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Sean Griswold's Head

by Lindsey Leavitt (Goodreads Author)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 2,841 ratings · 539 reviews

According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object-an item to concentrate her emotions on. It's supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold's head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas-it's an alphabetical order thing), but she's never really known

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Hardcover, 288 pages

Published March 1st 2011 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

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33rd out of 170 books — 434 voters

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Mar 29, 2011 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I knew I was going to love this book, not only did it sound awesome, but Lindsey is a fantastic author! And I was so very excited to read her YA! I was NOT disappointed!

Payton was an incredibly well written character. She leapt off the pages.... I loved how imperfect she was. She frustrated me, she made me laugh, and she impressed me. She was a very realistic character as was her reaction to her father's illness.

Another aspect of the novel that was really impressive was the relationship between...more

4 likes · like · see review

May 25, 2011 Nafiza rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, favourites, recommend-to-friends

You know how sometimes when you finish a book, you sit quietly for a while just savouring the end of a tale told so very well? That’s what happened to me when I finished Read Sean Griswold’s Head. To say that I loved it would be sort of an understatement.

Ms. Leavitt takes a subject that does not usually have a space in YA literature, makes it relatable, even personal, and shows the reader that a disease does not define a person, no matter how debilitating it is. What Payton’s father suffers is r...more You know how sometimes when you finish a book, you sit quietly for a while just savouring the end of a tale told so very well? That’s what happened to me when I finished Read Sean Griswold’s Head. To say that I loved it would be sort of an understatement.

Ms. Leavitt takes a subject that does not usually have a space in YA literature, makes it relatable, even personal, and shows the reader that a disease does not define a person, no matter how debilitating it is. What Payton’s father suffers is real. It cannot be dressed up in sparkles or spoken away with a few well meaning platitudes. It is real and it is there to stay. I love that Ms. Leavitt brought such an important aspect of contemporary life, living with parents who are suffering from diseases, into literature and she dealt with the issue in such a beautiful way that at the end you are left with a smile and some hope.

Payton is a great character. She is snarky and flawed, very flawed but at the same time she retains this vulnerability about herself that makes the reader care about what is going on in her life. Some of the decisions she makes and some of the things she does will make you want to hit your head on the wall and yell at her for being such a stupid-head but this adds to her overall character and to the journey she undertakes. I found Payton to be someone I could relate to.

Really relate to. You see, when I was in Grade 9, I came home one afternoon and my parents sat me down and told me that my mom had cancer. It is one of those moments that you will never forget no matter how long you live. I can tell you what I was wearing, where I was sitting, and the sound of my mother’s voice as she spoke, her scared expression. The only blankness is when I try to remember what I thought. Because at that moment, I did not think. The preceding days were tough. You see someone you put on a pedestal, someone who, to you, is infallible – this book shows how a child copes when she finds out that her father is merely human. A frail human.

The relationships in the book are wonderfully complex. They are layered like an onion and there’s no one simple way to describe it. I also really like Sean Griswold. Head and all. YA novels need more love interests like him. That’s for sure. The writing and the pacing are crisp and the humour is interwoven through the narrative not as an afterthought but as a personality trait of the narrator.

Even if you don’t usually read contemporary YA, I believe you should give this one a chance. It’s a beautiful novel and will leave you feeling warm and believing in humanity. I totally recommend this.(less)

11 likes · like · see review

Jun 01, 2013 Cassi aka Snow White Haggard rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013

Sean Griswold's Head is another great book from Lindsey Leavitt. She has a gift with writing books that are accessible, funny and young without feeling juvenile. For those who enjoy her Princess for Hire series (me!), read Sean Griswold's Head. While it's different, without any magic, the sense of humor and writing style remains the same.

Payton Gritas is the ideal student--organized, focused and driven. That is, until her father is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and her near perfect life tur...more Sean Griswold's Head is another great book from Lindsey Leavitt. She has a gift with writing books that are accessible, funny and young without feeling juvenile. For those who enjoy her Princess for Hire series (me!), read Sean Griswold's Head. While it's different, without any magic, the sense of humor and writing style remains the same.

Payton Gritas is the ideal student--organized, focused and driven. That is, until her father is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and her near perfect life turns upside down. Payton didn't have a plan for this bump in the road and doesn't know how to cope. Suddenly her lists and planners don't mean anything and her schoolwork starts to suffer. So her guidance counselor recommends finding a focus object, something she can journal about to find balance and organization again. What her guidance counselor doesn't count on is her picking a living subject, i.e. Sean Griswold's Head.

