Arntson, Steven The Wrap Up List, 236 pgs. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. $15.99. Language: PG (2 swears); Violence: PG; Mature Content: PG
Sixteen-year-old Gabriela has just received a letter. The letter was sent by Death and in it he explains that she has one week to live and then he will come to escort her to the afterlife. She has no choice in the matter, but as consolation to being taken so young, Death allows for a list from Gabriela that presents her dying wishes that will be granted before she passes on. Her first thought is of Sylvester Hale and how she dreams of kissing him. Will she include anything else on the list or is a first kiss enough? There is hope, however, that Gabriela will be able to avoid her date with Death. All she must do is figure out Death’s secret weakness before her time is up and he will let her go.
The idea for this story is intriguing, but unfortunately the author is not up to the task of successfully seeing it through. The characters seem hastily constructed and in numerous situations when their behavior and reactions are forced, the book becomes author motivated instead of character driven. The ending is convenient and unsatisfactory as it does not fit the general sense of the story. This book is a quick read and could be enjoyed by readers who want a simple story and are not concerned with mediocre writing.
MS, HS—OPTIONAL AEB Social Studies Teacher
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