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6th out of 55 books
—
22 voters
The Simple Gift
I'm not proud. I'm sixteen, and soon
to be homeless.
Weary of his life with his alcoholic, abusive father, sixteen-year-old Billy packs a few belongings and hits the road, hoping for something better than what he left behind. He finds a home in an abandoned freight train outside a small town, where he falls in love with rich, restless Caitlin and befriends a fellow train res...more
to be homeless.
Weary of his life with his alcoholic, abusive father, sixteen-year-old Billy packs a few belongings and hits the road, hoping for something better than what he left behind. He finds a home in an abandoned freight train outside a small town, where he falls in love with rich, restless Caitlin and befriends a fellow train res...more
Paperback, 188 pages
Published
April 27th 2004
by Simon Pulse
(first published June 4th 2000)
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I’ve been a fan of books written in verse ever since I discovered Lisa Schroeder. They’re typically fast reads – short but powerful, nonetheless.
Well, The Simple Gift was no different. It’s about Billy, who chose to be homeless rather than remain at home and be his own father’s punching bag. He ended up in a Freight Yard where he met Old Bill, a fellow hobo. He also found Caitlin, a rich girl who found what she was looking for in the person of Billy. Though all three characters were unforgettab...more
Well, The Simple Gift was no different. It’s about Billy, who chose to be homeless rather than remain at home and be his own father’s punching bag. He ended up in a Freight Yard where he met Old Bill, a fellow hobo. He also found Caitlin, a rich girl who found what she was looking for in the person of Billy. Though all three characters were unforgettab...more
Favourite Quote: "I'd go off alone, because you can't trust those who want to break the rules and you certainly can't trust those who make the rules, so you do the only thing possible, you avoid the rules."
Wow, I loved The Simple Gift. It is beautiful, touching and potent.
First off, The Simple Gift is written in verse. There is something about verse novels that resonates with me. Maybe because as a teen I often wrote my diaries in verse. I find sometimes simple words can capture so much emotion...more
Wow, I loved The Simple Gift. It is beautiful, touching and potent.
First off, The Simple Gift is written in verse. There is something about verse novels that resonates with me. Maybe because as a teen I often wrote my diaries in verse. I find sometimes simple words can capture so much emotion...more
8 likes · like · see review
view all 14 comments
Nov 19, 2011
Julia
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Julia by:
Susan Taggart
I've decided to write a collection of poems for my final project of my year 12 Extension 2 English class and consequently I've been reading as much poetry as I can get my hands on. One of my English teachers recommended this book and the rest of Steven Herrick's novels as an example of prose poetry and free verse. I've read other works written in such a way including the novels of Ellen Hopkins and I've always enjoyed the style. I find that the truly great writers are the ones that can say more...more
Mar 28, 2012
Luis Suarez
added it
The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick was one of my favorite stories. It was a great book. Caitlin, Old bill, and Billy have a connection and it makes the story be beautiful. Billy and Old Bill,even though they sound alike, are just two hobos connected thanks to destination. When Billy runs out of home, because he was tired of his dad being an alcoholic mistreating him all the time, he meets old bill. Both live together and create a great friendship. Then, Billy meets Caitlin, yes he is a lucky guy....more
Setting as it affects plot
The book the simple gift has multiple settings. The settings are Billy’s school, the train, the library, and Billy’s father house. Billy did live with his father until he left away. Billy left away because his father was abusive .I believe this story is in the 20th or 21st century. I say this because when Billy was in the library he said “Since I was in a library I might as well enjoy me a book, perhaps a book about teens.”
Back in the day, I don’t think that people wr...more
The book the simple gift has multiple settings. The settings are Billy’s school, the train, the library, and Billy’s father house. Billy did live with his father until he left away. Billy left away because his father was abusive .I believe this story is in the 20th or 21st century. I say this because when Billy was in the library he said “Since I was in a library I might as well enjoy me a book, perhaps a book about teens.”
Back in the day, I don’t think that people wr...more
I had to read this book for Year Ten in school. It was touching, and unconventional; though the free prose felt a little superficial. The whole story was so sad - and the tone was very depressing. And while the relationship between Billy and Caitlin was sweet, it wasn't altogether completely clean.
