Amelia's Family Ties - Marissa Moss

Realistic treatment of subject of divorce.

(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

Common Sense rates it
4
Read the book?
1183_orig.jpg
Book details
  • Author:Marissa Moss
  • # of pages: 38
  • Publisher:Pleasant Company
  • Original Publication Date: 03/01/2000
  • Genre: Fiction - Friendship
  • Paperback: $5.95
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12
  • Read Aloud: 6-8
  • Read Alone: 9+

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that we found no objectionable content in this book. The story is suspenseful, engaging, and good for the target age group, and the watercolor illustrations are plentiful and entertaining. Kids will appreciate the unique format and enjoy sifting through the busy pages.

Families can talk about complicated family relationships and divorce. This book is a good springboard for broaching difficult issues involving family, including divorce and estranged relatives. Imagine being in Amelia's shoes: Would you want to initiate contact with an estranged parent? How would you feel before meeting? How did reality compare with Amelia's expectations?

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Brotman

Amelia's estranged father has answered her letter, and he has invited her for a visit! Amelia is excited to meet her dad, but she's also a little scared. What will he be like? Will he even like her? Journey with Amelia to Chicago for a reunion with her nervous dad, an uncomfortable stepmother, and an adorable baby half-brother.



Is it any good?

4

A hallmark of the Amelia series is how the young protagonist works her way through the difficulties of childhood. Usually it's missing a best friend who has moved away or getting over a temporary identity crisis. This time, however, the issue is a little more sobering.

In AMELIA'S FAMILY TIES, Amelia meets her father for the first time, and wrestles with all the questions and emotions that come in the aftermath of divorce. Author Marissa Moss handles it with realism and ease.

Absolutely nothing is sugarcoated, from the awkwardness and missteps of the first meeting to the reluctance to accept the stepmother to the eventual confrontation of the long-absent parent by a child. A wide range of conflicting emotions and reactions are well represented from all family members' points of view.

One eleven-year-old girl, a new Amelia fan, read this book and thought it was "great," but she called the short, oddly placed piece, "The Orphan," "a little weird." Aside from that, she and her friends "laughed their heads off" at the illustrations, particularly the two-page spread that chronicles Amelia's first plane ride.

As always, the pictures were a big hit: Bright watercolor illustrations depicting scenes of family drama and funny, related images support the text well. This book has fun, visually busy pages, and it's hard to resist the charm of the familiar black-and-white composition-notebook format, complete with a class schedule and information charts.

For more Amelia fun, try Dr. Amelia's Boredom Survival Guide: First Aide for Rainy Days, Boring Errands, Waiting Rooms, Whatever!

Parents and kids say

Be the first to post a review.

Log in or Register to post a review
Review It
What do your kids do online?
Surf
44%
Homework and research
11%
Download music
7%
Chat with friends
38%
45 votes