The Year I Turned Sixteen (The Year I Turned Sixteen, #1-4)

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The Year I Turned Sixteen (The Year I Turned Sixteen #1-4)

4.2 of 5 stars 4.20 · rating details · 963 ratings · 130 reviews

Turning sixteen is an unforgettable milestone, and each of these four sisters has her own story to tell. Rose, the oldest, feels like she has the most responsibility when her father dies, and yearns to be true to herself. Daisy wants to break free from her family, but trouble arises when she falls for a bad boy. Laurel struggles with the loss of a close relative and finds...more

Paperback, 720 pages

Published January 26th 2010 by Simon Pulse (first published January 20th 2010)

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Dec 25, 2012 Haeleigh rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Year I Turned Sixteen by Diane Schwemm is a wonderful, wholesome read. Though it is more of a tween book, I loved the characters and felt like I was part of the Walker family. It is a very family-orientated book, and though it doesn’t lack in the romance department, it was nice to read a book (and a friggin MASSIVE one at that – 700 pages!) that wasn’t all girl and boy are just meant for each other blah blah blah.

As I mentioned, this book is probably a better read for 12 -13-ish girls rather...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Indigo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Indigo by: Alhia

Shelves: five-stars, reviewed, some-favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I expected to like this book. I didn't expect to love it. But, as usual, the friend that recommended it to me was right. I LOVED it. This is possibly on my list of favorite books of all time! It's so...real. I could read it ten times and not be bored. It's about growing up, and change, and life. And it's wonderfully written, in my opinion.
But, I think I should review it book by book, considering it's a volume of four.

Rose: Rose's book was great. Rose is a relatable narrator, and her story may...more I expected to like this book. I didn't expect to love it. But, as usual, the friend that recommended it to me was right. I LOVED it. This is possibly on my list of favorite books of all time! It's so...real. I could read it ten times and not be bored. It's about growing up, and change, and life. And it's wonderfully written, in my opinion.
But, I think I should review it book by book, considering it's a volume of four.

Rose: Rose's book was great. Rose is a relatable narrator, and her story may have been predictable, but I liked it that way. I hated Parker, and loved Stephen and definitely loved the scene towards the end with Stephen trying to sing with Rose's sisters to get her attention. It was so sweet!
Daisy: I loved the character Daisy in Rose's book, but in her own book you could see that she wasn't half as cheerful and "perfect" as the rest of them thought she was. In fact, she was flawed and having a harder time than the rest of them with the death of her father. The sports injury was just the last straw. Now, although I didn't like some of Daisy's decisions in this book, I understood why she made them. I hated Peter, hated him. But maybe the reader is supposed to, I don't know. I really really liked Ben, he cancer patient, and I really enjoyed the scenes with him in them. And in the end, Daisy is more or less back to her usual self, but with a few more lessons learned.
Laurel: Now, if you don't want spoilers, you shouldn't be reading this anyway, but here would be the place to stop if you are. Laurel's book is incredibly sad, because Daisy dies. And it's really, really sad. My friend (the one that recommended this book to me) probably thinks I'm crazy because I bawled when Daisy died. Outright bawled. Maybe some people who read this book won't cry over that scene, and won't get attached to the characters, but I did. Majorly. But after Daisy's death, the rest of Laurel's book was less sad. Which was good. I'd liked Jack in the previous books, but in this one he just got on my nerve. He bothered me, how pushy and clingy he was, and I practically cheered when Laurel broke up with him. And I liked Carlos better anyway. Daisy and Laurel's books probably moved the fastest plot wise, because I read them in a day (with many other things to do that day).
Lily: This was my favorite of the books. Lily was the best narrator, and I could relate to her the most. I'm most like Lily, so her story was even more interesting to me than the rest of them. (I've also got an older sister who my teachers like to compare me to, even though I'm nothing like her, and I've also always loved writing) It was interesting how they painted Lily in the first three books as the sister who most knew who she was, but in Lily's own book she is is having a sort of identity crisis. But despite my intense dislike for Seth from the beginning, and Lily's brief time following his group around, it all worked out well in the end. The writing class was always interesting, and I loved how Lily found the journals of Flora Walker. And Daniel, I loved him too. One of my favorite characters, for sure. Lily's book wrapped up the whole running story of the four sisters really well.

