Book Review: Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

SING ME TO SLEEP BY ANGELA MORRISON
Publication Date: March 4, 2010 (Razorbill)
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages

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.

Labeled as “The Beast” since grade school and called "damn ugly" by her own father, it was no wonder that the protagonist Beth had such a negative self image. Head hung low in same, she endured the cruel taunts and jokes of her classmates as if she deserved them. At first, I had a real hard time immersing myself into the novel. Though I could understand why Beth had such self confidence issues, her personality was a little draining on me, and I worried that it would completely overshadow the rest of the novel. However, when Beth’s choir group traveled to Switzerland to compete in a prestigious choral competition, Sing Me to Sleep really kicked into high gear. The camaraderie of the different choral groups intrigued me and the lush scenery of Switzerland really captured my attention. Beth received a makeover before going to Switzerland and it was enjoyable to watch her finally begin to blossom with her newfound confidence.

The people in Beth’s life were sweet, spunky, and in the case of Derek- incredibly mysterious and swoon-worthy. These secondary characters actually made the novel for me. Beth's best friend Scott was by far my favorite character. Beth's appearance made no difference to him and he definitely made my heart race with the declarations he made to her. I loved that he was there for her no matter what and I looked forward to each time he appeared in the novel. As for Derek, I enjoyed the ‘hide and seek’ aspect of his character, and trying to figure out what exactly his "dark secret" was. When I did figure it out, it seemed sad that so much pain and heartache had to happen because he refused to be forthcoming about something she would've accepted and supported him wholeheartedly on. I understood his rationale for doing what he did, and though I didn't agree with it, I could empathize with why he would act the way he did.

In the end, I thought Sing Me to Sleep was impressive for its original storyline and thought provoking themes about appearances, dreams and loving who you are.
Purchase Sing Me to Sleep HERE.


Angela Morrison is the author of Taken by Storm. She graduated from Brigham Young University and received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Visit the author at her Official Website and Blog.