book data
87 ratings, 3.48 average rating, 36 reviews
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published
September 30th 2008
by Bantam Discovery
binding
Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages
isbn
0553591495
(isbn13: 9780553591491)
description
At twelve, Lucy Marie McGowan already knows she’ll be a psychologist when she grows up. And her quirky and conflicted family provides plenty of ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 244)
Read in December, 2008
Kind of an Oprah book - incredibly bright kids and depressed mother find love & redemption while watching over dying asshole grandpa. But the narrator was fresh & funny and I did stick with it. A bit too longwinded, and I don't think anyone names anyone Mitzi anymore - even in Wisconsin.
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Read in November, 2008
I really like this author. Each of her books is told from the vantage point of a child who is real and wise and innocent and suffering because of choices those who love her have made. Lucy is the main character in this one and the thing I love about her the most is that she isn't afraid to feel deeply both the high's and low's of life.
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Read in October, 2008
I am so glad that Tammy introduced me to Sandra Kring with The Book of Bright Ideas. I really like Kring's writing style, and I am impressed with her characterization, especially her first person voice of young children/preteens.
This book has a mystery to it (hence the murder mystery tag although there is no murder)with 12 year old Lucy trying to discover who her father is and what other secrets her mom hides. I love Lucy (who narrates the story)and her twin Milo who is gifted and their Ne...more
This book has a mystery to it (hence the murder mystery tag although there is no murder)with 12 year old Lucy trying to discover who her father is and what other secrets her mom hides. I love Lucy (who narrates the story)and her twin Milo who is gifted and their Ne...more
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Read in December, 2008
recommended to Amy by:
impulse buy at Walmartrecommends it for: fans of Diane Chamberlain, Lesley Kagen
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in December, 2008
this is the second book I've read by Sandra Kring. A couple of times I almost gave up on it as the abuse brought up some painful memories. However I was hoping Lucy would get the answers she needed so I kept reading. the characters in the book are well developed except maybe Milo but he prefers to be in the background anyway. You knew an explosion was coming but once it did the book sort of went into a happy ending. Lucy's remarks at her grandfather's funeral showed she knew him better than mos...more
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Read in October, 2008
Hmmmm. Basically this book was too melodramatic for my taste. It did keep my engrossed, but the way a soap opera would if I let myself watch one. (I've never actually gotten hooked on a soap, so that comparison is only hypothetical.) The characters are all extremely extreme: Lucy is precociously wise about emotions, Milo is a math whiz who is allowed to remain completely underdeveloped in other ways, Mom/Tess is EXTREMELY reactive & fearful, Oma is absurdly New Agey, Marie is perfectly wise,...more
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recommends it for:
Larissa
This book is really good so far. It somewhat reminds me of the Glass Castle but is more light hearted even when dealing with difficult topics such as an unknown father, a grandfather that is suffering from ministrokes and is near death and a mother that has some emotional issues. The book is being told from the view of a young girl and she has a very light hearted view on life. I am enjoying it very much!
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Read in December, 2008
I just finished this book, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting to like it so much, since I picked it up at Stop & Shop on sale for $5.99! LOL :-) The author manages to get you to care about a great many of the characters, especially young Lucy, who narrates the book. Just a good read...head out to the supermarket to get yours now! ;-)
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Read in November, 2008
I am realizing that I am simply drawn to young narrators, especially ones who are especially precocious and/or wiser-than-their-years. I enjoy learning a story through a limited perspective and having dramatic irony play a strong and telling undertone. Lucy, for all her faults, is an engaging and wonderfully unique narrator, and I wish I could spend more time with her.
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Read in November, 2008
recommended to Mary by:
Chip Valley Book Festival
Sandra Kring is a Wisconsin writer who presented at the October book festival. I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of her book, which deals with family abuse from the viewpoint of Lucy, a preadolescent gifted twin. Includes lots of quirky details that come together in a believeable family trauma. This is a page turner.
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Read in December, 2008
I got this for Christmas and was so excited to read because I've liked Sandra Kring's other books. Pretty good, I liked the narration of the story by 11 year old Lucy and how events were seen through the eyes of a very intelligent child. DIdn't care as much for Mom's storyline. Overall, worthwhile.
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Read in December, 2008
i think I identified with this book because of the narrator being the younger girl, and how she felt growing up and dealing with her family and their past. I especially liked the way some of the scenes were described, the feelings she had, and her personality in general. Overall I thought this was a good book, even though some parts were a little slow, the ending was definitely worth it. =]
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I love Sandra Kring and this book did not disappoint. It's narrator is a sweet and insightful little girl. It's the book I gave my girlfriends for Christmas this year -- it just made me very happy to pick up and read.
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Read in January, 2008
another coming of age story. Theme of story is that you can be greatful for the good and bad in people and in life for what it teaches you. Hopeful ending despite problems not being resolved.
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Read in December, 2008
Another painful family history story but I did enjoy the narrative perspective of the young gifted child.
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A good, smart and enjoyable book. Realistic characters, strong story line and as usual, a smooth pace.
I've read Ms. Kring's previous books. As good as they were, I think this one is better. In it, she has grown as a story teller... offering a depth of plot which adds to her natural talent in creating real, believable characters that are easy to get get involved with, be they protagonist or foe.
Well worth the read and has me waiting for the next.
I've read Ms. Kring's previous books. As good as they were, I think this one is better. In it, she has grown as a story teller... offering a depth of plot which adds to her natural talent in creating real, believable characters that are easy to get get involved with, be they protagonist or foe.
Well worth the read and has me waiting for the next.
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Read in November, 2008
I was disappointed in this Kring novel. The characters were not as developed as in her other books, and they were not as lovable. The daughter's connection to her grandfather seems unbelievable. Most 11-year-olds are not so comfortable caring for someone after a stroke, especially someone she doesn't know, and most would have used his abusive past towards her mother as an out. I struggled to get through this one.
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2 comments
A good read, but not as good as The Book of Bright Ideas.
11 yr old Lucy is telling the story of her family which is full of secrets. For example she doesn't know who her father is and when she asks her Mom she never gets a response that satisfies her curiosity.
Again Sandra Kring tackles a lot of really hard topics in this book, but her ability to tell a great story makes you want to keep reading.
11 yr old Lucy is telling the story of her family which is full of secrets. For example she doesn't know who her father is and when she asks her Mom she never gets a response that satisfies her curiosity.
Again Sandra Kring tackles a lot of really hard topics in this book, but her ability to tell a great story makes you want to keep reading.
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Read in November, 2008
recommended to Anne by:
Vicki
Can't decide if this book was heavy for a light book, or light for a heavy book. It was hard for me to suspend disbelief enough to believe that the narrator was really an 11 year-old girl (even a gifted-but-not-as-gifted-as-her-highly-gifted-brother.) The book started off slowly, but picked up steam as it went along. Good for someone who likes messy family dramas where everyone finds redemption.
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Vicki by:
advance reading coppyrecommends it for: people who like a bit of psychology and are okay with a little new age philosophy thrown in
A very interesting read. Written from the point of view of an 11-year old girl, who is extremely bright, it explores the topics lof love, family, forgiveness, and death. It was actually a nice read, especially considering the themes above! I think Annie and Aunt Pat would like this one, as it's really a "thinking book" that's also enjoyable.
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