Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Release Date – August 26, 2006
Publisher Website –  Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages - 419 pages
My Rating- 4.5/5
**borrowed from the library**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

An abandoned girl, a missing teenager and a horrific car accident. Tragic events that are more connected than they seem at first glance. A mystery of a girl's past that unravels as she is on the cusp of her future, and changes her life forever. I had been hearing amazing things about Jellicoe Road and finally read it. I was happy to discover that it is just as wonderful as expected.

The writing and characterization are both superb. It's not hard to see why this novel is a Printz award winner. Each of the characters are fleshed out and made unique. It's writing captivates and draws you into the story effortlessly in this mostly character driven novel. The beginning is a little jarring, and makes more sense the deeper you delve into the novel. It might be hard to stick with at first, but the rewards for doing so are worth it.

Taylor is a fiercely guarded girl. Her life hasn't been easy and she is hesitant to let anyone in who could hurt her. Seeing her begin to open up and let others in was my favourite part of the journey she takes. She is a character that you instantly feel connected to and therefore invested in her story.

The relationship between Taylor and Jonah is one of those rare ones in young adult literature that is developed naturally. They have a connection, a history and a chemistry that isn't forced or rushed. It builds until it just seems unnatural for them not be together. They're both messed up, and they each challenge and better the other.

As the mystery of Jellicoe road unravels, the connections between these life changing events are quite obvious. It is, however, the journey, and the characters that make this story what it is. The story slowly builds and all comes together for a bittersweet, yet hopeful ending.

Jellicoe Road deals with growing up, falling in love, finding yourself, and learning that people can love you more than you expected. A wonderful novel that shows that the connections and friendships you make when you are younger can have the deepest impact on your life.