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Interviews | February 14, 2012

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Stephen DauStephen Dau's The Book of Jonas is a marvelous, lyrical debut that examines the effects of war on everyone involved. Dau weaves together the stories... Continue »
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Crazy Beautiful

by Lauren Baratz Logsted

Crazy Beautiful Cover

ISBN13: 9780547223070
ISBN10: 0547223072
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldnt outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks dont scare her. They dont keep her away. In fact, they dont make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.

Or maybe shes just a girl who needs love just like he does.

Review:

"Baratz-Logsted's modern take on Beauty and the Beast is told from the alternating points of view of two sophomores as they begin class at a new school. Beautiful, kind Aurora is immediately absorbed into the popular crowd; she and her father, the school librarian, are especially close following the death of her mother a few months earlier. Lucius's family is more troubled: since he exploded chemicals in his basement last year, blowing up part of his house as well as his forearms, his father will barely look at him. Lucius brings his past with him to the new school, both externally (in the form of the hooks that he chooses to replace his hands) and on the inside. Lucius quickly attracts the attention of Jessup, a student who harasses him and nicknames him Hooks, but also that of Aurora, who is as drawn to Lucius as he is to her. Both Aurora and Lucius are remarkably resilient given the events of the preceding year, and following the highs and lows of their blossoming relationship makes for a fast-paced and intense read. Ages 12 — up. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
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About the Author

Lauren Baratz-Logsted has also written Angels Choice and Secrets of My Suburban Life. She lives with her family in Danbury, Connecticut.

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
The Book Resort, September 15, 2009 (view all comments by The Book Resort)
Lauren Baratz-Logsted's exposition is breathtakingly beautiful. I found myself aching @ the raw emotion & losing myself in the sheer creative brilliance that is Crazy Beautiful!


I didn't read Crazy Beautiful, I devoured it! I must admit, I started to drag my feet as I was reaching the end. Why? Because Crazy Beautiful is so hypnotic (thank you my GH lovin' literary angel, Lauren Baratz-Logsted)!


Crazy Beautiful is an unparalleled fairy tale. Baratz-Logsted's interpretation of Beauty & the Beast is absolutely arrestive. Told w/ a modern twist, Crazy Beautiful will have you believing anything & everything is possible thanks to Baratz-Logsted's striking & charismatic prose.


Crazy Beautiful is told in alternating point of views, which is not only refreshing but allows readers to experience the deeply intense emotions that cover Lucius & Aurora like second skin.


Baratz-Logsted weaves an enthralling tale of fractured teens who are destined to be. Not in some mushy/gushy/eye rolling/syrupy/words on paper/teen heart tripping/"who are you again?" /third rate/ straight to DVD nightmare! Baratz-Logsted's scribes a cultivated novel resplendent in exquisiteness! Lucius & Aurora are soulmates. You will become enchanted, bewitched & ravenous for more.


Baratz-Logsted's provocative duo are extremely well written, you can't help but wish them to exist outside of the pages she skillfully crafted.


Every player in Crazy Beautiful is vital to the story ~ the novel just couldn't propel smoothly w/o every cast member sustaining the life Baratz-Logsted created for this remarkable tale.


Crazy Beautiful is rich w/ a sense of strong family dynamics. Aurora's relationship w/ her father is well orchestrated & a breath of fresh air. Lucius' place in his family is realistic & well developed & the author deserves kudos for not sugar coating his role.


I absolutely loved the mall scenes w/ his sister. Misty is a dynamic character & I'd love to see her get her own story.


Crazy Beautiful is a fast, emotional read w/ a unique take on a classic tale.


Now since Baratz-Logsted lightly touched upon Lucius' back story, I am hoping visions of a prequel dance in her head. Hint ~hint! I wouldn't mind if it was told in alternating perspectives as we experience life w/ Aurora's mom.


I loved Lucius! He was such an enthralling character; he simply jumped out of the pages. He was absolutely a three dimensional player. I adored Aurora! She was authentic & not so sweet you develop sugar shock. Aurora popped out of the pages, too. It was watching a play.


Despite some of the dark undercurrents, Baratz-Logsted shines w/ humor.

As much as I wanted to add a seashell w/ my 5 rating, I didn't. Why? I wanted more. Much more. I wanted to see Lucius & Aurora outside of the school environment & was spoiled by the time they had dinner.


To me the end was a bit rushed & I felt a bit cheated because I fell in love w/ these mesmerizing characters, I wanted more Lucius & Aurora. I know there is more to these two & I hope Baratz-Logsted doesn't forget to tap into a prequel & a sequel because this defintely showcases characters worth knowing!

Now, let's talk about the cover ~ GORGEOUS! Absolutely STUNNING!

Hurry! Grab your copy of Crazy Beautiful!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780547223070
Author:
Baratz Logsted, Lauren
Publisher:
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Author:
Baratz-Logsted, Lauren
Subject:
Love & Romance
Subject:
People with disabilities
Subject:
Schools
Subject:
Social Issues - Dating & Sex
Subject:
Social Issues - Peer Pressure
Subject:
Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings
Subject:
Children s Young Adult-Social Issue Fiction-Emotions and Feelings
Subject:
Children s Young Adult-Social Issue Fiction
Copyright:
2009
Edition Description:
Trade Cloth
Publication Date:
20090907
Binding:
Hardback
Grade Level:
from 7
Language:
English
Pages:
208
Dimensions:
8.25 x 5.5 in 0.77 lb
Age Level:
12-17
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Related Aisles

Crazy Beautiful Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$3.95 In Stock
Product details 208 pages Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) - English 9780547223070 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Baratz-Logsted's modern take on Beauty and the Beast is told from the alternating points of view of two sophomores as they begin class at a new school. Beautiful, kind Aurora is immediately absorbed into the popular crowd; she and her father, the school librarian, are especially close following the death of her mother a few months earlier. Lucius's family is more troubled: since he exploded chemicals in his basement last year, blowing up part of his house as well as his forearms, his father will barely look at him. Lucius brings his past with him to the new school, both externally (in the form of the hooks that he chooses to replace his hands) and on the inside. Lucius quickly attracts the attention of Jessup, a student who harasses him and nicknames him Hooks, but also that of Aurora, who is as drawn to Lucius as he is to her. Both Aurora and Lucius are remarkably resilient given the events of the preceding year, and following the highs and lows of their blossoming relationship makes for a fast-paced and intense read. Ages 12 — up. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
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