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52nd out of 337 books
—
136 voters
The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It
IN MY FAMILY, when anyone rides the wave of their emotions, we say they're chucking a birkett. When the emotion drives out all common sense, we say they're chucking a big one. The telltale signs are: flaming cheeks, shortness of breath, bulging eyes, and a prolonged illogical outburst.
Gemma Stone is convinced that it's always unseemly to chuck a birkett and that it's actua...more
Gemma Stone is convinced that it's always unseemly to chuck a birkett and that it's actua...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
August 28th 2007
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
(first published February 1st 2006)
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After having finished this book, I can’t help but wonder: What is it that makes Australian YA so special – hilariously funny and sad at the same time – but just so wonderful and capturing? It's not that I've read heaps of Australian books, but the tendency can't be denied. Both Melina Marchetta and Jaclyn Moriarty are among my favourite authors and their books can't be compared to most of the other YA books I've read in the last years (which doesn't mean I didn't love those, of course). Yet ever...more
Nov 14, 2010
oliviasbooks
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Readers who like a mix of funny, sad and wacky.
I would rate "My Big Birkett" 3,5 stars if I could. I loved the funny style, the metaphors and the wackiness. (I mustn't forget to save some quotes from the first chapters and maybe from the later ones, too.) But I didn't expect it to be that sad and - in parts - hopeless, even. I cannot say that the sadness doesn't fit the story. Barging through the De Head family home purely on humor would gloss over too many cracks that have to be visible and ugly. My heart hurts for Raven De Head, really. Al...more
I adored this book. It's funny (silly-grin-on-your-face-half-the-time-you're-reading-it-funny) and it produced the occasional snort of laughter (and I'm not a snorter, even at the best of times). It's utterly charming, really. I just love Gemma, whole-heartedly. She's dramatic and honest and comes from a crazy but genuine Aussie family and I would so be best friends with her (you would be, too). When she stuffs up, I really felt that little sinking feeling in my stomach along with her.
Plus, Rave...more
Plus, Rave...more
3.5/5
It’s sweet, cute and ridiculously over the top. Her family is so out there that it’s a wonder Gemma didn’t throw more fits (or “birketts” as she calls them) than she did. The characters are absolutely darling though, and Gemma, the most darling of all. The best thing (and worse thing) about her, is how aware she was. She knew precisely who her family was and what they could be. She was also perfectly aware of how she could act and what she ought not do. The sad thing was despite this knowin...more
It’s sweet, cute and ridiculously over the top. Her family is so out there that it’s a wonder Gemma didn’t throw more fits (or “birketts” as she calls them) than she did. The characters are absolutely darling though, and Gemma, the most darling of all. The best thing (and worse thing) about her, is how aware she was. She knew precisely who her family was and what they could be. She was also perfectly aware of how she could act and what she ought not do. The sad thing was despite this knowin...more
I love this sort of book, about life in a modern Australian family and growing up and dealing with boy/girl problems, that sort of thing. This was really well-written and quite gripping in places, and very funny too. My only beef with it was that sometimes I think the author tried a little bit TOO hard to play on the reader's emotions and didn't quite get the right balance. It felt a bit cheesy sometimes, like she was laying it on a little thick. Still. A great read.
EDIT: I've just re-read this...more
EDIT: I've just re-read this...more
I'm a cranky review and I don't give 5 stars freely. A book has to really, REALLY be special for me to do that.
And this one is just that. It's wondeful.
It starts as a funny story about an Aussie girl, her mildly eccentric family and her Bridezilla sister. And that part IS funny--the chapter where Gemma and her family meet the bridegroom's martial family is hilarious.
But along the way there is a second part of the story with much to say about how we judge others, about what makes a family, about...more
And this one is just that. It's wondeful.
It starts as a funny story about an Aussie girl, her mildly eccentric family and her Bridezilla sister. And that part IS funny--the chapter where Gemma and her family meet the bridegroom's martial family is hilarious.
But along the way there is a second part of the story with much to say about how we judge others, about what makes a family, about...more
Surprisingly funny book -- was it the wit in general or a particular style of Aussie humor? I'm not sure, but I do know I laughed aloud several times in the first 30 pages, particularly as people "chucked birketts" while the Stones meet the soon-to-be in-law Websters.
