Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
New Year's Day...the one-year anniversary of Lucca's death. This is how CHASING BROOKLYN begins.
Brooklyn was Lucca's girlfriend. She has been struggling with her grief over Lucca's senseless death for an entire year. Nico is Lucca's brother. He, too, has been torn apart by the loss of Lucca, but for different reasons.
As the story unfolds, Brooklyn begins to have horrible nightmares involving another friend, Gabe. Gabe was the person responsible for Lucca's death. Unable to deal with his own guilt, Gabe commits suicide. Gabe then begins haunting Brooklyn. Brooklyn can't bring herself to share her terrors with anyone, fearing everyone would think she was going crazy.
Nico, like Brooklyn, is also being haunted. But it is Lucca who is haunting him. Lucca continually tells Nico in various ways that he must help Brooklyn. Nico has no idea how to help her but tries to work himself into Brooklyn's life.
As the early part of the year unfolds, it seems to Nico that just when he takes one step forward in helping Brooklyn, she pushes him two steps back. Even when Nico tries to give up, Lucca leaves Nico subtle reminders that he isn't done yet.
Told in alternating voices, CHASING BROOKLYN is a beautifully written novel in verse. Ms. Schroeder ties in characters from her first novel, I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME to ease the grief that the main characters are suffering. CHASING BROOKLYN is definitely a book for the reluctant reader. This story movies quickly; it draws you in and captures your heart.
For anyone who has ever dealt with loss or love, this is a story that you, too, will adore and remember long after the final page has been read.
New Year's Day...the one-year anniversary of Lucca's death. This is how CHASING BROOKLYN begins.
Brooklyn was Lucca's girlfriend. She has been struggling with her grief over Lucca's senseless death for an entire year. Nico is Lucca's brother. He, too, has been torn apart by the loss of Lucca, but for different reasons.
As the story unfolds, Brooklyn begins to have horrible nightmares involving another friend, Gabe. Gabe was the person responsible for Lucca's death. Unable to deal with his own guilt, Gabe commits suicide. Gabe then begins haunting Brooklyn. Brooklyn can't bring herself to share her terrors with anyone, fearing everyone would think she was going crazy.
Nico, like Brooklyn, is also being haunted. But it is Lucca who is haunting him. Lucca continually tells Nico in various ways that he must help Brooklyn. Nico has no idea how to help her but tries to work himself into Brooklyn's life.
As the early part of the year unfolds, it seems to Nico that just when he takes one step forward in helping Brooklyn, she pushes him two steps back. Even when Nico tries to give up, Lucca leaves Nico subtle reminders that he isn't done yet.
Told in alternating voices, CHASING BROOKLYN is a beautifully written novel in verse. Ms. Schroeder ties in characters from her first novel, I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME to ease the grief that the main characters are suffering. CHASING BROOKLYN is definitely a book for the reluctant reader. This story movies quickly; it draws you in and captures your heart.
For anyone who has ever dealt with loss or love, this is a story that you, too, will adore and remember long after the final page has been read.