Overall, it was a really good book. It was a moderately light and simple read, but it was memorable, at least to me. I'll probably read it again soon, because I really liked the stories and the characters. I recommend it to any fans of YA chick-lit, or stories about growing up. Fans of Sarah Dessen would probably enjoy this one as well. And if your looking for a summer-y kind of book that is somewhat serious, than I recommend this to you too.

*** A year after I wrote this review, I gave Rose's book (which takes place a few months after the death of their father) another read-through. This time, it was even better, if only because it was more relatable. In the past year since I read this the first time, my father died, and suddenly Rose's story became more...close to home, I guess is the phrase. Anyway, I recommend it even more highly now, because it's brilliant, and the emotions are real. Now, I should probably re-read the other three books as well. I'm sure they're just as good the second time around.(less)

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Jan 29, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just finished this today! Whew. I started this just as I was heading into a book rut. If that makes sense.. Reading Rose's book didn't help all that much either. But I got more time to devour into the book and even though it was predictable (with the whole Parker relationship stuff) it turned into a really good book. Then I couldn't stop reading. Daisy's book was very interesting compared to Rose. You could tell Daisy was really trying to find her identity. The things she had to go through to...more I just finished this today! Whew. I started this just as I was heading into a book rut. If that makes sense.. Reading Rose's book didn't help all that much either. But I got more time to devour into the book and even though it was predictable (with the whole Parker relationship stuff) it turned into a really good book. Then I couldn't stop reading. Daisy's book was very interesting compared to Rose. You could tell Daisy was really trying to find her identity. The things she had to go through to find it was pretty harsh. It was nice for her to finally find it. Heading onto Laurel's story, I was excited to see what else this book could provide. SPOILER ALERT aheadd. Next thing I know, it's Laurel's 16th birthday party and out of the blue Daisy dies. Honestly I was stunned. Why? What was the purpose of her dying? It was sad. I literally had to sit there for a while and absorb what happened. My heart broke for this family. Losing one person is hard enough, imagine two. I really do wonder what would have happened to the story if Daisy didn't die. I'm really upset she died.. Really wish she didn't have to. I'm rambling now.. :P Besides the Daisy factor, Laurel's story was just as good as Daisy's. Maybe not as good but yeah. I noticed a part in the relationship in this book. The girl's first boyfriends (Parker, Peter, Jack, Seth) never worked out and there was always someone else that had feelings for them. They're oblivious to notice it in the first place. The only person that didn't really have another significant other to lean back on was Daisy. But things were cut short for her - can't really blame her. Lily's book was quite interesting. Her personality definitely shines the most out of the four girls. The girls are all grown up now, and I couldn't help but wonder... what would Daisy be doing if she was still alive? Rose's pregnant, Laurel's in college studying prevet, Lily's almost in college.. So yeah overall good book! I think this is the longest I have ever reviewed a book. WHOOT!(less)

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Apr 26, 2010 Brenda L. rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

This novel with four stories about four sisters is very entertaining. Currently, i have finished the first story, about the oldest of four sisters, Rose. Rose's sixteenth birthday comes right after the death of her father, and her family isn't in such a great situation after his death. Rose realizes that her current boyfriend is not the one she really loves but instead is her new friend, Stephen. But as the story goes on, we find out that money has become a big issue and Rose, as the oldest, mu

...more

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Feb 26, 2011 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 10th-grade-advisory

The Walker family consists of four sisters, each who are becoming sixteen. In each section of the book, we follow each sister in age order. Rose is first to become sixteen in her family, and there is much tragedy in her life. She recently lost her father, and things aren't going very well with her boyfriend, Parker Kemp. She wants to be happy, but can't seem to be happy. And when she learns that her family must rely on foodstamps, she begins to feel embarrassed and wishes her father were still a...more

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May 03, 2012 Lauren Burrier rated it 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! I didn't want to read it before because of the length, but after I started reading it I couldn't stop. It took me less than a week to read it...that's how addicting it is.