This book is heavier than Leavitt's Princess for Hire series, but it takes a talented author to make a book cute, fun and heavy all at once. Payton is a bit of an emotional wreck, at times very frustrating and likable but all of that makes for an authentic character. I can relate to Payton, her terrible coping skills. Even when you want to yell at Payton for the crap she pull, you can also see everything is coming from a place of love and fear.

You get both funny moments like this:

"I know hard-core cyclists wear tight clothes but I don't do spandex. The devil wears spandex. And I doubt the devil's butt is as big as mine."

and deeper stuff like this:

"I mean it isn't cancer. It...people don't...necessarily die. Don't do chemo. They don't follow a set recovery plan. They just change. Their bodies changes. Their abilities--the things they do that make them who they are--leave, sometimes temporarily, sometimes forever. Every day they wake up with that big what if.
And nothing is scarier than a life filled with what ifs--living day by day without predictability and control."

Few books can deal with weighty topics like multiple sclerosis, while still keeping a funny voice. You rarely get serious family struggles and questions, alongside funny lists and adorable first-crush awkward flirting. But this book contains both seamlessly. Life is rarely just this tragic teenage mope fest or this funny giddy relationship melodrama. Realistically life is all of that, plus more, and that's what this book captures with equal measures of humor and poignancy.

For reviews and more check out my blog Galavanting Girl Books (less)

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Jul 07, 2011 Kailia rated it 5 of 5 stars

I’ve heard nothing but good things about Lindsey Leavitt’s writing. First it was Princess for Hire and now Sean Griswold’s Head. I’m happy to say that I’ve joined this group of people. Leavitt’s writing is fresh, witty, fun, and just her own and I loved Sean Griswold’s Head.

Multiple sclerosis is no joking matter and I wondered how Leavitt would handle this subject. I’ve noticed that when books have focuses like such diseases, they have these two distinguished ways of going: 1) either it’s very f...more I’ve heard nothing but good things about Lindsey Leavitt’s writing. First it was Princess for Hire and now Sean Griswold’s Head. I’m happy to say that I’ve joined this group of people. Leavitt’s writing is fresh, witty, fun, and just her own and I loved Sean Griswold’s Head.

Multiple sclerosis is no joking matter and I wondered how Leavitt would handle this subject. I’ve noticed that when books have focuses like such diseases, they have these two distinguished ways of going: 1) either it’s very fluffy and not very focused on the disease itself or 2) its very serious, very informative about the disease. Sean’s Head wasn’t like either, but rather a mix. While there were funny parts, there were serious parts as well. I think Leavitt managed to tell the story of a girl and her acceptance of her father’s disease while she was in high school.

I think Lindsey Leavitt has a very interesting writing style. She has characters with funny, realistic voices but sometimes, these voices become more mature and serious. She works these stylistic voice changes very well into the plot line. I really loved all of the random notes and entries from Payton’s journal. Payton has a very quirky personiality and it was shown through Leavitt’s writing. Sure there were some cliché moments but they didn’t come off too clichéd or too forced, if you know what I mean. All in all, I really liked Leavitt’s writing style.

From the first page of the book, I knew I was going to like Payton. She had such a quirky, sarcastic voice and she was so likable. I could relate to her too, especially when I was a freshman in high school. Jac, her best friend was over the top sometimes and she irked me so much! But the thing is, she’s so like a teenager in high school. She reminded me of me and my friends. Sean was such an adorable guy. He really was a great friend and one of those book boyfriends that you just can’t help but love! Her relationship with Sean is one of my most favorite parts of the books. It’s like how any girl would feel when she begins to fall for a guy, who was well, always there.

