Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison

Title: Sing Me To Sleep
Author: Angela Morrison
Pages: 320
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: March 18, 2010 (8 days after my B-bay!)

THE TRANSFORMATION

Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

Beth has always been known to be ugly; ever since her dad's first words when she was born: 'Damn, she's ugly'. And to her peers, she's known as 'the Beast'. Everyone calls her that except for Scott, her best friend, who wants to become more than 'just friends'. She finds solace in singing and the choir becomes her sanctuary; a place where she can truly shine with her pure, untainted voice. When she finally takes a risk and showcases her talent, she snags the soprano solo in 'Take Me Home' and gets a whole new makeover. Beth is transformed into 'the Beauty' and even the boys who mock and tease her don't recognize her. But things escalate from there, and soon, her choir goes to Switzerland and that's where she meets Derek; sweet, mysterious, and handsome. He's member of the Primus Amabile Boys choir from Canada. Ever since he heard Beth sing her solo online, he's been waiting to meet her. They hit it off instantly, but Derek is still a mystery to Beth...he's hiding a secret that could destroy them completely...who will Beth choose? Scott? Or Derek?

Sing Me to Sleep is a passionate--yet at the same time--innocent love story that takes happiness, hurt, and loss to a whole new level. Beth's voice is authentic and real, especially with the way she expresses herself through her songwriting. The combination of her narration and the allusive songs ingrained in the novel, makes the emotions in Sing Me to Sleep more powerful and compelling. Singing and songwriting is Beth's passion. When she is still 'the Beast', singing is her escape from the 'ugliness' and instead of letting that discourage her, Beth harnesses her talents to create pure-sounding beauty.

The romance between Derek and Beth is perfect, even though it's rushed because they both need someone to truly love without their secrets, and complicated pasts. The chemistry with both of them is much stronger than it is with Beth and Scott. Scott is cute and supportive of Beth no matter what, but his character is significantly less-developed than Beth and Derek's. Derek puts Beth and his relationship on the line when he chooses not to tell Beth his secret. Readers will be shocked with Beth's discovery and empathize with Derek. When Beth first finds out, she's angry and hurt that Derek doesn't trust her, but then she is devastated and afraid of what will happen to Derek...

The ending of Sing Me to Sleep is simultaneously bittersweet and devastatingly beautiful at the same time. The emotion that Morrison pours through Beth's words and actions is so intensely powerful and strong that readers will laugh, cry, and smile all at once. Sing Me to Sleep is a hopeful and touching look on how precious love--and life--is. A+ =)

The Bottom Line: Heartbreaking. Emotional. Breathtaking. Morrison has done it again.

---Report Card---
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 100/100 (A+) !!!This is one of the FOUR books that hold the title: The Holy Grail - Beholder of the Perfect 100!!!