Brett McCarthy lives for soccer, vocabulary words, and her largerthan-life grandmother, Nonna. Unfortunately, Brett’s got a huge mouth she ca...
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May 03, 2008
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Normally a decent student, a star soccer player, and responsible only daughter, Brett McCarthy isn't exactly sure what is going wrong. First she is suspended, then earns unlimited lunchtime detentions with the middle school principal, and then she is suspended again. It is enough to freak anyone out.
To complicate matters, Brett learns that her long-time best friend is not only dealing with divorcin More...
Normally a decent student, a star soccer player, and responsible only daughter, Brett McCarthy isn't exactly sure what is going wrong. First she is suspended, then earns unlimited lunchtime detentions with the middle school principal, and then she is suspended again. It is enough to freak anyone out.
To complicate matters, Brett learns that her long-time best friend is not only dealing with divorcin More...
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Feb 07, 2009
Andy
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Summary:
Brett is an 8th grade girl who is dealing with liking boys, hating some girls, being a star athlete, and then... and then her world comes crashing down around her. She loses friends, destroys her own reputation, sees the ugly side of social groups up close, and that's just the easy part of her life. Brett is a thoughtful girl, but she cannot see past her own flaws. Each chapter is a vocabulary word, and as she slowly comes to terms (pun intended) with the way her world has changed, More...
Brett is an 8th grade girl who is dealing with liking boys, hating some girls, being a star athlete, and then... and then her world comes crashing down around her. She loses friends, destroys her own reputation, sees the ugly side of social groups up close, and that's just the easy part of her life. Brett is a thoughtful girl, but she cannot see past her own flaws. Each chapter is a vocabulary word, and as she slowly comes to terms (pun intended) with the way her world has changed, More...
Aug 22, 2008
Karlan
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This engaging teen novel has that special spark which makes the reader really care. Brett is a delightful girl who grows and learns more about herself while losing and gaining friends.
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Dec 26, 2010
Kim
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Gr 6-9-Brett thinks she knows herself pretty well: star soccer player, vocabulary ace, and best friend to Diane. But in eighth grade, Diane is more interested in the cheerleading crowd and everything is changing. A telephone prank backfires and Jeanne Anne, a new girl, manages to shift the blame to Brett, even though four girls were involved. Feeling victimized and angry, she loses her temper at school and punches Jeanne Anne, resulting in suspension. Within a few days, her social status has cha
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Sep 16, 2008
Ryan
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I may be growing up - the trials and angst of 8th graders no longer is a comfort zone, and can be just exhausting. That being said, the book is well-written, describes well the horrible social environment of middle school, introduces school administrators with redeeming qualities and provides an interesting resolution for best friends who simply grow apart.
Her grandmother's comment about illness was perhaps the moment I realized there was more inside the book than teen angst. " More...
Her grandmother's comment about illness was perhaps the moment I realized there was more inside the book than teen angst. " More...
Oct 28, 2008
Kelly
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Eighth Grader Brett likes vocabulary, loves soccer, and is best friends with Diane, even though they are pretty different. Best friends, that is, until annoying Jeanne makes Brett play a phone prank that backfires, alienating Brett from Diane and landing her in trouble at school. Brett is forced to examine the changes taking place not just with her friendships at school, but what seems like everywhere in her life. Though the book’s early prank feels slightly contrived, Padian has constructed a v
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Feb 22, 2010
Chris
rated it:
When I picked up this book, I was convinced that it took place in the 40's because of the cover. I love period pieces, so I was sort of disappointed that is wasn't. But I kept on thinking that it was a book set in the past the whole time I was reading it, and when they would IM and text, that was sort of jarring to me. But the theme of lost friendship and aging relatives was universal. Very sad at times, but enjoyable.
Mar 05, 2011
MaryJS
rated it:
Great book - I read it with my middle school daughter! A book for girls struggling with the BFF changes that occur in middle school. The changes between Brett and Diane explain things better than I've been able to - how we grow apart as we grow older. Please read this with your daugher when she begins to struggle with the friend changes that are the bane of every 7th or 8th grade girl's existance. Thank you Maria Padian!