Not only that, but I loved the other characters too! Grady the Goth added in so much humor, as did Payton’s brother Trent and many of the other characters. Honestly, my main complain is what her parents did. They should have told her about her father’s disease and it irked me so much throughout the book. Sure parents mess up and Payton’s parents are trying to make up for it, but still…

Overall, it was a great book! It was mainly a romance and coming of age story, but the seriousness was a good bit. It really showed what could happen in life and it was all a perfect mix! You have to read this book!
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Apr 19, 2013 Radostina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a quick and easy read, though nowhere as lighthearted as Going Vintage--understandably so, because multiple sclerosis is not something one could write about lightheartedly. It is one of those books that strike the right balance between serious and funny stuff, with just the right amount of medical background needed to set the premises of the plot without excessively burdening it. And against this background, author Lindsey Leavitt builds authentic, real characters that the reader can ea...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 18, 2012 Ann Banda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Le tenía ganas a este libro desde antes que saliera osease año & medio!
& ahora se porque capto mi atención!
Es wow! Se que es raro decir que un libro con una tragedia es precioso sonara raro pero no me importa!
Creo que yo actuaria igual que Payton sí supiera que algo le pasa a un ser querido & ok estuvo mal la ley del hielo pero todos reaccionamos distinto & es normal que exagerara.
Esa amiguita que bárbara! yo ya la hubiera cacheteado -.-
Volviendo a Payton... de veras que me id...more

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May 05, 2012 Jessica-Robyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, standalone-novels, mental-physical-illness, romance, pov-female

Sean Griswold's Head is more then what I expected it to be. I expected a cute, romantic, chick-lit, comedy about a quirky teen girl and the head of the boy who sits in front of her, all of which it undoubtedly was, but it was also much more then that. Sean Griswold's Head was about more then just a boy, but the experiences Payton goes through after tragic family news.

Payton is just starting highschool, she has a colour coded highlighter system for English, is psyched to buy a premium day planne...more Sean Griswold's Head is more then what I expected it to be. I expected a cute, romantic, chick-lit, comedy about a quirky teen girl and the head of the boy who sits in front of her, all of which it undoubtedly was, but it was also much more then that. Sean Griswold's Head was about more then just a boy, but the experiences Payton goes through after tragic family news.

Payton is just starting highschool, she has a colour coded highlighter system for English, is psyched to buy a premium day planner, and likes to keep things orderly. So when her life gets surprisingly derailed, things being orderly is the least of her problems. Needless to say, I loved Payton. Her voice was equal parts truthful and neurotic. I also appreciate a girl who can write a properly organized list. Sisterhood!!

All the characters in this including Payton's family, her best friend Jac, and Sean Griswold himself were all well written and charming as hell. No one was perfect, but everyone had at least one really good giggle worthy line of dialog. Incredibly cute I tell you!

However, what really got me hooked was how realistic the emotions were that Payton experienced throughout the story. She has the entire range of what a young girl trying to handle everything all at once experiences, from sadness, to anger, to defeat, to happiness. It's a bumpy ride and that made the core of the book feel very honest. One of my biggest book-peeves is when a character is experiencing something horrible but doesn't respond by getting angry, or crying, or having some sort of emotional outburst, like a perfectly normal human being does. Payton doesn't just grin and bare it, she is forced work at things and in doing so focus on something else.

Which brings us to the set up of the entire story. Firstly, multiple sclerosis and secondly, Sean Griswold's head.

Before reading this I didn't know a whole lot about MS. Right now I'm more of a cancer specialist and although I pride myself on being well informed on all things, MS is a bit of a downer. I was happy to see that this book doesn't go into pages of medical jargon or explanations. Instead, the characters spoke for the diagnose in how it affects daily life and how each case is different. Which is what I found so scary about MS, it doesn't just go away, it can't be cured and can't be fixed. I think the story really got across what it was and what it does to the body without being clinical.

Moving on to Sean Griswold, I liked him more then I thought I would have as the story progressed. His blooming relationship with Payton was well paced and although there were a few moments that didn't completely sell me I liked that he was a developed character and not just a head.

Now, The only reason I can think of for why this book doesn't get a higher rating from me is that I don't see this as being something that sticks out. It's a great book in the moment, but I can clearly see this as something I won't exactly remember this same time next week.

With that being said, this book was incredibly cute with some really unexpected heart warming moments. I also see this as some sort of odd fate that I read this now because I have been pining for a bicycle over the last few days. I want one! I really, really, really, really want one! Unfortunately, I don't have cute boys giving me free wheels so I'll have to keep looking in the physical world. Did I mention how much I want one? I'm like a little girl wanting a pony, only this pony can get me to the nearest bookstore.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 17, 2011 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: teen-lit

So, the title and cover initially turned me off this book. After reading it they both make better sense. I actually only read it because I was going to read Levitt's princess series, but my library had this book and not the others so I thought I'd give it a try.

