Elsewhere

Elsewhere is a coming-of-age story and work of magical realism—a genre in which fantastical elements (e.g. talking animals) are woven into an otherwise ordinary setting. First published in 2005, it was writer Gabrielle Zevin’s first novel for a YA audience, and was a 2006 Bank Street Best Children’s Book; it is also an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book. All page numbers in this guide refer to the Farrar, Straus, and Giroux edition. 

Plot Summary

Elsewhere begins just after the death of its protagonist, 15-year-old Elizabeth (“Liz”) Hall. Liz wakes up one morning aboard a cruise ship called the SS Nile. Although Liz initially believes herself to be dreaming, certain details of her situation strike her as odd; her bunkmate—a 16-year-old girl named Thandi—has a healing gunshot wound at the back of her head, while Liz sports a line of stitches above her ear. In addition, Liz has vague memories of being struck by a car while riding her bike to the mall. Eventually, Liz is summoned to the ship’s Observation Deck, where she watches her own funeral through a pair of binoculars and must acknowledge the truth: she is dead.