Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Bibliographic Information:

Werlin, N. (2008). Impossible. New York, NY: Dial Books. ISBN# 9780803730021

Plot Summary:
For some reason all of the women in Lucy’s family have gone crazy, her mother, her grandmother. All have gotten pregnant before turning eighteen and none have known their fathers. Since birth, Lucy has lived with close family friends who took her mother in when she was a pregnant teenager. Lucy is excited to go to the prom, but leery of her foster mother’s new co-worker. After the prom, Lucy is viciously raped by her date. She finds herself pregnant. Lucy also learns that her family is cursed. Many generations ago, her ancestor spurned the Elfin king. Because of this all of Lucy’s female ancestors are cursed to become pregnant by their eighteen birthday and then to go insane after giving birth. At first her foster family doesn’t believe in the curse, but then they set out to solve the three seemingly impossible tasks: A magical shirt without any seam or needlework; find an acre of land between the salt water and the sea strand; and to plow it with just a goat’s horn and sow it all over with just one grain of corn. Lucy, her foster parents and her long-time friend Zach set out to do the do the impossible.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a haunting story that will have the song Scarborough Fair stuck in your head whether you know all the words or not. Many times when I finish a book, I can immediately go on to another book, but not with this one. This is a book that when you finish you will sit and ponder. Werlin’s writing really brings you into the story making you feel a part of in and not just an observer. She wrote the story based on one of the versions of the song after listening closely to the words and deciding that they were quite mean spirited. This is a well-researched fantasy novel. In her author’s note she describes how she researched the various versions of the song along with different methods of attempting the three impossible tasks. This story has elements of several genres, a fairy tale (the Elfin king and the curse,) a mystery (how to solve the three tasks before Lucy gives birth and the puzzle left Lucy by her mother,) a fantasy (magical shirts, evil elves, and curses) and the love of family as well as romance.

Reader's Annotation:
Lucy, raped on prom night by a boy who afterwards dies in a car crash, discovers that she is pregnant and unless she can break the family curse will go insane shortly after given birth as did her mother, grandmother, etc. Can she solve the riddles of Scarborough Fair and break the curse or is she doomed to insanity and homelessness?

Information about the author:
Including Impossible, Werlin has written seven novels. She is a National Book Award finalist and a winner of the Edgar Award. Born in Peabody, Massachusetts, she currently lives near Boston. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and has “worked as a technical writer and editor for several computer software and Internet companies.”
http://www.nancywerlin.com/aboutnw.htm

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; music

Booktalking Ideas:
• What is the definition of impossible?
• What does it mean to “think outside the box?”
• Was there anything that you thought would be impossible and then when you thought about it differently turned out to be possible?
• What is your favorite song? Have you ever listened closely to the lyrics? What is the song saying?


Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest range according to the reviews is ages 12 – adult.

Challenge Issues:
Teenage pregnancy; date rape; curses; homelessness

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Seven positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on nine Best Books Lists
• Appears on three state and provincial reading lists
• Has received four awards

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~h4mPYP:3 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.