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Thirteen-year-old Lena and her younger sister Dion mourn the death of their mother as they hitchhike from Ohio to Kentucky while running away from their abusive father. Simultaneous.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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509 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Woodson
82 books9,111 followersI used to say I’d be a teacher or a lawyer or a hairdresser when I grew up but even as I said these things, I knew what made me happiest was writing.
I wrote on everything and everywhere. I remember my uncle catching me writing my name in graffiti on the side of a building. (It was not pretty for me when my mother found out.) I wrote on paper bags and my shoes and denim binders. I chalked stories across sidewalks and penciled tiny tales in notebook margins. I loved and still love watching words flower into sentences and sentences blossom into stories.
I also told a lot of stories as a child. Not “Once upon a time” stories but basically, outright lies. I loved lying and getting away with it! There was something about telling the lie-story and seeing your friends’ eyes grow wide with wonder. Of course I got in trouble for lying but I didn’t stop until fifth grade.
That year, I wrote a story and my teacher said “This is really good.” Before that I had written a poem about Martin Luther King that was, I guess, so good no one believed I wrote it. After lots of brouhaha, it was believed finally that I had indeed penned the poem which went on to win me a Scrabble game and local acclaim. So by the time the story rolled around and the words “This is really good” came out of the otherwise down-turned lips of my fifth grade teacher, I was well on my way to understanding that a lie on the page was a whole different animal — one that won you prizes and got surly teachers to smile. A lie on the page meant lots of independent time to create your stories and the freedom to sit hunched over the pages of your notebook without people thinking you were strange.
Lots and lots of books later, I am still surprised when I walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s binder. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk for long hours and nothing’s coming to me, I remember my fifth grade teacher, the way her eyes lit up when she said “This is really good.” The way, I — the skinny girl in the back of the classroom who was always getting into trouble for talking or missed homework assignments — sat up a little straighter, folded my hands on the desks, smiled and began to believe in me.
I wrote on everything and everywhere. I remember my uncle catching me writing my name in graffiti on the side of a building. (It was not pretty for me when my mother found out.) I wrote on paper bags and my shoes and denim binders. I chalked stories across sidewalks and penciled tiny tales in notebook margins. I loved and still love watching words flower into sentences and sentences blossom into stories.
I also told a lot of stories as a child. Not “Once upon a time” stories but basically, outright lies. I loved lying and getting away with it! There was something about telling the lie-story and seeing your friends’ eyes grow wide with wonder. Of course I got in trouble for lying but I didn’t stop until fifth grade.
That year, I wrote a story and my teacher said “This is really good.” Before that I had written a poem about Martin Luther King that was, I guess, so good no one believed I wrote it. After lots of brouhaha, it was believed finally that I had indeed penned the poem which went on to win me a Scrabble game and local acclaim. So by the time the story rolled around and the words “This is really good” came out of the otherwise down-turned lips of my fifth grade teacher, I was well on my way to understanding that a lie on the page was a whole different animal — one that won you prizes and got surly teachers to smile. A lie on the page meant lots of independent time to create your stories and the freedom to sit hunched over the pages of your notebook without people thinking you were strange.
Lots and lots of books later, I am still surprised when I walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s binder. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk for long hours and nothing’s coming to me, I remember my fifth grade teacher, the way her eyes lit up when she said “This is really good.” The way, I — the skinny girl in the back of the classroom who was always getting into trouble for talking or missed homework assignments — sat up a little straighter, folded my hands on the desks, smiled and began to believe in me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 8, 2017
I read this middle school book to determine if I felt it was a good choice for a very smart third grade girl. It's about some difficult issues but they are handled quite well and provide an opportunity for parents to discuss a difficult but important issue for youngsters -- abuse.
Lena and Dion are 13 and 9. Their mother died about five years ago. They were initially placed in foster care in separate homes but ran away and went home to their father. Dad, however, has taken to "touching" his daughters. Lena, the older sister, decides they have to run away. She prepares backpacks for them and they start on their journey to the small town in Kentucky where their mother was from. They cut their hair short and Lena wraps her chest with an ace bandage so they can tell the males who pick them up that they are boys. They tell a story about their mother being in the hospital having a baby and their father dying in and accident. They get picked up and dropped at hospitals where their mother supposedly is. We hear about kind people who (some believe the story, others know they are runaways) who help them by giving them money and food. But ultimately one of the kind folks doesn't get taken in and sets out to help them.
