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jilliegirl's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very quick read. Katie, the 12 year old narrator, was so well written that she conjured up the memories and feelings I had when I was 12. Perhaps the confusion of a changing body and parents you can't begin to understand is universal!
dontmissythesereads's review against another edition
4.0
This book follows a young girl whose mother has died and whose father is abusive. It tells of her strength and wisdom even at a young age. I think this is a book that teenage girls could benefit from reading.
mcallima's review against another edition
4.0
This is an unassuming book. I was very surprised by this book. I was surprised at how much I liked it. I love books in which I can identify with and fall in love with characters. And this book did just that. I fell in love with both Katie's innocence and wisdom. In some ways, Katie was naive and innocent and in others she was wise beyond her years and more grown up becuase of the tragedies and grief she had experienced. She was so relateable.
The character I was most surprised with was Katie's dad. While I should have hated him, I couldn't. He was dealing with his own grief in his own way, though at Katie and Diane's expense. I should have hated him, but he was not a villan. I could relate to him as well.
For such a small book, it packed a powerful punch! :)
The character I was most surprised with was Katie's dad. While I should have hated him, I couldn't. He was dealing with his own grief in his own way, though at Katie and Diane's expense. I should have hated him, but he was not a villan. I could relate to him as well.
For such a small book, it packed a powerful punch! :)
kiersten67's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favorite Elizabeth Berg books...and I've read them all! Love the character development and her descriptions of everyday life. Joy School continues with this heroine.
crazeedi73's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, short story, good story line, needs developed.
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
4.0
I believe this was Elizabeth Berg's first novel. In very spare, beautiful prose, she tells the story through the eyes of twelve-year-old Katie. Katie's mother has recently died of cancer. Katie is left to navigate the moods of her distant and sometimes abusive father, while at the same time adolescing, trying to figure out how to become a young woman and fit in with her peers. Berg does a wonderful job of expressing Katie's feelings and worries, as well as her wishful thinking that her mother isn't really dead and will suddenly reappear when Katie needs her most.
A quick read. You could easily read it in an afternoon, but I wasn't in a hurry and took two days.
A quick read. You could easily read it in an afternoon, but I wasn't in a hurry and took two days.
ajlewis2's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a YA book and I'm way beyond that age group, so I did not have a high interest. I would say the quality of the book is 5 star for that age group. I like the author and didn't realize it was YA until I got into it a bit. The story and quality of writing held me. This story is especially good for those who have or have had a problematic father. I related to the Army moving, though in my case it was as an adult in the Army and not as a child.
birdyme's review
3.0
Interesting book. I'm sorry Diane felt she had to leave. I'm sorry their dad beat them. I'm glad Katie stayed.
theresidentbookworm's review
3.0
Once again, freshman English rears its ugly head. Technically, this isn't due until the 27th but I finished it early for lack of anything better to read. My first thought was that it was going to be super awkward to discuss in class, and my second thought was that it was like House on Mango Street, another book I've had to read in English.
All in all, this book was okay. I thought some parts were awkward, but I liked Katie's voice. I think the author had a clear idea of who she was, and it showed. I kind of felt like the plot line was lacking, and I didn't really see any emotion in the text. I did like some of the langaug. Like MS, this has a poetry-ish feel to it, which somewhat adds to the story.
This is one of those books you either hate or love so I'm not really sure whether or not to recommend it. If you do happen to decide to give this a shot, I highly recommend getting it from the library.
All in all, this book was okay. I thought some parts were awkward, but I liked Katie's voice. I think the author had a clear idea of who she was, and it showed. I kind of felt like the plot line was lacking, and I didn't really see any emotion in the text. I did like some of the langaug. Like MS, this has a poetry-ish feel to it, which somewhat adds to the story.
This is one of those books you either hate or love so I'm not really sure whether or not to recommend it. If you do happen to decide to give this a shot, I highly recommend getting it from the library.
ifersinklings's review
2.0
This is probably the least favorite book that I have read by Elizabeth Berg. I felt that the book was all building up to the plot that I never received. I was really left thinking "this is it?"
I didn't feel that anything brought up was resolved. It just kinda fizzled out in the end.
I didn't feel that anything brought up was resolved. It just kinda fizzled out in the end.