Title: Made You Up
Author: Francesca Zappia
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Series: Stand alone
Source: Courtesy of Edelweiss
Book Summary: ( Via Goodreads) Alex fights a daily battle to figure out the difference between reality and delusion. Armed with a take-no-prisoners attitude, her camera, a Magic 8-Ball, and her only ally (her little sister), Alex wages a war against her schizophrenia, determined to stay sane long enough to get into college. She’s pretty optimistic about her chances until classes begin, and she runs into Miles. Didn't she imagine him? Before she knows it, Alex is making friends, going to parties, falling in love, and experiencing all the usual rites of passage for teenagers. But Alex is used to being crazy. She’s not prepared for normal.
Characters: Alexandria, Miles, Tucker, Charlie
What I Loved: I have to say that this book was difficult to read in a lot of ways, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! First we have Alex, who is struggling with Schizophrenia. She is our narrator for the story, so we are seeing things through her eye,s which is extremely difficult since one of her symptoms is hallucinations. She is constantly struggling with what is real and what is not. This, for me, was really a powerful thing. As a reader, I was constantly struggling with what was real and what was not. To be put in her shoes and see things from her point of view really put some perspective on the daily struggle that people have with Schizophrenia. It was frightening at times just how real her hallucinations were becoming and the lengths she tried to go to determine what was “real”. The story itself was written so well that when some things (and I won’t say which!) were pointed out as hallucinations, I had no idea. Her friendships grow gradually throughout the story, never feeling rushed or contrived, and when her friends find out about her illness they react as I feel like most friends would, supportive and caring and protective as they try and shield her from others who aren't so kind. I feel as though this book would give a sense of perspective and empathy to my students that they wouldn’t have had before reading this, which as far as I am concerned, will help them to be better able to interact with people who have a variety of conditions, illnesses etc. However, it isn’t without some conflict when others are made aware of her situation, which as a teacher made my stomach turn, and nostrils flare! This book will be one that my students will thoroughly enjoy, while at the same time giving them perspective on an illness that they may not be aware of or aware of how it affects a person and their daily life.
What I could have done without:. There isn’t anything I could have done without, but know that at times this book is difficult to read and confusing. This is a book that I would recommend reading so that when students have questions you can help them to process and understand (as best you can) what they have read.
Final Grade: A
Book Review by Janine
Book Review by Janine
