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A Closer Look
Freshman year is going well for Cassie, a standout sprinter who is about to move up to varsity; school has been fine, her best friend Tara is also running track, and Tommy, that cute sax player she likes has asked her to come see his band rehearse. But in a matter of weeks, Cassie has a secret she is trying to hide from everyone. Her hair has started falling out, and she s doing everything possible to keep it from showing. When her parents tell her it happened to her once before, at age 3, she s horrified, and a trip to the dermatologist confirms what she has been afraid of: that all of her hair may fall out. She has alopecia, and there s no known effective treatment. Cassie eventually gets a wig when she can no longer disguise the truth, and she finally confides in Tommy about it. But when he starts being standoffish and avoids her, she feels betrayed. Then, at a track meet, Robin, her rival on the team, exposes her secret to the whole crowd. With her worst fears realized, will Cassie ever be able to face her classmates, her teammates, and most of all, Tommy?
- GenresContemporaryYoung Adult
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 26, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 10, 2013
A Closer Look is one of the most poignant novels I’ve read in a long time. Cassie Donovan handles a medical challenge with grace, spirit, and the most amazing sense of humor. This book made me laugh and cry, but mostly it made me root for the strong and courageous Cassie. Well-drawn characters jump off the page. Everyone will identify with the interpersonal dynamics between friends, family and boyfriends. The relationship between the perfect mother and the not-so-perfect daughter made a real impact on me, as I’m sure it will on others. A Closer Look is a MUST READ for any teen who feels that they don’t fit in with their crowd or has been bullied by haters. Simply follow Cassie’s lead to regain your courage. Kudos to Karen DelleCava for tackling a tough topic with insight and compassion.
You rock, Karen! I want a sequel to find out how Cassie is doing.
Lynn Maddalena Menna, author of Piece of My Heart
You rock, Karen! I want a sequel to find out how Cassie is doing.
Lynn Maddalena Menna, author of Piece of My Heart
January 23, 2012
Originally posted at: http://aurorareviews.blogspot.com/201...
Cassie's story is one that is truly inspiring for all ages. At the age where she is just starting to discover boys and have a sense of independence, Cassie must also deal with her hair falling out sporadically. With such a delicate subject, I knew from the first page this story would be riveting. At times, I was so sad thinking about everything this young girl had to go through.
While it may sound vain, my hair has always been my crowning glory. So while reading about Cassie's alopecia, I found myself in tears at times because my heart went out to her. There were times it was difficult to keep reading because of how upset I was for her. That effect actually speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the subject matter and the author’s ability to make me feel for the main character in the story.
Not only was the subject matter riveting, the charaters were as well. For example, at moments I felt like I could sympathize with Cassie's mother and other times I wondered how a mother can treat her daughter the way she treated Cassie. Another character I enjoyed was Cassie's best friend Tara. The way she supported Cassie throughout the whole ordeal displayed a true friendship that can never be replaced. These characters really added a certain amount of depth to the story, which help with the flow and made it much easier to read.
One of the most amazing things about A Closer Look is that I highly recommended it to people around me even before I finished the last page. This will be a great story for mothers to read with their daughters, or for anyone to enjoy on their own. Ms. DelleCava's book should make it to Oprah’s reading list because after I was done reading it, I was convinced that it has the ability to change lives.
Cassie's story is one that is truly inspiring for all ages. At the age where she is just starting to discover boys and have a sense of independence, Cassie must also deal with her hair falling out sporadically. With such a delicate subject, I knew from the first page this story would be riveting. At times, I was so sad thinking about everything this young girl had to go through.
While it may sound vain, my hair has always been my crowning glory. So while reading about Cassie's alopecia, I found myself in tears at times because my heart went out to her. There were times it was difficult to keep reading because of how upset I was for her. That effect actually speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the subject matter and the author’s ability to make me feel for the main character in the story.
Not only was the subject matter riveting, the charaters were as well. For example, at moments I felt like I could sympathize with Cassie's mother and other times I wondered how a mother can treat her daughter the way she treated Cassie. Another character I enjoyed was Cassie's best friend Tara. The way she supported Cassie throughout the whole ordeal displayed a true friendship that can never be replaced. These characters really added a certain amount of depth to the story, which help with the flow and made it much easier to read.
