Under the Watsons' Porch

by Susan Richards Shreve

Twelve-year-old Ellie Tremont is bored, and she wishes something, anything, would happen to make her feel alive. So when 14-year-old Tommy Bowers moves in next door, Ellie knows her summer is about to get a lot more interesting. When Tommy suggests they start a camp for the kids on their street under their elderly neighbors’, the Watsons, porch, Ellie quickly agrees. And when Tommy gives her a diamond necklace that he says he bought, she’s suspicious, though smitten. But by the time her parents don’t want her spending time with him, she’s already given him her heart.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Coming Of Age, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Contemporary, Romance

199 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2004

About the author

Also know as Susan Shreve. Received the following awards: Jenny Moore Award, George Washington University, 1978; Notable Book citation, American Library Association (ALA), 1979, for Family Secrets: Five Very Important Stories; Best Book for Young Adults citation, ALA, 1980, for The Masquerade; Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, National Council for Social Studies and the Children's Book Council joint committee, 1980, for Family Secrets: Five Very Important Stories; Guggenheim award in fiction, 1980; National Endowment for the Arts fiction award, 1982; Edgar Allan Poe Award, Mystery Writers of America, 1988, for Lucy Forever and Miss Rosetree, Shrinks; Woodrow Wilson fellowships, West Virginia Wesleyan, 1994, and Bates College, 1997; Lila Wallace Readers Digest Foundation grant.

Reviews

[Jan Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked a lot of things about this book (the cover is great!), but the ending left me unsatisfied. I didn't really see what the 12-year-old girl had gained from the experience; I wasn't convinced the "delinquent" boy had actually changed for the better, either. Interesting plot though, with the Lollipop Garden and all.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes real life is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat! Highly readable, messy but real...just like adolescence and first steps toward adulthood and dating relationships, with parents trying to navigate the changing waters.

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is about a 12 year old girl named Elli. Elli's summers are super boring, but this summer she feels will be different. A new boy just moved into the house right next door. Elli soon meets the boy who's name is Tommy. Tommy is adopted and has a mysterious past. He also seems to have a bad reputation. Elli and Tommy soon become friends however. They find a place under their neighbor's porch and they decide to make a club. So they invite all the little kids in the neighborhood to come join the club. And it turns out to be the best summer ever.


Good
*****
This was a cute story. I liked how they made the club for the little kids and thought it was sweet how they fell in love.

Bad
***
Fist of all, the book was not well written. I found lots of mistakes with the way sentences were formatted. It was confusing in many parts. For example, they would be having a conversation and it wouldn't say who was talking at the time. So I was having to re read and guess who was talking. I wasn't happy about that and it made me want to give up and stop reading.

The girl Elli had an attitude with her parents. Even though she was only 12, her mindset was, "I'm a big girl now and I don't have to do what my parents say. So I can make my own decisions." Also there was parts when they drank wine without parents knowing, smoked, and also went to a rated R movie without the parents knowing.

I was also disappointed they never kissed. Haha, sorry but I was. I kind of wanted them to and they almost did. Then ended up not. So I wanted to strangle them. ;)



I would rate this book PG. Kids (geared more towards girls) 12+.

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fantastic book, really pretty boring.

[Mikensie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books in elementary school. My sixth grade teacher, Mr. Jensen, knew how much I liked to read, so he borrowed me a slew of books he said he had just "sitting at home" and was curious of what my reviews would be after I read them. I remember talking about each book with him when I'd return them, and this one was by far my favorite because I found it relatable in so many ways. I remember certain details so vividly, like the lollipop garden and the budding romantic life of a pre-teen. I remember connecting to it so much as a kid, so as an adult, I was curious to revisit it and see if I could identify with the nostalgia all over again. In many ways, I still could. This book will forever remain a childhood favorite of mine, with its awkward adolescence romance and coming of age story and its discovery of pre-teen morals...I still really loved it.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book about two neighbors who become friends and start a club for the little kids in their neighborhood. The two friends overcome the everyday obstacles and become great great friends along the way.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellie meets Tommy, a boy with a bad rep, & wants to be friends agst all wishes

[Maria Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time liking Ellie, the MC of this book. She tends lie (stretching truth is a kind way of putting it). For example, they start this "day camp" under the neighbours' porch. When her mom asks if they got permission from the Watson sisters, Ellie lies. And then brushes it off with "Well, the Watson sisters are really old and deaf, so it doesn't matter" attitude.)