I love the characters in this book. Laurel was my favorite because I can relate to her love of animals. Rose was the girly-girl of her sisters and her willingness to try and make a relationship work is admirable. However, if my boyfriend was as much of a jerk as hers, I would dump him way before sh...more

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Sep 16, 2010 Jenn rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 16 year old girls

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 19, 2010 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, young-adult

This book contains four different stories, of four sister, each when they turn 16 in their point of view. I'm going to give a quick summary on their stories trying not to give spoilers away.

Rose's Story:
Rose is the oldest of the four sisters. She's a singer and looks forward to going to summer camp, where she will be a counselor and be able to practice her singing along with everyone there. Circumstances prevent her from going. She feels bad about not being able to go and ashamed of her families...more This book contains four different stories, of four sister, each when they turn 16 in their point of view. I'm going to give a quick summary on their stories trying not to give spoilers away.

Rose's Story:
Rose is the oldest of the four sisters. She's a singer and looks forward to going to summer camp, where she will be a counselor and be able to practice her singing along with everyone there. Circumstances prevent her from going. She feels bad about not being able to go and ashamed of her families struggle. She pretends to be someone who's not, to keep her boyfriend. Throughout her journey, she finds out who her real friends are and what love really is.

Daisy's Story:
Daisy is the 2nd oldest child. She is the jock in the family. After the before-mentioned circumstances she becomes the person in the family who's always upbeat, keeps her head up, and does what she can to help, along with getting straight A's in school and being in three different sports throughout her school year. The year she turns 16, she realizes that people think that she's perfect. She feels as though nobody really knows her and that she needs to be the strong one in the family, always stretching herself a bit too much. During a soccer game, she tears her knee ligament, preventing her to finish the season, and not being in sports for three months. Soon after, things seem to start falling apart from her. She gets a boyfriend who her family doesn't seem to approve, changes her look, and starts caring for different things. Throughout her journey, she is able to learn, similar to her sister Rose, who her real friends are, who she is, and able to get things off her chest to make her free from everything she's had pent up inside all those years.

Laurel's Story: (This one made me bawl)
Laurel, 3rd born sister, is the shy one in the family. She is able to make friends easier with animals (always caring for them) then with people. When she was younger Jack moves to town, finds some baby animals and Laurel helps take care of them, making them friends for those many years. On her 16th birthday, things seem to be perfect. Her oldest sisters are away in college, but are able to come back home for Laurel's birthday. That night, something horrible happens and she must, as the book says, "deal with a terrible loss of someone close." She is not able to deal so much with everything that's going on, Jack helps her move on and they become a couple. Laurel feels that when she's with Jack, things are better, she doesn't feel as sad, forgetting about her family doing her thing with Jack. The place where she feels more like herself is at the Wildlife Rescue Center in town, where she gets to work with animals and gain experience. Throughout her journey, she is able to see things in a different light, see herself differently and believe in the choices she makes.

Lily's Story:
Being the youngest, Lily is the writer. Since she was little she was creating her own stories, and dressing up in different clothes not caring what others thought. Now 16, Lily is the only one left at home in the family, while her sisters are away in college, making their life. Lily starts to feel lost, she doesn't know who she is or where she belongs. She takes a writing course, where her crush, Seth, is also taking. She doesn't like to share her writing, but has to share it as part of the class. The first time she reads her story, which is supposed to be sad and somber, people in her class start giggling. Since Lily doesn't want to be laughed at, she changes her voice to make her story seem sarcastic and funny. That, in the end, helps her join the IN crowd and get Seth's attention. She looses contact with her friends, always dresses in black (something she would never do before), and has to be someone who at first she thing it's her. Throughout her story, Lily realizes that everyone goes through phases that lead you through different paths. As well as being happy with yourself, can get you very far.(less)

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Dec 27, 2010 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Four books in one.

Dec. 21-22 "Rose"
I'd like to find the original book of "Rose" b/c this series was originally out in the 90s but in the omnibus edition the musical references have been updated.

I didn't really like the character Rose. She made some choices that made me want to scream. In the remaining 3 books she's a secondary character so maybe I'll end up liking her.

Dec. 22-23 and then didn't touch until Dec. 26 "Daisy"

I didn't really like this character either. Since I have two more books...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Amia Baker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

The book follows four sisters (all named for flowers) through the year that each of them turns sixteen. Originally, these were published individually, but this volume contains the stories of all the sisters. Each book is written from the point of view of the sister turning sixteen. Each year, we learn a lot about the rest of the family so we can follow them for a total of eight years, from the time the first daughter turns sixteen until the last. It starts off with a major tragedy for the family...more

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May 30, 2011 Alex rated it 1 of 5 stars

For me the book was boring and overly predictable. Yah, sure the book was heartwarming. But, does heartwarming always have to equate to cheesy. Come on a section of the book actually read like this,

"Anyway," mom concluded as we walked to her parked car, "I guess the important thing is to be who you want to be and not who other people want you to be."
"You mean, like peer pressure?" I asked.

In case you didn't catch it, the mom was talking about peer pressure. Thank you, Dr. Phil. Reading this se...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Delaney Brainerd rated it 4 of 5 stars

This HUGE book was so good! I read it on and off because it's basically four books in one, but once I'd pick it up again I'd read and read and read. I could not put it down when I started! i got it for my 16th birthday, and it was really interesting to read that so many things can happen to a girl that's my age. I could relate, or knew someone who could relate, to all of them, especially Rose and Lily. They may have been too easy of a read, but they really help any girl going through that hard a...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Samantha rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

All this was was four story about four sisters who from some strange odd reason all seem to go through a HUGE transformation the year they turn sixteen , which is a little unrealistic to me. And all they do is whine whine whine.

I can honestly say i really disliked this book, and i usually don't dislike books. ever.

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Jul 09, 2010 Laura (Bookish Belle) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow...a 700 page book in two days!

At first I was only reading this book because it's my largest novel, and I wanted to get it 'over with'. After beginning to read however, I was really glad I chose it just because it was a charming book! These four sisters were very real to me and having to deal with real situations. The book is long, but the voices of the girls is so easy that you get right through it.

I thought the writing was great and sometimes was a bit melodramatic, but it was still good. A...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Cherise Lynch rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: summer-reading-2012

The Book “The Year I Turned Sixteen” is a book with four different stories about four different sister’s turning sixteen and what their sixteen-year was like. “The year I turned Sixteen” has funny, sad and serious moments throughout the book. Each sister has a different experience when they had their sixteen birthdays. You go on a journey of their love life, family life and high school life and see what obstacles they have to go through with their lives changing each year. I enjoyed the book a l...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Shae rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 27, 2011 Marisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book told such a heartwarming story about real issues, but in an innocent way.
I loved it. I was able to get lost in this book and really feel for the girls, almost like I was right there with them. The Year I Turned Sixteen is told in four separate sections, one for each of the sisters. All of them spend their sixteenth year trying to figure out who they really are and where they belong in this world after dealing with the loss of someone close.
It is a little slow at first in the beginnin...more

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Dec 08, 2010 Hannah-Linn rated it 3 of 5 stars

teeny tiny spoiler***

it was pretty good. i cried a few times. it got a little bit repetative and tedious. Girl has boyfriend, girl needs to find herself, girl breaks up with boyfriend, girl falls in love, girl loves her family. It was good though. I really liked that when a story ended you still got to know about that character, one thing that usually doesnt happen in a book.

my favorite story was rose, because it was the first. but also because i liked her the most, and i liked her boyfriend (...more

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Aug 27, 2010 Michelle Shedd rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is about 4 sisters, which I can immediately relate to having a sister of my own. Each of these girls goes through multiple problems with their lives that they must solve. After there father dies in a terrible boating accident the family of 5 women is forced to provide for themselves. This book takes you threw an amazing ride through each story, getting to know each girl better until you feel like their one of your own. A tragic accident happens to a sister that makes them become close...more

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Apr 26, 2010 Sophiegoesmoo rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: All teenage girls looking for a well written, relatable read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 21, 2011 Freda mans rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a chunkster, at 700 pages. Yet it wasn't overwhelming at all.
This story was very charming, and what my hubby would label as chick lit. Definitely for girls and boys wouldn't really relate to it.
It's about four sisters, and each one of them is someone you can relate to. Either you were her, or know her, or want to be her. They each have attributes that you love and hate which makes them feel alive when you read it.
I related most to Laurel, one of the middle children. But that isn't to say...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Ana Sofia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wanted to give this book a 4.5, but since I can't. I stuck to a 4. This book was so good, the idea of it being told in four parts by four sisters who were all so different, yet so similar, was so enticing and original that it made it perfect. I have to confess there were parts in which I just KNEW what was going to happen next. However, with cliches and all, it was a really good read. From a totally girly-romantic aspect, to the striving to be perfect, to a nature obsessed hurt by grief, to a...more

