How well do we know our best friends?
They were the best of friends. Sixteen-year-old Buck Mendenhall first me... read full description
They were the best of friends. Sixteen-year-old Buck Mendenhall first me... read full description
reviews
May 25, 2010
The first have of this book was REALLY slow... but eventually it picked up. There were a lot of random digressions that were never really fleshed out and I wonder about their importance to the real story.
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May 21, 2009
Skyler
rated it: 
This book became part of the standard Lincoln Public Schools (NE) curriculum the year surveys revealed that suicide was the number one killer of teens between the ages of 14 and 18. We all got forms sent home for parents to sign, and a special counselor came to our lit class to discuss everything from signs of potential suicide victims to dealing with the loss of a classmate. It was surreal.
Now, I realize the gravity of discovering that America's teens were killing themselves. It More...
Now, I realize the gravity of discovering that America's teens were killing themselves. It More...
Jul 03, 2011
Karen
rated it: 
Based strictly on a comparison with Richard Peck's other books, this book deserves only two stars. It is the story of three friends -- Buck, Kate and Trav -- during their teenage years, told from Buck's viewpoint. It is at once a coming-of-age story and a cautionary tale about teenage depression. Certainly, Mr. Peck does a good job with character development. I especially liked some of the secondary characters he created in the book, including Rusty, who is a girl who has moved in from Califo
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Apr 03, 2010
Sasha
rated it: 
This book actually has the line "remembering the good times," so minus points for that. I liked the argument at the end, but it might as well have been a lesson plan. I also liked some of the characters, but not the narrator.
It was also one of the most totally 80's books I've ever read--it felt very dated. the cover, the clothing descriptions etc all made it feel 80's, but so did the Outsiders-esque class divisions and the fear of the future of the late cold war, anti-bomb More...
It was also one of the most totally 80's books I've ever read--it felt very dated. the cover, the clothing descriptions etc all made it feel 80's, but so did the Outsiders-esque class divisions and the fear of the future of the late cold war, anti-bomb More...
Jul 04, 2011
Katie
rated it:
This book was recommended to me in a young adult literature course I took last fall and also in a children's literature course from the previous summer. While the book does deal with a suicide, it doesn't work through enough of this issue for me to warrant it as a book I would recommend to any of my students. Also, it is set in the mid-1980s, and I don't imagine my students would stick with it long enough to get there.
Oct 31, 2008
Jennifer
rated it: 
I would give this 3.5 stars. Remembering the Good Times is the story of three teenagers who don't fit neatly into any of the cliques at their school, and the unusual friendship they forge.
There are some powerful characters in this book, particularly Kate and her great-grandmother Polly. Oddly, I never felt like I was in the skin of the narrator, Buck Mendenhall.
A lot of intense stuff happens in this novel, and its just a tad over the top for me. For a YA novel, it More...
There are some powerful characters in this book, particularly Kate and her great-grandmother Polly. Oddly, I never felt like I was in the skin of the narrator, Buck Mendenhall.
A lot of intense stuff happens in this novel, and its just a tad over the top for me. For a YA novel, it More...
Mar 05, 2010
Q_Donna
rated it:
Buck, Katey and Trav have been friends since seventh grade. Now in high school each has family problems, but Trav is seriously distrubed and eventually kills himself leaving behind guilt and anger in his friends. Learning how to grieve and how to accepr help from parents is the focus of this novel.
Feb 13, 2010
Tara
rated it:
3.5 stars. Another book illustrating that teenagers also deal with real life issues. This time, two friends are left with trying to come to grips with their third friend committing an unexpected suicide. Well written, as Peck's books always are, but rather sad.
Oct 14, 2009
Rebecca aka Becky
rated it:
This book was about a girl remembering the good times she useto have.A boy is talkinq to the qirl well becuz they r friends.They have a chance 2 talk 2 eachother.They know eachother.
This book was an okay book.I didnt really like it.It wasn't that interesting.
This book was an okay book.I didnt really like it.It wasn't that interesting.
Oct 15, 2010
This was a flat out really differnet book. Im not really sure if i liked it or not. It was a wierd book.
Oct 15, 2009
Janet
rated it:
Another good book by Richard Peck. I needed a light heart book to read. This one fit the bill. The ending was heart-wrenching.
Jun 28, 2009
Eremite
rated it:
Good characters, a decent plot and real emotion. But I'm not sure I want to be reminded of High School.
Jan 31, 2010
elissa
rated it:
I read this one in library school. Possibly one of the first YA suicide titles?
Oct 28, 2010
Birdy
rated it:
Really excellent, thought provoking on mental illness and suicide. Wonderful author!
Jun 06, 2007
Snarky's
rated it:
My favorite Richard Peck book. Totally well-written and heartbreaking.
Jan 23, 2012
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Dec 11, 2011
