Rating: 
Summary: A great book about what life is REALLY like!!
Review: Heather Quarles is such a good author. I was fascinated by the way she writes. I couldn't put it down!! I wish she had more books so that I could read them all!!
Rating:
Summary: Depressing yet Amazing!
Review: I absolutely loved this book! I can relate to Katherine in so many ways. What I don't understand is how some of the book reviews before the customer reviews said the plot was weak and the characters had flaws (duh, they're only human). This is why I'm not too fond of critics because they automatically don't like books, music, or movies for the stupidest reasons! That tells you why movies like, "A Beautiful Mind", win oscars, they have a habit of picking the most boring and stupid movies. Sorry to get off the subject but critics just [make me mad]. Anyway, this book will make you think about the strength of sibling bonds and the pain of having an alcoholic parent. It was beautirully written and I hope the author knows she is truly gifted.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I bought the book yesterday, and could not put it down (too bad I had to work this morning). The characters are wonderfully developed, honest and unique. Katherine's desperation and determination is realistic and compelling. There are no easy answers for these kids, but by sticking together they keep each other in line. Wonderful.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Touching Book J.G/7
Review: I enjoyed this book very much because for the most part of the story it was very realistic. My favorite character in the story was Katherine Donovan because she was responsible and was able to take care of her siblings when her family was in trouble. Even though the most part was realistic some parts were unrealistic.Some unrealistic parts was when Katherine's mother stayed in bed for a few months when she had got divorced from her husband. Another event was when the younger brother Doug drove on the highway when he had never drove before to get to the store. One part that I thought was the most unrealistic was when Katherine didn't feel like she could go to her father with the money problems knowing that he was very rich. A part that I enjoyed in the book was when Mr. Dodgson began to help Katherine and her family because it showed her that the teacher cared about what happened to them. I would reccomend this book because when you read it you never want to put it down.
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Summary: Outstanding Effort!
Review: I grew up reading & re-reading CS Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia." Narnia was my escape from the alcoholism that invaded every facet of my life as a child. Lewis' characters faced many of the same emotions I did, and "connected" me with others outside of my isolated life--albeit imaginary friends, but friends nonetheless.I never thought I'd see another author capture the growing pains of childhood as well as Lewis did, until I picked up Quarles' book by mistake. Since I had it, I read it, and I was astounded at her ability to capture the reader, transport them inside the character and recreate all of the fears, pain, excitement, uncertainty and ingenuity of childhood. This book is a MUST-READ for anyone who loved CS Lewis, or for anyone whose life has been touched by parental alcoholism. "A Door Near Here" gives outsiders a peek inside the secret world of an alcoholic home, and gives insiders a family of friends who know how it is. Finally, Quarles loving treatment of Aslan and Narnia in the real world of an 8-year-old is astounding--Ms. Quarles, thank-you.
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Summary: Kelsey M.
Review: I judge books by their covers, unfortunately. As bad as a habit that is the book I came across with technique was a keeper. The cover was interesting and made me want to know what was going on. The title also caught my eye because it gave me barely the slightest hints of what to expect in this mysterious book. So it already had me guessing before I even opened it. Well, when I actually did begin to read, I liked what I saw. What I liked about the book was as I went along with it. (...) More so I could see at her level in we are both in a similar age group. Her being 15 and me being 17, its hard enough with the little responsibilities I have let alone in charge of 3 other lives besides your own. Even the fact that she is younger makes me ashamed of the criticism I give my role in life as it is. Here it is this 15 year old girl, going through the crazy things already every teenager has to deal with along with all her self conscience view of herself, but she has to put them all aside. She is given no time to be her own age. The survival of her entire household was based on her and so she really had no choice. I always like to read books that aren't that well heard of just to be different. And I am now surprised I haven't heard more about this particular novel. It seems to be the kind of books a lot of adolescents would really enjoy reading. It's not boring or petty , and it really lets you see a more realistic view of life itself and that not everyone has it so easy. Even though it didn't leave me with a little happy feeling in the end knowing everything would turn out fine and dandy, I find that I think that's what made the book as a whole so much better. It didn't end on a completely happy note and I think that really held the story together. So I don't really even feel like I went through a read a book, more so I heard accounts of a good friend and last I heard I hope she's doing well.
Rating:
Summary: my evaluation
Review: I judge books by their covers, unfortunately. As bad as a habit that is the book I came across with technique was a keeper. The cover was interesting and made me want to know what was going on. The title also caught my eye because it gave me barely the slightest hints of what to expect in this mysterious book. So it already had me guessing before I even opened it. Well, when I actually did begin to read, I liked what I saw. What I liked about the book was as I went along with it. (...) More so I could see at her level in we are both in a similar age group. Her being 15 and me being 17, its hard enough with the little responsibilities I have let alone in charge of 3 other lives besides your own. Even the fact that she is younger makes me ashamed of the criticism I give my role in life as it is. Here it is this 15 year old girl, going through the crazy things already every teenager has to deal with along with all her self conscience view of herself, but she has to put them all aside. She is given no time to be her own age. The survival of her entire household was based on her and so she really had no choice. I always like to read books that aren't that well heard of just to be different. And I am now surprised I haven't heard more about this particular novel. It seems to be the kind of books a lot of adolescents would really enjoy reading. It's not boring or petty , and it really lets you see a more realistic view of life itself and that not everyone has it so easy. Even though it didn't leave me with a little happy feeling in the end knowing everything would turn out fine and dandy, I find that I think that's what made the book as a whole so much better. It didn't end on a completely happy note and I think that really held the story together. So I don't really even feel like I went through a read a book, more so I heard accounts of a good friend and last I heard I hope she's doing well.
Rating:
Summary: "A Door Near Here" is definitely worth a look
Review: I loved this book. I was particularly impressed by the fact that this is Heather Quarles' first novel and that she writes with such heart. Her characters are captivating, well developed, and take turns either breaking your heart or putting you on the edge of your seat. The storyline provides twists and turns down the road toward a study of alcoholic parents and the affects of the disease on helpless children. Not to say that the characters are helpless... in fact, they are very self-sufficient. The four children, ages 8 to 15, look for help from no one but each other. Some would be horrified that such a thing could happen. I think it is an inspiration for childhood ingenuity. This first attempt at writing for Quarles has laid a wonderful foundation for her to continue a brilliant career. She is obviously very talented and writes with such passion, you almost wonder if the experience was hers personally. I found myself projected into the shoes of the central character, 15-year-old Katherine. I think you will too.
Rating:
Summary: An insightful look into the mind of an adolescent.
Review: I picked up "A Door Near Here" because I'm an alumni of Gordon College, the author's school for her undergraduate study. I am ordering more copies for both adult and young adult friends because I enjoyed it so much. I've worked with adolescents in the helping profession for 9 years and was hit hard by the insightful look into a mature young woman's mind. We try to help and it's not always seen as help. We try to reach out and it's not always accepted...at first. "Be there", I think Ms. Quarles is saying to adults, "Kids need you even if they don't realize it yet."
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiring Book
Review: I read A Door Near Here recently and loved it. It's about a family dealing with their mother being an alcoholic, but it's also about Christianity. It's an amazing book, especially if you've read the Narnia books, and I would highly recommend it.
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