My Mother Was Never A Kid

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Summary: This was a great ABC Afterschool Special in 1981
Review: I've been looking for this book for the longest time, but by the original title "Hanging out with CiCi"...I remember when this book was made into an ABC Afterschool Special in 1981(which might be why the previous reviewer thought it to be a bit outdated) and I've been on the lookout for it ever since. This book strikes a chord with most every teenage, because who hasn't felt at one time or another that their parents just can't relate to them? This book helps to give another perspective and show that yes, our parents once were kids themselves who lived, loved and got in trouble just like we did. It's a must read for any teenager...

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Summary: Great book!
Review: My Mother Was Never A Kid is a funny, honest story told by Victoria Martin, a thirteen year old girl living in New York City in the 1970s. I think that this book is a good read, especially since it totally relates to a lot of people. Francine Pascal's present time writing style contributes to the actual-time essence that brings out the reality of it all. Victoria's experience going back to the twenties was rather far-fetched, but it adds up to the thrill it gave me reading this book. I think this book is great for all ages, even above thirteen. Once you start, you can't stop!

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Summary: Some of Francine's Best
Review: We all probably know Francine Pascal best from Sweet Valley and Elizabeth and Jessica- "two blond, blue eyed twins with perfect size 6 figures who live in southern California". If you are under the age of maybe 18, you probably know her from Fearless a series and "Gaia, a girl born without the fear gene".
Since no one has reviewed this book, I guess few people know about Victoria.
This is a shame because Victoria is everything that Gaia, Elizabeth and even Jessica were not. Victoria has no special abilities. She isn't a black belt, or an algebra genius, she doesn't claim a size six figure or long sunstreaked blond hair.
Victoria is thirteen and always in trouble.
Realistically in trouble, she has no sensible look-alike to constantly bail her out. What Victoria has is a bratty little sister that constantly gets her in trouble and a mother that she doesn't think was ever a kid. (The book's title). This book is very realistic even though it is a little outdated. (The seventies). There is a fight scene on the subway between Veronica and her sister that is so surprisingly realistic that if you had had a little sister you would be nodding your head at it as you read. (Veronica's sister demands something that Veronica borrowed back and Veronica demands that her sister return Veronica's socks that she is wearing before she gets on the train. It ends with their mother screaming at both of them).
Veronica finally gets in even worse trouble when she visits her cousin for a weekend and gets caught with illegal drugs. She didn't bring them, she didn't even want to try them, she just happened to be holding them when her aunt walked out.
On the dreaded train ride home to her angry mother, she is somehow transported back in time. She meets her own mother, at her age, and is intially unable to recognize her. Later, she realizes that her mother was indeed a kid and she is able to contrast and compare their similarities and differences and get in some more trouble.
This book, besides being grittily honest is also very well written. It kept me reading until the very end. I was happy to see it, and it's sequels back in the book stores.
It comes highly recommended. Victoria, is once again, everything every other character Francine Pascal wrote about, is not. She is often awkward, self doubting and ridiculous. This book, despite it's light hearted, angst ridden tone of voice, grapples with some more serious issues. It's in a way, a slightly more sophisticated version of "Are you there god, it's me Margaret?"
I believe this book was actually written by Francine Pascal, and not just planned out. (Francine didn't write all gazillion Sweet Valley books, but I think submitted something like various outlines to chosen writers). Back in the day, I wondered what she could have done with Elizabeth and Jessica, what kind of personalities they would have had, if she had narrated their stories.
This book also has two other sequels. I only read one of them when I was thirteen. It is also well done, Victoria is back, and recognizable. All of them are back in print now, and definetly worth reading.