One of the most amazing things about A Closer Look is that I highly recommended it to people around me even before I finished the last page. This will be a great story for mothers to read with their daughters, or for anyone to enjoy on their own. Ms. DelleCava's book should make it to Oprah’s reading list because after I was done reading it, I was convinced that it has the ability to change lives.
August 14, 2016
3.5 out of 5 rating
My heart just broke for Cassie. I cannot imagine having to start high school and get used to all the quirks of being a freshman and have to deal with losing all of your hair too. Yes, I know that there are far worse things than losing your hair, but at an age where looks are important, this must have been devastating.
For some reason, I just couldn't really get into Cassie. I'm not sure if it was the way she was written or her personality or what. But I really loved Tara! Every teenager (heck everyone in general!) needs a friend like her! Tara was so supportive! She truly cared about Cassie. She didn't so much as blink when she saw Cassie's bald spot and was always there to cheer her up or help her cover up her patches and just be a great friend in general. As for Tommy, I was mixed on him. I think the summary kind of spoiled it for me because the whole time I was reading the book, I kept waiting for him to turn into a jerk (because it says he starts avoiding her after she tells him) so I knew that he was going to be a bad guy. But when this situation happened, I knew right away that it was for a different reason and so I realized he wasn't such a bad guy. And I spent the whole time thinking, incorrectly, that he was.
(And on a completely random note, I was fascinated by all of the running talk. I just got into running recently. I hate running but I like the races! So this part of story intrigued me.)
Anyways, I think that this would be such an important book for teens to read if they were dealing with alopecia or any other condition where they would feel different. The book has such a strong message about being yourself and loving who you are inside, not just what you look like on the outside!
My heart just broke for Cassie. I cannot imagine having to start high school and get used to all the quirks of being a freshman and have to deal with losing all of your hair too. Yes, I know that there are far worse things than losing your hair, but at an age where looks are important, this must have been devastating.
For some reason, I just couldn't really get into Cassie. I'm not sure if it was the way she was written or her personality or what. But I really loved Tara! Every teenager (heck everyone in general!) needs a friend like her! Tara was so supportive! She truly cared about Cassie. She didn't so much as blink when she saw Cassie's bald spot and was always there to cheer her up or help her cover up her patches and just be a great friend in general. As for Tommy, I was mixed on him. I think the summary kind of spoiled it for me because the whole time I was reading the book, I kept waiting for him to turn into a jerk (because it says he starts avoiding her after she tells him) so I knew that he was going to be a bad guy. But when this situation happened, I knew right away that it was for a different reason and so I realized he wasn't such a bad guy. And I spent the whole time thinking, incorrectly, that he was.
(And on a completely random note, I was fascinated by all of the running talk. I just got into running recently. I hate running but I like the races! So this part of story intrigued me.)
Anyways, I think that this would be such an important book for teens to read if they were dealing with alopecia or any other condition where they would feel different. The book has such a strong message about being yourself and loving who you are inside, not just what you look like on the outside!
March 20, 2012
Cassie is losing her hair. It turns out she has alopecia, a disease where her body rejects any hair growth. When she was three there was an outbreak to which she was almost completely bald, but it grew back and she was fine for several years in between. Now it has started again. What will Cassie do if she is bald again? How can she face Tommy, the cute sax player that's finally asked her out? And what will people think of her?
Okay, I understand that this book is supposed to be about losing your hair and accepting who you are but Cassie just annoyed me. She threw fits because she was going bald. I mean come on! Just give in and buy a wig when you realize that one wrong move of a strand of hair will give you away! That's what they make them for, right? I should be more sympathetic, I know. I would probably want to die if all my hair fell out as well. And being a freshman in high school probably doesn't help matters for Cassie either. I mean, she still has three and a half years to go through. But I couldn't relate to the girl. As I said before, she was just plain annoying.
And I don't like how misleading the description about Tommy is. He was really a good guy who was dealt his own crappy hand of cards, but Cassie is just so wrapped up in her own problems she cannot see what is going on with anyone else.
The book wasn't bad. It's a good story about having to accept your outward appearance, but I just couldn't accept Cassie.
Okay, I understand that this book is supposed to be about losing your hair and accepting who you are but Cassie just annoyed me. She threw fits because she was going bald. I mean come on! Just give in and buy a wig when you realize that one wrong move of a strand of hair will give you away! That's what they make them for, right? I should be more sympathetic, I know. I would probably want to die if all my hair fell out as well. And being a freshman in high school probably doesn't help matters for Cassie either. I mean, she still has three and a half years to go through. But I couldn't relate to the girl. As I said before, she was just plain annoying.
