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The Cloud Chamber Joyce Maynard Books

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The Cloud Chamber Joyce Maynard Books

As I read Joyce Maynard's new and powerful young adult novel The Cloud Chamber, the writer in me bowed to Maynard's use of language and image. The teacher in me saw the dozens of ways that I could use the book to illustrate social and literary themes. Maynard has created a book that achieves a place of its own in young adult literature. And though it is all the things writers of this genre hope for, i.e., a powerful coming-of-age novel, a timeless story with universal values and truths, it is also a book all its own. Though I was reminded in tone and theme of two of my favorites-Harriet Arnow's The Dollmaker and Eleanor Estes The Hundred Dresses-I was thrilled that I had found a book that breaks new ground. As I read it, I knew I was reading a novel that will last and that will be referred to often when young adult literature is discussed.

Nate, the central character of The Cloud Chamber, is barely a teenager, when his father attempts suicide. Immediately readers are caught up in his life and that of his worn-out mother and heartbreakingly joyful younger sister. They become pariahs as the words "tried to take his own life," are whispered in the small Montana community, aptly named Lonetree. The family is suddenly isolated by shame and tragedy, as if getting too close to them and their trouble would create a pandemic. What makes this a great book is its "every family" connection. The obstacles that Nate and his family face are experienced publicly or privately by most of us. Teenagers will recognize a friend in Nate, someone who, like them, lives in fear of being cast out of the norm or, worse yet, of being different-which in teenage talk translates to mean "wrong." Though Maynard makes no overt judgments, we are all brought up short by religious people who seem less so and by the good people of the community who disappear when Nate's family's greatest needs arise.

At the core of this unforgettable novel is Nate, a young boy who struggles fiercely to protect his tormented, dreamer of a father. Maynard's book will be a friend to those children-and there are oh so many-whose lives extend far beyond their tentative classroom smiles to homes in which dark secrets threaten to shatter an already too-fragile existence. From the beginning to the end, the book has a breathlessly magnetic pull.

The Cloud Chamber speaks allegorically to redemption and forgiveness, to optimism and perseverance. Throughout the book, we hope against hope that things will turn out for Nate and his family, while experience tells us to fear that they won't. In a world that no longer believes great and creative writers go hand in hand, Maynard has flexed her literary muscle and given us a novel to love and to cherish.


Tags : Amazon.com: The Cloud Chamber (9780689871528): Joyce Maynard: Books,Joyce Maynard,The Cloud Chamber,Atheneum Books for Young Readers,068987152X,Family - General (see also headings under Social Themes),Historical - United States - 20th Century,Social Themes - Suicide,Depression, Mental;Fiction.,Fathers;Fiction.,Suicide;Fiction.,Children's BooksAges 9-12 Fiction,Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9),Depression, Mental,Family - General,Fathers,Fiction,Fiction-General,JUVENILE,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Fiction Family General,Juvenile Fiction Social Issues Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance,Juvenile Fiction Social Issues Suicide,Juvenile Grades 7-9 Ages 12-14,Montana,Social Issues - General,Suicide,TEEN'S FICTION - GENERAL,United States,YOUNG ADULT FICTION,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Family General (see also headings under Social Themes),YOUNG ADULT FICTION Historical United States 20th Century,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Suicide,Family problems,Children: Grades 4-6

The Cloud Chamber Joyce Maynard Books Reviews

Five. Good way to help anyone see how to cope with disappointment. Good for all ages and well -written. That's all.
I really enjoy Joyce Maynard books You feel like you know the characters personally and The Cloud Chamber certainly didnt disappoint
Needs editor who actually knows something about growing up on a farm. "Cows grazing in the corral" = Give me a break~
I like a longer book but as it is a rather depressing novel , short was good!
If it's a Joyce Maynard book, it's good.
I could not get into this story, I found it rather unbelievable. Just didn't hold my interest. Charactors seemed boring.
This story is both sad and uplifting. The characters are so hopeful you feel energized by their postive attitude. I loved the demonstration of how kids love their parents no matter what. Young adults will feel very mature reading this book. Finally an adult theme they can read with their parents and have meaningful discussion.

I hope this book becomes a movie. You can see the characters on the screen.

If you are a Joyce Maynard fan or new to her writing you will enjoy this book.
As I read Joyce Maynard's new and powerful young adult novel The Cloud Chamber, the writer in me bowed to Maynard's use of language and image. The teacher in me saw the dozens of ways that I could use the book to illustrate social and literary themes. Maynard has created a book that achieves a place of its own in young adult literature. And though it is all the things writers of this genre hope for, i.e., a powerful coming-of-age novel, a timeless story with universal values and truths, it is also a book all its own. Though I was reminded in tone and theme of two of my favorites-Harriet Arnow's The Dollmaker and Eleanor Estes The Hundred Dresses-I was thrilled that I had found a book that breaks new ground. As I read it, I knew I was reading a novel that will last and that will be referred to often when young adult literature is discussed.

Nate, the central character of The Cloud Chamber, is barely a teenager, when his father attempts suicide. Immediately readers are caught up in his life and that of his worn-out mother and heartbreakingly joyful younger sister. They become pariahs as the words "tried to take his own life," are whispered in the small Montana community, aptly named Lonetree. The family is suddenly isolated by shame and tragedy, as if getting too close to them and their trouble would create a pandemic. What makes this a great book is its "every family" connection. The obstacles that Nate and his family face are experienced publicly or privately by most of us. Teenagers will recognize a friend in Nate, someone who, like them, lives in fear of being cast out of the norm or, worse yet, of being different-which in teenage talk translates to mean "wrong." Though Maynard makes no overt judgments, we are all brought up short by religious people who seem less so and by the good people of the community who disappear when Nate's family's greatest needs arise.

At the core of this unforgettable novel is Nate, a young boy who struggles fiercely to protect his tormented, dreamer of a father. Maynard's book will be a friend to those children-and there are oh so many-whose lives extend far beyond their tentative classroom smiles to homes in which dark secrets threaten to shatter an already too-fragile existence. From the beginning to the end, the book has a breathlessly magnetic pull.

The Cloud Chamber speaks allegorically to redemption and forgiveness, to optimism and perseverance. Throughout the book, we hope against hope that things will turn out for Nate and his family, while experience tells us to fear that they won't. In a world that no longer believes great and creative writers go hand in hand, Maynard has flexed her literary muscle and given us a novel to love and to cherish.