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Gordy Smith #3
As Ever, Gordy
Life wasn't fair. As soon as you thought you were safe, someone pulled the rug out from under you. And there you were, back on the train, going to the very place you thought you'd left for good.
Gordy couldn't be less happy about moving back to his old hometown of College Hill, Maryland, where everybody knows his family's troubled history. In North Carolina, Gordy's life was finally on the right track. Back in College Hill, Gordy and his sister, June, must move into a cramped apartment with their brother stu and his new family. The principal at Gordy's school has it in for him, his pals encourage him to cause trouble, and his old rival, Elizabeth, can't see that he's changed. The whole world seems to be against Gordy. Is Gordy destined to slip back into his old trouble-making ways for good?
Gordy couldn't be less happy about moving back to his old hometown of College Hill, Maryland, where everybody knows his family's troubled history. In North Carolina, Gordy's life was finally on the right track. Back in College Hill, Gordy and his sister, June, must move into a cramped apartment with their brother stu and his new family. The principal at Gordy's school has it in for him, his pals encourage him to cause trouble, and his old rival, Elizabeth, can't see that he's changed. The whole world seems to be against Gordy. Is Gordy destined to slip back into his old trouble-making ways for good?
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
20 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Mary Downing Hahn
72 books4,400 followersI grew up in a small shingled house down at the end of Guilford Road in College Park, Maryland. Our block was loaded with kids my age. We spent hours outdoors playing "Kick the Can" and "Mother, May I" as well as cowboy and outlaw games that usually ended in quarrels about who shot whom. In the summer, we went on day long expeditions into forbidden territory -- the woods on the other side of the train tracks, the creek that wound its way through College Park, and the experimental farm run by the University of Maryland.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 21, 2019
Super nostalgic, as I’d read this series in elementary school, actually had checked them out from my school library while all the loud, undisciplined, stuck-up students never checked anything out or read anything because it was “boring” and they were too good for it. They missed out. These actually gave me something to look forward to in those days, when I had to deal with fake friends and school, and the huge waste of time it was. And this series introduced me to a great author.
This is the best book in the trilogy. Gordy returns to Maryland from his grandma’s in Virginia after she dies, and we see familiar characters that we hadn’t seen since the first book. Gordy and his classmates are older now, in middle school I think, so it’s an interesting blast from the past for them. He’s adjusting to returning to a place where he didn’t exactly feel in place. It’s sad Gordy is separated from June and Donald, two of his siblings from Maryland, but it was the best for him. Donald is a young adult who doesn’t have the means to take care of Gordy, and June is set to go live with his parents in California. But Gordy needed to be away from his abusive father. There was no other option, or someone would’ve snapped. And at least we get to see Stuart and Barbara again from the first book. We also get to see Maggie again, the protagonist from the first book. It’s strange how the perspectives instantly changed from hers to Gordy’s, but in a good way. I liked reading through both. They’re very different people, and they had some interesting interactions in here as well. Stuart and Barb’s kid was a rotten annoying brat, nothing at all like them. I wouldn’t have blamed Gordy if he’d knocked him to the ground.
I remember being really depressed while reading this book and series when I was twelve, because a lot of the time Gordy’s situation just seemed hopeless, especially given how unaware people were at the time about child abuse (they still are today). The thing that made the series so appealing for me was that even though this is set during WW2—where people are directly affected by the war, family deaths, the uneasy atmosphere and vibe surrounding it no matter where you are—we still have the same relatable kid issues and storylines that can come from any era. We have kid activities such as building/hanging out in a treehouse, playing soldiers, graffitiing words, walking along the railroad tracks, etc. Same thing, less technology. Same things, different era, different generation. But the same child/pre-teen inner conflicts.
This tied the whole series together quite well. After having endured tragedy and hardships, it ends with a little hopefulness. Would definitely recommend, especially for younger readers. 4/5.
This is the best book in the trilogy. Gordy returns to Maryland from his grandma’s in Virginia after she dies, and we see familiar characters that we hadn’t seen since the first book. Gordy and his classmates are older now, in middle school I think, so it’s an interesting blast from the past for them. He’s adjusting to returning to a place where he didn’t exactly feel in place. It’s sad Gordy is separated from June and Donald, two of his siblings from Maryland, but it was the best for him. Donald is a young adult who doesn’t have the means to take care of Gordy, and June is set to go live with his parents in California. But Gordy needed to be away from his abusive father. There was no other option, or someone would’ve snapped. And at least we get to see Stuart and Barbara again from the first book. We also get to see Maggie again, the protagonist from the first book. It’s strange how the perspectives instantly changed from hers to Gordy’s, but in a good way. I liked reading through both. They’re very different people, and they had some interesting interactions in here as well. Stuart and Barb’s kid was a rotten annoying brat, nothing at all like them. I wouldn’t have blamed Gordy if he’d knocked him to the ground.
