The Noah Confessions Book

"The Noah Confessions" by Barbara Hall is a story that delves deep into the past of a young girl's history and the history of her family. The main character, Lynnie Russo, struggled to find her true self. At the beginning of the story, all Lynnie wanted was to fit in. At the age of 16, for their birthday, every teenager receives a car from their parents. When Lynnie turned 16, however, she received an old, disfigured bird charm bracelet. Her reaction to the bracelet wasn't what her father expected. Throughout the story, as readers, we were able to see Lynnie's growth. Lynnie changed into a girl of understanding, showing us that there is a reason behind everything.

At the very beginning of the story, all Lynnie cared about was proving to her friends that she was cool and like them. She strived to fit in and longed to have friends. She had trouble with this because she was different. She was different in that she only lived with her father. Her mother had passed away much earlier in Lynnie's life. On her 16th birthday, instead of getting a car like all of the other 16 year old kids in California, Lynnie received an old bracelet with beat up birds dangling from the chain. Her first thought was that her father was trying to humiliate her in front of her friends, peers, and all of California. The night she received her "new" bracelet, she begged her father to get her a car, instead. She didn't understand the importance and meaning behind the bracelet. Because of that, Lynnie's father decided she was old enough to read "the letter."

The letter. What more could be explained about Lynnie's family tree after reading the letter? Lynnie's father explained to her that when she reached a certain age, she was old enough to read the letter. Lynnie's mom had written this letter to a man named Noah. She explained her deepest secrets in the letter. She even confessed of being a criminal. When Lynnie first started reading the letter, she was very angry. She didn't understand why she was now finding out all of this information. Later on, after she finished the letter, she was even more angry. Lynnie couldn't believe all of the secrets that have been hidden throughout her whole life.

After a terrible accident, Lynnie realized how wrong she was to be upset with her father for not buying her a car and for giving her the long, secret filled letter. She ended up in the hospital in a coma. While she was unconscious, she imagined herself talking with a beautiful woman. This woman happened to be her mother. Lynnie's mother explained to her that in life, people make mistakes. The only way to succeed in life is to make mistakes and then learn from them. She also told her that Lynnie's father was doing everything he could to make Lynnie happy. All he wanted to do was bring joy into her life. He didn't want to lose his daughter like he lost his wife.

When Lyinnie became conscious again, she knew that what her father had been doing all this time was for her own benefit. She finally understood that her father truly cared for her and would never stop. In the end, a new car was not something she longed for, but her family and friends were.

This story was magnificent. I had so much trouble putting it down. I have already recommended this story to numerous people and will continue to suggest this book to more people. This story taught me that family is what really matters. Be thankful for what you have because before you know it, those things will be gone.