The Decoding of Lana Morris
by Laura McNeal, Tom McNeal
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Book Summary Information
Author: Laura McNeal, Tom McNealEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-08
ISBN: 0375831061
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Book Reviews of The Decoding of Lana Morris
Book Review: lana morris
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who has read any one of Tom and Laura McNeal's earlier young adult books does not need to be persuaded of their literary skill. The authors have a voice that speaks directly, clearly, and apparently efortlessly, to the hearts, minds, and souls of this age group. Their dilogue is bright and clever without being cute, and their stories move briskly.
The leading character of this latest book is a 16-year-old girl, Lana, who lives in a foster home along with four younger, disabled, special needs children, referred to as the Snicks. Lana's close association with them is enough to cause serious social problems for her, but sher has other more confusing concerns as well. Although she quickly shows herself to be strong-minded and determined, her life during this one Nebraska summer is challenging in many ways. Her travails, disappointments, discoveries, dreams and hopes make up the engaging plot. For me, however, the book's greatest appeal is in its treatment of the seldom-addressed subject of living with special needs children.
The authors describe the Snicks in a clear-eyed, realistic, matter-of-fact way that is invariably respectful. Each child's individual idiosyncracies are distinct; they're sometimes funny, sometimes aggravating, sometimes mystifying. But there is not the slightest hint of mockery in the descriptions of the comic moments, nor any sentimentality in the sad ones. Lana's, and the reader's, feelings toward these four characters grow from tolerance to affection to loving concern.
Summary of The Decoding of Lana Morris
Sixteen-year-old Lana Morris wishes her life were different, that she were somewhere else, someone else. Her foster mother wants her gone, she's stuck taking care of the other kids in the house, she longs to become closer to her foster father, and the only cool people around refuse to acknowledge her. Then Lana stumbles into Miss Hekkity's mysterious shop, and she begins to realize that she might actually have the power to change things?to make some of her wishes come true. But wishing isn't always as harmless as it seems. . . .Award-winning authors Laura and Tom McNeal weave a warmhearted and suspenseful story about the power?and danger?of a wish.
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