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Surviving the Applewhites (Applewhites Family, #1)
by Stephanie S. Tolan
by Stephanie S. Tolan
Seriously I could not have expected a less realistic representation of the metamorphosis of a teenage foster child. I wanted to shake the author and ask her why a teenage boy abandoned by both parents as well as booted out by his grandfather had no REAL issues with trust, attachment, or authority. Seriously even the best of the best kids are going to have a MUCH harder time than represented here. The thought process of Jake when thinking about his life and choices just seemed way too simplistic.
I also didn't like at all how selfish every Applewhite character was -- it seems like the philosophy of every family member was, "it's all about ME, ME, ME!" It was impressive when they came together at the end to pull the play off; but even then most of them seemed a little self-serving . . .
sigh . . .
p.s. if this sounds like the jaded ramblings of a former foster parent of a teenager coming of age, it is.
I also didn't like at all how selfish every Applewhite character was -- it seems like the philosophy of every family member was, "it's all about ME, ME, ME!" It was impressive when they came together at the end to pull the play off; but even then most of them seemed a little self-serving . . .
sigh . . .
p.s. if this sounds like the jaded ramblings of a former foster parent of a teenager coming of age, it is.
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Annette
(last edited Apr 20, 2008 04:39pm)
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rated it 2 stars
Apr 20, 2008 04:37pm
I guess, I didn't think that the author was TRYING to be realistic. I think the book was just supposed to be pure entertainment, you know, just for fun. I thought it was good for a few laughs, but if you were expecting a realistic portrayal of life as a toubled teen I can see why you'd be terribly disappointed. I definitely don't think that it deserved a Newberry Honor.
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well, I don't think I was expecting realistic -- but this was WAY out there . . . the transformation was So Flimsy! Also at the end the author included her own "study questions" -- and I think it really was trying to be serious (racism, etc.). But if it was written just for fun it really wasn't as fun as I'd hoped it would be, either :-)I guess I had an expectation that it'd be on the same level as "Al Capone Does My Shirts" -- which is a funny story that actually deals realistically with serious issues. And it was also a Newbery Honor.
I haven't read this book in a long time so it isn't really fresh in mind, but the more that I think about it the more I think that you're right. It isn't what I would call "outstanding children's literature". I don't really hate it, but I don't really love it either. Tambre really liked it a lot when she read it and my rating of 3 stars may have been influenced by her. As far as Al Capone, can you tell me a little more about that book? I looked at your list of books and I didn't see it. I have it on my to-read list so, I am planning on reading it eventually. It sounds like you really liked it, at least better than this one.
I thought Al Capone Does My Shirts was good, too. It's about a boy dealing with his sister who is mentally challenged. Sorry, that term sounds so PC, but I can't remember exactly what her handicap is. Anyway, their father is a prison warden so they actually live on the prison grounds which provides for all sorts of unusual twists. And Kristine is right, it is funny as well as touching on serious issues. I think you probably need humor to deal such things anyway!
It is simplistic -but that is part of what makes it entertaining. Please remember it is a book written for children to enjoy. My students like it. Entertainment is what is important to them. Getting them to read anything is challenge. The Applewhites hooked a few of the most difficult of my students.
So, I just noticed I've been collecting comments from haters :-) and I have to respond with a quote from one of the greatest children's authors to have lived:“A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.”
― C.S. Lewis
You do NOT need to dumb down a book to make it relatable to kids. As mentioned earlier, there are quality, FUNNY books about handle serious issues seriously. This is not one of them. Kids do like funny. They also like to be taken seriously, to know that we know they can handle hard things.
I don't mind other people liking this book. And I'm glad this has helped other children. But I'm a former foster parent of a teenager. I've earned the right to be picky about how they are portrayed and to hold opinions about books that do so poorly.
:-)