I ended up enjoying the story. At times I admit I was a little bored and not really into the main character. But, I was curious where the story was going to go and Payton grew on my after awhile. I liked that she chose Sean's head as her...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book Cover: 4/5
The cover is just really cute, and it makes me what to see the front of his head! (Gahhh) But I also love how the chalk board has the circle chart, which Payton drew in one of her Focus Journals, and the little stick figure with his bike:D

Characters-

Favorite:
My favorite has to be....Sean! His so sweet, and caring. When he first found out that Payton was keeping journals about him, he figured he was just a play toy; being used by her and her councilor. When Sean knows the truth, he...more Book Cover: 4/5
The cover is just really cute, and it makes me what to see the front of his head! (Gahhh) But I also love how the chalk board has the circle chart, which Payton drew in one of her Focus Journals, and the little stick figure with his bike:D

Characters-

Favorite:
My favorite has to be....Sean! His so sweet, and caring. When he first found out that Payton was keeping journals about him, he figured he was just a play toy; being used by her and her councilor. When Sean knows the truth, he just laughs it off. Sean understands everything Payton's going through, and his very considerate of that. Throughout the story he even helps her train so she can compete in a bike marathon for her dad's MS.

Least:
I'm glad to say that in this book I didn't really hate anybody. Yes I wanted to smack Jac (Payton's best friend) many times throughout the story. But she was just doing all of these (very) annoying things from the kindness of her heart. Jac just wanted to help Payton, but she was just a bit too pushy for me.

Storyline: 5/5
Being a freshmen in high school,and playing basketball, Payton's only worries were her grades. She has a best friend that can be annoying, but she loves her anyways. When Payton's mom tells her that, her dad as MS, shes devastated. Mainly because he has this disease, but also because her entire family has kept this a huge secret from her for the last 6 months!
After not speaking with her parents for a little over two weeks, her mom decides to send her to Payton's school councilor. The council (Ms. Callahan), suggested that she should find a focus object, something to get her mind off things that are going on at home (which just happens to be Sean Griswold's head!).
When Jac pushes Payton into talking to Sean, she soon feels this connection, always wanting to be around him, and wanting to talk to him even more. Building up the courage, Payton asks if he wants to go bike riding sometime, and he kindly agrees.Their relationship goes a lot farther and through a little bit of hardship, but to find out how it ends you'll just have to read it yourself(;

Ending Opinion: 5/5
They both have great chemistry, which kept made me really want to read more; before I knew it I ran out of pages:/
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Apr 04, 2011 Bookworm1858 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemps-challenge, read-2011, ya-read

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
Bloomsbury, 2011
274 pages
YA; Contemporary
5/5 stars

Source: Library

I probably wouldn't have read this if it weren't for the Contemps Challenge and if I hadn't read some other reviews that mentioned that the main character was actually female rather than Sean Griswold.

That main character is Payton Gritas, who upon discovering that her father has MS (multiple sclerosis) and that her family has been keeping that from her for about six months, and consequently sh...more Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
Bloomsbury, 2011
274 pages
YA; Contemporary
5/5 stars

Source: Library

I probably wouldn't have read this if it weren't for the Contemps Challenge and if I hadn't read some other reviews that mentioned that the main character was actually female rather than Sean Griswold.

That main character is Payton Gritas, who upon discovering that her father has MS (multiple sclerosis) and that her family has been keeping that from her for about six months, and consequently she is rebelling. She gives her parents the silent treatment and her guidance counselor suggests that she choose a "Focus Object." After discarding several options, she chooses Sean Griswold, the boy who has sat in front of her for classes since third grade but to whom she's never given much thought.

Encouraged by her hilarious and outgoing best friend Jac, she starts by investigating Sean's head but she quickly befriends the boy himself, learning some important lessons along the way. One is about not judging people by their exterior. While Payton had written people off as being defined by one particular characteristic, Sean helps her to look beyond that. He also indirectly helps her let go a bit instead of being so tightly wound.

Sean himself is practically perfect. He's good looking and athletic (a biker who introduces Payton to the sport); he's a decent student; he loves his mother and is a good friend; he's funny, nice, gives good advice, and is forgiving. He likes "Seinfeld" and has memorized the episode numbers just like Payton has. He's the perfect first crush-how could anyone not like him?

