Sunday, November 22, 2009

Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt


(We're back! And, with regular reviews, I promise.)


The accidental murder of Henry's brother shocks the town of Blythbury-by-the-Sea, especially as it was done by one of them. Chay Chouan is the accused murderer-and a Cambodian immigrant. As the already barely manageable racial tensions elevate, Henry finds himself caught between conflicting ideas. So, he decides to climb Mt. Katahdin , as he had planned with his brother before his death, hoping that it will solve his confusion. But, he's planning on going up alone. Fortunately for him, his best friend, Sanborn and the recently-adopted stray, Black Dog (in case you're wondering, yes, it's a dog, and yes, it's black-originality, right?) come along with him. What he hadn't bargained for is the company of the very same man who seems to have caused all the trouble-Chay Chouan.


Trouble is a beautiful book-in writing, in story and in characters. Gary D. Schmidt wove a truly seamless tale of growing up, and with so much skill that it all seemed effortless. The story, itself, is realistic and unsentimental yet completely captivating. Although the book covers the serious issues such as racism and loss-and does so with originality and depth- it also possesses a huge amount of humour. There were many, many moments when this book had me laughing out loud especially at the interactions between Henry and his best friend, which seemed so true of all good friendships. Schmidt easily juggles the multiple plots and characters. And, despite the complexity of the story, the characters never lose out, each of them seeming fully real. Henry's growth throughout the book, in particular, was very believable. As the story proceeds, Henry is not only forced to deal with the death of his brother but also confront the idealized image he had of him.



This was my second time rereading Trouble and yet, it remains one of the most satisfying books I have ever read.

54 comments:

Akai.Shuu said...

Good entry, I like it!

Lowrance marine GPSamadoras

Thiên Địa Hào Kiệt said...

furniture room dividersRomantic getaways

Love your review! I am intrigued and will definitely be on the lookout for this. And hey, who's judging? Sometimes a short book just hits the spot!

Anonymous said...

Pashmina scarfsite 2 date online
The second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

Dream said...

Details about Aquabol Suspension-
“I do!” said Harry fiercely, stuffing the rest of the Chocolate Frog into his mouth. “I’ve got to! What if the dementors turn up at our match against Ravenclaw? I can’t afford to fall off again. If we lose this game we’ve lost the Quidditch Cup!”
“All right then … ,” said Lupin. “You might want to select another memory, a happy memory, I mean, to concentrate on. … That one doesn’t seem to have been strong enough. …”
Harry thought hard and decided his feelings when Gryffindor had won the House Championship last year had definitely quali¬fied as very happy. He gripped his wand tightly again and took up his position in the middle of the classroom.

kratos___s said...

business developmentTampa Immigration LawyerThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first

kratos_____s said...

hotels near edinburgheigentumswohnungenThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

kratos__vl said...

cesoia a ghigliottinaOff Roading Car Insurance QuotesThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

kysirong said...

quarzhandschuhe günstig kaufenhormone procedureThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-ba

kratos__vl said...

web marketing companyload balancingThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

apple said...

Love your review! I am intrigued and will definitely be on the lookout for this. And hey, who's judging? Sometimes a short book just hits the spot!hotels in VishakapatnamEtobicoke Condos

ss5360 said...

Scientists lead many powerful countries, including China and Germany, but they have never gotten a political foothold in the United States.

Liferay PortalQuail West Naples Florida

ss5360 said...

The sequel! Check it out. +Ron Garan and Mike Fossum from space...
hosting forumaccounts management

ss5360 said...

Cox Cable doesn't cap or throttle. I have actually not moved because the areas I would have moved to were not serviced by them.
migrainenail

apple said...

“I do!” said Harry fiercely, stuffing the rest of the Chocolate Frog into his mouth. “I’ve got to! What if the dementors turn up at our match against Ravenclaw? I can’t afford to fall off again. If we lose this game we’ve lost the Quidditch Cup!”
“All right then … ,” said Lupin. “You might want to select another memory, a happy memory, I mean, to concentrate onOnline Store Websiteseo article writing

apple said...

All right then … ,” said Lupin. “You might want to select another memory, a happy memory, I mean, to concentrate on. … That one doesn’t seem to have been strong enough. …”
Harry thought hard and decided his feelings when Gryffindor had won the House Championship last year had definitely quali¬fied as very happy. He gripped his wand tightly again and took up his position in the middle of the classroomseks zilvermeerVA Home Loan

kaukenh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kaukenh said...