I did like the rebel, Tommy. Although he has his faults as well. He pushes a lot of boundaries. I felt for him being labelled the "bad kid" and was glad when Ellie's parents finally figure this out.

[Kim Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom bought this book for herself from a local library that sells unwanted books cheaply. She didn't realize that this was a book mostly written for young girls when she bought it, but once she did, she stopped reading it.(At least that money will go toward new books.) I decided to read this book because I wanted a bit of light reading, to take an afternoon's break from reading the more serious books I normally read.

This is actually a pretty good book about the first weeks of summer for a 12 year old girl. It's great for preteen girls. The girl has some flaws that made me dislike her a bit, like the way she talks to her mother. If I had spoken to my mom like that, I probably wouldn't be writing this review right now. I liked the male protagonist the most because his situation made plenty of sense.

A story about preteen love and relationships. It's cutesy, just like that kind of love is. Even the few dark moments come across as light and cute. Apart from mild stuff, like pretending to drink and smoke, this book is as G-rated as they come. It's perfect for girls ages 10-13, I think.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, tween-age story about a girl and her first real crush. Something, that is for everyone, as real and true as can be. Mixed in with the ideal neighborhood bad boy, Elli Tremont's systematically boring summer turns into one that is filled with thrills, laughter, and the increasing mystery behind her first love. Although the writing is comparable to some that are simply not the best, this book portrays nothing more than what most young girls dream about for their summers; filled with interest, fun, and a boy to boot. However, at the end I failed to want to know what happened next. The book ends at its end, although it doesn't fail to take you on a considerably relatable journey (whether it be the relationship between mother and daughter, sister and brother, or a first crush) before doing so. Teenage girls would be the group of my recommendation, as although it may not be the best read, it is a relatable, cute, and good time filling story.

[J.Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another teen fiction. It wasn't all that great (no real insightfulness), but what kept me reading was the main character's six-year-old brother Milo. He was darling and precocious and trusting and wonderful. The moments with him were a highlight, like when he went in to sleep with his sister for fear that (imaginary) pit bulls were waiting to eat him as he slept, specifically a white and brown one or how he would always sleep over at a friend's house only to have to be picked up in the middle of the night after throwing up. His character was so well done, he was practically standing in my living room telling me how he hated the Brittle twins for being bullies and eating a cookie as I read. I propose a second installment of the book titled, "Under the Watson's Porch with Milo."

[Briana Nielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under the Watsons' Porch, by Susan Shreve, is a very exciting, romantic, adventerous book. Ellie Tremont is always looking for something to do until a boy named Tommy Bowers moves in next door. They decide to set up a little camp for the kids in the neighborhood, under the Watsons' porch. After a while, Ellie's parents are starting to get upset about Ellie and Tommy hanging out together. They say he is a bad example and they don't want her around him as much. But it's too late because Ellie already fell in love with him.

This book is a very good book. I suggest this for anyone that is looking for a little excitement in their lives.

[*Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice story and very much suited for the middle school student. I read it first before passing it along to my 11-year-old daughter because it is designated a Youth Romance and...I....just...wasn't...sure, you got me? Turns out it is fine for the preteen because it is more about two kids who bond over a summer and become best friends. It has the youthful twinges of romance and if they were a couple years older the story would turn out differently, but as it is, it is very innocent. I actually enjoyed this very much and was intrigued by the boy's story. Even though he was dubbed the troublemaker, I actually liked him better than the female protagonist. Hmm. Go figure.