What I did like about this book was how it stripped away all the judging attitudes that are common today. It made me see that sometimes people judge so much by looks, by wealth, whether you have a roo...more
What I did like about this book was how it stripped away all the judging attitudes that are common today. It made me see that sometimes people judge so much by looks, by wealth, whether you have a roo...more
The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick was one of my favorite stories. It was a great book. Caitlin, Old bill, and Billy have a connection and its makes you want to engage into the story from the very first page. Billy and Old Bill,are to differnt people even though they sound a like , if it was not for fate they would not have never been united together .When Billy runs away from home, because he was tired of his dad being an alcoholic mistreating him all the time, he meets old bill. they Both live...more
Mar 20, 2012
Michael Santiago
added it
The author of The Simple Gift is Steven Herrick and it is 188 pages long. The title made me wonder what "the gift" is and why it would matter to the everyday life of poeple. It hooked me to read the book. I think the title does fit the meaning of the boook because "the simple gift" is something that the main character has always desired and never got until now. On page 144, Bill, Caitlin, and Old Bill had just finished having a big dinner and conversating they have enjoyed. They had such a good...more
I was given this book by a teacher upon my leaving of highschool. This teacher was my LEAST favourite teacher and I was sure I wouldn't read it, but when I opened the cover I found the inscription:
"To Elise,
You were a wonderful student and the only one I know of that would appreciate a book."
Simple enough but it made me smile and so I gave the book a chance and I'm glad I did.
This was a wonderful read and I wish I still had the book so I could re-read it but it's been misplaced.
"To Elise,
You were a wonderful student and the only one I know of that would appreciate a book."
Simple enough but it made me smile and so I gave the book a chance and I'm glad I did.
This was a wonderful read and I wish I still had the book so I could re-read it but it's been misplaced.
This book was definitely different from any other book I've ever read. It was in poem form and I was actually very surprised that I liked it.It's about a boy who is abused by his alcoholic dad. He decides to hop on a train and get off at the next stop. He lives in a carriage for while and an old man mentors him through life. He meets a girl and they fall in love. I really liked how it was short a got straight to the point.
Mar 13, 2012
Angel villa
added it
The author of the Book is Steven Herrick. The book has 395 pages and its a good book to read.The name of the book is the simple gift.The title didnt spark my interest because it wasnt that interest.No because there was no simple gift in the book.It says only the title and the authors name,the publisher. I wasnt excited to read this book because the title seqemed boring to me.There were no pictures in the book. The book is non-fiction because its a fake story and the characters are made up.People...more
I can see why this book is on the HSC reading list - I think it's an interesting concept (novel in poems) but I have to admit that I didn't find myself really sympathising with the characters as well as I probably would have in a novel. Regardless, I think it's a good book and a pretty good choice for HSC.
One of Australia's most popular poet has created an expressive, wonderful and potent. A story about belonging, family, life and relationships through various perspectives told in a verse-novel. A great read if you like poetry and a gripping plot. Rating Clarification: 5 Stars
Ok, I read tis for school so let's just say that I wouldn't normally have picked this up off of the shelves. BUT... In spite of all that it was actually alright. I'm not avidly searching the web for other books by the author or anything but it wasn't bad.
This is my favorite Steven Herrick book. I love the characters. I love the story. It's both touching and entertaining. I feel like it covered so many emotions. Really well done.
Who needs Holden Caulfield when you've got Billy? Wonderful blend of poetry and storytelling. Gorgeous characters with sad histories and beautiful futures.
I had to read this book for an assessment in year 12 this book is a novel but written in short poems this book flows so well was a pleasure to read
A quick and easy read filled with good lessons to be learned. I'm not overly into poetry but I was very impressed with Herrick here.
this book is about a seventeen boy who broke away from his brutal father and fond himself a true home that he feels warm andcomfortable.
The Simple Gift is, um, simple. After reading other verse novels like Out of the Dust which use the medium so well, this one skims over the main character, Billy's suffering, but never plumbs the depths of the characters. It is in a word, superficial and the ending just so twee and predictable. If Caitlin is so well off in the town, why don't her parents react to her setting up house with a bum off the street? Conveniently they never twig. The plot is all too convenient with not enough conflict,...more
I loved the way it was written and how there was a purpose for every sentence in the book.
Love this story. The opening hooked me. It is a quick read and absolutely worth it.
Lovely, gentle book, the only book my students didn't complain about having to read.
it is a very exiting and best book to read for teenagers, just try and read it.
This book is about a homeless person looking for a new life, it's alright but overall it's something I wouldn't read again but it's interesting.
I loved the prose and read this touching tale in one sitting.
I learned that when things get hard at home to keep going.
Gave me perspective on who is rich in this life. Loved it.
not as good as i was hoping but still good
Listened to it a a talking book - unforgettable
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