Jars Of Glass

This story is told by two sisters, Chloe and Shana, who are struggling to maintain some semblance of family after their mother is placed in a mental institution. Chloe seems to have taken primary responsibility for raising their adopted brother Micah, while Shana escapes nightly in full Goth garb, trying to lose herself behind the clothing and face paint. Dad runs a funeral home (doesn't handle the bodies, but the business), but falls further and further apart as the story progress, drinking and smoking to excess, and crying himself to sleep in his absent wife's art studio. Somehow, Chloe and Shana manage to hold onto lifelines in the form of coffee shop friends and other funeral home employees, but can they hold what's left of their show more family together?

This is a challenging read, not for middle school. As captivating as the story is, I found I had to limit how much I read in one sitting, lest I succomb to the overwhelming sadness of much of the book. May have to step away from angst filled young adult fiction for a while -- perhaps I'll find a good fantasy or adventure book next. I think kids will like this, but should be warned that it's not an easy read. show less

This was a rather depressing book about a family's struggles after their mother is institutionalised with schizophrenia. Told in alternating chapter by the two sisters, Shana (15) and Chloe (14), the reader follows how the girls, their father and adopted little brother, deal with the situation they find themselves in.

While I quite enjoyed the story I never really developed a deep liking for either girl and I felt they could have been further developed. I also found their father irritating and, at times, the plot slow and boring. There is no happy ending, which didn't bother me, but it's certainly not going to leave anyone in tears. Overall, a fairly forgettable book.

Written in alternating voices of 2 sisters coping with the absence of their artist mother after she is hospitalized for mental illness. One sister hides from herself by delving into the Goth dress, and the other finds a 'family' for herself at the corner Starbucks. It's better than it sounds. I found I had to get up at night and finish the book. I needed to know what happened to both of them. For anyone who has a parent struggling with their own issues, this book is a good reflection of what it means to have to separate yourself , your identity , from your parents well before adulthood.

This book is about a family that is dealing with the mom being in the hospital. Told through the eyes of her two young daughters Chloe and Shana. Shana is 15 has turned to the Goth lifestyle to get away from her problems. And Chloe who takes care of Micah the little brother that has been adopted from Russia before their mother got sick.
In the end you find exactly what has happened to turn this family upside down and the way the children are pulling them selves and little Micah back together.

I didn’t get far enough to find a compelling part. Maybe that it switches viewpoints. The plot was too slow in the beginning. Kind of boring. AHS/KG