[☆Tanner☆ Rowand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Ellie Tremont is bored, and she wishes something, anything, would happen to make her feel alive. So when 14-year-old Tommy Bowers moves in next door, Ellie knows her summer is about to get a lot more interesting. When Tommy suggests they start a camp for the kids on their street under their elderly neighbors the Watsons, porch, Ellie quickly agrees. And when Tommy gives her a diamond necklace that he says he bought, she’s suspicious, though smitten. But by the time her parents don’t want her spending time with him, she’s already given him her heart.

[°☆.。.:*・Nanna°☆.。.:*・ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when I was in middle school because of the summary and loved this book right away. I found this book to be a really cute and sweet kind of romance. Even though the romance was very innocent between Ellie and Tommy I believe that the author wrote their romance perfectly; showing first love. It was really sweet all Tommy was doing for Ellie and what Tommy was planning to do with Ellie for the children in the neighborhood. I thought that this book really represented how a childhood romance would be like and how this can be very innocent and sweet.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could relate to this book a lot! Ellie's parents are teachers who must learn to look beyond a boy's reputation to see his true good-heart and the great friendship he and their daughter can have. Likewise, I relaized this will probably be something I will have to experience often to truly get to know my future students. This book is great for coming-of-age and for those pre-teens starting to but-heads with their parents!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author perfectly captures that feeling of your first, true crush. The characters are wholly believable and there is a sweetness to this story and the fragile relationship that develops between the young girl and boy.
However, I couldn't help but wonder if this is one of those children's books that adults like but kids don't really get. I would have to know the reader to recommend this one. It is appropriate for tweens and young teens and definitely would appeal to girls.

[Shiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

i finished this good book i honestly loved this book to start with this book .this book had mystery an everything loved it soo much the two main characters were Elle Termonte an Tommy Browser. these were to kids who really like each other very much.they gave each other there hearts. you should read his book if you like a romance/ mystery.

[Sue (booknbeachbag) · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I didn't like about the book was that the "bad boy's" actions didn't prove he'd had a turn around. Perhaps it was enough for Ellie, but not enough for her junior high teacher/parents. That seemed highly unrealistic.

The character of Ellie wasn't particularly likable but as another reviewer wrote, Milo was adorable.

[Diane Folz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent story about twelve year old Ellie, a "good girl" (both parents are teachers!) who falls head over heals for the new "bad boy" who has moved in next door. The young man, Tommy, has been in and out of foster care his whole life so he brings a unique set of problems to the relationship. Anyone who likes a little romance mixed with a lot of reality will really enjoy this one!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book with a sweet story-line. Should have been an easy read, but It kinda got lost and then I forgot about it and by the time I got around to it i forgot what was going on. Good book on friendship none the less.

[Shiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is sooo good i love the mystery in it. mystery books represent me to well. its has u wondering whats gonna happen in the en. this is what i think is gonna happen i think that there gonna have sex even thought that there only 12 and 13

[Jnase1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good middle grade book for girls. Definitely a book about growing up and experiencing new feelings towards boys. If you enjoyed "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret", you would enjoy this read as well.

[Loni · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. It was pretty boring, even for a younger reader. The plot is lacking and it feels like the book never has a climax or an interesting movement in the plot.

A note for young readers: there are references to smoking and stealing.

[tori ging · Rating 5 out of 5]

well im not finished yet but this book is really good so far.....(for being on page 33)

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of all times and this book is the best. the story of Ellie and her neighbor tommy make this book hard not to read. This is a light book with a happy ending.

[♥chesterfieldsnapdragonmcfistacuffs♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a cute book of a girl who has a crush on a boy and they start a day care type thing under their old neighbors' porch... it was a cute read and i enjoyed it alot

[Carina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good book.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book ever!!!!

[Devin Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute, i loved it.