Carolina Autumn

by Carol Lynch Williams

Fourteen-year-old Carolina has been through a terrible loss. As she struggles to speak openly to her new boyfriend and to relate to her distant, sad mother, the reader slowly realizes the nature of their shared tragedy. Through letters to her sister and by using her father's camera, Carolina tries to see the past clearly and find a path to an uncharted future. Though she feels she cannot bear any more pain, her strong character sees her through the wrenching changes in her life. Carolina's clear vision and sense of humor help her to find her way and connect to her boyfriend, her mother, and a life with new purpose and hope.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2000

About the author

Carol Lynch Williams is the author of more than 30 books for middle grade and young adult readers. Her novels include The Chosen One, Never that Far, Messenger and Never Said. Her most recent book is the novelization of the movie Once I Was a Beehive. Carol has an MFA from Vermont College in Writing for Children and Young Adults and teaches creative writing at BYU. She runs Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers, a week-long writing conference for the not-faint-of-heart writer (www.wifyr.com). As well she is a mentor for those who want to write for kids and teens. Her best creative effort, however, are her five daughters.

Reviews

[Desiree · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book and story is good. I just hated how passive aggressive the main character was. She was in situations with her bff and “boyfriend” that left me frustrated. But I understand she was going through some traumatic things. It has a good lesson in family and growing up, wouldn’t recommend it.

[Kricket · Rating 3 out of 5]

i remember reading & loving this book in high school, so i thought i'd take it for another spin befor a potential weeding. the cover is pretty dated, but the story was still well-written and easy to sink into.

some of the plot aspects bothered me this time around though. carolina is a pushover. once she asked mara to stop hitting on garret, she should have told him it was not ok with her if he helped mara study. and then there's garret. what, you just couldn't help yourself?! she was irresistible? even when he chose carolina in the end, she should have unchosen him, because he sucks.

still, i enjoyed the read enough that i want to read some of lynch's other newer work. as an aside, i loved "the chosen one."

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh. I loved this book and how it made my heart ache. The best part of the story, for me, was Carolina and her mother and how they stumble around but eventually figure out how to for back together again. I love how all of the characters make mistakes and find out ways to come to terms with the consequences and move forward. I do wish someone had punched Garrett, though, and that Carolina had left him behind. But in some ways, I love how you can fix the broken things and that he wasn't perfect. I just kind of wish he wasn't perfect in a different way.

[Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In middle school, this was a scandalous book that my best friend had read. If scandalous means a mother giving her late bloomer daughter a book that talks about getting your period. It's just a more current version of "are you there God? It's me, Margaret."
I love this book and have wanted to own it since I read it.

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really really good book... i couldnt put it down. I do think it could have ended a little better, and maybe addressed other things besides just her friend stealing her boyfriend and her being depressed but still really really good.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teenage love affair and flirts trying to take away your man. The story is almost good but it is like the author's pushing the family thing, really pushing, but it is not working. I think the story is better of with Carolina's love story or maybe it's just me.

Also, I hate the ending.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this book through a co-worker (the author is her mother so I got a copy for free!)

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

she should have dumped him in the end.