I remember being really depressed while reading this book and series when I was twelve, because a lot of the time Gordy’s situation just seemed hopeless, especially given how unaware people were at the time about child abuse (they still are today). The thing that made the series so appealing for me was that even though this is set during WW2—where people are directly affected by the war, family deaths, the uneasy atmosphere and vibe surrounding it no matter where you are—we still have the same relatable kid issues and storylines that can come from any era. We have kid activities such as building/hanging out in a treehouse, playing soldiers, graffitiing words, walking along the railroad tracks, etc. Same thing, less technology. Same things, different era, different generation. But the same child/pre-teen inner conflicts.
This tied the whole series together quite well. After having endured tragedy and hardships, it ends with a little hopefulness. Would definitely recommend, especially for younger readers. 4/5.
July 21, 2025
I'm just not sure what the lesson here is supposed to be; be a continuous sad sack shithead to everyone around you until the girl you keep assaulting is finally won over? Okey dokey.
A real disappointment from an author who was one of my faves as a kid. I was in high school when this came out, so didn't read it then, but I think even then, I would have been bummed out by it.
Read The Outsiders instead of this.
A real disappointment from an author who was one of my faves as a kid. I was in high school when this came out, so didn't read it then, but I think even then, I would have been bummed out by it.
Read The Outsiders instead of this.
January 13, 2019
The third book in the “Gordy Smith series”. Gordy comes back to College Hill after his grandmother dies. His reputation as a troublemaker and white trash comes back to haunt him.
I so looked forward to finding out what happened to Gordy but found the book to be mediocre at best. The relationship between Gordy, Magpie, and Lizard seemed to be contrived and I was disappointed that Gordy actually developed feelings for Elizabeth. What was such an authentic and gritty relationship in the first book was just not present. Yes, the author attempted to resurrect it but their interactions were just not sincere or believable.
The first book is outstanding. The second one was good. The third, well, a bit disappointing but still readable.
I so looked forward to finding out what happened to Gordy but found the book to be mediocre at best. The relationship between Gordy, Magpie, and Lizard seemed to be contrived and I was disappointed that Gordy actually developed feelings for Elizabeth. What was such an authentic and gritty relationship in the first book was just not present. Yes, the author attempted to resurrect it but their interactions were just not sincere or believable.
The first book is outstanding. The second one was good. The third, well, a bit disappointing but still readable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2018
Pretty depressing story, but good to get into the mind of a child who misbehaves and really doesn't want to, and doesn't say the things he really would like to say. They tend to live down to the negative expectations many people have of them.
December 29, 2025
Rip Grandma, i wanted nothing more than for Gordy to stay with her and all to be kumbaya. I feel so connected to Gordy and like “motherly” almost idk why we have zero similarities. i’m glad that elizabeth and maggie are finally kinda friends. i hope his dad never comes back and i hope he keeps in touch with william. every time gordy accidentally messed something up with elizabeth i felt so sad for him becuase i knew the whole time all he wanted was some true friends. f toad and doug. I am so upset that brent is such a little spoiled prick becuase him being buches kid made me think he would be sweet like that described him (and brenda) but it does make a lot of sence and helps the plot too. stu, brenda, the professed and mr.crawford the cop are great characters. im glad elizabeth didn’t end up with bobby he just sounds like a spoiled rich kid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2022
After the sudden death of their grandmother, Junie and Gordy have moved back to Chapel Hill. His teachers and classmates don't like him, and Lizard and Magpie ignore him. His friends Doug and Toad also want him to continue with their trouble making ways. He has to live in a cramped apartment with Stu, Barbara and their toddler. In addition, Gordy tries to fight his growing attraction to Liz and his inability to cope with his feelings after years of abuse and neglect. With support of his family and friends, he tries to figure out his life.
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November 15, 2023I read this book a Long time ago. It helped me get into reading. I don’t care if this book is for a younger group. I will keep re-reading this book over and over again. This is why I love history, even if I don’t read a lot of history books. I love learning about the past so I’m so glade my mom let me have this book of hers. I will pass this down to my kids when I get older. I will not be giving this book a rating because of how long ago I read this.
June 5, 2017
It is not your typical ghost story from Mary Downing Hahn. I would classify this book as a sixth grade book. Insecure family situation and a boy who feels he doesn't fit in and is bounced from one family member to another. The book is set in a different time era. I think kids today could possibly have a disconnect with this book, because of the time period.
October 5, 2024
A solid conclusion to the series (although I did find myself wishing Hahn would revisit these characters; Margaret got a short shrift in this book). We see further character growth in Gordy as he deals with big challenges and struggles, and he battles the desire to fall back into his old ways with the desire to make his grandmother proud. In the end, he comes out okay.
April 13, 2021
I can't seem to change my rating from one star but it's definitely way better than that. I read it for the first time when I was a kid. I recently reread it. It's part of a 3 book trilogy. I highly recommend starting with the first one
May 26, 2024
This is a young adult book that is old but still relevant. It follows a young teenager through a troubled few years of school. He makes a lot of bad choices but ultimately has personal growth and moves beyond his personal hardships.