Additionally this book also features a good family relationship. Although Payton is angry at her parents and two older brothers for not telling her earlier, there are still hints of the generally strong family unit they have. Food and traditions play a big role. It was nice to see a main character with good relationships with her parents, even if they are strained for much of the book by Payton's anger and fear.

Besides the friendship, the cute boy, and the family bonding, this book is hysterical. I laughed so many times from the way Payton phrased things and from her actions. Luckily I was mostly in my room so no one saw the weird girl laughing at her book.

Overall: A laugh-out-loud delight, touching on first love, family illness, and Seinfeld. Highly recommended!

Cover: I don't really like his sweatshirt and I feel like a whiteboard is more appropriate for school in in this day and age but I like it.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 02, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-ya, ya-romance

So I am really relating to books lately where the main character has sick or dying parent(s).And this one was no exception and since hey I started running for my dad who had cancer it hit even closer to home. It amazes me that writers can write the same feelings I experience into a book and that I enjoy these books instead of wanting to throw them because they remind me of my dad. So my review is based a lot on that. The book was nothing really that special but it touched me and made me laugh an...more

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Apr 24, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sean Griswold’s Head was super adorable! It surprised me, made me laugh out loud, and think about things that are right in front of my face which I might not have seen before.

I did not expect to like Payton as much as I did. The way she handled her family really upset me at times, but that was the point really. No one is perfect--especially in an emotional and stressful time. If she had handled herself with maturity and grace, well…there really would not have been a story to tell and she would n...more

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Jun 01, 2013 Krissie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Read it 'cause the main character's so like me. I, too, have a freakish love for all things organizational. Okay, she goes a little loopy in chapter two and stops organizing, but I'm okay with that. I forget to organize, too.

She also starts biking. Kind of like me, because I would also like to bike, but I have no intention of biking 75 miles in one go. Or biking with the lightest bike I can get my hands on –heavier bike = more fitness gains. I also can't bike right now, as my special talent is f...more

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May 03, 2013 Kathie Jackson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

For freshman Payton Gritas, the only thing worse than learning her beloved dad has MS is the fact that her parents hid it from her for so long! Payton starts seeing her school guidance counselor for therapy sessions, which include keeping a feelings journal, and finding a “personal focus object” (PFO) to work through her conflicting emotions about her dad. She decides the oversize head of Sean Griswold, her classmate since 4th grade, makes the perfect PFO. Examining and writing in detail about S...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Eunice rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook

What I really, really liked about this book is the Focus Object idea. I'm thinking of doing the same thing but maybe I'll be too lazy to even think of one (or even focusing on one). Ok, on to the review...

Payton is generally likable. I definitely understand the hurt that comes from having someone lie to you though I think she went overboard with her pain at times. As we all do.

Sean is really great. I love how his reasoning is so well-reasoned. Haha. And his mother too was great.

I really like t...more

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Apr 13, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I began this book, I really had no idea what to expect. Romantic comedy bordering on stalking?

I had my doubts. I hate the cover. HATE. I also really disliked the title, but realized how appropriate it was once I read the book.

When Payton discovers that her father has Multiple Sclerosis, she's devastated. When she discovers that everyone knew about it for months without telling her, she's angry. And at some point, her anger and fear for her dad's health continue to morph into more and more...more When I began this book, I really had no idea what to expect. Romantic comedy bordering on stalking?

I had my doubts. I hate the cover. HATE. I also really disliked the title, but realized how appropriate it was once I read the book.

When Payton discovers that her father has Multiple Sclerosis, she's devastated. When she discovers that everyone knew about it for months without telling her, she's angry. And at some point, her anger and fear for her dad's health continue to morph into more and more anger, so that she gives everyone in her family the cold shoulder, quits basketball and lets her A average fall...quickly.

Concerned, her parents force her to visit the school's counselor, who tells Payton to find a focus item - something totally and completely unrelated to her father and other ongoing problems. After considering a variety of inanimate objects, Payton settles on the back of Sean Griswold's head as her focus item. It's pleasing to look at, and because their last names are back to back, they are often stuck near each other.

This novel does so many things right. I like Payton's response toward her father's illness...it's selfish, yes. A little bit overblown. But completely believable for a teenage girl, or anyone who is just angry at the injustice of having a sick parent or family member. Sean is a great guy, and the two characters have great chemistry. When Sean moves from focus exercise to love interest, it doesn't feel forced. (Major spoiler in the spoiler tag, fyi!) (view spoiler)

Perhaps the biggest reason I loved this book is because I have a family member with MS, and I, shamefully, don't know much about the condition. I liked how it dropped in information about MS little by little without force-feeding it to readers.

