Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Siya | Biotechnology High School , Grade 9

Rating: ****

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin is a fantastical novel. The novel follows Elizabeth Hall, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been in an accident. She wakes up on a boat that takes her to a place, called Elsewhere. Elsewhere is very similar to Earth, yet completely different. In this place, you don't get sick, it’s always peaceful, and it’s quiet. People also age backward from the day of their death until they become a baby again and then return to Earth to start a new life. However, Liz doesn’t want to be fourteen again, she wants to turn sixteen. She wants to drive, go to college, get married, and fall in love. She is afraid she won’t get to have these things here in Elsewhere. She meets her grandmother for the first time, who has to take care of her now. Liz is struggling to fit into this place. Elsewhere is a page-turner that will leave you wanting to read more about Liz and her new life.

Elsewhere is a great book that hooked me from the beginning. Reading about a girl’s life and being able to relate to her helped me understand and be more involved with the novel. As a girl, who is almost sixteen, I can somewhat relate to what Liz is feeling. This story has me wanting to keep reading more about this new place. I especially loved how Liz and the readers discover more about Elsewhere together. The limitless adventure makes the story so much more interesting.