Alone at Ninety Foot

by Katherine Holubitsky

Fourteen-year-old Pamela Collins is struggling to come to terms with her mother's death. Somewhat shy, Pamela is thoughtful, full of passion, often funny, and sometimes tearful as she learns to cope with the emotional overload the tragedy has brought to her life. Her favourite things include walking alone in Lynn Canyon Park, the art of Emily Carr, and a certain boy with a "wicked grin." At the moment she dislikes her English teacher, shopping, and being singled out for special treatment because of her motherís death. Pamela is tall and slim and mostly uncomfortable with her rapidly changing body. She is unsure of herself and unsure of the loyalty of her friends.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Grief, Canada, Middle Grade

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 1999

About the author

Katherine Holubitsky's first novel, Alone at Ninety Foot, (Orca), won the CLA Book of the Year for Young Adults and the IODE Violet Downey Book Award. She has also written Last Summer in Agatha, The Hippie House and The Mountain that Walked, all published by Orca. Katherine lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/katherin...

Reviews

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I love this book so much. I have read it like 5 times. There is nothing special about it at all, but I love it regardless.

[Emelie Talledo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that leaves you with a thousand thoughts - in the very best way. Authentic, raw and inspiring.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book belongs to the fiction genre, and mainly it focuses on a tough time period of a girl the protagonist named Pamela Marry Collins. Similar to many other teenagers she was just a student in high school; she had friends and a family. But unfortunately one thing that turned her life upside down is that, her mom was severely depressed and suicides when she could not handle it any longer. This was also the beginning of how people surround Pamela treat her differently, some in a positive manner but there are also negative ones too. The people that treated her with care as if she was an egg laying the edge of a table are her dad, teachers and her best friend; however some criticized her for having a not very thoughtful mother.
Perhaps the major conflict of the book is that Pam was always fighting with herself because how she always have to put up with a fake emotion that everything is already fine, and she sometimes casually talks about her mother's death as if it’s plain air. However, in reality she suffered a lot and she was always deciding if she should forgive her mother for abandoning her , although she know how much her mother love her. Some other conflicts are of Pam and between her friends because of their behavior towards her, also a small conflict with the love triangle that she was involved in. So would Pam problem work out for her, would she be able to move on to and keep marching towards the life ahead of her? Find out by reading this interesting book. Next the central message that the author wanted to send out is that, complications is a part of life but move on is always the solution. Therefore in the book although losing someone that she cared deeply about , Pam would always have to choose the choice of moving on because she could never bring back her mom doesn't matter how much she scorned and angry at her mother.
Some of the pre- read factors for this book are that, the author chose to write in first person narrative which made her to become friendlier with the readers. For instance "I got pretty good at beading. I do fairly intricate pattern now." In addition the readers could also easily notice that the author was writing the book in a diary format. Some the thing that she often repeated throughout the book is "I know what you are thinking and ..., let me tell you about it ". One of the main symbols from this book is that the canyon, a place where Pam always goes to, it represents the specials memories that she had for her mother, or simply it is love. Lastly I think this book is quite interesting, however I would like it to be a little bit more challenging. Therefore I would not recommend this book for those who love to read something challenging, but it'll be something really fun to read since it's very easy and slightly funny sometimes.

[Cavell Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story takes place in Vancouver, B.C. The protagonist Pamela Collins is struggling to accept the death of her mother. After her sister’s death, Pamela’s mother commits suicide through jumping off the suspension bridge at Ninety Foot. Pam is trying to overcome the mental and emotional burden the tragedy has brought to her life, however, everything seemed to turn upside down for her. Seeking ways to fit in, Pam, a quiet and lonely girl fails to find friends, and not only that, she always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time like being accused for stealing a sweater at the store. Thinking that she will never be able to recover from the emotional trauma, Pam encounters Matt Leighton. The title of the novel suggests the place that Pam shared memories with her mother, the place where her mother commits suicide, and the place she stood alone, struggling with her complicated emotions.