While I'd happily recommend this book to anyone who likes chick lit, I'd extra-extra recommend it to anyone who might be in a similar situation to Payton (with MS or any other condition in a family member), because the ultimate message is that you are ALLOWED to be a little selfish and angry in these situations. But while you're allowed, you also must learn that you are also not alone.(less)

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Feb 23, 2013 Dlora rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: general-fiction, young-adult, romance, lds-author, humor

Delightfully funny look at a young 15-year-old who learns that her father has MS and that her parents have kept it from her for six months, even though they told her older brothers. Her life is thrown for a loop--she gives her parents the silent treatment, her straight-A preppy personality falls apart, and she quits her spot on the girls' basketball team on the spot because of its associations with her father. Much to Payton's embarrassment, her parents set up counseling sessions with a school g...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Hayley Waters rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was nothing like I expected it to be. I mean, look at the title (and the ostensively pink cover which is the version that I own), and it’ll seem like just a very fluffy, cutesy romance.

And sure, there is a cutesy romance vibe to this but what was surprising was the bite that it ended up having- or rather, in tumblr-lit terms, the ‘feels’ it gave me. What I found surprising was really how it was less about the romance and more about Payton’s relationship with her father as he begins tac...more This book was nothing like I expected it to be. I mean, look at the title (and the ostensively pink cover which is the version that I own), and it’ll seem like just a very fluffy, cutesy romance.

And sure, there is a cutesy romance vibe to this but what was surprising was the bite that it ended up having- or rather, in tumblr-lit terms, the ‘feels’ it gave me. What I found surprising was really how it was less about the romance and more about Payton’s relationship with her father as he begins tackling a serious illness. The romance is important, sure, but really, it played a lot smaller of a part in the novel than I thought it would, considering the title of the book is literally the love interest’s head.

I appreciated the importance and emphasis of family that was shown throughout the novel and the lack of the common ‘disappearing parent syndrome’ that is seen everywhere (a topic which might make a reappearance on this blog sometime soon), and the friendship that Leavitt had established between Payton and her friend Jac, while shallow, was heartwarming.

I’m not really sure about the illness Payton’s dad has, so I can’t really comment on the realism of that, but I loved how Payton went through a mass of emotions towards that throughout the novel. It was a little like a cycle of grief and I could see her development as well as relationship with her father grow and repatch again and that felt extremely satisfying for me, if a little too underdone.

The romance itself was okay- well paced, somewhat sidelined (though for good reason), and I found myself liking Sean Griswold and his head. Funny, not overly dramatic and a little underwhelming, he was a nice match for Payton and matched the overall theme.

In fact, I think one of the only reasons I didn’t like it all that much particularly was because I had no particularly strong feelings towards the novel itself. I kind of liked the novel but really, nothing stood out. It all just ambled along without much tension or climax, and while the ending felt right, it was a little like a Disney show. A little bit cheesy, a teeny bit shallow, okay characters, a few stupid jokes here and but generally a good message was sent out. 3 stars.

PS: For those that insist they haven’t seen a live-action Disney TV show, there is close to literally no way you haven’t seen at least one episode of Hannah Montana when you were younger and watched at least a bit of it because of the stupid gags. I know your guilty pleasures.
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Feb 18, 2013 ♥ Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to ♥ Sarah by: Rachmi

Shelves: ya-na, sugary-sweet, romance

"I spot the G– H line one second, and Sean standing at the end of it the next. The alphabetical connection never ends. From school lunch lines to major bike rides. He can’t escape me. I can’t escape him."

So the basic run down this is: Payton is a super-organizer, obsessed with planning, Seinfeld loving, basketball playing, honor roll student, with a quirky sense of humor, and knack for getting into really funny, cute situations. But she finds out that her dad’s suffering from MS, and suddenly, s...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Leslye rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm probably going to have to take a break from contemporaries for a while. There wasn't really anything wrong with this book, it's well written with good characters and a believable plot. But somewhere along the way I felt like I was drinking a flat diet soda - there just wasn't any fizz.

I liked the premise -- Payton needs a Focus Object for her school counseling sessions and chooses the head of the boy who sits in front of her. I can actually relate to that and can imagine developing a crush o...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Aubrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: great-book, must-read

I personally loved this book!