Gemma Stone thinks she can't speak in front of people but discovers that she actually has a dramatic flair, as long as she's speaking as someone else. She tries out for the school play, Shakespeare's The Tempest, to be close to her...more
Gemma Stone thinks she can't speak in front of people but discovers that she actually has a dramatic flair, as long as she's speaking as someone else. She tries out for the school play, Shakespeare's The Tempest, to be close to her...more
I only picked up this book out of interest. But boy, if I hadn't of picked it up, I seriously wouldn't have been able to live with myself. This book was epic- it made me laugh so many times and I still laugh now when I think about the book. The sotry was also fanscinating- it had such a addicting story line. And whats makes it the best was becuase it was written by an AUSTRALIAN WRITER!! That just made the story more funny and likeable. I just could not belive that I almost put this book pack on...more
This book puts an interesting spin on the typical high school characters: the popular boy, the akward girl, and the rebel. For once we finally get to see inside the home of the rebel and hear from people in the rebel's family about their position as outcasts in the community.
I rolled my eyes a little at the shakespeare plot lines, but it might give a student some understanding of the difficult text.
This book is worth your child reading because it addresses social labels and how they truely effec...more
I rolled my eyes a little at the shakespeare plot lines, but it might give a student some understanding of the difficult text.
This book is worth your child reading because it addresses social labels and how they truely effec...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Feb 12, 2012
Ania
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
YA fans, Aussies, needing a chuckle
Shelves:
australia
Now let me begin this review with a picture of Bjork and her famous swan dress because I am certain it was an inspiration for writing this book. Was anyone else picturing the swan dress as Bjork's? :P
It was hard to give this book a rating. Although I really enjoyed the story line and had some great chuckles along the way, there are some issues within that prevent me from giving it a full 3/5 (liked it vote), so I'm giving it 2.5 (between OK and Like). I also have to admit I did expect it to be b...more
It was hard to give this book a rating. Although I really enjoyed the story line and had some great chuckles along the way, there are some issues within that prevent me from giving it a full 3/5 (liked it vote), so I'm giving it 2.5 (between OK and Like). I also have to admit I did expect it to be b...more
I got this book as a birthday present about 2 or 3 years ago from relatives in Australia,and didn't know entirely what to make of it. The cover art and typeface were a little unusual to me, and the origami instructions at the start of every chapter baffled me. The whole thing seemed a little serious for my liking, so I put off reading it - but when I did get round to it, I had the shock of my life. I had been utterly deceived - lurking between those unusual covers was a brilliant little story.
Ge...more
Ge...more
Excellent book, lots of fun. I loved the way it tackled the big topics with such a fun, light-weight story that I didn't even realize how powerful it was until it was nearly over. This is serious stuff but it's all so offhand that it punches you right in the gut.
It's also brilliantly funny. I just started reading it again the moment it was over, which is pretty much my highest compliment to a book. So here's a line that made me laugh even the second time through: "His shaved head is as shiny as...more
It's also brilliantly funny. I just started reading it again the moment it was over, which is pretty much my highest compliment to a book. So here's a line that made me laugh even the second time through: "His shaved head is as shiny as...more
At First Sight: After her sister Debbie drops the bombshell that she's marrying her boyfriend of one month, things start to get a little crazy for fourteen year old Gemma Stone.
