| "JUST IN CASE"
Author: Meg Rosoff
Interest Level: Upper Grades (9-12)
ATOS Reading Level: 5.4
AR Points: 7.0
Publisher Recommended Age: 18+
Publisher: Penguin/Plume
Book Type: Paperback
Pages: 256
Book Description:
Justin Case is convinced fate has in for him. And he's right. After finding his younger brother teetering on the edge of his balcony, fifteen-year-old David Case realizes the fragility of life and senses impending doom. Without looking back, he changes his name to Justin and assumes a new identity, new clothing and new friends, and dares to fall in love with the seductive Agnes Day.
With his imaginary dog Boy in tow, Justin struggles to fit into his new role and above all, to survive in a world where tragedy is around every corner. He's got to be prepared, just in case.
Book Reviews:
The Sunday Times (London): ""Extraordinary and original...this sophisticated meditation on death, madness, and sexuality is powerful and tenaciously haunting."
People: "Daring, wise, and sensitive...(Rosoff's) poignant exploration of perseverance in the face of the unknown is a timely lesson for us all."
Book Awards:
UK: Carnegie Medal 2007
UK: Booktrust Teenage Prize (shortlisted)
About the Author:
Meg Rosoff (born 1956) is an American author best known for her novel How I Live Now which won 3 awards including the Guardian Award (2004), Michael L. Printz Award (2005), Branford Boase Award (2005) and was shortlisted for the 2004 Whitbread Awards in the children's book category.
Rosoff was born in Boston, MA, U.S. in 1956, the second of four sisters. She attended Harvard University in 1974 after her application to Princeton University was rejected. After 3 years at Harvard University she decided to apply for St. Martin's College of Art in London, England. After an unsuccessful attempt at art college she returned to the United States to finish her degree and later moved to New York City for 10 years, where she worked in publishing and advertising.
After 10 years she decided to move back to London for 3 months but decided to stay there for longer. After 15 years in the advertising business she began to write novels after her youngest sister died of breast cancer.
Her young adult novel How I Live Now was published in 2004. It won 3 awards and was shortlisted for the 2004 Whitbread Awards. In 2005 she published a children's book, Meet Wild Boars, which was illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Her second novel, Just in Case, was published in 2006 and won the 2007 CILIP Carnegie Medal. What I Was was published on August 30, 2007. |
