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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
This was a young adult novel that, for once, didn't show religion as the last resort of either the feeble-minded or the sick, twisted, and controlling. It tells the story of a minister's daughter and her struggle to deal with her role in the community, especially as her mother is in treatment for alcoholism just when a crisis erupts in her community. It could have been a longer book, with more of the story fleshed out, both as far as character development and plot resolution (the solution to the vanished child mystery is poorly explained in particular) go, but on the whole, it's a refreshing and unusual read.
Really compelling. Christian fiction that I could actually tolerate.
Sara Zarr is religious and her books usually have religious themes and undertones. I'm short on faith myself, but I really enjoy reading these, because Zarr writes to tell a story, not deliver a moral. Her characters are fully rendered and real, her plots are well-paced, and she avoids cliches.
Of all her books I've read, Once Was Lost was the most grounded in religion. The entire story takes place within a religious community: 15-year old Sam, the pastor's daughter, and her youth group and church community. Sam is having a very hard time because her family is falling apart. The stresses of trying to be the perfect pastor's wife led Sam's mother to a serious drinking problem and landed her in an inpatient rehab center. Her father is always too busy to take care of her, and she suspects he might be having an affair with her youth group leader. They're broke, and their home is falling apart. When the preteen sister of one of Sam's fellow youth group members disappears off the street, Sam's faith in God takes another blow.
Unlike many "Christian" novels, you never see the hand of God in this book. There are no miracles, just a bunch of stuff that happens. The people in Sam's church aren't portrayed as better than other people - there's some pretty messed up people there. And yet, despite, this, the protagonist makes a case that her faith is something she wants to stick with. She doesn't realize this because she's touched by God, in fact, no one really claims to speak to God. Even her father admits that he isn't sure that God speaks to him. It's just where her internal conflicts lead her. And I think that's a really fair, honest way to write a novel about religion - one I wouldn't be ashamed to recommend to someone.
Of all her books I've read, Once Was Lost was the most grounded in religion. The entire story takes place within a religious community: 15-year old Sam, the pastor's daughter, and her youth group and church community. Sam is having a very hard time because her family is falling apart. The stresses of trying to be the perfect pastor's wife led Sam's mother to a serious drinking problem and landed her in an inpatient rehab center. Her father is always too busy to take care of her, and she suspects he might be having an affair with her youth group leader. They're broke, and their home is falling apart. When the preteen sister of one of Sam's fellow youth group members disappears off the street, Sam's faith in God takes another blow.
Unlike many "Christian" novels, you never see the hand of God in this book. There are no miracles, just a bunch of stuff that happens. The people in Sam's church aren't portrayed as better than other people - there's some pretty messed up people there. And yet, despite, this, the protagonist makes a case that her faith is something she wants to stick with. She doesn't realize this because she's touched by God, in fact, no one really claims to speak to God. Even her father admits that he isn't sure that God speaks to him. It's just where her internal conflicts lead her. And I think that's a really fair, honest way to write a novel about religion - one I wouldn't be ashamed to recommend to someone.
Excellent. Life is complicated for 15-year-old Sam. Her mother is in rehab, her father is a pastor and good at counseling with everyone but her, and faith in God is floundering, then a thirteen-year-old member of her congregation goes missing.
For discussion: p 38 Why should I have to ask?You don't have to be all powerful to know . . . this is a tragedy in need of divine intervention. p. 61 love can't be . . . p 135 for some other reason p154 I hate this feeling . . .p 199 and then something happens
Subtle, realistic, good read.
For discussion: p 38 Why should I have to ask?You don't have to be all powerful to know . . . this is a tragedy in need of divine intervention. p. 61 love can't be . . . p 135 for some other reason p154 I hate this feeling . . .p 199 and then something happens
Subtle, realistic, good read.
Sam's life should be perfect being the pastor's daughter and all. Except her life isn't at all perfect, at least not since her mom was sent to rehab after getting a DUI, her dad is more dedicated to his congregation than his own family, and Sam just can't believe in a God who would let all these things happen. Sam's personal crisis is only magnified when a local girl goes missing. The entire town is turned upside down as they rise together to search for the missing girl.
I love Sara Zarr. Story of a Girl and Sweethearts were both fantastic. So I had high hopes for Once Was Lost, but I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed. I didn't love Sam. She just wasn't the kind of character I could wrap my brain around and become. I almost feel like I need to reread it and try again. I wanted to like it more than I did, but it just didn't hold up for me. I was mad at both of Sam's parents and her youth group leader more often than not, and her relationship with the missing girl's brother Nick wasn't very realistic. Maybe I needed more heat or something. Overall it may have been a little "meh" for me, but I would still recommend it to any Sara Zarr fans. It's gotten some great reviews, so hopefully you all will like it more than I did.
Read more reviews like this one at http://bookmarkedreviews.blogspot.com
I love Sara Zarr. Story of a Girl and Sweethearts were both fantastic. So I had high hopes for Once Was Lost, but I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed. I didn't love Sam. She just wasn't the kind of character I could wrap my brain around and become. I almost feel like I need to reread it and try again. I wanted to like it more than I did, but it just didn't hold up for me. I was mad at both of Sam's parents and her youth group leader more often than not, and her relationship with the missing girl's brother Nick wasn't very realistic. Maybe I needed more heat or something. Overall it may have been a little "meh" for me, but I would still recommend it to any Sara Zarr fans. It's gotten some great reviews, so hopefully you all will like it more than I did.
Read more reviews like this one at http://bookmarkedreviews.blogspot.com
Great book, though I wish it were longer! As another reviewer said, there's a lot going on in a mere 200 pages! But it does end satisfyingly - I just wish it were longer to give me more to enjoy. Sarah Zarr is definitely one of my top five favorite YA writers.
Perhaps my favorite of all of Zarr's books. She is brilliant.
This book was kind of like a personal GPOY when it came to her views on religion. I really liked, and I think people could really relate to Sam.
Sam is a pastor's daughter. She has always been left out of close circles of friends or activities because people are afraid of what her father will think of them. Now her mother is in rehab after a DUI conviction, and Sam is frustrated that no one mentions her mother or what is really going on. It's as if her mother simply doesn't exist for now. And Sam's father has thrown himself even deeper into serving the community, often leaving Sam in the dust.
Then one of Sam's classmates disappears and the town rallies to search for her. Between her father's distance, her mother's absence, her lack of close friends, and the new stress on the town in light of Jody's disappearance, Sam is about ready to scream. Can she find what she has lost?
This book was intriguing and a welcome relief after the many rather-depressing teen books I read. I enjoyed seeing the town through the eyes of the pastor's daughter (a daughter who is a confessing atheist) and watching her family become whole again. And they do find the missing girl, by the way, and she's still alive.
Then one of Sam's classmates disappears and the town rallies to search for her. Between her father's distance, her mother's absence, her lack of close friends, and the new stress on the town in light of Jody's disappearance, Sam is about ready to scream. Can she find what she has lost?
This book was intriguing and a welcome relief after the many rather-depressing teen books I read. I enjoyed seeing the town through the eyes of the pastor's daughter (a daughter who is a confessing atheist) and watching her family become whole again. And they do find the missing girl, by the way, and she's still alive.
Faith / religion as a teenager is complicated. Sometimes it's tied up with what your parents believe, sometimes it's tied up with your social life (i.e. youth group, choir, etc..) I don't think a lot of books explore that in a way that says it's okay to be questioning and I think this book did. I felt like the missing girl storyline was wrapped up a little too quickly, but in general I liked this one.