He Said, She Said: Books with Multiple Perspectives
February 22nd, 2011 by Kidsmomo
You’ve heard the saying, “There’s two sides to every story.” Well, some books take that idea really literally. From siblings who don’t quite see eye to eye, to a group of schoolmates coming together for a competition, to long-distance best friends trying to stay in touch — check out these tales told from multiple points of view (in no particular order):
- Never Mind!: A Twin Novel by Avi and Rachel Vail (Karen’s pick)
- The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg (Nancy’s pick)
- The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
- When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
- A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements
- Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen
- The Candymakers by Wendy Mass
- P.S. Longer Letter Later by Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin
- The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
- Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
- Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr
- Morning Girl by Michael Dorris
(Also, here’s a printable version of our One Story, Multiple Perspectives booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or share with a friend and then argue over from your different points of view.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite book told from alternating viewpoints.
UPDATE 3/8/11: We revealed the answer to our One Story, Multiple Narrators Mystery Book Theater in the “Look Who’s Talking!” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer. Or just tune in if you want to hear about one time Nancy embarrassed her older sisters when they were kids!
3 Responses
I had a teacher who made me read “A View From Saturday Morning”. She didn’t tell me about the multiple perspective thing. I was confused.
I just read The Secret Box by Whitaker Ringwald. It is written through the perspectives of two cousins, Jax and Ethan. I finished it in one sitting! I highly recommend it!
You should put the perfect score by rob buyea on this list