Book Review of

IZZY, WILLY NILLY

By

CYNTHIA VOIGT

Submitted by:

Jonas de Castro
ABM C
 BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR

Cynthia Voigt was born February 25, 1942, in Boston,

Massachusetts. She graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts and worked

in advertising in New York City. In 1964, she married and moved to Santa Fe,

New Mexico, where she started teaching. She taught second grade (and one high

school English class) at the Key School in Annapolis, Maryland, from 1966 to

1971. She divorced in 1972, and taught high school English in Glen Burnie,

Maryland. She began writing again and remarried in 1974, to Walter Voigt, who

taught classical Greek at The Key School, where she returned to teach high

school English again. After winning the Newbery Medal for "Dicey's Song," she

left teaching to write full-time and moved to Deer Isle, Maine. She is the mother

of two children, Peter and Jessica.

 VOCABULARY

Vamp (pg. 1) - a short introductory musical passage often repeated several

times (as in vaudeville) before a solo or between verses
Trauma (4) - a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe
mental or emotional stress or physical injury
Uplifting (8) - to improve the spiritual, social, or intellectual condition
Dashboard (9) - a panel extending across the interior of a vehicle (as an
automobile) below the windshield and usually containing instruments and
controls
Shoved (9) - to push or put in a rough, careless, or hasty manner
elm (10) - any of a genus (Ulmus of the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of
usually large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate
leaves and fruit that is a samara
hoisted (10) - to raise into position by or as if by means of tackle
Rip (11) - to slash or slit with or as if with a sharp blade
catheter (11) - a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels,
passageways, or body cavities usually to permit injection or withdrawal of
fluids or to keep a passage open
grousing (12) complain, grumble
molester (12) - to annoy, disturb, or persecute especially with hostile intent
or injurious effect
notorious (14) - widely and unfavorably known; generally known and talked
of
sensibly (17) - capable of receiving sensory impressions
swilling (18) - to drink great drafts of: guzzle
lurched (18) - an abrupt jerking, swaying, or tipping movement
naive (19) - marked by unaffected simplicity
swerving (20) - to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course
dusky (22) - somewhat dark in color
leotard (22) - a piece of clothing that fits tightly and covers the body except
for the legs and sometimes the arms
fussed (24) - needless bustle or excitement
immobilized (25) - to reduce or eliminate motion of (the body or a part) by
mechanical means or by strict bed rest
sidetrack (28) - a position or condition of secondary importance to which
 one may be diverted
quilted (32) - to fasten between two pieces of material
floppy (32) - being both soft and flexible
ratted (33) - to betray, desert, or inform on one's associates
sulks (34) - to be moodily silent
windowsill (38) - the horizontal member at the bottom of a window opening
liaison (44) a person who establishes and maintains communication for
mutual understanding and cooperation
screeching (49) abrupt, sudden
otter (61) - an animal that has dark brown fur and webbed feet with claws
and that eats fish

ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTS

Title: Izzy, Willy Nilly

Setting: This novel takes place in Connecticut, USA. It also has many settings
for example, Izzy's home, the senior party at John Winter size's
house, and mainly the hospital where Izzy was taken hostage.

Characters:
Izzy - Lost her leg, main character of the story
Mrs. Lingard - Izzy's mother, Stay at home mother
Mr. Lingard - Izzy's father, Works all the time, Plays golf
Mrs. Hughes- Pincke- Izzy's therapist, Pregnant
Marco - Senior , Driver of the car, was drunk
Tony - Senior , Izzy likes him, Offered Izzy a ride home at the party
Suzy - Izzy's friend, Attention seeker, Boy crazy
Lisa - Izzy's friend, Naturally beautiful
Lauren - Izzy's friend
Joel - Izzy's brother (twins with Jack), Smart, Better looking
Jack - Izzy's brother (Twins with Joel), Athlete, Have a pretty smile
Francie - Izzy's little sister, Jealous of Izzy, Socially awkward
Rosamunde - Izzy's new friend, Outcast, Very blunt, Friendly

Theme of the story:

Be careful of the decisions you make and do not judge an individual by

their cover.

Plot:
 Izzy was a popular cheerleader with three close girl friends and when a
handsome senior, Marco, asks her on a date that she happily accepted. But at
the party they attended, Marco drinks too much and Izzy gets in the car with
him against her own will. Marco sped up his car and eventually, they came to an
accident on their way home. When Izzy wakes up in the hospital, she is shocked
to learn that one of her legs was so damaged it had to be amputated. Izzys
entire life as she knew it is over. She cannot be a cheerleader again. Her friends
are too uncomfortable to relax around her so they retreat. The easy confidence
she took for granted before the accident has gone. Izzy must change everything
about her life and adjust herself. A new friend makes this transition easier.
Rosamunde who is not scared away by Izzys trauma as well as the therapist
that helps Izzy come to terms with her disability. Izzy tried hard for her recovery
and learned that she had strength she never knew. She also learned that in the
choices that we make here will be a lasting effect.

Conflict:

The main conflict is that Marco(drunk driver) got Izzy in a car accident
that changed her whole life forever.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

Izzy's experience is very relatable especially to teenagers because

the teenagers today are very risky in making decisions even when they didn't
think much about. They fight for what they really want and they aren't aware of
the consequences that may happen to them.

Izzy took her mobility, popularity and social status for granted. These
things was taken away from her by her own decision that she should have not
made. This is a lesson for all teens. Izzy had a depression and she was very
discouraged by the accident. The situation was very understandable.

The story is catchy and impressive. The characters are very realistic
despite of their unlikeable traits. A reality that resembles the true impression
and the natural responses of a teenagers to their problems. However,
Rosamunde may be annoying but her role in the story makes her a great
character because she became Izzy's salvation. The message of the story is very
helpful in reminding teenagers to be careful in the decisions that they make and
inspiring us not to lose hope when we are being discouraged. This book totally
deserved to be read and give attention to, has a very big impact and take a great
effect to change our life.