Pojkar förbjudna

by Marilyn Levinson, Nina Lunabba (Translator)

When her dad moves away to marry another woman, Cassie Landauer decides that there will be no boys allowed in her house --- or her life. Not even her best friend, Bobby! But then her mom invites Great Uncle Harry to stay with them for a few months. That's the last straw.Great Uncle Harry takes over Cassie's bedroom, treats her like a little kid, and is always around the house. Cassie is sick and tired of it! But how can she boycott boys when one of them is living in her home? All boys can't be that bad . . . can they?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[A.E. Curzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleven year old Cassie finds herself loathing all men following her father’s departure from home. He has left her mother for a younger woman and has moved to another state. In Cassie’s young mind he has abandoned them all without further thought. She is both hurt and angry. Her first response is to clear out anything he has left behind. This she does with the exception of one item, a stamp album her father was given as a boy. Her second is to try and ban all boys and men from the house.

After suffering such an enormous loss and then being left in a state of bewilderment as her mother starts to see other men, Cassie finds herself experiencing all sorts of emotions – few of which she understands. But all of which have impacted on her progress at school and her fledgling social life. Her cosy world, torn apart by her parent’s separation, has become unfamiliar to her. She needs to apportion the blame, and who better for the role than her father. Nothing is right in Cassie’s world anymore – and she firmly believes it is entirely his fault. To add to her distress, and intrude upon her new policy of ‘No Boys Allowed’, her Great Uncle Harry, recovering from a heart attack, moves in with them, taking over her bedroom and forcing her to share with her sister, thus depriving her of her highly treasured privacy.

It goes without saying, knowing of Marilyn Levinson’s reputation as a writer, that the book is well-written, but it is worth noting how truly well she portrays the judgement of an eleven year old child. There are lots of different ways of dealing with and sharing uncertainties, and the introduction of Great Uncle Harry, who quietly puts everything into perspective, presents Cassie with all the right opportunities. She is able to move away from her anger and frustration to a place where life becomes more bearable and enjoyable. Cassie is not the only one coping with the effects of her father’s parting, and each character is shown to be dealing with their feelings in their own individual way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story – it is a good story with a worthy true-to-life plot. It is sympathetic, poignant and convincing. The writing flows beautifully and I personally felt compelled to keep reading on regardless of other commitments. The subject of divorce and children is treated in a subtle and sensitive way here and will no doubt strike a chord with young readers in the same, not uncommon, situation. Perhaps they will be able to draw something beneficial from Cassie’s feelings and experiences. All-in-all, an excellent read!

[Gabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cassie is mad at all men ever since her father left her and her family for the young and attractive Corasue. She lashes out at all men, and is less than thrilled when her uncle Harry comes over after recovering for a heart attack. Can she ever get over her parent's divorce?

All right, did anybody else find Cassie incredibly rude to Bobby? I felt so bad for him. He tries to talk some sense into her, she yells at him for simply being a guy. I found it rather annoying, actually. Also, I really wasn't interested in this story. I tried, but it wasn't that interesting until the end. It's not that it wasn't a terrible story. I just wasn't engaged.

Now that I've gotten the negatives out of the way, this was a realistic story. Cassie and Corinne were both struggling with their dad leaving them, and it was very believable. Uncle Harry was awesome. I loved him so much, he was like the grandpa everyone wishes they had. And in the end, I started to enjoy this story.

This is a great read for anyone who has gone through a divorce in their family.

[Facephase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give a flying rat's arse that this book is for "tweens". I read this as an adult (i raided my cousin's bookshelf) and i was not disappointed. Story is about a young girl who has trust issues with the men or "boys" in her life after her parents got a divorce and decided to avoid all males in her life. This book would be a good read for young tweens whose parents are divorced.

[SANDYE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

A great story about unexpected changes, painful endings, New beginnins, and learning how to navigate through life as a growing pre-teen. Well written, wonderful characters, and a plot that held my interest from beginning to end!

[Magaly · Rating 3 out of 5]

i mean.... meh

[Desmarie Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book and I definitely recommend it.

[penelopewanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the resentment and bitterness that can arise in children after a divorce. This being said, the stubbornness of the main character and her frequent rages are rather wearying in the long run. I signed up for this ring with the thought of perhaps using this book with a class, but on the one had it feels a bit too young for most of my students, and on the other I think the title says it all - boys would probably not appreciate this book at all. Glad to have given it a go, anyway.
Looks like the ray has ended with me, I'm posting it on the forum again.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie's parents get divorced and she has to learn how to deal, easy, no boys allowed! She thinks that will solve all her problems only she learns that's not so easy when your cat and best friend are both boys. Then, her uncle becomes ill and moves into Cassie's home, and they hit it off. Will Cassie find peace and understanding when it comes to her dad?

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can't help but want to snap at Cassie at times for being so rude to her friend Bobby- but as you read this story, her anger, pain and resolutions creep up on you and you can't help but read on hoping she finally lets go.
It's a good read, probably if you want to wind down and know that some people do get frustrated too.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a theme which I’m sure will be appreciated by many adults and young people as well. Some teenagers can be very tenacious about opinions formed. Although I identified with Cass, I found Bobby a much more likeable character.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talks about a girl whose father divorced with her mother and left her and so she hates guys.But later, her uncle comes and lives with them.She then realizes that she can't hate all guys.

[NVTony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teenagagers in like situation should find interesting. Not what I was expecting. Author does a good job with subject.

[Natalie Tulone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in fourth grade and did a book report on it. Back then it was hard to read but was a good book. It was a good story with good writing. I loved it! :)

[Ayesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

For when I was younger....