And I don't like how misleading the description about Tommy is. He was really a good guy who was dealt his own crappy hand of cards, but Cassie is just so wrapped up in her own problems she cannot see what is going on with anyone else.
The book wasn't bad. It's a good story about having to accept your outward appearance, but I just couldn't accept Cassie.
April 28, 2014
Cassie’s struggle to accept that she has alopecia, a condition that causes her to lose her hair, brought back memories of an elementary school classmate that lost her hair. I remember being scared for my friend, and asking what was wrong. And I also vividly remember her response. She was upset that I asked. We were children, but that exchange stayed with me all these years. I suspect that she, like Cassie, was dealing with alopecia. I applaud Karen DelleCava for tackling such a sensitive subject with both compassion and humor.
I fell in love with Cassie while reading the very first chapter, and my admiration for her continued to grow through the final pages. Ms. DelleCava’s portrayal of Cassie’s struggle with alopecia was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I felt her fear, her sadness, her determination – and finally, her acceptance that the disease could change her appearance but not who she was inside.
Everyone should be fortunate enough to have a friend like Tara, Cassie’s best friend – and a boyfriend like Tommy. All of Ms. DelleCava’s supporting characters are well drawn and add layers to Cassie’s compelling story.
This book will have readers cheering Cassie on as she digs deep to find the spirit and strength to overcome her fear and humiliation, and as she returns to her life and the sport she loves.
I fell in love with Cassie while reading the very first chapter, and my admiration for her continued to grow through the final pages. Ms. DelleCava’s portrayal of Cassie’s struggle with alopecia was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I felt her fear, her sadness, her determination – and finally, her acceptance that the disease could change her appearance but not who she was inside.
Everyone should be fortunate enough to have a friend like Tara, Cassie’s best friend – and a boyfriend like Tommy. All of Ms. DelleCava’s supporting characters are well drawn and add layers to Cassie’s compelling story.
This book will have readers cheering Cassie on as she digs deep to find the spirit and strength to overcome her fear and humiliation, and as she returns to her life and the sport she loves.
January 18, 2014
This is a wonderfully poignant book about a teenage girl named Cassie who in addition to dealing with the normal challenges of growing up in suburbia, has alopecia, a disease that causes her hair to fall out prematurely. When this happens to Cassie she is just starting high school, getting a boyfriend, and starting track. In a society and an age group focused on looking good, Cassie must deal with the stigma of being not just different but "ugly." Cassie is a heroine you completely root for from the first page. Ms. DelleCava's voice for Cassie is impressive, pitch perfect in it's ability to show us what goes on inside this teenager's head. The struggle she goes through, and her parents, to accept the loss and change of identity is wrenching. The use of the track team and Cassies' ability to lose herself in her running is especially effective. The secondary characters, from the boyfriend, Tommy, to the best girlfriend, Tara, to Cassie's mother and father, are all well developed and stay away from stereotypes, providing support to Cassie in different and sometimes unexpected ways. This debut novel shows a sure hand at handling this difficult material, keeping it real, at times funny, and finally when all the tears are dry, hopeful. I'd recommend this to readers 12 and up.
April 9, 2012
Inspiring to the very end! A Closer Look takes us through Cassie's very emotional journey of living with alopecia. A disease that causes mild to total hair loss.
This is Cassie's freshmen year in high school and things are look bright especially when she see's "first kiss" Tommy at the Battle of the Bands. Reuniting with a crush seem like the perfect start for the new year but her alopecia starts to progress pretty quickly and she has no clues what to do. Thank goodness for her best friends Tara! Through thick and thin this girl sticks with Cassie. But, when all is said and done and you can't deal with your own situation you will miss out on life by letting other dictate how you live. This is what Cassie learns by the end of this book. It was great to see her over come so many obstacles. Very inspiring!
I think it's hard enough going through high school without having any kind of illness that effects your appearance and this kind of disorder almost make life unbearable. Reading this story brings to my attention how brave the real survivors of the this disease have to be. It's very touching and a very good example of the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".
