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Summary: A Door Near Here (review by Emi Tomaszewski)
Review: The main character, 15 year old Katherine Graham, faces a severe problem. Her father left ten years ago, and moved from their home in Washington to Michigan, where he married a woman named Ophelia. Katherine's mother, an out-of-work alcoholic, has been in bed for weeks after losing her job, leaving Katherine and her 14 year old brother Douglas, and her younger sisters Tracey (age 13) and Alisa (age 8) to fend for themselves. Things only get worse as Katherine and her siblings try to hide what's going on, afraid that Social Services will separate them and put them in foster homes - the only relative who will take them being their weed-smoking aunt in California. Eventually their teachers begin to get suspicious, the electricity in their house is shut off because their mother didn't pay the bills, and food and money are running out (until Katherine manages to get a hold of her mother's ATM card). Worst of all, something seems to be wrong with Alisa - she becomes obsessed with finding the door to the imaginary land of Narnia, where she believes she will find a cure for her mother. I must admit, this is a wonderful book. The plot is interesting and the imagery used by the author is very realistic. It felt like I was right there with the characters, seeing what they were going through and feeling their emotions. It was one of those books that I just couldn't put down. What can I say, you have got to read this. :)
Rating: 
Summary: Well written story, but predictable and slight
Review: The story being told here is compelling and well written, but I found the plot completely predictable---I was sure what the ending would be after reading barely more than the beginning. I was hoping that it might rise above my expectations, as the author obviously is talented, but it didn't. In addition, the book seemed longer than it needed to be, as if it had to be a certain length, so the writing went on until it was that length. However, I don't mean to discourage reading of it. If you love Narnia as I do, you will find the connection to this book well done. I hope someday to read more by this author---perhaps a more mature and original book.
Rating:
Summary: nicely written, but not very accurate
Review: This book is a very good book if you are just in wanting of some light stuff. I was browsing the library and found it, thinking it might be interesting. this is what i got: "blah... no food.. blah ..im scared of my mom". First off, since the main character is so bossy, why can 't she be smart enough to make her mom get up off the bed. Why doesn't she just throw all the bottles of alchohol out. I almost wanted to strangle her when she gave her mom the last bit of money they had while she knew thta all the bottles were finally empty. If you want to read a shallow book about th troubles " without parents, no fun" I think it says in the review up there, read it. If you want something more real or with more life.. then go read another book. This book was shallow, stereotypical, and though the story is not farfetched, the characters are.
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Summary: Door neer hear
Review: This book is about four kids who have to survive on their own because their mother is an alchoholic. Their teacher, Mr. Dodgeson gets so involved that he make the youngest child believe that there is really is an Aslan. She wants to find a door to Narnia. My favorite part was when they had to drive to the grocery store at 2am when they don't even have drivers licenses! I think that it is a good book for ages 12-18!
Rating: 
Summary: A Door Near Here
Review: This book is about these four kids who are trying to take care of themselves while their jobless alchoholic mother is in bed, their father was remarried, the youngest sister wants to find the door to Narnia, and the strange reactions of their teacher Mr.Dodgson.This book was one of those coming of age books.Its like "The Dangerous lives of Alter Boys" meets "Stephen King's The Body"
AKA "Stand By Me".I Liked the fact that the kids smoked and sweared.It made it more realistic.THe ending was kinda good.
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Summary: Great Book
Review: This book is great. The main charater struggles to take care of her brothers and sisters, by herself. She shouldn't have to, but she does. Her mother's husband left her and her mother just drinks and hardly eats. Her mother has almost never left her bedroom since her husband left her. The main charater can't handle the responsibility much longer. What will she do? BUY IT AND FIND OUT!!
Rating:
Summary: A Door Near Here
Review: This book is mainly about 4 kids that struggle to stay alive with a mom who is and alcoholic. They have a limited amount of food. They have to find a way to share the food and get new food.They all have to tell lies so that no one can find out about their mom being an alcoholic because they don't want to be seperated. I like this book a lot. It's a fun book to read and to see how they pull it through or if they don't. I would recommend this book to anyone.
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Summary: Truly Wonderful!
Review: This book was absolutly the best! I could NOT put it down! It was really well written! Some parts were sad but, it was a really GOOD book!
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Summary: A tear jerker that will keep you turning the pages
Review: This novel was an excellant choice of reading material. Reading this book was enjoying for me because it taught me to never give up. The main character, Katherine, was very determined to care for her younger siblings, while her mother was drunk and in bed all the time. This bookis one that I highly suggest to teenagers and even adults. Many can learn alot about dealing with problems, and working together as a family. Its amazing how close each one of the children were in this story. No matter what family came first to them. I relate mostly to Katherine beccause, I myself have alot of responsibilities. For instance when I go home I do the laundry, feed my dog and rabbit, do homework,cook supper then do dishes. Even though I do all these things I am fortunate that I have a mother and a father that puts a roof over my head and food in my stomache. It got to the point that Katherine and her family had to ration out their food to make sure they did not run out. They even had to consider getting a job of their own. To do what Katherine did it takes alot of courage and strength that is why I like this book so much.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This was one of the most awesome books i've ever read. I really felt for those children who had to fend for themselves. It makes you not want to take things for granted anymore.
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