Fredericks, Mariah. In the cards; love.FREDERICKS, Mariah. In the cards; love. Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster U.S. publishing company. It was founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon (1899–1960) and M. Lincoln Schuster (1897–1970), whose initial project, the original crossword-puzzle book, was a best-seller. , Atheneum ath·e·nae·um also ath·e·ne·um n. 1. An institution, such as a literary club or scientific academy, for the promotion of learning. 2. A place, such as a library, where printed materials are available for reading. . 288p. c2006. 1-4169-3013-2. $15.99. J Fredericks's young characters are given a deck of tarot tarot Sets of cards used in fortune-telling and in certain card games. The origins of tarot cards are obscure; cards approximating their present form first appeared in Italy and France in the late 14th century. cards when an old woman dies in Anna's apartment building. This sets up the dilemma about whether our lives are preordained pre·or·dain tr.v. pre·or·dained, pre·or·dain·ing, pre·or·dains To appoint, decree, or ordain in advance; foreordain. pre , or whether we have free will, but all considered at the young adolescent level of understanding. As usual, Fredericks writes about intelligent, thoughtful adolescents, and Anna and her friends are that, even if somewhat inexperienced with life so far. At the end of the story, Anna writes a paper for English class and titles it "Was Oedipus Responsible for his Fate?"--which gives her the opportunity to put together what she has learned from the tarot card experience. Anna asks the cards to tell her whether she will get together with the boy she has a crush on, Declan. The cards seem to say she will, and soon she does start a relationship with Declan. But things don't go smoothly and soon Anna is questioning the premise of the cards' prediction: are we destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. to do what we do? It's not all heavy philosophizing phi·los·o·phize v. phi·los·o·phized, phi·los·o·phiz·ing, phi·los·o·phiz·es v.intr. 1. To speculate in a philosophical manner. 2. , that's for sure. There are cats involved in the story, and friendships, little brothers, and fights at school and a misfit--a misunderstood, unappreciated fellow student. Where does he fit into the story? As always, Fredericks knows her audience well and entertains them. Claire Rosser, KLIATT J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. |
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