Independent Reading - Blog Post One

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Name: Alli

Date: January 27

Time: Two Hours

Pages: 1 - 159

Total Pages: 159

Question One: What does this book make you wonder about? Why?

Responce: The book that I am reading is called Elsewhere, by Gabrielle Zevin. In this book Liz, the main character, dies in a bicycle accident and finds herself in a parallel world known to its inhabitants as Elsewhere. Elsewhere is where a person goes when they die, so most of the residents are old. Liz, who was fifteen when she died, becomes cut off from her family and friends back on Earth and not allowed to make Contact with them. Now she must age backwards until she is a baby and can be sent back to Earth. But Liz will never turn sixteen, never get her driver's license, never go to prom or get married and will never be able to see her family again.

This book makes me wonder about what will happen after death. Elsewhere gives us a hint to what could happen, but there are still many possibilities. Unlike Liz, I wouldn't mind dying and coming to Elsewhere, as long as I wasn't young like her. It seems like a second life where there is no work or school and you could possibly see your family and friends again (if they die as well). This book also makes me wonder if I would act the same way Liz does in Elsewhere. Throughout the beginning of the novel Liz is depressed and does not interact with others. Although at some points Liz seems unreasonable, when I really think about it and out myself in her position, I realize I would have acted the same way.

Question Two: What advice would you give to a particular character?

Responce: Liz's grandmother, Betty, is also going through some difficult times with Liz. Becuase she is the only dead relative Liz has, Betty willingly toook Liz in to care and provide for her Betty trys to help Liz out of depression but does not succeed at first. If I were to give Betty some advise, I would tell her not to worry, but not to worry but to keep a close eye on Liz in case she were to do something recklees. I would tell her tell her to get Liz involved in other activities so that she does not become too focused and unhealthily obsesse with her past life. I would finally tell Betty that nothing is her fault and that she is doing the best that she can to help Liz.