Olivia “Livvie” Owen feels things differently than her parents and two sisters. Livvie is autistic. Her family has had to move repe... read full description
reviews
Oct 11, 2010
Ann
rated it: 
Is anyone else tired of reading books where the narrator has autism/downs syndrome/cerebral palsy and is therefore SO WISE? Is it politically incorrect to write a negative review book that exists to teach SENSITIVITY and PERSPECTIVE?
14 year old Livvie Owen has one older sister (who is nice), one younger sister (who is mean) and autism. Her fixation is houses, especially the "Sun House," which her family used to live in. Now they are poor and live in a trailer in a dying town More...
14 year old Livvie Owen has one older sister (who is nice), one younger sister (who is mean) and autism. Her fixation is houses, especially the "Sun House," which her family used to live in. Now they are poor and live in a trailer in a dying town More...
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Aug 28, 2010
Tom
rated it: 
Sarah Dooley has set herself a remarkable goal with "Livvie Owen Lived Here": to write a compelling, believable book from the viewpoint of a teenager with autism.
Parts of Dooley's writing were less than convincing: Livvie's beautiful descriptions, some using complex metaphors for instance, just didn't ring true with me for a teenage who has problems identifying emotions in herself and (especially) other people.
Other parts of Dooley's writing was extremely convincin More...
Parts of Dooley's writing were less than convincing: Livvie's beautiful descriptions, some using complex metaphors for instance, just didn't ring true with me for a teenage who has problems identifying emotions in herself and (especially) other people.
Other parts of Dooley's writing was extremely convincin More...
Oct 16, 2010
Liza
rated it:
There was a lot to like about this novel of a young teenager with autism. From my own experience of knowing people with autism spectrum disorders, Livvie's behavior was textbook.
However, I was frequently jarred by Livvie's narrative. For a character who cannot read or write, her choices of $10 words pulled me out of the story repeatedly. The problem? I'm not sure how Dooley could have written the story from Livvie's perspective and not experience that issue. It was puzzling and bot More...
However, I was frequently jarred by Livvie's narrative. For a character who cannot read or write, her choices of $10 words pulled me out of the story repeatedly. The problem? I'm not sure how Dooley could have written the story from Livvie's perspective and not experience that issue. It was puzzling and bot More...
Jun 07, 2010
Becca Lee
rated it:
It was a wonderful read and on a subject that is frequently requested by our schools. Livvie and her friends from school are so tender and innocent- they provoke one to frown with sadness and also to smile with joy in the same scene. Livvie grows so much in the book and you are cheering her on the entire way. It is great to see her process and connect with things. The character development is excellent, not just with Livvie but with all the supporting characters.
The reader feels Liv More...
The reader feels Liv More...
Feb 28, 2011
Tina
rated it: 
2.5, maybe? This wasn't bad, it was just -- as the 2-star rating indicates -- "okay." A fast read, had some emotional moments, but, as others have commented, the narrator's voice didn't ring true as someone with autism. Of course, I'm not a specialist, and all the experience I have is knowing several people with asperger's, but even in that regard, I feel like Mark Haddon created a more authentic (and certainly more interesting) character in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night
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Apr 02, 2011
Diane
rated it:
Livvie is a 14 year old autistic girl. She has two parents, a loving older sister and a younger sister who has little patience with Livvie’s disability. After the mill closed & her parents lost their jobs, her family has moved numerous times, usually evicted for one reason or another. When Livvie begins hearing the mill whistle in the middle of the night, and begins obsessing over their former home and her long dead cat, things begin to fall apart.
Told in Livvie’s own voice, the sto More...
Told in Livvie’s own voice, the sto More...
Nov 26, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
A fictionalized account of one family's everyday struggles and hopes as they live with a daughter/sister who has autism. Livvie Owen, 14, struggles herself with questions, frustrations, and friendship as she navigates the complicated world around her.
Her family clearly loves her and wants only the best for her, but her outbursts and inability to contain her emotions have left the family coping with multiple evictions and moves throughout the town of Nabor. Livvie remembers and cheri More...
Her family clearly loves her and wants only the best for her, but her outbursts and inability to contain her emotions have left the family coping with multiple evictions and moves throughout the town of Nabor. Livvie remembers and cheri More...
Feb 25, 2011
Ryan
rated it:
I am never quite sure what I think about books written in the voice of an autistic character. There is always something not quite right - inconsistent, perhaps. I don't know if that is an accurate portrayal or not and that 'not quite right' gets in the way of things.
What I liked best was that Livvie's sisters were real. The youngest was smart and often frustrated by Livvie - and treated her with the contempt of an 11-year-old. Her older sister had taken on the role of caretaker - she More...
What I liked best was that Livvie's sisters were real. The youngest was smart and often frustrated by Livvie - and treated her with the contempt of an 11-year-old. Her older sister had taken on the role of caretaker - she More...