This is Cassie's freshmen year in high school and things are look bright especially when she see's "first kiss" Tommy at the Battle of the Bands. Reuniting with a crush seem like the perfect start for the new year but her alopecia starts to progress pretty quickly and she has no clues what to do. Thank goodness for her best friends Tara! Through thick and thin this girl sticks with Cassie. But, when all is said and done and you can't deal with your own situation you will miss out on life by letting other dictate how you live. This is what Cassie learns by the end of this book. It was great to see her over come so many obstacles. Very inspiring!
I think it's hard enough going through high school without having any kind of illness that effects your appearance and this kind of disorder almost make life unbearable. Reading this story brings to my attention how brave the real survivors of the this disease have to be. It's very touching and a very good example of the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".
April 5, 2012
This book is definitely one that will reach students of all ages. The idea that Cassie has to face her peers with the threat of losing hair at a time when she would already naturally feel insecure because of her age would really resonate with them. This story is very touching, very gripping, and very important for today's students. The issues that Cassie has to deal with make the reader really empathize with her since we all have areas that we are insecure about whether or not they are the same as hers. Dealing with her peers and her crush throughout all of it is also very difficult for her.
This helps not only students struggling with image or identity issues but also those who might be predisposed to prey on those weaknesses and perhaps teach a lesson that beauty and worth come from who a person is and not what they look like or the fact that they are "different."
This helps not only students struggling with image or identity issues but also those who might be predisposed to prey on those weaknesses and perhaps teach a lesson that beauty and worth come from who a person is and not what they look like or the fact that they are "different."
March 14, 2012
As a mother of a teenage girl, I could certainly relate to Cassie and her struggle. The story line and characters intrigued me instantly. Honestly, I could not put the book down. This YA novel will certainly move your heart as you feel Cassie’s pain in attempting to accept the devastation she feels as her beautiful hair falls out in clumps, and then how she attempts to hide it from her peers and new boyfriend. Cassie’s mom as well as Tommy, her boyfriend, carried their own burdens which made for interesting twists in the storyline. I highly recommend this book for all teenagers and parents as well, as they attempt to understand the internal turmoil of any young adult.
June 26, 2012
omg teenage girls are like sooooooo annoying. maybe its from working with teenagers for so long, or maybe i've just lost touch with what it feels like to be a teenager, but the whining through the first half of this book was almost too much to bear. i get losing your hair must be traumatic, but she was flipping it out before it was even that bad. i had much more empathy for her towards the end. the mother was just terrible, i don't care if your mom was mean to you, get over it and be nice to your own daughter. i looooved the best friend in this. best friend of the year award. and i'm very much more appreciative of my hair now.
February 17, 2012
I truly enjoyed this book. This story played with all of my emotions and I was hooked by the first chapter. Alopecia is a disease that affects so many people and is rarely talked about. It was so heart wrenching to read about a 14 year old girl that not only has to deal with the issues of being a teenager but also has to deal with self-image issues that are outside the scope of issues everyone deals with in high school. I loved Cassie and all the support characters in the story. The ending was awesome too! WTG Karen DelleCava. A true homerun!
February 19, 2012
Wonderfully touching book about a girl starting high school with a good friend, a great running time in track and the tenuous budding of a her first love. But when Cassie comes face to face in the mirror with alopecia, a disease that makes her hair fall out, she has to battle all her demons not to lose everything and become an outcast. Good pacing and suspense for a gutsy girl. Plenty of family drama and one of the nastiest girl villains in a long time! Read it and cheer!
November 19, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Imagine starting high school at the same time as your hair starts to fall out! The author captured Cassie emotions perfectly, and every teen can resonate with Cassie's troubles fitting in. An excellent Christmas present for the teen reader in your life.
June 11, 2012
Good teen book - heartaching and healing at the same time - a teenage girl dealing with alopecia. I thought the main characters best friend was the best character in the book. And how the mother learns to share with the daughter.
April 3, 2016
This gripping YA novel not only captures the true voice of a teen, but it brings to light a little-discussed issue that effects so many people. Anyone dealing with issues of appearance and their body (who isn't?) will find much to love and learn from Cassie's journey and discoveries. Bravo!
October 13, 2012
What a delightful, heart-warming story.
DelleCava tackles a challenging subject in a lighthearted, genuine way that had me turning pages quickly.
DelleCava tackles a challenging subject in a lighthearted, genuine way that had me turning pages quickly.
October 13, 2014
The writing style didn't feel real at all! It sounded completely fake and no teenager talks like that. What teenage boy calls their dad "father"?
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews