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Bloomsbury USA Childrens
On sale:
February 2010
Price:
$16.99
Format:
Hardcover
Size:
5.5 x 8.25 in
Pages:
240 pp
Ages:
14
Grades:
9
ISBN-13: 9781599904313
ISBN-10: 1599904314
The Mark
By Jen Nadol
Book Description
A gripping debut novel that deals with death, fate, and a teen girl's ability to change them both.
Sixteen-year-old Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a light glow reminiscent of candlelight. The only time she pointed it out taught her she shouldn't do it again. For years, the mark has followed Cassie, its rare appearances odd, but insignificant. Until the day she watches a man die. As she revisits each occurrence of the mark, Cassie realizes she can see a person's imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.
Now armed with a slight understanding of the mark, Cassie begins to search for it. Even as she hides her secret, Cassie mines her philosophy class, her memories, and even her new boyfriend for answers about the faint glowing mark. But many questions remain. How does it work? Why her? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone's last, should you tell them?
"Nadol does a fabulous job of hooking the reader right away. Although the story seems simple enough, she poses lots of serious questions about fate, death, and free will. Teen readers will thoroughly enjoy this read."—VOYA
“A thoughtful exploration of fate and free will.”—Publishers Weekly
"First-time author Nadol has interwoven an absorbing and thoughtful philosophical dilemma with a YA romance. Characters grapple convincingly with the moral question and nothing is oversentimentalized. A great book for discussion groups, this will engender plenty of conversation."— Booklist
“Nadol’s debut novel is a compelling coming-of-age tale with a bright, likable narrator. Teens will identify with Cassie’s uncertainty about her future and the challenges she faces in her first relationship. Although her ability borders on the supernatural, her dilemma and emotions feel genuine and believable thanks to Nadol’s sensitive writing. Readers will eagerly follow Cassie’s story and will hope for a sequel.”–School Library Journal
"A compelling protagonist and a riveting premise. [T]he ideas explored could inspire heated classroom debates, and philosophically inclined teens will find that the central question of “What happens now?” will linger." --Kirkus Reviews
"Nadol's first novel avoids both sensationalizing and moralizing. Instead, it is a thoughtful dramatization of a fascinating philosophical conundrum, complete with musings on fate and free will that never stray too far from Cassie's perspective and her quest to define herself, her family history, and her purpose in life."--The Horn Book
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