Removals In PlymouthNokia AkkusLove your review! I am intrigued and will definitely be on the lookout for this. And hey, who's judging? Sometimes a short book just hits the spot!

kaukenh said...

new york job listWeb Design in AtlantaWe really love your blog, i haven't seen you keeping the posts in in some time now. Is everything ok.
I'd love to visit that random middle-of-nowhere pub!
How great is the scenery, all nice and green.

kysirong said...

create a websiteWeb Marketing ServicesThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

kaukenh said...

[url=http://www.bournemouthhypnotherapy.co.uk/suggestion-hypnosis/]hypnosis Bournemouth[/url]
[url=http://www.smartsmall.de/brands/smaafolk]smafolk[/url]You are very good, hope you'll get more closely in the future. I also come to you. Have a good day
Segur que alguna cosa deuria dir. Me l'apunto. Promet. I amb el Madaula!

kaukenh said...

website builderwebmaster forumEach team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

kaukenh said...

hypnosis BournemouthsmafolkThank You a ton for writing such a wonderful piece of information. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. This was actually what I was looking for, and I am glad to came here! Thanks for sharing the such information with us.

I sometimes do that myself.? Most of my landscapes are done just from memory. Thanks for sharing this video :)
hola! me encantan tus trabajos, son muy finos y bonitos. Y me gusta especialmente el cuadro grande de Beatrix Potter. Mi amiga va a tener un bebé y me encantaría hacerlo para regalarselo. Podrías mandarme el esquema? mi mail es lerk73@hotmail.com.

Nguyen Hieu said...

detox foot bathverzekeringenLove your review! I am intrigued and will definitely be on the lookout for this. And hey, who's judging? Sometimes a short book just hits the spot!

Nguyen Hieu said...

mens warm winter coathome medical equipmentThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

Nguyen Hieu said...

banner standfranchise business reviewThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

Nguyen Hieu said...

Oakville Homes For SaleOR tablesYou are very good, hope you'll get more closely in the future. I also come to you. Have a good day
Segur que alguna cosa deuria dir. Me l'apunto. Promet. I amb el Madaula!

Nguyen Hieu said...

sanitizer dispensers and refillslights and flashlightsthe Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

ArtistFree said...

Currys Discount CodesGames DownloadI agree - another example of biased and useless garbage journalism. Perhaps Poole should report more on the facts and actual views the French/Europeans have on Obama.
This article is for U.S. consumption only and does not reflect the views of most Europeans.
Oh, and by the way, contrary to what CNN would have you believe, American politics is NOT the center of the French's universe.

ArtistFree said...

have to agree with that. Sure, some of the hospitals are in old buildings, and it's no surprise to see dingy wallpaper or tired linoleum floors. But the stuff that counts - the medical care offered, is as good as you will find anywhere. Whether in the emergency room, pediatrics ward, maternity ward or in oncology... there's nothing shabby about European health care! And there's no going into debt to keep healthy...rubber stampsbrazilian blowout

mitomsong said...

traje de noviotrajes de comuniónBetting thousands of dollars a night in a country where most families live off a few hundred dollars a year would seem like a bad play for Sherkhan Farnood, the founder and former chairman of Kabul Bank, the country’s biggest. His assets are supposed to be frozen, and he is still facing the threat of prosecution over a scandal that could end up costing the Afghan government — and, by extension, the Western countries that pay most of its expenses — almost $900 million, a sum that nearly equals the government’s total annual revenues.

kaukenh said...

Location d'appartements de vacances à Madère

GCC Business Directory

apple said...

DAN CORNER

video production for charitiesThe second would be Game No. 2, the Celtics' first matchup with Miami since the playoffs last spring. Each team will have played on Christmas, the Heat having to watch the Mavericks raise the 2011 championship banner. It's hard to remember a tougher stretch out of the box for the Celtics, as they continue with a roadie in New Orleans after Miami in the first of their back-to-backs.

apple said...

abbigliamento tennis

Coursework writingI agree - another example of biased and useless garbage journalism. Perhaps Poole should report more on the facts and actual views the French/Europeans have on Obama.
This article is for U.S. consumption only and does not reflect the views of most Europeans.

HieuThao said...

electric bicycle kit

augenlasernI sometimes do that myself.? Most of my landscapes are done just from memory. Thanks for sharing this video :)
hola! me encantan tus trabajos, son muy finos y bonitos. Y me gusta especialmente el cuadro grande de Beatrix Potter.

25251325 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
HieuThao said...

