Just Morgan

by Susan Beth Pfeffer

When a ninth-grade girl becomes an orphan, she agrees to spend the summer in Manhattan with her new guardian, an uncle--and famous writer--she has never seen.

Genres: Young Adult, 20th Century, Fiction

199 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Susan Beth Pfeffer was an American author best known for young adult and science fiction. After writing for 35 years, she received wider notice for her series of post-apocalyptic novels, officially titled "The Life as We Knew It Series", but often called "The Last Survivors" or "Moon Crash" series, some of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was twelve/thirteen. Morgan is the rather neglected child of wealthy parents, who have parked her a posh boarding school while they travel the world. When they die suddenly, she is sent to live with her eccentric uncle. She makes new, bohemian friends, wanders the streets of New York, and she and her uncle come to understand one another and forge a new family. A real treat, it's a pity it's not still in print!

[CLM · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this author but must admit I found this book to be wooden, dull, and only occasionally convincing. There was none of the warmth or intensity usually found in her books. The book itself fell apart near the end, so it may end up being on the second book ever I have tossed in the trash.

[Kristel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember finding this book at a library book sale with my grandmother when I was about 12 years old. I loved it, it was one of my most favorite books. I would read it over and over again. At the time I really related to it. When I came back to visit once while I was in college I found out that my mother had gotten rid of most of my books, including Just Morgan. I was devastated. This really is an interesting story.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved JUST MORGAN as a tween or teen. Though now somewhat dated, if read as an accurate portrayal of historical fiction, I think readers will find interesting the progress women and girls have made since the book was written.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those boarding school stories where the kid barely knows her parents. Morgan is fourteen when her parents die somehow in Europe and she goes to spend the summer with her famous uncle in New York.

Tom has an ever-present assistant, Maude, and a college-aged son, Josh, who round out the family. Though the book was published in 1970, it takes place in 1963, as the assassination of Medgar Evers and the upcoming March on Washington get a mention. The other main character is Ronnie, whose parents are civil rights lawyers moving to Mississippi and so are sending their daughter to Morgan's boarding school in the fall.

Tom has to learn how to parent a teenage girl, and Morgan has to explore the city, figure out how to function in a family, have a boyfriend (I *love* that no one in this book is particularly good-looking except the actress), and figure out what to do when her roommate-friend from boarding school doesn't like her new friend Ronnie, as this will have deep ramifications for their futures at school.

Really enjoyed it, though I am very aware that it's another privileged boarding school/NYC story where they have a cleaning lady, eat all their meals from restaurants, and buy whatever they want. Not particularly relatable in that sense, but quite relatable in every other.

And too bad the cover doesn't match the character.

[Traceylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why

It was an OK book.A girl goes and lives with her uncle. He is a famous author she gets into reading his books. Then she also starts dating.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Morgan by Susan Beth Pfeffer -- I inherited an eclectic collection of paperbacks from my mother that I read one summer. This one didn't hold up well from the 70s, but I love her boots! Good luck! Happy Reading!

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favorite from Junior High.