Hold Me Tight

The author of the book Hold Me Tight uses characterization and theme to entwine the reader in an intricate novel of literary merit. Characterization is used to bring the characters to life. Throughout the book, Lori Ann Grover uses description to illustrate the characters thoughts with crystal clear clarity, and visualize their body language. "Dale drinks the milk/ out of his cereal bowl,/ then licks the cinnamon sugar/ off his plate./Mom doesn't even notice./I give him a grossed-out look/and try to kick him/ under the table./I miss./He licks it again."(p.19.) "Even if/he ordered in for us/ pizza with crab topping,/ and played cars with Dale,/ and did the dishes, and helped me with my math,/he didn't/need to sit in dad's chair/ at the table/ or rub Mom's neck/ like that."(p. 138.) she also has a good theme to the book, which is how Estele is battling everything to stay in one piece. "Man she's mean./ Her and all her cool fiends./ But today/Dad seems/ even meaner./ Dad leaving/ hurts so bad/ it makes what Jarin does/ feel like nothing."(p.28.) "I look at myself/ in the bathroom mirror/ every morning and say, `not a victim,/ not a victim,/ not a victim."(p. 135.) There are even more literary elements in this phenomenal piece of writing. But characterization, and theme are the two most prominent . Estele struggles throughout the book to get over her dad leaving her and her family. He said he was just being separated from her mom, and that she and her little brother Dale had nothing to worry about, but she soon learned otherwise. In the pandemonium, a kid named Chris from her class that happens to sit right in front of her gets kidnapped from his bus stop one day after school. Estele is ashamed that she can't even remember what color shirt he was wearing the day he went missing, let alone take the time to become his friend. In their time of need, a family friend supposedly comes to help them get through their loss and over come the difficulties that a single parent pregnancy poses. A surprising twist in the middle of the story proves otherwise. After Mr. Paul seems to have deserted the family right before their mom's delivery, they struggle to find a labor coach -Estele prays that it isn't her. The book is very descriptively written, but the plot is lacking. This is a great piece of literature purely for the way it is written, not necessarily for the story line. Grover writes using sharp adjectives and strong nouns. She paints a picture in the reader's head with flowing descriptions and alliterations. Though Grover paints pictures of the story, all to often they are the same pictures over and over. The story line throughout the book is bland with just a few twists happening early on. Over all, this is a good book. It was based on modern day, easily relatable, problems for the average day person. Even though the plot has few excitements, those few paired with the picturesque description make this book a great read.

This 10 year old is way better at poetry than I am. This whole book takes place in 8 weeks. Her father leaves Essie, her brother Dale, and her pregnant mother. The boy who sits in front of her in class, Chris, is kidnaped. She is molested by a man who is supposed to be a family friend. Needless to say she has a lot of reason to want to be held. I really liked this book because even though it was easy to read it also dealt with a lot of issues that are tough like divorce. So it wasn't just one of those books you read fast and your done, it makes you think. I think everyone should read this.