Igre igrice

replica rolex submarinerLove your review! I am intrigued and will definitely be on the lookout for this. And hey, who's judging? Sometimes a short book just hits the spot!

nguyen said...

Attempting to know when the raids will come is futile. The only answer is to always be in a position to take advantage of them rather than be crushed by them. Their objective is to drain your funds so don't let it happen. Dont over commit. Have funds earmarked for raid opportunities. In the meantime trade as though there is no EE raid coming. They win when they have us always concerned about the possibility.pokerking

pmp exam prep

hungech said...

SQ3R is a method of taking notes from written material, though it might be better classed as a method of reading and gaining understanding. Material is skimmed to produce a list of headings, that are then converted into questions. These questions are then considered whilst the text is read to provide motivation for what is being covered. Notes are written under sections headed by the questions as each of the material's sections is read. One then makes a summary from memory, and reviews the notes.
Boston Physical Therapy

stainless steel fabrication

MR.HIEU said...

white gold charms

Jobs4uDuring World War II, Walton was exempted from military service on the understanding that he would compose music for wartime propaganda films. In addition to driving ambulances (extremely badly, he said),

MR.HIEU said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MR.HIEU said...

Best Credit Card

herbal vaporizersInitially, the military potential of pigeon photography for aerial reconnaissance appeared attractive. Battlefield tests in the First World War provided encouraging results, but the ancillary technology of mobile dovecotes for messenger pigeons had the greatest impact.

MR.HIEU said...

tallboy

office cubicles Texashe technology became widely known through Neubronner's participation in the 1909 International Photographic Exhibition in Dresden[13] and the 1909 International Aviation Exhibition in Frankfurt. Spectators in Dresden could watch the arrival of the pigeons, and the aerial photographs they brought back were turned into postcards.[2][14] Neubronner's photographs won prizes in Dresden as well as at the 1910 and 1911 Paris Air Shows.

MR.HIEU said...

Igre igrice

wildlife photography

MR.HIEU said...

it problems

sports memorabilia denverAt the start of the war, the German Empire had cruisers scattered across the globe, some of which were subsequently used to attack Allied merchant shipping. The British Royal Navy systematically hunted them down, though not without some embarrassment from its inability to protect Allied shipping.

MR.HIEU said...

clases particulares ingles

internet marketingThe Falun Dafa Information Center stated the incident was a hoax staged by the Chinese government to turn public opinion against the group and to justify the torture and imprisonment of its practitioners. The incident received international news coverage, and video footage was broadcast later in the People's Republic of China by China Central Television.

naruto said...

auto folie kopen

replacement windows Portland ORThe Falun Dafa Information Center stated the incident was a hoax staged by the Chinese government to turn public opinion against the group and to justify the torture and imprisonment of its practitioners. The incident received international news coverage, and video footage was broadcast later in the People's Republic of China by China Central Television.

naruto said...

auto folie kopen

replacement windows Portland ORInitially, the military potential of pigeon photography for aerial reconnaissance appeared attractive. Battlefield tests in the First World War provided encouraging results, but the ancillary technology of mobile dovecotes for messenger pigeons had the greatest impact.

HT said...

game poker

houses in tucson azI thought you were kidding when you said that you would make a poll and have people vote! :P

Wherever you end up, I hope that you have a great college experience!

apple said...

cosmetic dentist dublin

rolex replicaI voted Mcgill because it was the one with the longest list of good stuff. It sounds great!

naruto said...

marbella property

Online backupLove your review! I am intrigued and will definitely be on the lookout for this. And hey, who's judging? Sometimes a short book just hits the spot!

MR.HIEU said...

Exhibition Displays

iain millerHarry Chauvel (1865–1945) was a senior officer of the Australian Imperial Force who fought at Gallipoli and in the Middle East during the First World War. He was the first Australian to attain the rank of lieutenant general and later general, and the first to lead a corps. The son of a grazier, Chauvel was commissioned in 1886 as a captain in a unit organised by his father.

hoyduadoi said...

As mentioned above, substitution is not automatically recursive. So if a substituted template has code containing transclusions of other templates and parser functions, that code will be copied "as is" into the resulting wikitext – the transcluded items will not themselves be substituted.
Credit Card Database

Home Business Website

price per head said...

Your blog is quite helpful to me and i am sure to others too. I appreciate your post, it is usually nice and contains useful information .

uknowme said...

Your blog is quite helpful to me and i am sure to others too. I appreciate your post, it is usually nice and contains useful information .
bingo

play casino online