It was a really cute and very realistic relative story to young teenage girls, and I think it explains perfectly how a young teenager feels in discovering her feelings.

Though this was a great read, I do have some critique on Jac

Jac was a nice character with a bubbly personality, but I think that the overuse of extensive medaling into the main character's business was a little too cliche. I have noticed this in many of these kinds of books, and it truly becomes tiring...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Nareh rated it 5 of 5 stars

I choose the book “Sean Griswold’s Head” written by Lindsey Leavitt because of a quote written on the cover of the book. The quote was “What is the love of your life was literally in front of you?” that quote really made me interested because I like books about romance. This novel is about fifteen year old Payton. Payton has the perfect life and family but everything starts to go wrong once her father is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis disease. Although her family is still close together Payto...more I choose the book “Sean Griswold’s Head” written by Lindsey Leavitt because of a quote written on the cover of the book. The quote was “What is the love of your life was literally in front of you?” that quote really made me interested because I like books about romance. This novel is about fifteen year old Payton. Payton has the perfect life and family but everything starts to go wrong once her father is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis disease. Although her family is still close together Payton feels like everything is falling apart, even her school life. Payton used to love to go to school, being organized, and always got good grades, but ever since she heard this unfortunate news noting seems to matter anymore. Even her relationship with her best friend Jac seems to be failing. The only thing that keeps her focused is the boy that she sits behind of in Science class named Sean Griswold. She has known him for most of her life but never noticed how attractive he looked. Soon, Payton and Sean begin to from an enjoyable relationship which seems to take Payton’s mind away from her problems. Sean is a major help to Payton and their relationship turns more serious as they get to know one another. My favorite quote in this book is “everything they’ve said is tainted now. Every day was a lie.” Payton said that quote after her parents finally, after a long time of knowing told her about her father’s sickness. I could feel her pain. I also feel upset when people lie to me. When someone lies to me I feel unimportant and that’s what I think Payton felt like. I really liked the authors writing style which was in the first person point of view. I think that since Payton is the one saying the story I could really get an inside of her feelings about how this disease on her father is affecting her life. This is a book I would defiantly recommend to young readers. Anyone who likes romance, drama, and humor filled stories will also really enjoy reading this novel. This is a really nice story to read and once I started reading I could not put it down. This story had an effect on me while I was reading. I was so into the story that sometimes I would l laugh and other times the story made me feel depressed. I really enjoyed reading this story and I hope to find more novels like this.(less)

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Nov 29, 2012 Sandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the first several pages of the bookI found myself thinking this was too young and immature for me! What a snob I can be. It wasn't long before I was hooked into a story that has fold upon fold of serious and not-so-serious issues. Payton, whose point of view the story is from, is a young high school girl who excels at everything she does. There's nothing she doesn't do or handle well until she stumbles upon her mother giving her father an injection and they clarify that it's not for recreatio...more In the first several pages of the bookI found myself thinking this was too young and immature for me! What a snob I can be. It wasn't long before I was hooked into a story that has fold upon fold of serious and not-so-serious issues. Payton, whose point of view the story is from, is a young high school girl who excels at everything she does. There's nothing she doesn't do or handle well until she stumbles upon her mother giving her father an injection and they clarify that it's not for recreational purposes (her first horrified thought), rather he has MS.

From this point, I learn to love Payton. At the same time, I did a great deal of groaning at her faulty decision making and even weaker stabs at holding together and then destroying her relationships. She is young, immature but learning to grow and build on her newly discovered strength to face obstacles she never dreamed would come into her life.

Payton's world grows as she discovers that people are not all that they may appear. Teachers can love and suffer loss, her guidance counsellor isn't as nutty as Payton thought (she's simply human with her her loves, sorrows and loss), her best friend's a treasure she didn't know she had, the object of her romantic fantasy's truly a fine person and her family's the backbone of who she is. Payton discovers how to give of herself, when and how to let go of preconceived notions of people based on what's seen from the outside. This is a thoughtful journey into the complexity that humanity requires.

If you like a book that doesn't hide from the painful realities of life, of strained relationships, of love both romantic and familial, of deep friendships and finally of hope that soars above the sorrow life can bring, then Sean Griswold's Head is for you. I found myself thinking about how I'd faced difficulties in my life and what I could learn from those Payton faced and sometimes hid from.