She's asked to be a flower girl at the wedding, and to wear a swan costume. She gets asked by her crush to audition for the school play - even though she's sure that he otherwise doesn't know who she is, and if she famously throws up when she has to speak in public - and catches the eye of Raven, one of the De Head boys....more
She's asked to be a flower girl at the wedding, and to wear a swan costume. She gets asked by her crush to audition for the school play - even though she's sure that he otherwise doesn't know who she is, and if she famously throws up when she has to speak in public - and catches the eye of Raven, one of the De Head boys....more
Mar 18, 2011
Mspringman
added it
This book was quite a good story about a girl living in Australia named Gemma Stone. It described how her older sister, Debbie, was engaged to a boy named Brian from a military-crazed family. It told also about how to get over her stage fright, and also to get closer to a boy named Nick, she tries out for her school play. But her drama teacher partners her up instead with the much-less-desirable Raven De Head, the town delinquent. To her surprise, Gemma strikes up a strong friendship with Raven,...more
This book had a strange feel to it. Not unpleasant, more like foreign. Forgive me if this sounds strange, but once I realized the book was set in Australia, everything made sense. I actually enjoyed this book. Gemma finds herself repelled and attracted to Raven-one of five sons in the local delinquent family. Raven is what made this book for me. He was such a great underdog. He never gave up and he didn’t let his reputation or his family tell him who he was supposed to be. Gemma navigates the re...more
A select few members of Gemma Stone’s family are prone to illogical, emotional outbursts—chucking a birkett, as they say. But not Gemma, who views birketts as unseemly and embarrassing, an angry sort of fit to be avoided at all costs. Of course, that’s before her life takes a turn for the chaotic, before her crush on a guy who barely knows of her existence, before she auditions for the school play, before the surprising Raven De Head enters her life, and before her sister Debbie’s crazy wedding...more
The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It is a bit of a mouthful. In fact, I absolutely can not keep track of the title, but the story on the other hand, has been tagging along in the back of my brain all day.
This book is magnificent. The title may be a mouthful but it tells all. I could not keep the grin off my face and the dialogue and family quirks and the off beat but fantastic De Head family, kept me laughing even at times when I was feeling like I might cry.
Gemma Ston...more
This book is magnificent. The title may be a mouthful but it tells all. I could not keep the grin off my face and the dialogue and family quirks and the off beat but fantastic De Head family, kept me laughing even at times when I was feeling like I might cry.
Gemma Ston...more
Every reason I still read YA is perfectly contained in this one book. I can't even begin to describe the journey from loud guffaws in the beginning pages to the constant sobs throughout the ending chapters. Is it an Australian author thing or what?
All the characters are distinctly drawn. Raven and Gemma understandably more fleshed out than the others. The wacky cast almost verges on caricatures but sudden bursts of human weaknesses grounds them in a way few writers can pull off. From Nick's almo...more
All the characters are distinctly drawn. Raven and Gemma understandably more fleshed out than the others. The wacky cast almost verges on caricatures but sudden bursts of human weaknesses grounds them in a way few writers can pull off. From Nick's almo...more
I really enjoyed this book and is taken place in Australia. No wonder she said Mum all the time! Although there is some disgusting language at the beginning otherwise is fairly good! The book is about a girl named Gemma Stone and will do anything to get a awesome boyfriend that will not cheat on her or treat her wrong. There is Raven De Head who has a huge crush on Gemma but he is not even close to being popular or cute! Gemma`s crushing on Nick Lloyd the must popular and cutest boy at her schoo...more
Sep 21, 2012
Laurel Garver
added it
This novel’s wordy title, bubble-gum cover photo and weird back-cover blurb with unfamiliar slang like “chucking a birkett” has probably scared off many an American reader. Had I not been on the prowl for Aussie YA, I might have taken a pass on what proved to be one of my favorite contemporary YA reads.
This story of a shy teen, Gemma, who finds her voice in theater is both hilarious and deeply touching. Amidst the moments of zany comedy (really far-out farce at times), there are some beautifully...more
This story of a shy teen, Gemma, who finds her voice in theater is both hilarious and deeply touching. Amidst the moments of zany comedy (really far-out farce at times), there are some beautifully...more
I absolutely loved this book. With a 14 year old girl who seems to be in a whirwind of situations. For firsts, her perfectionist sister is getting married and she is stuck helping her do everything, then she trys out for a school play to get noticed by her crush, which is a jerk, and instead of getting closer to him, she gets stuck with a trouble maker Raven, who has a family full of worse trouble makers than him. I fell in love with this book and Raven. There is some Aussie slang that I did not...more
I read this in one sitting and it was WONDERFUL. I love how thoroughly, wholeheartedly Australian it is. Only four out of five because some bits didn't quite make it, but on the whole: WONDERFUL.