June 12, 2017
Gordy's grandmother dies and he must return to College Hill to live with his bro, Stu
June 21, 2022
my fifth grade teacher read us this whole series and since then i read it once a year just to get the same fuzzy feeling i got back then 💃
November 27, 2023
I’d like to read the first ones. 🙂
September 29, 2010
I'm not sure if it was mentioned or not, but I'm quite sure this book took place in the late 40's, early 50's. I thought this book was well written and Mary Downing Hahn hasn't let me down quite yet. I'd rate this book a 3 3/4, but unfortunately, there is no option for that. I wish we would've heard more about Gordy's parents, or maybe more into the relationship of Lizard and Gordy at the end. But I still enjoyed the book, nonetheless. Maybe there could've been more events throughout the body of the book to make the plot more interesting. Oh well. This is a little bit older book of Mary Downing Hahn's, and I bet (more likely, know for a fact) that she's improved on more of her recent books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2012
This is the third book (I think) in the series about Gordy. At the start of this book Gordy is doing great. He's getting good grades. He has a good friend. He's learning what life is all about from his beloved Grandmother. But then Grandma dies and Gordy has to go back to the town his family lived in before--back where everyone knows he's a trouble maker. And he proves everyone right. At the end of the book, he finally starts to get a little wiser, but your heart aches for him through the book as he makes one wrong decision after another.
I would probably rate this book a 3.5.
I would probably rate this book a 3.5.
September 20, 2014
This book starts with Gordy having to move back to his hometown to live with his older brother.
It's a great book that shows the struggles that Gordy has to go through. Constantly getting looked at the wrong way by everybody and how that effects him emotionally. People don't realize that he's changed and it bothers and upsets him.
We have all been in those shows where we get looked at the wrong way. Where people don't see us as we really are. Because of this the book got me hooked.
All in all this was a great book.
It's a great book that shows the struggles that Gordy has to go through. Constantly getting looked at the wrong way by everybody and how that effects him emotionally. People don't realize that he's changed and it bothers and upsets him.
We have all been in those shows where we get looked at the wrong way. Where people don't see us as we really are. Because of this the book got me hooked.
All in all this was a great book.
June 10, 2008
This is a heart tugging book that got me down deep. It starts off like that too with Gordy's grandmother dying of a heart attack. Then, as he returns to his hometown he is haunted by the past. It's kind of fun to see romance brought in here too. Plus, Gordy's humor is quick and dry. Overall, a great book. I would recommend reading Stepping on the Cracks first, however, just so you know why he's hated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2016
This book was the sequel to Following my own Footsteps. Gordy was very upset when he had to move back to his hometown. Because of his hated family history, the whole town was against him. His old friends encouraged Gordy to cause trouble, in which Gordy never wanted. Gordy was happy where he moved because he could start over, but now he must redeem himself by being the best he can be. I don't recommend this book so much because it was just too boring.
December 22, 2010
This was a very intresting book it had alot of detail and it showed alot of emotion. It wasnt my favorite but it was pretty close :). Its about a boy that has to leave his family and go to a different town because the war is coming and they dont think he will be safe with his family. So he had to go to a different town and live with his grandpa just untill the war was over.
May 21, 2014
Gordy couldn't be more unhappy about moving back to his hometown of College Hill, where everybody knows his family's troubled history. In North Carolina, Gordy's life had finally seemed to be on the right track. But in College Hill, Gordy and his sister, June, move into a cramped apartment with their brother Stu and his new family. The principal at Gordy's school immediate.
June 30, 2014
After reading the first two books in this series, we were very excited to continue following the characters. I was disappointed to find Gordy cruder than ever and only giving up his foolish ways for a girl. The young love interest required a bit of "editing" and I was sad to have to deal with that filler. We really didn't care for this book at all.
December 18, 2014
You know, in the first book, I felt like this kid was a huge brat. But as you read this story, you come to learn he has a troubled childhood. I mean, you get kind of an idea of what his home life is in the first book - but this one divulges a little further and makes you feel sorry for him. You also wonder, how many kids today have the same history? Sad.
August 14, 2008
The sequel to "Following My Own Footsteps." I don't remember this book as well as the two that come before it, but I do know that I adore the Gordy sequels to Stepping on the Cracks. Some of this author's best work.
December 17, 2009
The reason that i liked this book is because it is an aswome ending to the first two books. Mary has put much effort in the book. and its charaters are so real. the settings are real to. and the event are well decribed .
March 1, 2012
Pretty fast read, a good story with likeable characters.
February 21, 2009
i hate the beating that gordy gets in this book so sad :(
September 6, 2010
This is the 2nd book to steping on the cracks.I fell bad for gordy but That he got what he disered
March 9, 2011
gordy's grandma just died and he has to move back in with his brother his kids and wife. i would recomend this book because it is good.
June 10, 2011
This book is another hair raising story about Gordy smith after he has to live with his brother stu after the death of his grandmother.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews