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The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors by Michele Young-Stone

The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors

A Novel

by Michele Young-Stone
  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (22):
  • First Published:
  • Apr 13, 2010, 384 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Apr 2011, 384 pages
  • Rate this book

About This Book

Reviews


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There are currently 21 member reviews
for The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors
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  • Jodie A. (Corpus Christi, TX)
    The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors
    I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were unique and interesting. The storyline held my attention. I also liked the way the author mixed in the facts about lightning.

    The only criticism I have is that every once in a while I got confused about some of the lesser known characters. Other than that it was a very enjoyable read!
  • Patricia S. (Yankton, SD)
    stuck by lightning
    From the last lightning strike to the electrifying climax, Michele Young-Stone’s debut novel The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors captures the reader and refuses to release its hold. Young-Stone deftly weaves two parallel stories, interspersing them with anecdotes and advice from The Handbook itself. Although aware that the two stories must intersect at some point, the climax surprises the reader and fulfills the promise of the beginning. This novel is an excellent read and a great choice for book clubs.
  • Daniel A. (Naugatuck, CT)
    The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors
    For the record, I am not a lightning strike survivor, but I still enjoyed reading the book; it was simply amazing. I learned many facts about lightning that I never knew before. I thought the "Where are they now?" segment was a nice touch. Overall, a very well written story.
  • Cheri W. (Grand Rapids, MN)
    Must Read, Seriously!!
    Remember as a child you had that one favorite fairy tale that you had your mom read to you over and over again??? This book is in that class.
    I loved this book. It flowed from the first sentence to the very last word. The two main characters, Buckley and Becca, are not only captivating characters, they are real people that you can relate to. I like that the good guys always stayed good guys and the bad guys got their own in the end, just like fairy tales are supposed to be.
  • Nora D. (North Riverside, IL)
    An interesting book about a topic I knew nothing about.
    Lightning strikes are scary and something I knew very little about. This book focuses on the stories of two individuals whose lives are changed by lightning strikes. The chapters go back in forth in time and between the two characters; the time shifts were a little confusing at first, but Young-Stone does a great job of making the character’s chapters different enough that this wasn’t a problem for long. The book also follows the characters from the time they are children to the time they are adult. Being a young adult librarian, at the beginning of the book, I thought this may be a read for young adults, but because of some of the issues that are addressed in the book, this may be one for adults to preview before passing it along to a mature teen. A great read.
  • Barbara F. (Santa Rosa, CA)
    Lightning Strikes
    The Handbook for Survivors of Lightning Strike Survivors is a well written, sympathetic but not sentimental, book about the coming of age of two distinctly different people. Lighting strikes, both real and metaphorical, provide the structure of the book. Lighting strikes can happen to anyone at anytime and it is not only the direct victim who suffers the consequences. It all adds up to a compelling read. This book will be a great Book Club selection with so many points of view to explore.
  • Jane N. (Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey)
    The Handbook-Great Story
    This is a wonderful love story, but not in the traditional sense. The story is told through the lives of the two main characters, Buckley and Becca. It is the story of these two trying to fit into their particular world and how they come together to find their place. The handbook is interwoven through the book and at times is distracting, however for the most part it works well. If you are looking for a good book discussion book, this will work beautifully. I fell in love with these characters and would love to read about them in another book.
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