An intoxicating debut novel that will leave you questioning what is real and why we escape into fantasy, perfect for fans of Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer and Falling into Place by Amy Zhang.Secrets are con artists: they trick you into letting them out. Sadie loves her rocker boyfriend Henry and her running partner and best friend Lucie, but no one can measure up to her truest love and hero, the … to her truest love and hero, the dazzling and passionate George. George, her secret.
When something goes wrong and Sadie is taken to the hospital calling out for George, her hidden life may be exposed. Now she must confront the truth of the past, and protect a world she is terrified to lose.
“A teen learns to use her rich interior world to fight trauma, but is this the only way out? This honest, heartfelt tale is deep and mysterious as imagination itself.” –Judy Blundell, author of What I Saw and How I Lied and Strings Attached
“You’ll inhale as you skid into the first chapter and only exhale as you cling to the last. A beautiful book about longing and loss . . . and what is real.” –Teresa Toten, author of The Hero of Room 13B, winner of the Governor General Award, and Beware That Girl
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Okay so I really wanted to give this story a chance because it deals with the issue of mental health, which is something very near and dear to my heart because I have seen both my father and younger sister dealing with their demons over the years. Mental health is real, it’s dark and it’s something that is ofter brushed under the rug because it doesn’t fit into a neat little box filled with sunshine and rainbows.
Since not many authors are willing to address this controversial topic I was excited to see what direction the author would go in, especially since this also happened to be her debut novel. While there were some high points in both the writing and the storytelling, it definately had some low points as well. I had a difficult time connecting with Sadie and oftentimes I found myself lost and confused by some of the aspects surrounding the real truth behind mental health. Although it wasn’t completely accurate, I think the author did a decent job at portraying some of the struggles and I liked the overall idea behind the story.
This is a good book for young adult readers and a great debut novel for the author! Readers please keep in mind that this story does deal with a sensitive topic so be prepared for possible triggers.
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
“You know when you read the back cover of a book and you get so into it, because the idea of the story is so awesome? And even before you’ve read it, you’re super-excited just to get to spend time in that world with those people?”
That’s how I felt looking at the cover of this book. I wanted to be in that world for a little while, hear the story of Sadie and George. And it surpassed all I thought I would experience. It’s been a very long time since I’ve read a debut novel this good.
I adored Sadie. I connected with her on a level that doesn’t happen often. And Henry was so cute. It’s such a beautiful story about accidents and growing up, moving through and beyond trauma, asking for help, and being seen – really seen. It’s the kind of book I wish I could’ve read in high school but I’m happy to have read at all. I cannot say enough lovely things about The Museum of Us!
I would recommend this to anyone who:
– has ever felt invisible
– knows the power and danger of excessive imagination
– is a fan of John Green
– has a pulse
3.5 Imaginative Stars
Review by Amy
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Tara Wilson Redd’s The Museum of Us was a world of imagination, adventure and discovery. A young adult story that melds fantasy, reality, mental health, and teenage angst into a creative, imaginative, and emotional world.
Sadie has been hiding a secret for years and when she gets into an accident, she is afraid it is going to be discovered. As she recovers physically in the hospital, she also begins to question her mental health, as others around her do the same. She struggles with her relationships and reality while balancing her fantasy world and concealing her secrets.
This book was thought provoking and had some slightly difficult content. The summary of the book makes it sound mysterious, but I don’t think the blurb does it justice. The main premise of the book was revealed early on, and the book focused on a Sadie’s journey through a troubling past, as she struggles to discover who she is and what her future holds, while making some tough choices along the way.
I think this book would appeal to young adult fiction lovers who enjoy a mix of fantasy and reality, as it toggled back and forth between the two worlds frequently. Unfortunately, I did not connect with the book or the characters and despite the creative concept, I did not find myself completely consumed by this book. It was a quick read, but I would have loved to develop a deeper attachment to a few of the characters.