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You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye
by
Patricia Hermes (Goodreads Author)
Thirteen-year-old Sarah Morrow doesn't think much of the fact that her mother winced a little when she hugged her. In fact, that first small indication of something wrong escapes the whole family. Three weeks later though there can be no escape. Sarah's mother has been diagnosed with incurable cancer and the love this family shares becomes a desperate clinging.
But Sarah's...more
But Sarah's...more
Paperback, 0 pages
Published
May 1st 1984
by Scholastic
(first published January 1st 1982)
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I first read You Shouldn't Have to Say Good-bye in the fourth grade as an ESL student, struggling to learn English. A novel about a young woman's cancerous dying mother probably wasn't the best book for the purpose, but I remember how even then, with my limited grasp of the English language, I was completely moved by this book.
In the novel, teenager Sarah Marrow and her mother share a deep and cherished bond -- a bond that was tested and proved unshakable when her mother was diagnosed with termi...more
In the novel, teenager Sarah Marrow and her mother share a deep and cherished bond -- a bond that was tested and proved unshakable when her mother was diagnosed with termi...more
Jul 25, 2010
Lulu
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone, young or old
Shelves:
depressing-must-reads
I don't even remember when I read this book, it was such a long time ago. But when a book hits you so deeply that the contents and the ending stick with you even long after you've forgotten the book title, it really says something about it.
Even after all of these years, I remember the young girl in the novel struggling to cope with the reality that her mother is slowly dying, and I vividly remember the terrifying moments of her mother's death. The book is definitely depressing and not recommend...more
Even after all of these years, I remember the young girl in the novel struggling to cope with the reality that her mother is slowly dying, and I vividly remember the terrifying moments of her mother's death. The book is definitely depressing and not recommend...more
I just finished this one and I have to say I cried for at least the last three chapters. I was a little disappointed to find something missing from the author bio, because she either has a vivid imagination or she's lived this experience.
Having lost a parent as a child, I could identify with the anger, denial and loss the main character went through. But now, as a mother myself, I also identified with the parents as they struggled to come to terms with the twist their lives had taken.
I don't kn...more
Having lost a parent as a child, I could identify with the anger, denial and loss the main character went through. But now, as a mother myself, I also identified with the parents as they struggled to come to terms with the twist their lives had taken.
I don't kn...more
This was a favorite book of my childhood. I couldn't remember the title for years, and I finally ran across it in a Sourcebooks catalog as they rereleased it a couple of years ago. Like a lot of old favorites I worried it wouldn't hold up. I worried it would be really dated, lightweight, and maudlin. Luckily, this is another book that held up. (Boy, the cover artwork has changed!)
Sarah's a pretty ordinary girl. She's 13, does gymnastics, hangs out with her best friend Robyn, and goes to school....more
Sarah's a pretty ordinary girl. She's 13, does gymnastics, hangs out with her best friend Robyn, and goes to school....more
Feb 14, 2013
Brandy Zilla
added it
I read this book in the 4th grade and ended up losing a parent a couple of years later. I reread this book many times during that rough period of my life and it helped to think that I wasn't alone. It is incredibly sad but an amazing read for young people who may need this to cope.
I read this book as a child and it was so sad but such a great book. I read it so many times that the cover came off and the pages were falling apart.
I have read this book about five times and every time I cry, I won't include spoilers so just be ready and settle in with a box of tissues.
Jan 22, 2012
Ruth
marked it as to-read
I remember reading this book when I was a kid. The story has stuck with me for over 20 years! I think it's time to read it again.
As a girl, I read and reread this until the cover fell off. It was one of the first books to make me cry (and my god, did I cry).
I first read this book in about 4th or 5th grade and loved it. I would draw a bath and grab this book and reread it, crying, laughing, and crying some more. I loved it so much that I put it on our class/community library for others to discover and love. Of course, someone didn't bring it back and it took me years to find my own copy again. But in the meantime I would check it out from the library over and over, even into my 20s.
This is a children's book that features a young girl dealing with h...more
This is a children's book that features a young girl dealing with h...more
Very sad book I liked when I was in grade school.
One of my favorites, growing up
Childhood fav
Sad
Deals with a young girl whose mother is dying of cancer. This is a sopping wet hanky of a book, but well written never-the-less. You may need a hug after reading it though.
Another Patricia Hermes book I read and reread. She wrote a lot about sad situations for younger kids. I liked them because they kind of sober you up and teaches humility. Little kids might be spoiled sometimes so these books are really down to earth and reminds us that we should be blessed for what good we do have.
This book made a serious impact on me at a young age- made me grateful for what I had and redefined my perspective.
Jun 02, 2008
Eastofoz
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Eastofoz by:
Elementary school YA read
Shelves:
young-adult
I read this book as a kid and I remember crying my head off for how sad it was. It was so good!
This is a childhood favorite. I am not even sure how many times I read this book.
Sad, sad, sad. Don't read this if you don't want to be sad. Or if your not a tween.
So sad! A realistic story about death.
loved it
young adult
Apr 18, 2013
Vicka Liu
marked it as to-read
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Dec 06, 2010 08:10am