When She Was Good

Rating:
Summary: When She Was Good is amazing!
Review: I have read many books lately and this has to have been the best. Em Thurkill is such an innocent girl and her brutal family life was awful. This book makes you feel for Em and want to take care of her. I think this book is great for teens because it's real writing. I could not put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Stark
Review: I read this book in just a few hours. The main character (Em) just grabbed me and I couldn't help but keep reading. The book is written in a rather spontaneous way, bouncing between Em's inner thoughts, dialogue, and narration. Though a bit hard to follow, at times, this writing style allows the reader to really feel for Em.

This book is depressing and sad right from the first page. I found myself actually hoping the main character would give up. It was almost painful to read about Em's endless string of dissapointments. Day after day Em goes through the same routine. Where she finds hope is a mystery, but she finds it and she holds onto it.

What I like about this book is the 'realness' of it. Em is a believeable and pitiful character. Her situations are as likely as the sun rising. This is the story of someone who never had anything and never really finds anything. Again, I was almost hoping to read about how Em gave up or was killed or killed herself or was somehow taken out of her miserable life. But Em just keeps on living, her reasons known only to her.

I would certainly recommend this book, it is gripping. But be warned that this is not a happy story, not at the beginning and not at the end.

Rating:
Summary: Not that Bad
Review: I thought this was a really good book if your into this type of topic. It was extremely funny at times, and very sad at others. I would reccomend it but you might not like it. I did, but thats just me!

Rating:
Summary: A remarkable YA novel
Review: Mazer's portrayal of Em is both harrowing and beautiful. Em's voice is sparse and poetic, and her story of a life of abuse at the hands of her sister is compelling and heart-wrenching. This is no ordinary YA problem book; Em's story would make a fine companion to "adult" books like THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker.

Rating:
Summary: A heart wrenching novel of survival.
Review: Ms. Mazer has written a novel which transends usual classification. Surely, young adults and teenages alike will find Em Thurgill and her story both wretching and hopeful. The clarity of her prose and the vivid images the author paints capture the horror of abuse and give dignity to its survivors. The story and images of When She Was Good will linger in each readers mind for years to come

Rating:
Summary: When she was good
Review: The life of a little girl
This book was good because you can really get through to what the characters are going throughhowever this story is very emotional to some readers. You can feel what the main character in the story is going throughThis story has a lot of action in it.For example when she met this boy in class they would always ask lost of guestion and her and her sister love to go out with each other.

Rating:
Summary: When she was good
Review: The life of a little girl
This book was good because you can really get through to what the characters are going throughhowever this story is very emotional to some readers. You can feel what the main character in the story is going throughThis story has a lot of action in it.For example when she met this boy in class they would always ask lost of guestion and her and her sister love to go out with each other.

Rating:
Summary: Not a book for most teens!
Review: This book is a hard read and not one that is appropriate for most teens. The language is raw and the situations rawer. I read it for a project on Young Adult literature, but I can't recommend it to any of my students--and I'm one who doesn't believe in censorship--I just know the parents would not be happy to have me tell students about this one.

Rating:
Summary: deep thinking required
Review: This book is amazing. You really become the character and I could almost feel every punch of abuse thrown at her. This book just grabs hold of you and doesn't let go till it's all over. The ending isn't the greatest I've read, but life doesn't end (or begin in her case) in such a dramatic way. Norma Mazer brings this story to life. Be careful of water works! They'll come!

Rating:
Summary: Deep Black Nothing
Review: This book is exteremley deceptive. Its a little like whatching Alfred Hitchock's "The Birds." The first time you see it you're kind of lost and confused. The second time you see it you begin to believe that some deep, psychological meaning. Then the third time you realize.....there is nothing to this movie. Its just a bizarre freak of nature that caused the birds to attack. Readiing "When She Was Good" is alot like that. The first time you read it, you are a little puzzled, a tad confused. The second time you read it, you think that there's a deeper meaning that is just barely alluding you. So you read it again. And you find out that its really just as it seems...An abusive sister, horrible poverty, low self-esteem, and no hope. So your probabley wondering what on earth i gave it three stars for if i hated it so much. I gave it three stars because Ms. Mazers writing alone makes up for most of this book. With clear defining lines she paints a heart breaking picture of agony and dispair. Her ending redeems some aspects, and you have a heroine that you can cry for and wish well at the end. If you loved this book then try Brock Coles celebration of pedophiles in "The facts speak for themselves" and the everdepressing girl goddess books. Also, "Mature Readers" seems to be our catch phrase this year, so i sugjest "mature readers" try Chaim Potoks "The Chosen," John Marsdens "Letters From the Inside," and Virginia Wolfs "Make Lemonade". These are books that are deep and meaningful; that prove you don't have to be depressed to get something out of a book.