I believe that this was a worthy read because I liked the realness behind the novel. My favourite part would be the end where she has learned how cope with her mom’s death and forgiving her mother for abandoning her. The theme is also well explained in the quote, “Things will always get better.” (Page 178) To forgive others means to move on in life. I would say that the part I dislike the most is how stepping into Pam’s shoes made me feel how she felt. Losing her mother, her sister, having no one to express her feelings to, and having to accept a possible new mother, I felt extremely helpless and also sympathy for her experience.

[Mariah Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story really touched my heart and this story can also inspire other teenagers this generation and for the next. I can really relate to the main character! there are so many similarities between Pamela Collins and I. This book is truly a masterpiece.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in British Columbia and with references to Emily Carr, a local artist/writer, this YA novel features a teen who is struggling with some difficult times: deaths in the family, fitting in, father's possible re-marriage.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this multiple times in the 4th grade. So much so that my teacher let me have it. Though short it's powerful and I think a lot of young people can find something to relate to within its 179 pages.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a possible class novel purchase and really enjoyed it. While it explores some sensitive issues (assault, teenage drinking, suicide), it does so without preaching. Conflicts may resolve a bit too tidily, but it is still enjoyable.

[Icka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would really have to re-read this one to give it a review, but i remember liking it; it's one of those books i've never forgotten. I remember that she liked to keep baby jars of sand.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant story of 14 year old Pamela. Mom committeed suicide and she must come to terms with it. Teenagers.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think what impressed me the most about this book was it's believability. The narrator's voice seemed incredibly genuine.

[Aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A free kindle book, it was good but an average book. Nothing overly exciting happened, but the writing was good and the plot line was interesting enough to keep me reading.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prose in this book is very good and honest without being melodramatic. I would definitely recommend it.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easily forgettable but mildly entertaining.

[Jitfeng Yap · Rating 5 out of 5]

it will be very interesting

[Trinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book ALONE AT NINETY FOOT was written by Katherine Holubitsky. The main character of the story is fourteen-year-old Pam. The main setting on this story takes place at a local beauty spot called Ninety Foot Pool. My friend recommended this book to me and I’m happy I read it because it is a great story.
The story takes place a year after Pam’s mother committed suicide by jumping off of a bridge just downstream from where Pam spends most of her time at Ninety Foot Pool. Pam feels that her friends thinks she’s weird or that she has problems with her because she likes to spend time alone at this spot. Her father is struggling with the loss too and is trying to date but it never seems to work. Pam’s only happy place since her mother’s death is at Ninety Foot Pool where she can be alone.
I really liked how the book ended. It was a feel good moment and a happy one too. My favorite quote in the book is “If you listen and watch closely, life is happening all around you... silently raging on.” I like this quote because sometimes in life we need to just be alone to be ourselves and to come at peace with ourselves and realize that other things are happening in life and that the world doesn’t resolve around you.
I really liked the book because of the plot. Pam’s tragedy is one that few young people, thankfully, have to deal with, but everyone is affected by painful changes in family relationships brought on by growing up and maturing into an adult. Similar books would be books about tragedy’s and becoming happy with oneself. I suggest this book to anyone who is in for a great and powerful story.

[Karsyn H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the novel ALONE AT 90 FOOT BY KATHERINE HOLUBITSKY. This is the story of a 14 year old Canadian girl named Pamela whose mother committed suicide several years earlier. The title refers to the canyon where her mother took her own life. Pamela struggles with complicated emotions. As Pamela copes with her recent changes she can’t help but feel alone. She meets new love and experiences a lot of changes in her life in a very short period of time and this book is the story of how she is able to cope and handle all of it. This book is funny, romantic, sad, and so much more with a very good meaning. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that they will not want to put down. I found out about this book from a friend and I am so glad that I did. This book is a great read and I HIGHLY recommend it.