down the rabbit hole book peter abrahams

I remember one of my students saying “why do we always have to read books with such messed up people in them? And why do we read so many books about slavery and the Holocaust?” The kid had a point. I can live with that, especially since Down the Rabbit Hole leaves the ponderous messages for other novels. Even if the entire book is strong but workmanlike the last fifty pages or so were of the “the world can wait while I finish” variety. running in the woods…no wonder Stephen King gives a glowing cover nod) and I’m not sure why the dog plays such a prominent role. Some of the scenes are stock horror novel conventions (e.g. are drawn well enough to carry side stories without distracting the reader. The ancillary characters such as Ingrid’s parents, her brother, the police chief, etc. trying to figure out if a boy likes you) with humor and respect but not too much of either. A failed attempt to walk from the dentist office to soccer practice brings Ingrid into the swirling vortex of lost soccer cleats, a stray dog, the police chief’s son, and the dark history of a local theater company.Ībrahams handles the typical teenage girl issues (e.g. If Nancy Drew hated Math, loved Sherlock Holmes, and said things pissed her off, well, she would probably sound a lot like Ingrid. Down the Rabbit Hole’s primary draw is the character of Ingrid. I can say, without reservation, that my first foray into non-required YA reading was a success. I found the book at Borders on a day when I had a 30% coupon so I snagged the book for, like, five bucks on a weekend when I wanted to read but wasn’t in the mood for anything too heavy. People I know have spoken highly of the book.Ĥ.Ěn Alice in Wonderland theme threads through the book.ĥ. The storyline seems like one I would like.ģ. The storyline seems like one my kids would like.Ģ. Only in the last few years, as my eleven and nine year old sons devour YA books, has the prospect of reading these novels re-entered my consciousness.ġ. Anyway, I’ve had little desire to pick up YA books since the Hatchet, Number the Stars, Sadako and the Paper Cranes, etc. Come to think of it, well, that’s probably how my students read the books, too. In turn I associate most YA books with quick, joyless perusal just before the next day’s discussion. When I first arrived at the small parochial school down south I speed-read a slew of YA novels so I could teach them come September. Anyway, I taught fifth through eighth grade communications in ninety minute blocks.

I taught four years in the city, and I think those are the right years. Ok, I taught middle school on the south side of Chicago (with a brief stint on the west side, to be completely accurate) from August of 1993 to June of 1997.

Down the rabbit hole book peter abrahams