Lesley Anne Cowan
Author of Something Wicked
About the Author
Works by Lesley Anne Cowan
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- Canada
- Places of residence
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Education
- McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Members
Reviews
Something Wicked by Lesley Anne Cowan
A raw look into the live and mind of 16-year-old Melissa and she deals with drug and alcohol addiction and a dysfunctional family life with her emotionally disturbed mother. Although the scenes and language are toned down a bit for a young adult audience, the book does deal with mature subject matter such as unprotected sex, gangs, promiscuity, and graphic language. This is a strong message that today's youth can relate to and today's parents can learn from. A highly recommended read.
Never read anything by this author and have to say I was very impressed. The title and the cover didn't really appeal to me, but I read a little of what the book was about and thought 'why not, give it a try'. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend this book and this author. I will look for more books written by her.
Something Wicked is a gritty, intense novel that deals with some dark and difficult issues. Teen drug and alcohol abuse, risky sexual behaviour, poverty, broken relationships, and loss all figure prominently. Melissa is one of the most intriguing and complex protagonists I’ve encountered in YA recently. She’s fighting many demons in her life and making bad decision after bad decision. She’s tough but emotional, highly intelligent yet disturbingly naïve at times.
In spite of all her troubles, it is clear Melissa has potential to succeed in life—there’s her volunteer work at the animal clinic, her aspiration to become a veterinarian, her astute ability to incorporate literature in to her shaping of the world, and her strong sense of personal morals. It is heartbreaking to watch her life spiral out of control and her deepening state of depression hold her back. Something Wicked gives an honest depiction of the destructive cycle of teen depression if left untreated. As dark as it is however, readers will appreciate Melissa’s sharp wit, self-deprecating sense of humour, and the message of hope conveyed by the end.
Author Lesley Anne Cowan is teacher with the Toronto District School Board working with high-risk students. If you enjoy Something Wicked, you may also want to check out her first novel, As She Grows, which is about teen pregnancy.
Thanks to Cat from Beyond Books for selecting me as the winner of her Something Wicked contest, and to Penguin Canada for sending me the book not once, but twice. I’m glad the second copy made it into my hands, and hopefully there’s a reader out there enjoying the first copy.… (more)
In spite of all her troubles, it is clear Melissa has potential to succeed in life—there’s her volunteer work at the animal clinic, her aspiration to become a veterinarian, her astute ability to incorporate literature in to her shaping of the world, and her strong sense of personal morals. It is heartbreaking to watch her life spiral out of control and her deepening state of depression hold her back. Something Wicked gives an honest depiction of the destructive cycle of teen depression if left untreated. As dark as it is however, readers will appreciate Melissa’s sharp wit, self-deprecating sense of humour, and the message of hope conveyed by the end.
Author Lesley Anne Cowan is teacher with the Toronto District School Board working with high-risk students. If you enjoy Something Wicked, you may also want to check out her first novel, As She Grows, which is about teen pregnancy.
Thanks to Cat from Beyond Books for selecting me as the winner of her Something Wicked contest, and to Penguin Canada for sending me the book not once, but twice. I’m glad the second copy made it into my hands, and hopefully there’s a reader out there enjoying the first copy.… (more)
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 2
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 80
- Popularity
- #224,854
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 3
- ISBNs
- 7