Warning: Noggin is one of those books you don't expect to love as much as you do.
Noggin is one of the most unique books that I have ever read. John Corey Whaley is a great author he writes so many diverse books from the other YA authors. That is one of the reasons why I picked this up. A year ago someone recommended this to me but I hadn't been in the mood to read it until now for some reason. It was short, sweet, and cute full of my favorite things!
I love discussing characters because they are what make me fall in the love with the story. Mr. Whaley did a fantastic job of creating a diverse group of kind hearted and well developed characters. I loved how Travis, the main character, was introduced because we sort of jumped the train the same way he did when you got his 'new body'. I really felt for Travis, I'm not saying I have been through a head transplant, but I was sad about the loss of his teenage years and I felt bad that he had to pick up where he left off while all of the people he once knew continued to live their lives. I think we can all relate to leaving something behind and remembering it a certain way and looking to comfort in that simple routine and one day go back to a complete change. I loved how weird this book got but didn't lose that human element.One part of Whaley's work that I enjoyed the most was I never knew what to expect out of these characters. He gave such good insight into their lives but he never gave enough information to show you what they were actually thinking. Travis is such an important character for YA today. He has become this overnight sensation to himself but not to everyone else. I mean he woke up five years later with a new body! That is crazy! I mean nothing has changed to him except this new body but everyone knows him.
This story was so interesting to imagine because this boy is my age but he is experiencing life so differently. I know he kept saying he wanted the normalcy of his life back but Hattan kept saying this it wasn't necessarily the people that were changing, it was him. I loved that because this showed how Travis really was coming back from the dead and living this new life and he was blaming everyone but he was in such a tough situation! I really loved it! I also really loved Hattan because he was so cute and sweet to Travis and his condition. He was always supporting Travis even though Travis was at time so ridiculous (If you have read the story you know what I'm talking about with Cate.) To be honest, the scene at the end with Cate was so stressful to read because I felt for Travis. It wasn't the fact that he wanted Cate back, but the desire to have something stay the same in his life.
I think a major theme in this book, is change is sometimes good but also has flaws. I felt so bad for Travis but also he was so lucky! All these characters that were introduced with great admiration were suddenly pivoted into this hateful change.
I really loved this story and it is a little strange but it isn't about a head on another body it's how to deal with a big change in life. It also deals with how to deal with change and how to make the best of it! Such a good heartfelt story this is so different and great! Add it to your TBR list!!!!!
Much Love,
Channy
