Nobody Was Here : Seventh Grade in the Life of Me, Penelope

Elston Prep #1

by Alison Pollet

In this paperback debut, Alison Pollet brings us the story of an observant uptown girl named Penelope, whose posh upbringing can't protect her from changes at home and at school.

It's 1981, and nothing is going right in Penelope's life. She has just started seventh grade at Elston Prep, and she and her best friend Stacy aren't getting along. Stacy is all caught up in who's wearing what to whose Bar Mitzvah, and has even become friends with Annabella and Pia, two of the biggest snobs at Elston! At home, things are no there's a new mother's helper to contend with, and Penelope's little brother Nathaniel just won't leave her alone. And when her parents are at home--which is rare--all they do is fight.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Teen, Fiction, Middle Grade

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Caroline Saltzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thought this was a good book and that it showed the struggles of being a teenager and fitting in with friends. It showed that you necessarily don't have to go along with what everyone else is thinking, you should be your own person, have your own thoughts, and not do something just because everyone else is. Even though the main character Penelope doesn't do this the whole book, just towards the end. This is because through recent events in her seventh grade year, she realizes that she can't go around treating people badly for no reason just because her friends do. She also realized she shouldn't judge people because of them being a new student, or their clothes, or other things because they could be a really cool person. She learns this by hanging out with Cass a few times. Even though Cass is a little wacky on the outside, with her bazaar clothing and dog, Penelope learns that Cass is very smart and a nice person when she gets to know her outside of school.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a dull book for a summer read.

[Emily Newberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much, because it was about a girl going through troubles at school. it really captured my attention. I would definantly

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you came of age in the 80s, you will adore this character-driven middle grade debut about a girl navigating changing friendships, realizing that her parents are real people who are maybe not the greatest, and finding the warm, kooky chosen family she was destined to be part of. It's the latter that Alison is so good at developing in all her work. You just want to burrow into the worlds she creates and live there forever. Highly recommend.

[Alana Persaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this book was ok. The characters are both dramatic and annoying. I feel that i can't relate to these characters. I also feel that there are getting ahead of themselves.

[Danyella Mendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone from ages 11 and above because the book takes place in a middle school in the eyes of a 12 year old girl. It shows many problems kids face now a days and it’s something that if you are a in middle school you can relate to it. The book includes a lot of drama and emotions that 12 year olds may go through. Especially if you recently started middle school and feel like you are having trouble adapting or making or even keeping your old friends I would recommend this book. I personally did not really enjoy this book, it’s not something I would read due to all the drama that goes on. But it honestly taught me a few things like how to respond to a problem your facing with your friends, how to pick between fitting in with everyone or being kind. If your a person that enjoys drama book then this is the book for you.

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nobody Was Here falls in the high twos. It is redeemed by Penelope's realization of self and value in the end. It is set in the affluent part of New York in the early 1980's, which strikes a bit odd for being written twenty years later. The characters, while on a human level one can relate to them, one has difficulty relating on a fiscal and social level. Broken families are out there for certain, but the pettiness and vacuousness of the parents seems laughable, until you realize it is probably accurate for this crowd.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just another regular middle school book. Big friendship problems,life stress, future thoughts, family problems, BOY problems, etc etc etc. Being based in the 1988 or something like that (i have a big headache, don't expect me to remember this stuff!)There is SOME difference but again, same content as any normal realistic fiction middle school book. However, it's a rather good book and may effect your outlook on life. Depends what type of reader you are and if books effect you or not. The main story is about a girl who is just not sure about her friendship that lasted 7 years, wants to make new friends, kind of, and there is a lot of divorce stuff going on in her life too. I know this all sounds rather confusing, which the book is partially cause the author throws a bunch of things at you at once. But you'll get it sooner or later...maybe.

Oh, and looking at the title and the content, it kindda matches with The Schwa Was Here ...kindda.

[Monica Albright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as a quick in-between book. True to life teen situations regarding friendships and dealing with peers. The best part for me was that it took place in the early 80's...and I was in high school in the early 80's. I remember Elvis Costello coming on the radio, General Hospital's Dr. Monica Quartermaine, the Smurfs and shoelaces with colorful hearts. It's a quick read for girls and encourages making friends with new students...and not following the clique.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Nobody Was Here is a great book! One thing I thought was confusing is on the cover is when I thought it said Mrs. Penelope but it said Me, Penelope. That is what confused me. I think Alison Pollet is a great author and I have seen some other books she has wrote and that I want to read. I finished the book on February 21, 2014. I don't want spoil the book if you change your mind to reading the book. But the book was amazing! A lot of people would love the book!

[Jacalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

so far i have learned to be careful when you sighn something because sometimes you might regret it. i would recomend this book to midle schoolers because that is when i think you really start clubs.


i have read the whole book and it was a very friendv like book and shows you that maybe your worst enimies could be your bff.

[Fashiongirlgoldberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. Nothing really special about it. I'm not sure why the author bothered to set it in the 80's considering the fact it was like any book about a middle schooler written nowindays, besides the fact that nobody really talked about technology (cellphones ipods laptops etc.).

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay i just got done reading it for school i don think i would go out of my way to tell my friends to read it but if you have nothing better to do i guess it would be a good read.... XD no offence!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really think this book is good because it shows teenagers' concerns and troubles. Also it has really good six traits of writing in the story. I could feel what characters are thinking while I'm reading this. It's a interesting book to read.

[Ana Baybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

good and interesting but it could be better.

[Haide · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book!!!!!!!

[Hima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, but it doen't seem like the 80s

[Nessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really loved this book!!!

[Pooja Dimba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it.
Even though the book took place in 1982 it didn't seem like that long ago.
It seemed very present.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good! not my favorite by far.......but good!

[ⓒⓐⓘⓣⓨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book doesnt really have muh of a plot to it, I got a little after half way, expecting a twist but didnt get one.

[Davina S]

boring

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and think that it is something that all Middle School girls would enjoy and should read.

[Emily Lucas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that the plot was hard to discover and it was not very interesting. I thought that the ending was stupid, and they didn't explain everything at the end.

[Penelope Tir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It wasn't all that exciting but somehow I felt into it. Maybe it was The main character, Penelope. I'm not sure...

[Samantha Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

one word: BORING.and to say the truth, i actually never really finished this book, i read up to page140 and it was just so irresistibly boring so.. I decided to quit on this book.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Scott Williams]

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[Maysie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was not so interesting at the beginning, but then it really started to catch my eye!

[Abbey Fulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Genre of this book is fiction. I would recommend this book to younger readers especially because it can relate to younger grades more, and it's an easy read. Overall I would recommend this book to any age, but younger ones especially. One thing I didn't like about this book was the format it made the book a lot easier to read and I like a challenge.