I received this Finished Copy from Publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A List of Cages by Robin Roe on January 10th 2017
Pages: 232
Goodreads
When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can't complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian--the foster brother he hasn't seen in five years.
Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He's still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what's really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives.
First-time novelist Robin Roe relied on life experience when writing this exquisite, gripping story featuring two lionhearted characters.
Praise for A List of Cages
"A remarkably gripping and moving tale of a life saved—in more than one way—by the power of friendship."
—Emma Donoghue, best-selling author of Room"As inspiring as it is heartbreaking, A List of Cages is a hero story you will never forget."
—Tamara Ireland Stone, best-selling author of Every Last Word"A poignant, hopeful story about loss, grief, abuse, and the transformative power of friendship."
—Amber Smith, New York Times best-selling author of The Way I Used to Be* "A triumphant story about the power of friendship and of truly being seen."
—Kirkus Reviews starred review* "A page-turner with a lot of compassion."
—Booklist starred review
Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion.
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#AListofCages
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My Thoughts:
I hadn’t really heard much about this book until I got an email asking if I wanted to do a review/host a giveaway. I am so glad I said yes! A List of Cages took me by surprise, quickly capturing my heart.
The characters in A List of Cages really stand out. The perspective alternates between Julian and Adam, but you really get to know and love some of the secondary characters as well. I was particularly taken with Charlie and wanted to know more and more about him. But back to Julian and Adam… they will go straight to your heart (and tug, tug, tug on those heartstrings!)
I’m not going to lie. This story can be hard to read. Julian is in a very bad situation and it is heartbreaking to read. The adult/educator in me was just screaming for him. But the story is so, so, so worth the heartache.
One of the main themes of the book is “Hate ricochets, but so does kindness.” When I read that line I had to take a break for a minute and just pause. It’s so true and came at the perfect time in the book. One of the most important things I want my students to learn is the lasting effect a little bit of kindness can have. There is so much hate in the world and the world online (especially recently!) Every little bit of kindness that we can put out there is important. A List of Cages is the perfect book to help illustrate this.
About the Author:
Robin Roe has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s from Harvard. She counseled adolescents in Boston before she moved to Dallas, Texas to run a mentoring program for at-risk teens. This is her first novel.
Giveaway:
Thank you to Disney for providing the prize pack!
One (1) winner receives:
- A copy of A List of Cages
- Plus a $50 Visa gift card to put towards a day of friendship.
Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Lisa Brown
I show kindness by being generous with my time.
Christina A.
I really just try my best to show kindness in my day-to-day actions. I want to live my life with a clear conscience and being someone that works to understand others. 🙂
Janet W.
I’ve been shown kindness by strangers by people holding the door open for me, letting me get in front of them in line because I only have one thing to buy, etc. It’s the little things!
Julie Wood
I have been shown kindness when my neighbor used his snowblower to clear my walkway! I thought that was so nice and when the neighbors bought my son a nice gift for the Holidays.
Elena
I show kindness by helping people in need
Linda
I show kindness by helping other when I can.
Natalie
I show kindness everyday as a physical therapist to my patients. My whole career is geared toward decreasing people’s pain through exercise, manual therapy, and education.
Michelle
I show kindness by reaching out to those that might need an uplifting word, by trying to mend broken friendships, and relationships, and by just being a friend to anyone who needs one.
Shannon Kirby
Patience in my classroom
heather
I show kindness by donating to local shelters and also animal shelters.
Amanda lea
I show kindness by being patient.
Rachel Travis
I love to write encouraging notes and send them with a small starbucks gift card!
Dawn Monroe
I show kindness to my elderly neighbors by shoveling/ salting their walk ways.
Jessica To
I try to show kindness by saying thank you.
Lee Mckeon
I show kindness by giving back to folks in my community! I volunteer for everything I can!
Lauren
Bringing meals in times of need is one way I show kindness.
Steve Weber
I show kindness by going out of my way to help someone.
Sabrina R.
I always show kindness by imagining myself in someones shoes. Not everyone is as they appears.
Barbara Montag
I show kindness by volunteering for Emergency Services.
thank you
Elle
I show kindness through words and by being polite.
KM
I went over my food budget by eleven cents (darn cookie), and someone paid it off for me. 🙂
Tee Anderson
I show kindness by donating food, clothes and money to local shelters.
Jen
By always listening.
Ellie Wright
I run errands for my elderly neighbors.
Laurajj
I was shown kindness a few weeks before Christmas…I was out shopping and left my headlights on at the mall. When I came out…the car would not start. I was so tired…and bummed out. I got out of the car…and a guy parked behind me…said…open your hood! He had a portable charger…as this had just happened to him a few weeks earlier. He had heard my car not start…and waited till I got out. He could have been in a hurry and just left…but he didnt. Was so kind!
Kim Henrichs
My friend was forced into a different job that pays less so I’ve been buying the food for her kitties and the medicine so she doesn’t have to worry about it.
Sunnymay
I try hard to read people and give them what they need emotionally or just listen because I have an ear that’s available and ready most of the time. Simply bouncing ideas and seeing how your words sound out loud can offer another person the feeling of not being alone and that there’s care in this world. Kindness is always rewarded somewhere down the line and the giver gets an uplifted feeling which can carry over for quite a while.
Erika W.
I show kindness by being patient, especially in morning traffic when I let people in front of me, while everyone is honking at me for being nice. HA
Terry Stevens
I show kindness by helping others in need either through donating food, clothing or money.
Thomas Murphy
I show kindness by donating to local shelters