
" This is one book I will never forget. Beautiful. :) "
" Loved this book- Donnelly wrote with such care, and drew her characters beautifully. "
" one of the best books i've read in far too long.donnelly is a genius. "
" I really enjoyed this tale of a young, fierce girl who loves books and wants to find her way out of farm life and getting married at 17. It's actually a historical novel, hiding as murder mystery and I had a great time with it. "
" An interesting read from the historical side of things, but seemed to demonize marriage and children. Ick. "
Jennifer Donnelly writes books for children and adults. She has written novels in the Rose series and the Waterfire Saga, as well as eight stand-alone novels. Her young adult novel A Northern Light won the Carnegie Medal and a Printz Award Honor.
Hope Davis, an actress and Earphones Award–winning narrator, has starred in more than twenty feature films, including Arlington Road, American Splendor, and Next Stop Wonderland. Also an accomplished stage actress, she earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the Broadway play God of Carnage. She was voted Best Actress in 2003 by the New York Film Critics.
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