SOLVED. Middle grade/YA book likely published in the 80s with a side character named Genevieve who is possibly being abused/neglected at home. [s]

[Alison Rose]

I feel like this one is gonna be a long shot, but it resurfaced in my mind recently and I can't stop wondering.

I know I read this book in the late 80s after getting it through the Scholastic Book Fair at school (the best thing to ever happen in elementary school). So I assume it was likely published in the 80s as well, though I suppose could have been in the 70s. I was born in 1980, so I would've been probably 8 or 9, and I imagine the target age demo for the book would've been up to maybe 12/13.

The only thing I can recall about the plot is that there was a girl named Genevieve, NOT the main character but a neighbor of the main character, who was possibly from an abusive or at least neglectful household. I have a recollection of her being described as wearing dirty clothes and not having her hair brushed and things like that. I think the main character tries to help her, and possibly the MC's mother steps in too? I literally cannot remember anything else about the book.

(I'm sure the only reason this character stands out in my memory is because 1) Genevieve is an uncommon name that I didn't know how to pronounce at the time and in my head I said it as "Jean-veev", and 2) a few years later when I started high school, I met the girl who would quickly become my best friend...who was named Genevieve.)

Again, I know this is very thin, but I feel like if I saw the title or cover, it would leap out at me. So if you have any ideas at all, lemme know! Not sure if it would matter, but I am in Northern California and grew up here. Don't know if the SBF might've had different catalogs around the country.

Thanks!!

[Rainbowheart]

Dang, I should know this!

We're the same age, and I was also ordering books from Scholastic in northern CA at that time. Although I believe the book order sheets were the same nationwide.

Does anything on the Friendship Between Girls list look familiar?

[Alison Rose]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Dang, I should know this!

We're the same age, and I was also ordering books from Scholastic in northern CA at that time. Although I believe the book order sheets were the same nationwide.

Does an..."

Sadly, nothing there jumps out at me regarding this particular book, but thank you for sharing that list! Wow, a lot of nostalgia there :)

[Rainbowheart]

I'm sure we can track this one down!

Do you remember where the girl lived? I'm picturing late '80s suburbia. Can you recall anything about her family? Sounds like there was a mom. Was there also a dad and brothers or sisters?

Was the girl's relationship with Genevieve a large part of the book, or were there other things going on?

[PaulGamerBoy360]

The Forgotten Home ChildbyGenevieve Graham

it was originaly published in 1936.

1936

Fifteen-year-old Winny has never known a real home. After running away from an abusive stepfather, she falls in with Mary, Jack, and their ragtag group of friends roaming the streets of Liverpool. When the children are caught stealing food, Winny and Mary are left in Dr. Barnardo’s Barkingside Home for Girls, a local home for orphans and forgotten children found in the city’s slums. At Barkingside, Winny learns she will soon join other boys and girls in a faraway place called Canada, where families and better lives await them.

But Winny’s hopes are dashed when she is separated from her friends and sent to live with a family that has no use for another daughter. Instead, they have paid for an indentured servant to work on their farm. Faced with this harsh new reality, Winny clings to the belief that she will someday find her friends again.

Inspired by true events, The Forgotten Home Child is a moving and heartbreaking novel about place, belonging, and family—the one we make for ourselves and its enduring power to draw us home.

[Alison Rose]

PaulGamerBoy360(Brigham) wrote: "The Forgotten Home ChildbyGenevieve Graham

it was originaly published in 1936.

1936

Fifteen-year-old Winny has never known a real home. After running away from a..."

No, that's not it. The character was named Genevieve, not the author.

[Alison Rose]

Rainbowheart wrote: "I'm sure we can track this one down!

Do you remember where the girl lived? I'm picturing late '80s suburbia. Can you recall anything about her family? Sounds like there was a mom. Was there also a..."

I'm thinking it was suburbia but maybe a bit more rural. I seem to recall that the girls' yards were adjacent and maybe there was a creek or something between them? Either the MC or Genevieve was new to the area maybe, and I do think the friendship is a major element of the plot, though I can't for the life of me recall any other elements, LOL.

[mdt]

Are you positive the name was Genevieve? Your description reminds me a bit of Daphne's Book by Mary Downing Hahn.

Link to a detailed summary of the book: https://mondomolly.wordpress.com/2017...

[Alison Rose]

mdt wrote: "Are you positive the name was Genevieve? Your description reminds me a bit of Daphne's Book by Mary Downing Hahn.

Link to a detailed summary of the book: https://mond..."

Definitely positive. As I said above, I specifically recall my comical mispronunciation of it as I read the book. Also, I'm fairly sure the characters were younger than middle school age, probably more like upper elementary.

[Minnikin]

Try Dorrie's Book by Marilyn Sachs. One of my favorites as a kid.

[Alison Rose]

Minnikin wrote: "Try Dorrie's Book by Marilyn Sachs. One of my favorites as a kid."

HOLY HECK, YOU GENIUS, THIS IS IT!! I had to hunt around online to find a full review, but I finally did and there is Genevieve's name and that she and her brother were abandoned by their mom! Oh my Lord, this is amazing. LOL I had completely forgotten the new triplet siblings the girl has.

Thank yoooooouuuuuu!

[Minnikin]

I admit, I was amused that it was the name Genevieve that stuck with you and not the triplets. :)

[Alison Rose]

Minnikin wrote: "I admit, I was amused that it was the name Genevieve that stuck with you and not the triplets. :)"

I would bet that if I'd never met my high school best friend, the name probably would've faded from memory. But it was when I met her on the first day in English class and I heard the teacher say her name, and I was like "Ohhhh THAT'S how you say it!" It sort of like...imprinted in my mind, I guess, hahaha

[Rainbowheart]

Oh, awesome! Super glad this one is solved.