*These are 2 of the reviews that readers have written for "Museum". A few other reviews are available on the book's Amazon.com product page.
Alex McGrath's novel Someday This
will be in a Museum is a great read for any teen or preteen who has ever
dealt with the desire to please his or her parents. The novel allows
insight into the fear, and confusion 11-year-old Melody deals with as
she strives to please her mother and make peace with moving from her old
home.
The themes expressed in the book--family,
success, relationships, friendship--are expertly presented via Melody’s
diary entries and McGrath carefully takes her on an emotional journey
from passivity to curiosity and finally to boiling frustration at her
mother and the many obstacles in her life that she can’t quite
understand.
Each of the other characters (mom, dad,
Dyson, various friends, etc.) in this novel has a strong presence as
well and is multi-layered. For example, Mel’s mother is a remarkable
character whose actions are not that of the predictable “overbearing
mom.” It is clear early on in the novel that she is a bit extreme and
wants her daughter to be the best at all cost, but she doesn’t really
berate Melody into studying. She simply makes her “feel loved.” Love,
however, is actually the “tool” she uses to manipulate her. Perhaps her
mother does not even mean to really control her in this way. She just
does. Gentle back caress, hugs and kisses subtly cause Melody to feel
the need to please her mom and not let her down even though her mother’s
demands border on abusive.
The novel also loosely
hinges on Melody’s anticipation of going home which is an effective
metaphor for everyone’s longing to go back to the way things used to be.
And while, the unspoken issue (dad’s failed business) of why they are
in Vermont is a little anticlimactic, the firestorm of emotion that
erupts when it is finally discussed more than makes up for it!! This
final big argument between the mother and father (and a previous
argument between Dyson and the mother are) quite telling and propel the
story to its ending which is beautiful and filled with heart. Overall,
extremely well-written and highly recommended.
Stephanie Lawrence
Librarian / English Teacher
Bancroft Middle School
Los Angeles CA
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I really enjoyed reading this book because it took me back to a time in
my life where I had forgotten how tough life could be. Sometimes we
forget how hard it is to be a kid. Alot of homework, tests, problems
with kids at school, everyone talking about your future all the time,
it's a rough time of life. This book took me back to that point through Melody's eyes and reminded me just how tough it could be.
I found myself
feeling bad for her because of the pressure she was under, mostly
because of her mother who overworked her, and because of how she was
treated by some of her peers.
As far as the characters go Melody was a
very likable girl, she was always trying to please everybody, but she
has her moments where she rebels too. Her mother is a character that I
didn't like, because of the way she came down on her daughter, even
though she was doing more work than imaginable. She seemed a little
crazy at times. Melody's father was a great character because he would
step in and save the day alot, but the thing about him was he worked
alot so I still sometimes found myself mad at him for not being there. I
think my favorite character would be Melody's brother who wouldn't let
her forget to be a kid. He took her to do kid things whether it was to
just play video games or go on a trampoline, or totally rebel and take a
secret vacation behind their parents back.
All this said I really
enjoyed the book, I found myself reading for long periods of time
because I couldn't put it down without finding out what was going to
happen next. I was definitely rooting for Melody throughout the book, and
was pleased with the ending as it was definitely a symbol that changes
were coming. If you haven't read it I won't spoil it for you, but pick
it up...you won't be disappointed!
Mike
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