Leavitt's characters are alive with humanity, depth, sorrow and the joy of love, friendships and family. I enjoyed reading the book more and more with each turn of the page. This is a book that's categorized as YA, but I see it as a book for all ages. It shouldn't be blocked into one category. (less)

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Sep 20, 2012 Shrimalya rated it 5 of 5 stars

I don't even know where to start this review from.This book was wonderful in all ways.Payton's father is suffering from multiple sclerosis and she discovers that her parents had kept this from her for a few months.Her organised life spirals down as she tries to cope up and deal with her father's new condition.This book gives us a glimpse on how the family members of people suffering from serious diseases feel.The only mistake that our protagonist makes is that even though her father has MS she p...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Shea Donahue rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-2012

3.5 Stars

I had a hard time figuring out how to rate this book.

First off, it's really well written. The characters are real, the way a teen (or anyone) can paint herself into an emotional corner and then get stuck there more than rings true.

The first boyfriend, how everything is slow and you don't know what's real and what's not and what's wishful thinking. The family situation and how sometimes the people closest to you are the hardest to reach.

I HIGHLY recommend this book for those reasons.

Wh...more

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May 26, 2012 ✿ℎazℯℓ✿ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-favorite-books, favorite-ya-contemporary-ro-adv

"how can you go so long knowing someone without really knowing them at all?"

What an emotional read.

After bawling over the idea of a sick dad.. I realized that the books that make me cry honestly deserve 5 stars since it meant that I was affected by it in more ways than one.

Payton isn't a perfect character. She's self absorbed, an over thinker, vain, even mean sometimes. . . but then again, who's perfect? right?

When she found out that her dad was sick, she brandished her own kind of freaking-ou...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, young-adult, tough-stuff, 2012, buy-me-please

This was a surprising find. One that I liked quite a bit. I've been on such a fantasy/magic/dystopian/etc. kick lately that it's odd that I even branched out to read a realistic fiction. Thanks to the library for putting it on display!

Payton is a fifteen year old girl who finds out that her Dad has multiple sclerosis. The news is suffocating to her and her life slowly starts to unravel. Her guidance counselor tells her to choose a focus object, so she chooses Sean Griswold's head, because she s...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Sammee (I Want to Read That) rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

I picked this one up not knowing much about it - it is one of the books for the comtemps challenge so I bought it to read as part of the challenge. I am so glad I did because it really is rather brilliant.

It follows Payton and her life after she learns her dad is diagnosed with MS. She doesn't take the news very well and goes to see a counsellor at her school. She suggests Payton find a focus object so she decides to use Sean Griswold's head...

This book is so much more than I realised i...more

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Mar 09, 2012 Siew Ee rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I started reading the book, I became more interested in how Payton dealt with her father’s multiple sclerosis than how she progressed with her Focus Object. Seriously, I can never understand teenagers, and in a way, I was glad I picked this book to check it out for my daughter because I found myself trying very hard to understand why Payton gave his father such a hard time. Say….if my father has MS, kept it from me for six months but told everyone else in the family (mother and 2 brothers),...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are so many things to love about this book. The story, the humor, the compelling emotion, the believability of it all. But the best thing about this book are the characters. Each and every one of them are fully realized--right down to the misunderstood goth who cries and quotes tennyson--right down to the guidance counselor--right down to the biology teacher who showed up to class hung over from party night.

This book is about Payton, a teen girl who discovers her dad has MS. Payton doesn't...more

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About Lindsey Leavitt

Lindsey Leavitt is a former elementary school teacher and present day writer/mom to three (mostly) adorable little girls. She is married to her high school lab partner and lives in Las Vegas. She is the author of the PRINCESS FOR HIRE series (www.princessforhire.com), SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD and GOING VINTAGE
Visit her on the web at www.lindseyleavitt.com

More about Lindsey Leavitt...

Books by Lindsey Leavitt

Princess for Hire (Princess for Hire, #1)

The Royal Treatment (Princess for Hire, #2)

A Farewell to Charms (Princess for Hire, #3)

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Quotes from Sean Griswold's Head

“Right. Like I have any plans of hanging out with Vampire Boy ever again. Schedule it in right after my lunch date with Lord Voldemort.” — 35 people liked it

“We have different interests,
fit into different cliques, but the length of our friendship makes
most of that unimportant. You go through enough with a person
over a long enough period of time and they just become a part of
who you are.” — 25 people liked it

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