The story was written in 1999 - before cell phones made pay phones obsolete. While abuse is the core issue, the book also touches lightly upon racism, discrimination based on class, the welfare system, and the dangers of hitchhiking. (Does anyone hitch hike anymore?)
Lena and Dion are 13 and 9. Their mother died about five years ago. They were initially placed in foster care in separate homes but ran away and went home to their father. Dad, however, has taken to "touching" his daughters. Lena, the older sister, decides they have to run away. She prepares backpacks for them and they start on their journey to the small town in Kentucky where their mother was from. They cut their hair short and Lena wraps her chest with an ace bandage so they can tell the males who pick them up that they are boys. They tell a story about their mother being in the hospital having a baby and their father dying in and accident. They get picked up and dropped at hospitals where their mother supposedly is. We hear about kind people who (some believe the story, others know they are runaways) who help them by giving them money and food. But ultimately one of the kind folks doesn't get taken in and sets out to help them.
The story was written in 1999 - before cell phones made pay phones obsolete. While abuse is the core issue, the book also touches lightly upon racism, discrimination based on class, the welfare system, and the dangers of hitchhiking. (Does anyone hitch hike anymore?)
November 28, 2014
Shifting gears from two books recently read that lacked depth and were trite and emotionless, this stellar book by Woodson was an insightful story of two young girls who tragically were abused by their father after the death of their mother.
When Lena, the oldest child, learns that her younger sister is becoming the target of their father, she decides it is time to run away. Traveling on the road from Ohio to Kentucky, the young children are scared, hungry and weary.
While the ending seemed trite, still, I highly recommend the books of Jacqueline Woodson. She is a three-time Newbery Honor Award winning author and only a few young adult writers can write with as much poetry and poignancy as she does.
When Lena, the oldest child, learns that her younger sister is becoming the target of their father, she decides it is time to run away. Traveling on the road from Ohio to Kentucky, the young children are scared, hungry and weary.
While the ending seemed trite, still, I highly recommend the books of Jacqueline Woodson. She is a three-time Newbery Honor Award winning author and only a few young adult writers can write with as much poetry and poignancy as she does.
March 1, 2024
Get your tissues ready!
Though this book is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone.
Though this book is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone.
December 10, 2009
Genre/Category: Jacqueline Woodson
This book follows the story of Lena and her sister as they run away from their sexual abusive father to find their mother's family halfway across the country. As they travel, they meet all kinds of people, and begin realizing that those who loved them the most were the ones they left behind.
I enjoyed the plot of this novel. It was a quick read, although it did drag in a few places for me, and left me with a lot of hope. Woodson seems to look at the good in people in this novel, including the truck drivers, police officers, waitresses, etc. that helped the two young girls on their journey. Because of the ages of the two main characters, this novels seems like a middle grade novel but really reads like a YA novel. The issues involved and the coming-to-age storyline make it for suitable for teens. For teens who are especially going through a hard time or who are dealing with problems at home, this books may give them hope because they can relate to Lena and see the positive outcome of her journey.
This book follows the story of Lena and her sister as they run away from their sexual abusive father to find their mother's family halfway across the country. As they travel, they meet all kinds of people, and begin realizing that those who loved them the most were the ones they left behind.
I enjoyed the plot of this novel. It was a quick read, although it did drag in a few places for me, and left me with a lot of hope. Woodson seems to look at the good in people in this novel, including the truck drivers, police officers, waitresses, etc. that helped the two young girls on their journey. Because of the ages of the two main characters, this novels seems like a middle grade novel but really reads like a YA novel. The issues involved and the coming-to-age storyline make it for suitable for teens. For teens who are especially going through a hard time or who are dealing with problems at home, this books may give them hope because they can relate to Lena and see the positive outcome of her journey.
March 26, 2015
Multicultural books are about different places around the world or people with different cultures than the reader. It can be in any form from a graphic novel to realistic fiction. My multicultural book was called Lena by Jacqueline Woodson. It was about two sisters who have an abusive father who doesn’t really take care of them or worry about them. One day the two sisters leave their home and begin on a journey to find a better life. They were sad to leave their friends but knew it was the right thing to do. In this book, you will hear about their journey and where they end up living the rest of their lives. Lena was not very long and it definitely holds your attention.
