Reviewed by Martha Sieber, 13, Grade 8, Fairfield Middle School, Fairfield, IA

Turner Publishing Inc. Copyright 1995

This beautifully written book is a powerful story about a girl, Dory, who's sixteen and going into eighth grade. She's older, bigger, and a slower learner than everyone else in her grade. Her mother is a raving alcoholic who's always drunk and does nothing. Her older brother was kicked out of school and she's stuck taking care of her little sisters. Dory wants dearly to be friends with Robin, who is fourteen and going into ninth grade. Robin's best friend is Meredith, though. Meredith always makes fun of Dory and Dory doesn't like her, though she's usually nice to her. In Dory's eyes, Meredith is the only thing standing between Robin and her becoming best friends. Dory tries many tactics to make this happen. The outcome of this book is both happy and sad. Hall takes your mind so you are Dory. You experience her heartaches and feel sorry for her horrible life. This book makes you feel glad that you have parents who will buy you things, or even that you have running hot water. Reading this book will help you understand how the people who are a little slow think and feel. It will make you glad that you have friends, even if you've got just one. I would recommend this book to people who have understanding and are kind to all people, or to people who think that they are the best in hopes this book will change them. On a scale from one to ten, this book was a definite ten.

Language Arts Teacher: Virginia Broz, Fairfield, IA

...Book Review Index