When I Was Older (Thorndike Press Large Print Young Adult Series)

Rating:
Summary: a Must Read For Young Adults
Review: "Her brother is gone-but she is still here", says the cover. Sophie's younger brother died of leukemia when he was eight. That was two years ago. Day by day, Sophie finds herself forgetting him. She's scared of letting go of what little memories she has of him; until she meets Francis. Can she let go but still hold on of the memories she has? This was a very good book, very vivid of what Sophie goes through. She's someone that you could easily relate to if someone close to you died. At times though, she sounds very fake and un-caring. She's somewhat of a snob though that judges people by what she's heard about them. Francis teaches her that's not a wise idea and little by little, she finds herself falling in love with him. Yet part of her holds back. Plus, there's her complicated relationship with her father. Her parents are divorced and he was having an affair while her brother was dying. In a way she blames him for his death. Can Sophie give herself permission to be what she wants to be? To grow up?

Rating:
Summary: thought provoking
Review: "Her brother is gone-but she is still here", says the cover. Sophie's younger brother died of leukemia when he was eight. That was two years ago. Day by day, Sophie finds herself forgetting him. She's scared of letting go of what little memories she has of him; until she meets Francis. Can she let go but still hold on of the memories she has? This was a very good book, very vivid of what Sophie goes through. She's someone that you could easily relate to if someone close to you died. At times though, she sounds very fake and un-caring. She's somewhat of a snob though that judges people by what she's heard about them. Francis teaches her that's not a wise idea and little by little, she finds herself falling in love with him. Yet part of her holds back. Plus, there's her complicated relationship with her father. Her parents are divorced and he was having an affair while her brother was dying. In a way she blames him for his death. Can Sophie give herself permission to be what she wants to be? To grow up?

Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorites
Review: A wonderful, moving book that is also funny and that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Freymann-Weyr's sensitive treatment of loss and memory will be with me for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: A Novel About the Wisdom of Youth
Review: In this vibrant, engrossing novel, Sophie takes you on a tour of what it's like to be a teenager in the 21st century. Between swim practice and English essays there is trying to cope with family and friends and learning about what love is. Readers of all ages will be drawn in and unconciously given a dose of life medicine. Freymann-Weyr's grip on all of the angst and humor that comes with growing up hits the spot. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: a galloping debut
Review: Sophie is a completely believable teenager. She has some of the best comeback lines which she thinks but doesn't say. But they're exactly what I would've thought too. I like that she has guy friends that she doesn't date and that she thinks about those quintessential teen obsessions such as time and death. Freymann-Weyr has captured the true voice of teens so much that I felt catapulted back to those years. And I could hardly believe that I wanted to turn the clock back. I can't wait for another book by this author!

Rating:
Summary: Heart-stopping Tale of Real Life for People Young & Old
Review: This is the type of a book a teenager will keep, and re-read, for years to come. Sophie, the book's heroine, is a wonderfully drawn portrait of a young girl on the brink adulthood - with equal parts grace and temerity. She is humorous and intelligent while struggling to understand adult behavior, the "rules" of high school, and her own place in the world.

I bought this book for a friend's child and ended up reading it myself - and loving it. It's well-written, engaging, and funny. A rare find in the world of young adult literature. How nice to find a book for teenagers without serial murderers, rapists, or extra-terrestrials. (With all due respect to E.T.).