I thought this book was very interesting to read because there were a lot of details and it made you feel for them. The author seemed to understand what it was like because she really described their thoughts and emotions. It was sad but very intriguing and thought provoking. While reading this book you should expect to learn a lot about what it’s like living on your own and having to be completely in charge at such a young age. I thought this book was very well written and interesting because it explains a different kind of life than my own. I will definitely read more multicultural books because I thought it was very interesting to learn about other people's lives or cultures. If you are interested in learning about other people's lives and thought provoking stories you would love the book Lena by by Jacqueline Woodson.
I thought this book was very interesting to read because there were a lot of details and it made you feel for them. The author seemed to understand what it was like because she really described their thoughts and emotions. It was sad but very intriguing and thought provoking. While reading this book you should expect to learn a lot about what it’s like living on your own and having to be completely in charge at such a young age. I thought this book was very well written and interesting because it explains a different kind of life than my own. I will definitely read more multicultural books because I thought it was very interesting to learn about other people's lives or cultures. If you are interested in learning about other people's lives and thought provoking stories you would love the book Lena by by Jacqueline Woodson.
December 11, 2013
Lena by Jacqueline Woodson
JACQUELINE WOODSON
After the death of their mother, 13-year old Lena runs away with her 8-year old sister Dion in an attempt to save Dion from the inappropriate touching she has suffered at the hands of her father. By disguising themselves as boys they hitchhike from Ohio to Kentucky, in the hopes of hooking up with their mother’s family—even though no family member came to their mother’s funeral or came to their aid the first time social services tried to separate them. Lena’s biggest regret in running away was leaving her best friend, Marie, who was a source of security and comfort. The sisters eventually get picked up by an older women who had taken in foster children earlier in her life and she is instrumental in setting them on the pathway home. After they run away, Marie tells her father about the sexual abuse and he is distraught enough at the thought of these two little girls out on the road, that he offers to take them in. I found the story to be somewhat unrealistic in a couple of ways. I can’t imagine two young girls having the know how to make it so far by themselves, and I found Dion, the 8-year old, to be a little bit too wise beyond her years. I suppose girls who are struggling in their families and feel as if there is nowhere to turn might find hope in this book, but I would hesitate to recommend it, because I wouldn’t advise the course of action they took.
JACQUELINE WOODSON
After the death of their mother, 13-year old Lena runs away with her 8-year old sister Dion in an attempt to save Dion from the inappropriate touching she has suffered at the hands of her father. By disguising themselves as boys they hitchhike from Ohio to Kentucky, in the hopes of hooking up with their mother’s family—even though no family member came to their mother’s funeral or came to their aid the first time social services tried to separate them. Lena’s biggest regret in running away was leaving her best friend, Marie, who was a source of security and comfort. The sisters eventually get picked up by an older women who had taken in foster children earlier in her life and she is instrumental in setting them on the pathway home. After they run away, Marie tells her father about the sexual abuse and he is distraught enough at the thought of these two little girls out on the road, that he offers to take them in. I found the story to be somewhat unrealistic in a couple of ways. I can’t imagine two young girls having the know how to make it so far by themselves, and I found Dion, the 8-year old, to be a little bit too wise beyond her years. I suppose girls who are struggling in their families and feel as if there is nowhere to turn might find hope in this book, but I would hesitate to recommend it, because I wouldn’t advise the course of action they took.
October 6, 2011
This story is about Lena, a 13-year-old who runs away from home with her little sister Dion after their mother's death. They are trying to escape their abusive father and want to make it to their mother's hometown, although they both know that none of her family members will be willing to take them in. The story is really more about them coming to the realization that they need people and that they want to belong somewhere than it is about their running away....most of the story takes place after they find a kind older woman who wants to take them in. It was really well-written and sad without being totally tragic. It really made me think about what I would possibly have done as a teenager in Len'a position--with no option but to run from my horrible life and no one to take care of me but strangers. I also felt that the characters were really great for a story this short, because sometimes with books this short, it can feel like a short story with a really flat cast of characters. Overall I liked it and I thought that it had a really sweet ending too.
February 13, 2011
13-year-old Lena takes her little sister Dion and runs away from their abusive father, hitchhiking in the wintertime from Ohio to Kentucky. Their goal is to reach their dead mother's hometown, hoping to find some of her family there that would take them in. As they travel, Lena uses all of her intelligence to protect herself and Dion as best she can. Compassionate strangers help them as well, from a truck driver who gives them money to a waitress who tells them that she understands exactly what's happened to them. When Miz Lily picks them up, she takes them home with her and although she sees straight through the lies Lena tells to protect them, Miz Lily lets the girls come to trust her on their own terms, and see that friends can become family. Courage, kindness, and compassion for others are key to this beautifully written tale that will leave you thinking about it long after you close the book. 7th grade and up.
