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annabelreadsandwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kemendraugh's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous. So fab. I'm a big fan of Tony and Ethan and every character in this book, but especially the Lady Grady. Audio reader for her voice was spot on and wonderful.
PS Toronto never seemed so cool.
PS Toronto never seemed so cool.
heyyitsmel's review against another edition
3.0
This is my second time reading through the series and I was never as fond of this book as the others, however it wasn't bad. It was a good book that flowed nicely. The main character was overly naive at times but it didn't take away from the overall story. If you were to read any book from this series I would recommend "Innocent" by Eric Walters
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Toten and six other well-known YA authors have written a set of stand alone books that all revolve around the same pivotal event - the burning down of the orphanage where the characters lived.
In this one, Toni is given 3 items: a torn menu, an old playbill, and a release form from Toronto General Hospital. These items are all she has that might lead to answers about her past and her family.
Published by Orca, I believe the series will be engaging for 6th-10th grade, especially reluctant readers.
In this one, Toni is given 3 items: a torn menu, an old playbill, and a release form from Toronto General Hospital. These items are all she has that might lead to answers about her past and her family.
Published by Orca, I believe the series will be engaging for 6th-10th grade, especially reluctant readers.
melissayabookshelf's review
4.0
While I'd read Teresa Toten's collaboration with Eric Walters, The Taming, Shattered Glass is my first foray into a book written purely by this award-winning Canadian author.
From the description and Toni's nightmares - something that some of the MC's in the other Secrets Series books mentioned - I was expecting a very dark book. There certainly are some moments where the reader finds themselves imagining the worst, such as when Toni reads her hospital release form for the first time. However, one of the things that I loved most was how hilarious this book was at many points along Toni's quest. She is described by her landlady, Grady, several times as appearing to have stepped into Toronto in 1964 from another century or as having stepped directly out of Charles Dickens' novel. She is very naïve and despite knowing a lot about popular music, she is completely clueless when it comes to many words, people, and lifestyles that are common in large cities. I'm certain that she would've had trouble getting around even a small town like Hope, Ontario without misunderstanding one or several things she hears though.
The comedic elements which pepper most of the middle portion of Shattered Glass, including the missteps and fantasies she has about her father, romance, and revenge against Ethan for making her feel stupid, are very necessary. Nor was I expecting that Mrs. Hazelton and Joe would give such detailed information about what Toni should do to get to Toronto to begin her search and what she should (or shouldn't) do along the way seemed odd to me at first because they hadn't acted this way with the other young ladies. However, once I saw how she got through the world (or didn't), I became very clear that they thought she needed this step-by-step guidance whereas the others didn't.
The comedic moments help balance the very difficult and emotional scenes at other points. Without them, this book might've been as excruciating as the pain a burn victim goes through while they are awaiting and healing from skin grafts. With them, the painful moments are appropriately balanced and heart wrenching, but not impossible to bare. You may find your heart hurting for what Toni has gone through, what she thinks has happened to her, and even for what Rachel eloquently explains are part of the universal experience of girls and women when she says the "shame bits" are "part of being a woman."
At the same time, there are moments where she clearly has grown into a beautiful girl who has everything that she needs to be who she's meant to be. I loved her letters to Joe and Betty and am interested to see how Betty's story interacts with this one.
From the description and Toni's nightmares - something that some of the MC's in the other Secrets Series books mentioned - I was expecting a very dark book. There certainly are some moments where the reader finds themselves imagining the worst, such as when Toni reads her hospital release form for the first time. However, one of the things that I loved most was how hilarious this book was at many points along Toni's quest. She is described by her landlady, Grady, several times as appearing to have stepped into Toronto in 1964 from another century or as having stepped directly out of Charles Dickens' novel. She is very naïve and despite knowing a lot about popular music, she is completely clueless when it comes to many words, people, and lifestyles that are common in large cities. I'm certain that she would've had trouble getting around even a small town like Hope, Ontario without misunderstanding one or several things she hears though.
The comedic elements which pepper most of the middle portion of Shattered Glass, including the missteps and fantasies she has about her father, romance, and revenge against Ethan for making her feel stupid, are very necessary. Nor was I expecting that Mrs. Hazelton and Joe would give such detailed information about what Toni should do to get to Toronto to begin her search and what she should (or shouldn't) do along the way seemed odd to me at first because they hadn't acted this way with the other young ladies. However, once I saw how she got through the world (or didn't), I became very clear that they thought she needed this step-by-step guidance whereas the others didn't.
The comedic moments help balance the very difficult and emotional scenes at other points. Without them, this book might've been as excruciating as the pain a burn victim goes through while they are awaiting and healing from skin grafts. With them, the painful moments are appropriately balanced and heart wrenching, but not impossible to bare. You may find your heart hurting for what Toni has gone through, what she thinks has happened to her, and even for what Rachel eloquently explains are part of the universal experience of girls and women when she says the "shame bits" are "part of being a woman."
At the same time, there are moments where she clearly has grown into a beautiful girl who has everything that she needs to be who she's meant to be. I loved her letters to Joe and Betty and am interested to see how Betty's story interacts with this one.
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