Jam Gallahue has just joined The Wooden Barn, a specialist school for teens who have experienced trauma. She's there because Reeve, her boyfriend, someone she knew for less than two months, is gone. Upon her arrival, she's put into a class called Special Topics in English, with the firm yet matronly Mrs. Q at the helm. Mrs. Q gives the small group The Bell Jar to read. She then hands them all blank journals and tells them to write down what they are feeling twice a week. This is where things get weird. Writing in the journals transports Jam to Belzhar, an alternate universe of sorts where she can be with Reeve again, if only for a short time. Jam is blown away by this revelation, she's desperate to know if anyone else in Special Topics has had this happen before. Does Mrs. Q know? What happens when her journal is full? Jam has questions, and it will take a lot of digging to find the answers. I really enjoyed Belzhar, I felt it was a great novel that highlighted the power of writing and reading in general. I really loved that they chose The Bell Jar to analyse as it was the perfect text to accompany this story of heartache and pain. I do feel that Jam's reaction to certain events (no spoilers) needed to be fleshed out a little more, I think she'd be lacking in the friend department if she behaved this way in any kind of authentic situation. Each of Jam's friends have hidden trauma, secrets and desires which makes the story telling all the more interesting, though. It's a very unique story with a twist and I couldn't bring myself to put it down as I had to know what happens.
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