June 14, 2010
My least favorite book so far. Lena is a simple story, and perhaps in my quest to finish thirty books in six weeks, I picked one of Woodson's less reputable books. Lena is about a young girl who takes her sister and trecks across the country to get away from an abusive father, but doesn't really make it all that far. The writing was fine, but not enchanting. The story was lackluster and intended for extremely juvenile concepts. The struggle of the protagonists was easily resolved and not relatable. Overall, it might be a good book for young readers who come from abusive homes, but I really didn't feel like Woodson confronted the issue of abuse, just side stepped around it, with a short and fruitless journey. Woodson writes dialects well, but ultimately that did not redeem the entire story for me.
March 11, 2011
This one is the companion book to I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This, which I finished yesterday. I wasn't quite as moved by this one, for whatever reason, although Lena's sister, Dion, was a super-fantastic character who I adored.
So, in this one, Lena and Dion are on the road. They're hitch hiking, pretending to be boys when they're picked up by a man, and walking away from a ride whenever their instincts say to, which is a lot of the time. They're cold, tired, hungry. They have only the vaguest thread of a destination, and when it comes right down to it, they're just little girls who desperately want to have a place to go home to, people to make that home for them.
This one, like I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This is a story of strength and hope and really, it's about good people, and how they're everywhere, though you wouldn't know it until you need them.
So, in this one, Lena and Dion are on the road. They're hitch hiking, pretending to be boys when they're picked up by a man, and walking away from a ride whenever their instincts say to, which is a lot of the time. They're cold, tired, hungry. They have only the vaguest thread of a destination, and when it comes right down to it, they're just little girls who desperately want to have a place to go home to, people to make that home for them.
This one, like I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This is a story of strength and hope and really, it's about good people, and how they're everywhere, though you wouldn't know it until you need them.
March 11, 2009
"I think I'd rather have my heart broke than do the breaking."
--Lena, P. 29
I absolutely adored this continuation of one of the greatest books I have ever read, "I Hadn't Meant to Tell You this". In her style that I treasure so much, Jacqueline Woodson lays out yet another masterpiece, continuing the story from the original, and totally convincing me that it was the right thing to revisit these people and further their story. It grabbed me and never let go, and it still has hold of me. Superb. Excellent. Magnificent.
"It seemed like someone was always leaving someone, like that's the way the world worked-people were born and people died, people left and people came. It was like the world was saying you can't have everything you want at the same time." --Lena, P. 114
--Lena, P. 29
I absolutely adored this continuation of one of the greatest books I have ever read, "I Hadn't Meant to Tell You this". In her style that I treasure so much, Jacqueline Woodson lays out yet another masterpiece, continuing the story from the original, and totally convincing me that it was the right thing to revisit these people and further their story. It grabbed me and never let go, and it still has hold of me. Superb. Excellent. Magnificent.
"It seemed like someone was always leaving someone, like that's the way the world worked-people were born and people died, people left and people came. It was like the world was saying you can't have everything you want at the same time." --Lena, P. 114
June 23, 2010
In this book you learned to appreciate having a home, hot food and being taking care by your parents. The main characters Lena and Deon are very young and runaway from their abusive father after their mother passed away. They were living on the road, traveling with strangers to reach to Kentucky, hoping to find their mom's family. They struggled on the road until they found Mrs. Lilly who took them to her house, cooked and washed their clothes. Lena understood they could not go back in the road, soon ACS will get them or something but could happened to them even though they dresses as boys. In Kentucky they never found a family member but Mrs. Lilly helped them until their only friend's father came to picked them up and took care of them.
December 12, 2013
Jacqueline Woodson
Lena and her sister have to get away from their father. After the death of their mother, Lena's father has started touching Lena and her sister, leaving them no choice but to leave. Together, these sisters dress like boys, cut their hair short, and travel to a probably make-believe place where their mother had been raise. Along the way they become strong and overcome the emotional damage inflicted on them by a thoughtless father. They then find a real home with people who love them and protect them.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It deals with a very touchy subject delicately and I think it would definitely be beneficial for any child who grew up in a challenging or abusive home.
