Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

Hoffman, A. (2004). Green Angel. (p. 128). Scholastic Paperbacks.

ISBN : 0439443857

Classification: book, fiction

Genre: fantasy

Age Level: 7th-12th grade

Subjects: fiction, family, siblings, war

Reader's Annotation: Green is the only member of her family to survive an attack on their city and she must learn to live on her own.

Summary: Green is the only member of her family to survive an attack on the nearby city. Alone, without her parents or her sister, she exists in the house they shared. She ignores her garden, wears leather and combat boots, and gives herself tattoos of ravens, bats, and thorny vines. She calls herself "Ash." Slowly, and with the help of a dog, a hawk, some sparrows, an elderly neighbor and a mute boy, Green grows out of her grief and back into herself.

Reviews / Awards:

Bookpage Review

Author Info:
Alice Hoffman's website

Potential Hotspots:

war, death

Readalikes:

• Deerskin by Robin McKinley
  
• Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
  

Why it belongs in a YA collection:
This short, beautifully written novel has almost a fairy tale feel to it, but tackles the issues of loss and grief. I think this novel will strike the imagination of older teens, and appeal to any who feel they are alone in the world.

Other:

One of my favorite reads for this class so far. Such a lovely book, with such a redemptive message.

Evaluation:

5 stars