Feb 08, 2010
Anita
rated it:
Brett McCarthy is well-liked and the star player on her soccer team. Then she makes a huge mistake: she prank calls Bob Levesque's - the hottest, most popular boy in Mescataqua Junior High - house. Now she's the "Deadest Meat in Maine." She spends eighth grade redefining herself: learning about who she really is and about the people who are really important in her life.
Apr 20, 2009
Ricki
rated it:
Brett is a good kid at heart, but her big mouth gets her in a lot of bad places. An eighth grader, she encounters a problem that many junior high kids face--she and her best friend are growing apart. I liked this book but it didn't feel unique, and I wonder if I will remember the plot in a month. I did enjoy how Padian included great vocabulary words.
Oct 23, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
I really LOVED this book! Wonderfully real and open heroine. Believable situations and setting. And there's no cutesy let's-tie-all-our-little-loose-ends-together ending to this story. And while I know that it's a YA book, I think that it is well-written enough that adults will find it worthwhile reading.
Oct 18, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
An interesting YA read about a sort-of coming-of-age deal. Has a bit of the requisite “special snowflake” thing going, but as the type of story it is, it ain’t bad. First YA book to talk about medical marijuana that I’m aware of, though.
Jul 28, 2011
Brett is terrific, such a sympathetic character on a personal level, even though she's nothing like I was at 14 (quiet, good student, terrible athlete). I like the author's use of Brett's vocabulary words to set the tone for each chapter.
Nov 22, 2009
Samantha
rated it:
MSBA nominee 2009-2010
I liked this book a lot. Brett is in 8th grade, a soccer star and vocabulary geek. One little prank, however, and her life starts to change, with a lot of her former definitions of herself going astray. Who is this new Brett McCarthy?
I liked this book a lot. Brett is in 8th grade, a soccer star and vocabulary geek. One little prank, however, and her life starts to change, with a lot of her former definitions of herself going astray. Who is this new Brett McCarthy?
Sep 06, 2009
Norman
rated it:
Excellent coming of age story about a girl who must find her way after her grandmother is diagnosed with canger. The conflicts of this novel revolve around end of life issues.
Apr 15, 2010
Miste
rated it:
Another tween book on the school booklist. Good story about changing friendships and how it feels to be "out". Middle school seems to be a time for alot of changes for kids in more ways than one and this book captures that quite well. Brett is a spunky, loud mouthed "jock" who gets herself into a little trouble at school and has some tough times going at home. She comes through it okay and I guess that is the message to kids that read it...you can make it through whatever
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Apr 01, 2011
I really liked it. The grandmother was so sympathetic...good for book club
May 08, 2008
Carol
rated it: 
A really bad cover probably dooms this book, which is a very light read following eighth grader Brett through several ups and downs over the course of a few months.
The interesting part is the vocabulary introduced as Brett's moods change and she defines herself by the word of the moment (provoked, pensive, agitated - 45 different words)and gives a dictionary definition.
The story feels like a more mature Ramona (Beverly Cleary) novel with all the angst of the moment, but it's not enou More...
The interesting part is the vocabulary introduced as Brett's moods change and she defines herself by the word of the moment (provoked, pensive, agitated - 45 different words)and gives a dictionary definition.
The story feels like a more mature Ramona (Beverly Cleary) novel with all the angst of the moment, but it's not enou More...
Apr 17, 2009
Daria
rated it:
This book got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but once it got going I really liked it. Brett is a spunky character who struggles with making the right choices and navigating all of the changes and challenges of junior high. And, her relationship with her Nonna reminded me of my relationship with my g-ma, which made me both smile and cry.
Oct 30, 2008
Kate
rated it:
Despite having a horrible cover which will surely never entice teens to even give this book a second glance, the story is absolutely wonderful. It has all the great elements of sadness and humor and is a well written story about maturing, losing friends, and dealing with the imminent death of a loved one.
Jul 17, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
Decent book on a new sort of teen girl. Not filled with typical boy angst. The voice was confusing - couldn't tell if it was an adult looking back on her younger years or not. Enjoyed the grandmother character and Maine setting. I would definitely recommend it to teenage girls.
Jan 24, 2012
Dec 24, 2011