Lena and her sister have to get away from their father. After the death of their mother, Lena's father has started touching Lena and her sister, leaving them no choice but to leave. Together, these sisters dress like boys, cut their hair short, and travel to a probably make-believe place where their mother had been raise. Along the way they become strong and overcome the emotional damage inflicted on them by a thoughtless father. They then find a real home with people who love them and protect them.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It deals with a very touchy subject delicately and I think it would definitely be beneficial for any child who grew up in a challenging or abusive home.
April 22, 2009
This book is about two girls,Lena and her little sister Dion,that decide to runaway from home trying to escape their abusive father.They disguise as boys when they hitch-hike with guys to be safer but when they hitch-hike with women they let themselves be girls again.They dont know who to trust on the road or what they will come across with but they know thateach ride may be their last.They are in search of their mother's relatives but they realize that those are not the right people to be looking for.What will happen to Lena and Dion during their time on the road?Will they be able to get through all this and find a real place they can call home?This book is from Ms.Stoddards class.
November 12, 2009
I liked this book because it talked about the journey Lena and Dion had looking for a home.I liked the way the author wrote the biik because in sead of just writing the book she made it seem more like Lena was the one telling the story with all her thoughts and emotions. I wonder why and how did Marie's dad change his mind about Lena and her sister so fast to want themas his daughters. The way that the conflict is resolved is that Lena called Marie on the phone and Marie asked her where they were and tha people were looking all over the place for them. In the end Maries dad ended up adopting them and they really didn't know anything about there dad, only that he left.
April 20, 2011
I was glad to read this follow up to "I Hadn't Meant To Tell You This", since I was interested in what happened to Lena and Dion. I was disappointed in the easy wrap up that the story gave, if only life always worked that way, and in modern times I don't feel it should be portrayed as safe for two children to hitchhike. Knowing that this was written for children made me feel like it could easily mislead kids into thinking things are as simple as the book portrays them to be. I did like the story. I thought Lena was very brave, and I was glad they got away from their father but I just didn't feel that the ending was believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2012
JACQUELINE WOODSON
Lena and her sister run away from their abusive father. While on the road, they struggle to discover where they belong since they no longer have family beside each other. They meet friends along the way--nice strangers that help them out. Eventually, they get adopted by Lena's friend's family. This book is a short and easy read. I would recommend it to middle schoolers. Woodson loves looking at hard issues, even though the abuse is mentioned but not detailed. It is good for kids to be able to experience the harder things in life vicariously through a book so they can have more empathy.
Lena and her sister run away from their abusive father. While on the road, they struggle to discover where they belong since they no longer have family beside each other. They meet friends along the way--nice strangers that help them out. Eventually, they get adopted by Lena's friend's family. This book is a short and easy read. I would recommend it to middle schoolers. Woodson loves looking at hard issues, even though the abuse is mentioned but not detailed. It is good for kids to be able to experience the harder things in life vicariously through a book so they can have more empathy.
January 14, 2013
Lena by Jacqueline Woodson (1999)
When things get too bad at home, twelve year old Lena and her eight year old sister, Dion, runaway. Dressed as boys to make it easier for them on the road, they travel from Ohio to Kentucky looking for a safe place to call “home”.
Just like the book "I hadn't meant to tell you this", I couldn't put this book down. Lena has an incredible amount of strength and I never imagine going through what these two girls do to protect themselves. They are smart and as they set foot on their own, they always remember to take care of one another and to never look back.
Easy Read
When things get too bad at home, twelve year old Lena and her eight year old sister, Dion, runaway. Dressed as boys to make it easier for them on the road, they travel from Ohio to Kentucky looking for a safe place to call “home”.
Just like the book "I hadn't meant to tell you this", I couldn't put this book down. Lena has an incredible amount of strength and I never imagine going through what these two girls do to protect themselves. They are smart and as they set foot on their own, they always remember to take care of one another and to never look back.
Easy Read
May 13, 2016
This was an amazing book. This book is about two sisters with a really nice relationship. They went through a really sad moment in time when their mother died and that has really affected them. Their dad is acting really weird and lazy and they just don't feel like he is how he used to be, because of that they run away from home. I think this book is really good because it is not the typical girly book where there is a girl that has all this drama in her life but instead she is a girl that pretends to be a boy and runs away from home. I recommend this book to people who like to read a really good story once in a while because this is a really good story.
