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Broken Soup
Broken Soup
Author: Jenny Valentine
Positive. — Negative. — It's how you look at it. . . . — Someone shoves a photo negative into Rowan's hands. She is distracted but, frankly, she has larger problems to worry about. Her brother is dead. Her father has left. Her mother won't get out of bed. She has to take care of her younger sister. And keep it all together . . ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780060850715
ISBN-10: 006085071X
Publication Date: 4/1/2009
Pages: 224
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 5

4 stars, based on 5 ratings
Publisher: HarperTeen
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

GeniusJen avatar reviewed Broken Soup on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

The story in BROKEN SOUP starts immediately from page one.

While Rowan is in line at a shop, a strange boy tries handing her a picture negative. He's insistent that she has dropped it, but Rowan is positive that it's not hers. When he doesn't let up, Rowan takes the negative from him, but once at home, she throws it in the trash. It isn't until an unfamiliar girl approaches Rowan in the lunch room that she gives a second thought to the negative.

The girl, Bee, is a few years older and would be the same age as her brother, Jack, if Jack were still alive. It turns out Bee saw the encounter at the shop and asks Rowan what was on the negative. Rowan retrieves it from the trash, and Bee develops it.

What shows up stuns Rowan. It's a picture of her brother. But this is not a picture that she has ever seen before. How did the unfamiliar boy know that it belonged to her, even when she hadn't known herself that it even existed?

From there, the story evolves into Rowan's friendship with Bee, and her future encounters with the unknown boy, Harper. Harper is an American traveling around Europe. He hadn't planned on staying in town as long as he has, but he's enthralled with Rowan and can't bring himself to leave.

BROKEN SOUP is the heartbreaking story of a girl and her family's attempt to recover from the untimely death of Jack. Jack was the shining star in the family. When he died, so did the family. Rowan's father has left. Her mother is practically comatose with grief. It's up to Rowan to keep herself and her little sister, Stroma, surviving.

Finding the negative begins a series of events that may either heal Rowan's family once and for all, or be the last straw that makes it crumble into permanent destruction. The story is beautifully written and will surely touch the heart of all who read it.
lovestoreadtons avatar reviewed Broken Soup on
Helpful Score: 1
After the death of Jack, Rowan's mom goes off the deep end. She does not seem to notice or care about anyone else in her family. A surprise negative shows up that rocks Rowan's world and Harper, the one who gave her the negative, turns out to be the love and support that she has needed all along. At 15, Rowan thinks she has to do everything and be the world for her little sister Stroma, but she finds that loved ones new and old can be a positive help to her and support her. With at least 5 OMG surprises incidences, this book is well worth the read for anyone. Trust me as I am 36 and after the first chapter I could not put it down and my neice is the one who recommended it to me and she is 16. A great read for all ages as long as you believe in the mystery of life, love conquers all, and things have a way of working out to the best you will love this book.
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