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This book is hard to nail. There is a twist, really don't want to spoil that! The book is so much about the characters who are a little larger than life…. Harry’s is run by Fern’s family. Sara is 18 and taking a year before college, Holden is starting high school, Fern is starting middle school and Charlie is 3, running circles around everyone with non stop good cheer. Attempting to herd this clan is effusive Dad, and Mom who routinely retreats to her meditation room. Fern has a wonderful friend
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This book should come with a warning label. "Caution: Prior to reading this novel, stock up on tissues." I started crying midway through and never stopped. NEVER has a book hit me so hard emotionally. By the time I finished, I actually had a headache from crying. Completely ridiculous. But something about this family reminded me of my own. I too had parents that were too wrapped up in other things (in my case it was each other) to pay attention to their kids. My older sister was the one who step
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It took a lot of tissues to get through this book, but it was so worth it! There was not a thing that I disliked about this book, except for a bus driver that I wanted fired, but in truth, the portrayal of that minor character was all too true. The story is told by a 12 year old girl who sees her family as somewhat dysfunctional because of a father driven to see their family restaurant successful, and who will stop at nothing, including humiliating her and her siblings in ridiculous Christmas ca
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I confess I only read this because my Cosmic Twin thinks JK walks water, and I have to admit I have also enjoyed everything I have read by her so far. Well. Is "enjoyed" the right word? It's more like, I got sucked into the story, had my heart handed to me in a sundae bowl, I watched it get eaten, and then shoved back in my chest. Holy hell. I thought this was going to be a sweet middle grade romance about two kids who are "different". I was not expecting what happened at all. So, to say this no
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3.5 stars for this tear jerker and somewhat emotionally manipulative YA novel. This book hits all the emotional high points, a young teen struggling with his sexuality, emotionally absent parents, a horrific accident that the main character feels responsible for (I won't say more for fear of spoiling it). While I felt this was well written, because it was so emotionally draining that I can't really say I "enjoyed" it. It's a very strange book in that respect. Definitely only appropritate for pro
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Twelve year-old Fern must deal with her embarrassment over her father's lame schemes to market his restaurant, usually involving making his family dress up to pose for photographs or act in commercials, and her mother's attempts to escape the family drama by sneaking upstairs to meditate. Fern's older sister, Sara, struggles with being stuck at home while her friends go off to college, and her fourteen year-old brother, Holden, deals with bullying caused by homophobia as he comes to terms with t
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SEE YOU AT HARRY'S by Jo Knowles made me giggle, laugh out loud, and cry. It has been a while since I have donye all three.
I read it on NetGalley and cannot wait to buy it in May.
I have read Jo's books before, but this one is the best in my opinion. ...more
I read it on NetGalley and cannot wait to buy it in May.
I have read Jo's books before, but this one is the best in my opinion. ...more
Wow! This book works on so many levels and touches on so many topics. In See You at Harry's we get a glimpse into a flawed, real family that many readers will be able to relate to. This family is pushed apart and brought together by an unbelievable tragedy. But the characters in the book face the tragedy in their own true ways. I think that's what I liked most about this book- it was so true. The dialogue was spot on. I held my breath in certain spots, cried in others and wanted to hug each on ...more
I'm hoping for a Newbery because this book captivates and evokes strong emotion with the main character experiencing strong growth. You really relate to Fern as she starts middle school and feels invisible, invisible to her family and invisible to her school. Fern's family runs a diner and dad does everything in his power to embarrass Fern and her older siblings. Middle school also brings that awakening to the outside world and how you are perceived. There is of course the love interest in the p
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I like the nuanced characters and the realistic portrait of a family where not everyone gets along all of the time but they all still love each other. Very well written. Very sad.
It has been quite a number of months since I had a book capture me, lock me in my seat, and bring me through every emotion... wow this one was powerful. I think every reader of the book should be warned about how powerful it is. Rebecca Stead's quote about the book on the front cover helped: "Heartbreaking, soul-sustaining, and all around beautiful." I know it is mature for middle school but I think the power is there for all readers to treasure.
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Very well written book about family and hearbreak.
Apr 11, 2012
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
Jun 02, 2012
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
marked it as to-read
Nov 12, 2012
Shanshad Whelan
marked it as to-read
Dec 26, 2012
Joshua Whiting
marked it as to-read