Sep 12, 2010
Abby
rated it:
All Livvie wants is to go back to when things were good. Back when the whistle blew on the paper mill every day at 6 o'clock and they lived in the warm, yellow house and Orange Cat was still alive. But the paper mill's closed and if she can't keep her outbursts under control, her family's going to be evicted again. It's not easy for anyone to deal with change and for Livvie it's a particular struggle because she has autism. But Livvie can't go back, so she's going to have to find a way to mo
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Aug 31, 2010
Katie
rated it:
Livvie Owen Lived Here is a powerful story of one autistic girl’s journey to find someplace to call home. It was so gut-wrenching at times that it managed to pull on my heartstrings; something that most novels fail to do.
I think this a book that everyone needs to read. Autism is something that isn’t spotlighted in YA a lot, especially for an older character such as Livvie, but this novel is a great portrayal of less than wealthy family that deals with the weight of things that come w More...
I think this a book that everyone needs to read. Autism is something that isn’t spotlighted in YA a lot, especially for an older character such as Livvie, but this novel is a great portrayal of less than wealthy family that deals with the weight of things that come w More...
May 29, 2011
Yolanda
rated it:
This wasn't a fast read for me (maybe because my life is so hectic right now) but it did follow through on Meg Cabot's front cover promise... it definitely challenged me and touched me to the core. With her first person narrative, Sarah Dooley has done an excellent job of showing what it is like to live with autism. I fell in love with Livvie and felt like I really understood her and why she did the things she did. I also identified with her struggle to find a home (maybe because I'm in the
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Apr 03, 2011
Ricki
rated it:
Told from 14-year-old Livvie Owen's perspective, this novel allows the reader to understand what it would be like to have autism. Livvie is obsessed with looking at real estate advertisements, and her family is forced to move frequently because her behavior is so unpredictable. I enjoyed reading the book, but I would only give it three stars because it is like many other novels I have read where the main character has autism.
Nov 04, 2010
Sandy
rated it:
A beautiful read. Made me tear up a bit at the end, a sign of this book's emotional power. Livvie and her sisters are endearing, lovable characters.
This is a book about a girl with autism, but the story isn't exactly about autism. Equally important is the story of Livvie's struggling family and their relationships. Yes, the autism is an important element to Livvie's tale, but it is refreshing that it isn't the only important element found here.
This is a book about a girl with autism, but the story isn't exactly about autism. Equally important is the story of Livvie's struggling family and their relationships. Yes, the autism is an important element to Livvie's tale, but it is refreshing that it isn't the only important element found here.
Nov 27, 2010
Geebowie
rated it:
this book was an interesting story As a person wit as asperger I am interested in reading books about others on the autistic spectrum. how ever I have to agree with what the others are saying in that some time Live complex thoughts and the word she use does not see to match up with the other things about her character. however i still enjoyed the book.
Aug 07, 2011
Mary
rated it:
exception. Being fourteen is difficult enough without struggling with other issues. Reading Livvie’s and her family’s story helps the reader comprehend the saying ‘walk a mile in my shoes before you criticize and accuse!” Surely all could benefit by learning through Livvie’s point of view.
Feb 28, 2011
Leslie
rated it:
Dooley succeeds in giving the reader true insight into the mind of an autistic girl and the complicated relationships she has with her family, classmates, and teachers. Livvie's quest for a better home - and indeed, her better self - entrances from page one. Highly recommended for middle-grade and young adult readers, as well as adults who enjoyed Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
Jan 23, 2011
Johnp
rated it:
A quirky book - told from the perspective of Livvie, an 11 year-old girl with autism. If you have a child with autism, you will appreciate the interesting view of the world from Livvie's perspective. If not, it might be hard to take.
Jun 08, 2011
Heather
rated it:
I listened to the audiobook, and really enjoyed it. As others have mentioned, I find it frustrating that the cover art and blurb give away something that really would have had more impact if we weren't expecting it from the start. (I sometimes wonder if cover blurbs make authors frustrated, as way too many of them give away what should not have been given away. From a marketing standpoint, I can see why some do it, but so often it ruins the impact of the book.)
Nov 07, 2011
Janet
rated it:
I enjoyed this book . . . so much so that I finished it in one day. Being an educator who has worked with many autistic children, Livvie is a very believable character. This book is a good one to recommend to teens who need more empathy for autistic children.
Oct 02, 2010
Anna
rated it:
A top notch addition to the recent batch of autism narrative reads. Developed well & of distinctive voice, it's easy to fall in luv w/ Livvie & crew. Two thumbs up -- for teens and tweens.
Jul 30, 2010
Shaun
rated it: 
Livvie Owen Lived here is a beautiful book about taking home with you wherever you go. Livvie made me frustrated and happy and in the end I just wanted to hug her to pieces.
Feb 14, 2012
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