A House for Jonnie O.

by Blossom Elfman

A sixteen-year-old unwed mother views her future differently following the birth of her daughter

Genres: Young Adult

175 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1976

About the author

Clare "Blossom" Elfman was an American novelist and senior literary editor of Buzzine. She was the mother of director and publisher Richard Elfman and musician and composer Danny Elfman, Her novel The Girls of Huntington House was produced as a film and received an Emmy as a television movie.

Reviews

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jonnie O. is 16 and pregnant. She is attending a school for unwed mothers which she feels is a waste of time. Her father left home some years before, and Jonnie blames her mother for it which causes a great deal of strain. Bill, the father of her baby returns, but wants her to give up the baby which she doesn't want to do. Jonnie and 8 of the other girls from the school decide to find a house, which they eventually do only to have everyone but Jonnie leave the area. Jonnie goes through a series of disappointments, including realizing the kind of person her father really is, and begins to grow up. Abel - her step-father-to be helps her in the beginning and Jonnie ends up sending Bill away and establishing a new relationship with her mother.

This is a different approach to teen pregnancy. It's fairly realistic of the attitudes and problems of girls in that situation. It's fairly easy to read and to identify with Jonnie, and it helps to show both the good and bad sides of the situation.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as Elfman's "The Girls of Huntington House," but maybe I thought that one was better because I liked the made-for-TV movie.