Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me

by Julie Johnston

Abandoned as a child and a bitter veteran of too many foster homes, Sara expects the worst when she is sent to the Huddleston farm but somehow she discovers that it is not easy to escape from people you love.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Canada, Realistic Fiction, Fostering

180 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Julie Johnston grew up in a small town in eastern Ontario, then went to the University of Toronto to study physio and occupational therapy. After university she and her husband, whom she met while in Toronto, worked for over a year at the Ontario Hospital School for physically and mentally handicapped children in Smith Falls, then travelled for four months in Europe, moved to Kingston, then Toronto and, finally, settled in Peterborough where she raised four daughters. Over the years, she published many short stories in several magazines, but not until an encouraging interview with a writer-in-residence at Trent University, did she begin work on a novel. Hero of Lesser Causes was completed (the first time) in 1986. After many re-writes and several publishing delays, it was published to great acclaim in 1992, winning the Governor General's Literary Award / Children's Literature (for English text) that year. Julie Johnston's second novel, Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me, was also honoured with the Governor General's Literary Award, making her the first author to win the award for both her first and second books.

Awards

1992 Governor General's Literary Award / Children's Literature (for best English text) for Hero of Lesser Causes.

1993 National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award for Hero of Lesser Causes.

1994 Governor General's Literary Award / Children's Literature (for best English text) for Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me.

1995 Ruth Schwartz Children's Book Award (Young Adult/Middle Reader Category) for Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me.

1995 Young Adult Canadian Book Award (Canadian Library Association) for Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me.

Reviews

[Marta Kule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise, unbelievably funny, moving and innocent teen fiction. If your teenage daughter is getting excited about the Twilight saga, give her this to read first. Sara, the main character, is sarcastic enough to keep any teenager's attention, and what she has to say is even better than the way she says it. And the romantic plot is utterly cute - some hand-holding that makes you feel warm at heart.

[Jordin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to give this book five stars because it deserves it, but I just want to CLEARLY state that I did not feel that this book was "it was amazing". All I know is that I thought this was going to be an easy read, but it ended up being the exact opposite. In one chapter I'm reading about the life of this foster child with NO EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT and the next chapter- BOOM!!! I'm side-swiped out of No Where with a sudden case of "Tears". You have GOT to be kidding me. I honestly can't believe that the author had that kind of sick joke up her sleeve.

I guess, sure, I would consider this book the sort of thing that changes you after you're finished reading it. I actually might have to read it again in a few years just to make sure I got it right the first time.

I just don't understand the big question. WHY? Why did those things have to happen? Why did I just sit there and keep reading? Why did that crazy story affect me this way?

[Lara Vehar · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020: It doesn't matter how many times I read this book, I just never seem to get tired of it- I enjoy it every time I read it. It's a nice little short read. the characters are nice, the story is interesting and the ending just hits your right in the guts.





2016: Well I read this when I was younger - but than I went to a library about two weeks ago and I saw it and I decided to read it again.

This is one of my favourite books, I love the story so much, the only part I didn't really like was the conflict between Sara and her mom -

The story was great and I really loved how I could see everything that was happening in my head, I could picture every single character and every single detail of what was going on.

[Courtney Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book. It was tastefully written and I couldnt predict what was about to happen at the end. I could really picture how the house looked, how the people looked and how the story was playing out. The only thing I didnt like was how long the chapters were in comparision to the book.

[Margit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I was into the voice of Sarah from the first page and really felt for her when she struggled. I like how Johnston shows her character through the eyes of others. I also loved the small town and its supporting characters. Beautiful.

[Vanathi Santhuru · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a Canadian girl who goes from one foster home to another (multiple homes). Since I've never met anyone from a foster home, this was an interesting and new experience. I learned about the foster system in Canada from this book.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

had to read this one for school in junior high

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Johnston book about a girl in foster care.

[Lauralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! A good story for young adults about a very difficult subject.

[Michi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had originally read this book for a book report, but I will say that I really enjoyed it. I had re-read it quite a few times. 4/5

[Robin]

Liked it...it reminded me of the book Pinballs that I read in school

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift from an evil teacher in grade 6 named Mrs Truelove who publicly teased me for my poor math skills and humiliated me during public speaking as I was a shy child from a very broken home and when I had to change school boards due to the relentless psychological attacks by this teacher that clearly influenced others to psychologically attack me she offered me this book as a consolation and now I know that I never should have read it for the premise of the story and its characters stuck with me and for being such a young age and wanting to believe she was wishing me well and truly liked me I read it faithfully almost obediently while as an adult if I were my child I would not after all that allowed my child to read it knowing full well the potential harmful intentions and yes sure it added to my breadth of character to read such a deep story after having already been in such deep trenches myself I wouldn’t recommend this reading to a young preteen already traumatized. To Mrs Truelove I hope that you became more peaceful as the years carried on.

[Kandice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt like it went nowhere. The only thing I liked about it was the main characters cynicism. It seemed realistic after losing both parents in a fire. The dialogue was a bit ridiculous.
“Whatever snaps yer gum.”
“Them foreign schools he went to wasn’t a particle O’ use to him a’ tall. He’ll have to Parlee voo with a pick and shovel.”
“S’posed t’rain”
“Cark- cark- cark okay.”
“Spect she got muddled up.”

The language was not believable as Canadian dialogue, especially Ontario.
So with the confusing speech, flat storyline, and no climax I’ll be donating this one.

[Shannon Rohrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nostalgic read for me. Discovered it when I was thirteen, read it I don't know how many times--and I still love it, even after all these years.

That's it. It's simply a good book, one that makes me feel a certain way and encourages the reader to examine their thoughts, feelings, and themselves as a whole.

[Nicole]

DNF July 2020 20%
I was interested in the story, but really didn’t get on with the writing. Also, reading this right after White Oleander (which I loved!) might not have been the best timing.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and insightful, Johnston enters a hard world and comes back with hope. The main character's voice is both painful and edearing.

There is some questionable language etc. so I would recommend this for a mid-teenager, not middle grade.

[Tanya Packer #noAI · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart wrenching
Plot was hard to follow at times, but I loved how vivid and real her characters were. I wanted to reach through and hug them.

[Beth Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah, I love this book so much! I have read it many times, and it still make me laugh and cry and get goosebumps each time I read it. It is probably one of the most powerful character development stories I have ever had the privilege of reading.
It is also one of the best, uplifting and positive (without being unrealistic or sappy) books about kids in the Canadian foster care system that I have read.
Plus, I love that it is set in my part of Ontario, and I can practically see, hear, and smell the farms and the gravel roads and the fields that are described. Beautifully written!

[Imogen Macalister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in the old wangapeka school and couldn’t put it down so had to take with me SORRRY!!!! I love strong head fast characters that prove children have just as much shit going on as “adults in the real world”. I’m writing this review well after reading the book but remember really enjoying the start but being a bit put off by the cheesy character development and not a particularly satisfying ending from memory

[Amy Mathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://amysmarathonofbooks.ca/adam-an...

[ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

To see my review of this book, please visit my blog.
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