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Apr 09, 2011 Nhien rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Year I Turned Sixteen.
A great book that I highly recommend you to read.
I'm pretty sure a lot of teenagers can relate to this story. It talks all about stories of 4 sisters who turned 16 that struggle through life. Rose, Daisy, Lauren and Lilly. They each have their own story.
Full of romance, drama and family.
The thing that I really liked about this book is not just the story but I liked it because I actually felt part of the story.Diane Schwemm really knows how to capture the readers attenti...more

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Dec 04, 2012 lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, library-books

i was not expecting this to be feelings-tastic! in fact, i read it because i thought it would be some lighthearted fluff about four sisters turning 16. i liked rose well enough, and her story was a little sad, but she was pretty boy crazy and that was basically what i was expecting.

daisy was probably my favorite. she struggled more with growing up while people were watching her, which i really get.

and then in laurel's book (view spoiler) which is really sad and awful a...more

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Aug 23, 2010 Kirsty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rose dreams of becoming a singer,but when her obligations as the oldest sister start to hold her back, she faces an impossible decision

Sick of being the good sister, Daisy is drawn to a boy with a more dangerous edge and pulls away from the people who care about her most

Laurel must deal with the loss of someone close,but new love in wake of tragedy might be just what she needs

with her sisters all figuring out their futures, Lily feels lost, and for the first time she must figure out who she is a...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Lo♪ rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: awful, for-sale, 2012, switching-narration, badly-written, annoying

(This review may be a little outdated because I read this book a while ago)

In Rose's story, it starts out as a teenage girl having to take some responsibility around the poor household while she's dating a rich boy. The story seemed a little pathetic when she dumped her second boyfriend, like the author was trying too hard to prove Rose couldn't change.

In Daisy's story, little miss sunshine goes out with a bad boy, and you can pretty much guess what happens there. It's so idiotic how she cou...more

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Oct 31, 2012 Victoria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

I really didn't think I was going to love this book as much as I did! When I first started it I didn't really get into it and took my time. But then thanks to Hurricane Sandy this weekend/week, I didn't really have any other distractions. I finished this book in a day because I just thought it was adorable.

At first I thought it was just okay and fluff but as the story went from sister to sister, I got more into the story. I even teared up a couple of times while reading this, especially during...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Nicole Osorio rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book is basically the title, each mini story was about the year each of the four sisters turned sixteen. Even though each sister is completely different, they all had things in common as well as they had huge differences. This just shows how many crazy things can happen the year a girl turns sixteen. I wasn't sixteen when I read this book but I could definitely relate to this book since I was sixteen last year. I think every girl should read this book, i really loved it. It made me laugh and...more

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Aug 24, 2011 Nina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, romance

So technically I'm not finished the novel yet, but I just couldn't resist the chance to make my sentiments known. From the four hundred pages i've read so far I've read about Rose and Daisy and I've almost finished Laurel's and I love it! At first I was hesitant and iffy, four stories about four sisters who turn sixteen? It sounded dramatic. But then I took up the book and read the first story and I was blown away.
Diane Schwemm has done a terrific job so far in engaging my attention. I cannot w...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Nadiasisley added it

In the book I am reading, "The Year I Turned Sixteen" by Diane Schwemm, contains four books about the four sisters and their life when they turned 16. I have finished the first three books of the first three sisters and now I am on the fourth book about the fourth sister, Lily. Right now Lily is in a dilemma, she is trying to figure out who SHE is. All her three sister are in collage, except for Daisy who got in a car crash a few years a go (the day after Laurel's birthday),and they all got in...more

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“Suddenly everything finally made sense because, paradoxically, I finally accepted that it never would make sense. That's life. It's not all wrapped up with a tidy bow - it's crazy and disorganized and unpredictable, and so are the people who live it.” — 23 people liked it

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