The Tragedy Paper

by Elizabeth LaBan

[Sam@WLABB]

The Tragedy Paper is the BIG english paper each senior must submit at Irving, a small upstate NY boarding school. It is a project that looms over them from day one of senior year. Duncan began senior year dreading the ominous Tragedy Paper, he also dreaded his return to school because of the "game". Each year, the senior class has a chairman who is responsible for organizing a game to bring the senior class together. Last year's game went awry and Duncan has been carrying this guilt with him.

Another tradition of Irving Academy is for your room's prior occupant to leave a "treasure" for the new occupant. Duncan gets the LAST room he could possibly desire -- Tim's old room. Tim was one of the things that went awry with last year's game. But, the "treasure" Tim left for Duncan may be more valuable than gold in the long run.

I really enjoyed this book.
1. I never went to boarding school. It was interesting to get a peek into the lives of children who board.
2. I never knew an albino. I enjoyed learning a little more about people with this condition and problems they encounter.
3. I loved Tim and Vanessa. Their chance encounter at the airport and their layover, made me root for them. As the story unfolded, you learn that there is a lot more to Vanessa than meets the eye.
4. I liked how the story alternated between Tim and Duncan and how their lives were intertwined, but independent of each other. How, although Tim was albino, that did not define him -- he was just a regular boy like Duncan and they experienced many similar issues.

Pacing was good, the story was interesting. I was happy, I was sad, I was hopeful, I was relieved. Overall -- a great read.