 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mick Harte Was Here
- By Barbara Park
- Genre: Family Life
Common Sense Media says
Difficult life-death questions are meant for discussion.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids who want -- or need -- this book will love it, while others will decisively pass over its plain-spoken strengths out of a desire for distance from the subject.
What's the story?
Phoebe tells the story of her brother Mick's death in a bicycle accident, and its aftermath. Tracing the unpredictable, lonely path a bereaved family travels toward recovery, Barbara Park paints a very individual but ultimately universal portrait of memory and grief with acute insight.
Through funny and poignant memories, eighth-grader Phoebe Harte introduces her brother Mick, ten months younger, and tells the story of his fatal accident. She then describes her reactions and experiences over the ensuing days. She attends his funeral, interment, and memorial service, and gradually is comforted by her best friend, her spiritual intuition, and her family. As she struggles with her feelings, she makes a re-entry into daily life and school, finding setbacks, support, and, finally, stability.
Is it any good?
This book is a demonstration of the devastating power of simplicity. With breathtaking economy and precise strokes, Barbara Park brings Mick Harte and his sister Phoebe to vivid life. And because Park gives Phoebe such a distinct, genuine voice, her reactions are real and familiar. Park moves the reader back and forth, from Mick to his sister, gradually disengaging them, separating the tightly interwoven strands of their lives, until Phoebe can stand alone. The author makes hardly a misstep; all the book's elements are tied together with enormous skill. Even the lesson about wearing bicycle helmets is made so directly and simply that it doesn't seem at all preachy. In fact, when the father wishes he had made Mick wear his, it's one of the book's most moving moments.
Not all young readers will want or be able to handle the questions Park asks. But those who do will find that, with MICK HARTE WAS HERE, "here" is a lasting place in their hearts.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the characters' reactions to losing a loved one. How does Pheobe handle the tragedy? Is her reaction different from her parents'?
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AGE
this book is very good and sad but age appropriate for children 11+
i think this book is very well thought of but it may disturb some parents with un age appropriate comments. like "i called him the word that you hear on HBO and stuff like that." but on the bright side they said that the word they said should never be used.
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AGE
The Amazing Book To Read.
This book is an amazing book it made me cry at the end cause of what his sister did on the wet cement and when i found out that he died . This book is good and would be a totaly good book report for school like I'm doing.
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AGE
Helping us all learn about a family coping with death.
Parents should read this book first then discuss with kids as they read the book. Excellent story about a family's reaction to the sudden death of a son. Tells about the families reactions to those who are trying to help but are saying the wrong things.
Reasonable discussions for the usual questions about death and guilt.
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AGE
I love this book
I'm a 15 year old female about to go into the 10th grade, and I would just like to say that this book was my favorite book when I was in the 3rd and 4th grade. I absolutely loved it and I still do! It's a great story about dealing with issues as a kid. I suggest that your children read this because it is absolutely amazing.
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AGE
I loved thi novel ever since i read it. It was a terrific book that teaches about bike safety. It my have a word in it that many parents do not want their kids to repeat, (but the word isn't that bad). Well besides that i really think it's a good book and it made me think how i should be more careful about bike safety since i don't usually wear a helmet when riding a bike. But since i read that book it got me to rethink about safety. So i would recomend this book to every person out there, and i am only and 11 years old. And since i am only 11 and i liked the book i bet all of you will like it too!
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AGE
terribal or ........ good
Im 12. im in 6th grade this is a very good book. I loved it. It was made in 1994. Iv read this book 2 times in 5th and 6th! read it buy it or listen its good!It makes kids want to were a helmet.
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AGE
fantastic
This book really spoke to my heart,and im just an
adilesint.It seems to me that these two brothers loved
each other and had some down times like every brothers
do,but they never got the chance to really tell each other.
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AGE
A very good book
This book is very good for young students because it deals with a sensitive issue, that is death, in a way that students can cope with the concept. Even though I found this book sad, I couldn't help laughing through it because the little girl remembers funny stories about her brother that has died and in remembering him.. her and her family are able to heal.
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AGE
Great Story!
I first read this book in a reading group at school and I fell in love with it. It is a very sad story but it also talks about the good memories the characters had with the boy that died. this book is so heartwarming. everyone must read this.
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| Author: | Barbara Park |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Family Life |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1995 |
| Number of pages: | 88 |
| Paperback price: | $4.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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