Eclipse

Rating:
Summary: Young Adult Book that Tackles Adult Topics
Review: Depression in a close family member; the stigma attached with mental illness; worry that your aging mother might have a baby with Down Syndrome: these are topics not traditionally associated with a young adult novel, but which Franklin deals with head-on. Trina, the main character, is a typical sixth grade girl who feels the weight of the world on her shoulders as she watches her father fall deeper and deeper into clinical depression and worries about the state of her unborn sister (Trina's mother is 48 years old). These are tough topics for a twelve-year-old to handle, and Trina does have trouble adjusting and adapting to these problems--as well as dealing with the day-to-day problems of life by herself as she tries to give her parents time to sort through their problems by theirselves.

Franklin should be commended because she never resorts to "talking down" to her young adult reader. Neither does she sound preachy or sugar-coat the story with an "everything will turn out OK" theme. Indeed, the reader is never sure how the story will end. Trina is often afraid, uncertain, and feels alone. She feels compelled to give up certain "kid" things and takes an adult role in the house...yet seems to resent the fact that she has to make that choice. Although this may or may not be what young adults in similar situations think or do, it is very easy to empathize with Trina; the reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster along with the main character.

In a side note, I met Kristine Franklin at a teachers' conference in Springfield, Illinois, in spring of 2001. She was a very nice and personable lady and I'm happy to find that such a lady is such a talented writer. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Young Adult Book that Tackles Adult Topics
Review: Depression in a close family member; the stigma attached with mental illness; worry that your aging mother might have a baby with Down Syndrome: these are topics not traditionally associated with a young adult novel, but which Franklin deals with head-on. Trina, the main character, is a typical sixth grade girl who feels the weight of the world on her shoulders as she watches her father fall deeper and deeper into clinical depression and worries about the state of her unborn sister (Trina's mother is 48 years old). These are tough topics for a twelve-year-old to handle, and Trina does have trouble adjusting and adapting to these problems--as well as dealing with the day-to-day problems of life by herself as she tries to give her parents time to sort through their problems by theirselves.

Franklin should be commended because she never resorts to "talking down" to her young adult reader. Neither does she sound preachy or sugar-coat the story with an "everything will turn out OK" theme. Indeed, the reader is never sure how the story will end. Trina is often afraid, uncertain, and feels alone. She feels compelled to give up certain "kid" things and takes an adult role in the house...yet seems to resent the fact that she has to make that choice. Although this may or may not be what young adults in similar situations think or do, it is very easy to empathize with Trina; the reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster along with the main character.

In a side note, I met Kristine Franklin at a teachers' conference in Springfield, Illinois, in spring of 2001. She was a very nice and personable lady and I'm happy to find that such a lady is such a talented writer. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: An awesome book that is very realistic.
Review: Eclipse was one of the best books I ever read. You could really tell how Trina was feeling about her dad and his strange behaviors. It was sort of sad, but lots of people could be living with this problem. It was funny how opposite Miranda and Trina were, for example, Miranda talked nonstop before their puppet show, and Trina just sat there VERY nervously! Trina had so many problems, but she still tried to live her life as best she could. I would definitely read another one of Kristine Franklin's books.

Rating:
Summary: Shows kids they can live up to more adult responsibilities
Review: Trina's perfect summer falls apart when her Dad falls into a deep depression. The characters are very memorable and both Trina and Miranda will remind you of people you know.