Pleasant Surprise

I just finished my first book of the new school year, and it was a very pleasant surprise. Elsewhere, by Gabrielle Zevin, is tough to categorize, but I totally loved it. I would say that it is a paranormal romance of sorts about how to appreciate th things you have in life, no matter which side of it you are on. If this is confusing, bear with me. The main character of the novel is a girl named Liz, who is recently deceased, don't worry, I am not spoiling anything. Anyways, she finds herself in a unique place called Elsewhere, which is where she will spend her afterlife. I know this sounds strange, but there is a lot more to it. Several of the students that I support had to read this book for Summer reading, so I read it in order to offer the best help. Boy am I glad that I decided to pick it up. I have read quite a bit over the last year, and I can honestly say this is the most refreshing book that I have read in a long time. It has a wonderful innocence that is irresistible. Keep in mind that it is aimed at young adults, so it may not be as deep as you want it to be, but it is definitely worth your time. Four Stars.