3.5
I liked Gemma a lot, she was funny, witty, sometimes very mature and sometimes a child, very conscious of her wrongs and her prejudices and quite honest with herself in her inner dialogue, she was different of what I'm used in realistic YA.
I, of course, fell in love with Raven, what an interesting character, and suffered for him and his family.
The story was hilarious (the first visit to the Webster family and the moments previous to the wedding made me laugh like an episode of The Big Bang...more
I liked Gemma a lot, she was funny, witty, sometimes very mature and sometimes a child, very conscious of her wrongs and her prejudices and quite honest with herself in her inner dialogue, she was different of what I'm used in realistic YA.
I, of course, fell in love with Raven, what an interesting character, and suffered for him and his family.
The story was hilarious (the first visit to the Webster family and the moments previous to the wedding made me laugh like an episode of The Big Bang...more
A wonderful story. I just love the idea that the De heads punch eachother and swear it's so....exciting to read about because your not use to seeing normal families behave in such a manner. It also helps i guess if your family is a bit difunctionable (i think thats a word) because every time you think my goodness my family is horrible you can always look at the De heads' and think maybe my family might not be so bad. Another think i'd like to point out is the way Raven acts is pretty cool for on...more
I really liked this book. It had that Australian wit I love from the shows I have watched from the country. It was super cute and had me laughing out loud multiple times.
The main character Gemma was easy liked and easy to relate to and she was just your everyday girl. Loved her narration and the way the book played out.
Raven was a very interesting character as well. Bad boy but it was still fresh and I loved how we got a look into not only him but his family. The way they actually were and the w...more
The main character Gemma was easy liked and easy to relate to and she was just your everyday girl. Loved her narration and the way the book played out.
Raven was a very interesting character as well. Bad boy but it was still fresh and I loved how we got a look into not only him but his family. The way they actually were and the w...more
I mostly found this book terribly interesting because it was the first fictional book I've read that sounds like creative nonfiction that was written by a woman (a noticeable change from all the guys I've been reading who use this style).
I also thought that some of the things that Gemma considers throughout the novel were quiet interesting, as well as the fact that it was set in Australia. Some of it was outrageous, but I guess that would probably help keep a younger reader interested. Over all...more
I also thought that some of the things that Gemma considers throughout the novel were quiet interesting, as well as the fact that it was set in Australia. Some of it was outrageous, but I guess that would probably help keep a younger reader interested. Over all...more
I definitely have to say this book is very different from my usual 'cup of tea', but I thought it was a pretty good book, actually! The characters are very unusual (Which I actually kind of like), in their lifestyle, actions, etc. I liked both Gemma and Raven most, I think, because I can relate to both Gemma and Raven's unstable and crazy lives. But, there lives are very different as well. Gemma Stone has that typical teenage personality, but she also learns a lot throughout the book; her family...more
How apt this book's title is for how I feel about it. I don't know what happened, but somewhere in the middle of it, I found the whole thing unconvincing enough for me to get really attached to the story. The plot was what I will tag as the Aussie kind, something that's largely unpredictable, but this one's spontaneity was too much for me to handle... MAYBE. But hey, there are still good things:
Yay!s
-I don't know if it's an odd or a delightful thing that I find a commonality between the Filipino...more
Yay!s
-I don't know if it's an odd or a delightful thing that I find a commonality between the Filipino...more
3.75/5
apart from the shocking twist and abrupt ending, which i was not so fond of, i love how the author effortlessly blended the humour with the drama. and that you couldn't quite pigeonhole most of the characters. taking e.g. raven's dad who seemed to be the villain in his family, but had his jolly moments (view spoiler). gemma .. she was relatable and witty for all her bluntness, but also unsufferable when look...more
apart from the shocking twist and abrupt ending, which i was not so fond of, i love how the author effortlessly blended the humour with the drama. and that you couldn't quite pigeonhole most of the characters. taking e.g. raven's dad who seemed to be the villain in his family, but had his jolly moments (view spoiler). gemma .. she was relatable and witty for all her bluntness, but also unsufferable when look...more
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29 de Nov 13:48
11 de Jun 07:49