Annie

It was not the first time I read a book where people wanted to go into the west. But this book was different from all the others because here it was a girl which tried it alone....

This book surprised me. I was expecting something cheesy and cliched, and instead I found a story that totally captivated me. Once I started reading, I didn't put the book down until I'd finished. "Annie" is the story of a teenage girl who sets out with only a dog and a horse to find a place where she and her little brothers can live. Okay, so the premise has probably been used before, but the thing about this story is that it's so realistic. The landscape is described in vivid detail, so you feel like you're right there, and Annie's feelings are very true-to-life. Annie is easy to identify with; she tries to be independent and tough, but she makes mistakes, she feels awkward around people, she is confused by her own emotions. She seems like a real person. There are a few scenes that seem flat, and a few where the characters' motivations aren't all that clear, but for the most part, it's a beautifully written, character-driven story. This is one of those rare books that is equally appealing to adults and kids, if they can get past the setting. I would definitely recommend it for teenagers. There is surprisingly little violence, except for a rape scene that, while not all that graphic, makes it clear that the girl has been raped.I'm not sure why this is classified as a "lesbian novel". There's not much romance of any kind, either same-sex or opposite-sex, although you get the sense that the friendship between Lucille and Annie might have turned into romance eventually. Oh yeah, one more thing I had to say. The descriptions of farming (complete with the bones in the yard!) and Annie's memories of her father were absolutely dead-on. The flashbacks were one thing about this book that really got to me; they matched my own memories of growing up on a small farm in Pennsylvania. Annie's father reminded me of my own, especially the part about him killing animals. Great book. I'm gonna go look for more by Ms. Armstrong now.