June 14, 2010
This was a delightful read! It is definitely for a younger audience, but it is poignant and moving. This book tells the story of two girls who decide to leave their abusive father in search of their mother's birth-town. The protagonist, nine-year-old Lena, decides to leave and takes her younger four-year-old sister Dion with her. Together, the two girls hitchhike across the state and end up with an elderly black woman, Miss Lily Price. This is a story that explores the themes of race, family, friendship, courage, and belonging. The protagonists are lovable and make the story quite beautiful!
April 7, 2012
JACQUELINE WOODSON
Lena runs away from her abusive father with her younger sister. This book chronicles her experience hitchhiking and finding their way away from their father. Along the way she meets a kind women, who takes them in and helps them find a home.
This book was also really powerful, despite it's short length. I loved the relationship between Lena and her sister and I loved the happy ending. I thought there were a lot of loose ends with the book--like what happened to their father??-- but overall the book was pretty good and I would recommend it.
Lena runs away from her abusive father with her younger sister. This book chronicles her experience hitchhiking and finding their way away from their father. Along the way she meets a kind women, who takes them in and helps them find a home.
This book was also really powerful, despite it's short length. I loved the relationship between Lena and her sister and I loved the happy ending. I thought there were a lot of loose ends with the book--like what happened to their father??-- but overall the book was pretty good and I would recommend it.
October 24, 2007
This book is very good. It is aboout two girls that are being abused by there dad every since there mom has died. Than one night they run away,and wish to never go back. So then they try to find there way to virgina in a search for a family. So they use customes to hind the real girl deep inside. Than they dress like boys and hicth hike there way to virgina. So if you like exicting books that will leave you with your mouth dropped all the way to the ground than you should read Lena!!
September 3, 2009
This is the sequel to I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This. As usual with Woodson, it took a little bit for me to get into the plot, but once I was hooked, I had to keep reading.
I have to say, I don't like Lena's character very much. I appreciate Woodson's attempt to give her a lot of depth, but her dialogue often reads like Woodson is talking, not Lena. Obviously, Woodson wrote it, but I think good authors can give the characters their own voice. Lena does not sound genuine.
I have to say, I don't like Lena's character very much. I appreciate Woodson's attempt to give her a lot of depth, but her dialogue often reads like Woodson is talking, not Lena. Obviously, Woodson wrote it, but I think good authors can give the characters their own voice. Lena does not sound genuine.
May 25, 2010
This book was about two girls that are sisters, but are trying two who are trying two get away from there abusive father since there mother died. What i liked about this book is that lena is just trying to proytect her sister because to protect her sister from her father.What i hated was that they didn't have y place to live and they total needed a new place to live. I recommend this book it's very interesting.
February 27, 2014
Continuing my tour through Jacqueline Woodson novels. Lena is a sequel to I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This. The two sisters have decide to runaway from home after the death of their mother and abuse by their father. We pick them up on the road trying to survive all the changes that the road can offer. They benefit from some good supportive adults as they try to find a safe place to live. Another title from the Speak collection. Well written as young characters try to make sense of their lives.
July 22, 2014
Lena follows thirteen-year-old Lena and her sister Dion as they hitchhike trying to find their way to their mother's people, or somewhere they could belong. The story is told through Lena, so the language is often incorrect to correctly express Lena's thought. The main characters Lena and Dion are dynamic and round as they express inward though and have a dark past scarred by the death of their mother and abuse of their father. Lena is a short, realistic and intriguing read.
April 22, 2009
this book is a contiue of what i meant to tell you is book is sad because lena and her little sister ran away because there father was sexually abuseing lena and he was about to do lena little sister until the both of them start to hiking until they a few friendly people i am not going to tell you what happen next because i think you should read this book b/c it wonder
January 25, 2010
This is a nice little story about these abuses girls: Lena and her sister Devon(I think?). They have run away from their abusive father and are just traveling around. I don't remember much about it, other than I think I liked the prequel to this book better. More over, I remember the ending being a little strange. But other than that, pretty okay.
November 23, 2014
Lena is the kind of character that just breaks my heart and makes me angry at the world because it has been terrible to her. But then Woodson comes along and patches the breaks in my heart and helps remind me that while the world can be a horrible place, it can also be a place full of kindness and hope.
December 8, 2015
In this sequel to Woodson's I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This, thirteen year old Lena and her younger sister Dion run away from their abusive father, searching for a place to call home. I fell in love with these two girls and their hero, Miz Lily. Their happy ending is just right: unexpected but completely believable. Highly recommended.
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