Book 2: Sadie by Courtney Summers

Book 2: Sadie by Courtney Summers 


1.BIBLIOGRAPHY

Summers, C. (2018). Sadie. Wednesday Books.


2. PLOT SUMMARY

Sadie is a 19 year old young woman who lives in a small town in Colorado that does not offer many opportunities to live, grow and flourish. Sadie’s mother has abandoned her and her young sister and another woman in the town has offered to help care for Sadie and her younger sister Mattie. Early on in the story, Sadie’s sister is murdered and Sadie believes she knows who the killer is. The story jumps back and forth between Sadie’s journey and “The Girls” podcast whose investigation retraces Sadie's steps. Sharing two different perspectives from Sadie’s and West McCray’s podcasts.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Courtney Summers does a remarkable job with themes of  trauma, revenge, and justice. The novel is structured with alternating chapters between Sadie's first-person narrative and transcripts of West McCray's podcast episodes. This format allows readers to see both Sadie's raw, emotional journey and the broader perspective of West's investigation. Summers did an amazing job at showing the pain and grief that Sadie was experiencing. This novel was very dark, but does not disclose explicit information like an adult thriller novel would. Summer does an amazing job of showing Sadie’s rage and although she is not the most likable character, I felt compelled to constantly root for her. This book can shed light on predators and how they may not always appear as such.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel (2019)

Audie Award for Young Adult (2019)

Odyssey Honor (2019) - recognizing excellence in audiobook production

John Spray Mystery Award (2019)

Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2018)


5. CONNECTIONS

All the Rage by Courtney Summers

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall

Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas



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