Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this book is about a girl struggling to cope with an alcoholic father. Her father hits her young brother with a bottle when he is in an alcohol-fueled rage. Also, Sam shares some serious kisses with a high school boy; he pressures her to have sex one night while she's drunk at a party -- until he realizes she's only 13. That same night, she is molested by a group of boys in her grade; when she returns to school, she's called names and her locker is vandalized.
Families can talk about "problem novels" like this one that deal with a tough subject. How are books like this one helpful for teens? Why would the author choose to include a list of resources in the back of her book? Parents could also use this book to start talking to their teens about the dangers of drinking (click here for tips).
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
It should be pretty apparent from the title: This book deals with alcoholism. As such, it is a pretty typical problem novel with a pretty standard story arc.
Readers won't be surprised when Sam's father finally hits rock bottom (though his violent attack on her sweet young brother seems over the top). Nor will they be shocked when her family finally begins to heal at the end of the book.
Author Natasha Friend does employ a clever device in the letters that Sam exchanges with a mysterious stranger in the library -- though readers may wish it were flushed out a bit more. Friend also creates tender exchanges Sam has with both her parents, and her brother.
In the end, Friend treads over familiar territory here, but her honest depictions of a struggling family may help readers (and their parents) delve into a touchy topic.
From The Book
I've got to give my father this: He is a good actor. By dinner, he's playing the part of the family man again, asking questions about our day.
I follow the script of the good daughter, but I don't look in my father's eyes, not once. Half the time I am thinking about the whiskey bottles and how he's a pathetic hypocrite and how I want to throw lima beans at him. The other half I can't help thinking that at least he's trying.
Plot Summary:
Samantha's father is an alcoholic and her mother is in denial. Sam doesn't want her friends to know what's happening in her house, so she starts leaving notes for a stranger in the library -- and getting answers. Problems escalate at home and at school, making her mysterious adviser finally reveal himself.
Related Books:
Also by Natasha Friend:
Perfect
Also about Substance Abuse:
Rx by Tracy Lynn
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
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Sexual ContentSam shares some serious kisses with a high school boy; he pressures her to have sex one night while she's drunk at a party -- until he realizes she's only 13. Also, the boys in Sam's grade rank the girls on their physical attributes. |
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ViolenceSam's father hits her young brother with a bottle when he is in an alcohol-fueled rage. When Sam is drunk at a party she is molested by a group of boys in her grade. |
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LanguageWords like "crap" and "slut." |
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Social BehaviorSam's family does ultimately deal with her father's drinking. Sam, too, learns how to stand up for herself -- and that she's not responsible for everything. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe story is about an alcoholic. Sam gets drunk at a party. |
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