One by Sarah Crossan is a book that is going to take its readers on a journey that will tug at their heart strings. One is a well-written and lyrical novel about conjoined twins that is sure to bring tears to readers’ eyes through its shocking plot. Prepare to be heartbroken.
Author: Sarah Crossan
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Rating:
Tippi and Grace share everything—clothes, friends . . . even their body. Writing in free verse, Sarah Crossan tells the sensitive and moving story of conjoined twin sisters, which will find fans in readers of Gayle Forman, Jodi Picoult, and Jandy Nelson.Tippi and Grace. Grace and Tippi. For them, it’s normal to step into the same skirt. To hook their arms around each other for balance. To fall asleep listening to the other breathing. To share. And to keep some things private. The two sixteen-year-old girls have two heads, two hearts, and each has two arms, but at the belly, they join. And they are happy, never wanting to risk the dangerous separation surgery.But the girls’ body is beginning to fight against them. And soon they will have to face the impossible choice they have avoided for their entire lives.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Book Review: One by Sarah Crossan
❀ Beautifully Written
One is such a beautifully written book! It is a story that is completely told in free verse. Each component of the story is a poem that tells another piece of it. While I don’t typically read books that are written using this format, I am amazed at the way Sarah Crossan has captured so many emotions and images in this short read. The visual imagery is so vividly described that readers will be in effect left processing this story long after reading it.
❀ Unpredictable Plot
The plot of One is so unpredictable. Based on factual readings, Crossan has created a story line that seems all too real. As the girls’ body begins to become dangerous, the reader will be on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen next. When the book nears the end, the story is so breathtaking and completely unforeseeable. It really ends with a bang.
❀ An Eye-Opener
A real eye opener to the world of conjoined twins, One is an awareness raising book. I have not heard of many fictional books that deal with this subject. While reading the book, I learned quite a bit about conjoined twins and their struggles. The realization of how difficult it must be to get dressed every morning when outfits have to fit two combined bodies is overwhelming. This YA book about sisters is a real tear jerker that will inspire and educate its readers.
❀ An Enjoyable Book
One by Sarah Crossan is an enjoyable book to read. It has the same beautiful writing style and heartbreaking plot. If reading a book in verse seems intimidating, One is a perfect book of narrative poetry to try a taste of this unique genre.
About Sarah Crossan
Sarah Crossan is Irish. She graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Literature before training as an English and Drama teacher at Cambridge University and worked to promote creative writing in schools before leaving teaching to write full time.
She completed her Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Warwick in 2003 and in 2010 received an Edward Albee Fellowship for writing.
She currently lives in NYC.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.