Belzhar

Journal. Words matter. In Meg Wolitzer’s novel, Belzhar, the adolescents at The Wooden Barn, a Vermont boarding school for troubled kids, who have been selected for the Special Topics in English class learn quickly how much words matter. They are required to write in special journals for this class that does close reading of Sylvia Plath. The journal writing transports the students to a place they named “Belzhar,” a take on the famous Plath book. While this may be categorized as a young adult novel, that distinction may not mean much to those readers who appreciate finely written prose. I was entertained and delighted by this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Belzhar from amazon.com.