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Stealing Henry
"The night Savannah brains her stepfather with the frying pan is the night she decides to leave home for good."
Fleeing from her stepfather's wrath, Savannah and her half brother, Henry, travel north toward their mother Alice's childhood home. As the runaways embark upon their journey, another story begins to unfold: glimpses of Alice as a teenager, caught in poignant first love and completely unaware of all the consequences love can carry.
Fleeing from her stepfather's wrath, Savannah and her half brother, Henry, travel north toward their mother Alice's childhood home. As the runaways embark upon their journey, another story begins to unfold: glimpses of Alice as a teenager, caught in poignant first love and completely unaware of all the consequences love can carry.
196 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2005
About the author
Carolyn MacCullough
13 books689 followersCarolyn MacCullough received her MFA in creative writing from the New School and lives with her husband in Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 27, 2019
An intriguing book right from the start, Stealing Henry is a story that I think many kids can relate to. So many children grow up in single parent homes leading very difficult lives. Often times these struggling parents fall into toxic relationships, putting their children in very difficult situations. This story explores all of that, plus what it means to put yourself and your sibling(s) first by removing yourself from the situation. Very relatable and very compelling.
September 9, 2019
[Written: July 9, 2006] | [Edited: September 09, 2019]
There's a lot to like and dislike about "Stealing Henry". The beginning of the story is not at all how you would expect a story such as this to start. You're thrown right in the middle of Savannah's life with her abusive father and her decision to run away from home with her little brother, Henry towing along, completely obliging to the idea himself. As the story rolls on, you are gripped with panic and fear that Savannah might be caught in her daring escape from home to someplace safe, away from her father.
Her mother Alice, is no longer the person she once was; Alice is now a fearful, and meek wife of an angry man not at all like he was when she met on the day her car broke down. She does nothing to help her daughter, for she is rarely home, and is certainly thrown for a loop by her daughter's latest stunt. The author crafted some interesting characters for the story to revolve around.
They're all quite the individuals to my surprise, diverse in their own ways. Savannah and Henry are without a doubt my favorite characters in the book. The description of the places the duo travel to is very vivid without too much detail and the strain and anger the sister is under is truly felt through the storytelling.
The only problems I have with the books is that the characters tend to drop the `F'-bomb every other sentence when speaking to each other. The book wasn't so descriptive of sexual content in the story, but it's the most I've read about in a book I've borrowed recently, for sure. Several chapters, placed between "present" chapters, depict Alice's "past", her life in her hometown, and "present day" chapters shift between things Savannah did with her mother and life with Jack before returning to the predicament she faces.
While the insight on Alice's life is interesting, I really can't bring myself to feel anything for a woman who want stand up to her husband who hurts her children. Plus I think I would've liked if the chapters concerning Savannah and Alice's pasts were placed at the beginning and not so much as in between chapters for an easier grasp of their lives. And I think the thing I disliked the most, certainly, was the way the book ended.
Savannah ending up living with her aunt and Henry having to go back to living with an unhelpful mother and abusive father (sucks). All in all, Stealing Henry is an enjoyable piece of fiction, worth giving a try.
There's a lot to like and dislike about "Stealing Henry". The beginning of the story is not at all how you would expect a story such as this to start. You're thrown right in the middle of Savannah's life with her abusive father and her decision to run away from home with her little brother, Henry towing along, completely obliging to the idea himself. As the story rolls on, you are gripped with panic and fear that Savannah might be caught in her daring escape from home to someplace safe, away from her father.
Her mother Alice, is no longer the person she once was; Alice is now a fearful, and meek wife of an angry man not at all like he was when she met on the day her car broke down. She does nothing to help her daughter, for she is rarely home, and is certainly thrown for a loop by her daughter's latest stunt. The author crafted some interesting characters for the story to revolve around.
They're all quite the individuals to my surprise, diverse in their own ways. Savannah and Henry are without a doubt my favorite characters in the book. The description of the places the duo travel to is very vivid without too much detail and the strain and anger the sister is under is truly felt through the storytelling.
The only problems I have with the books is that the characters tend to drop the `F'-bomb every other sentence when speaking to each other. The book wasn't so descriptive of sexual content in the story, but it's the most I've read about in a book I've borrowed recently, for sure. Several chapters, placed between "present" chapters, depict Alice's "past", her life in her hometown, and "present day" chapters shift between things Savannah did with her mother and life with Jack before returning to the predicament she faces.
While the insight on Alice's life is interesting, I really can't bring myself to feel anything for a woman who want stand up to her husband who hurts her children. Plus I think I would've liked if the chapters concerning Savannah and Alice's pasts were placed at the beginning and not so much as in between chapters for an easier grasp of their lives. And I think the thing I disliked the most, certainly, was the way the book ended.
Savannah ending up living with her aunt and Henry having to go back to living with an unhelpful mother and abusive father (sucks). All in all, Stealing Henry is an enjoyable piece of fiction, worth giving a try.
February 16, 2013
I loved Stealing Henry. I’ll admit I wasn’t completely pulled in by the synopsis on the jacket. The story sort of seemed like a snoozefest and the book is rather short (just 200 pages), so I figured it would flop--and though the cover is pretty, I was absolutely judging it. Honestly, they tell you not to judge a book by its cover for a reason. Shout out to Rodrigo Corral, by the way. Woop woop!
The book description absolutely does not live up to the book itself. The book is short and fast paced but still wonderfully thorough. Savannah’s story is chock full of hard decisions, fear, hope, and the prospect of the future. Savannah is her brother’s hero though it was never stated plainly.
Savannah was a strong character, but she was also very vulnerable. I loved that Carolyn MacCullough didn’t shadow the vulnerability of Savannah’s character but also didn’t make it loud and obnoxious. We glimpsed her insecurities in the way she had trouble sleeping or habitually looked over her shoulder, surveying her surroundings. It was all very subtle and easy to pick up on without any effort. Oh, and Henry… Henry is a soft-spoken 8-year-old who will absolutely break your heart with the want to give him the world.
In addition to Savannah and Henry’s story, their mom, Alice’s, story from her teenage years is explained occasionally throughout the book. The glimpses into the past give us just enough information to understand why Alice is the way she is and what caused her to make the choices she has. Honestly I would have loved to hear more about Alice’s story. I feel like there were several things that needed to be fleshed out more. Perhaps I just liked the characters on that side of things, who knows? I really wish we could have gotten to know Noah more, because from the little bits we saw of him I started to love his character.
All in all I’m completely in love with Stealing Henry. Everything in this novel is so subtle. I found myself feeling embarrassingly emotional without really knowing why. I feel like the story and MacCullough’s writing were amazing at making me feel. This story will make your heart squeeze, and throb, and occasionally break… and it’s worth every minute.
P.S. Do you think the library will mind if they don’t see this book again? No reason. I was just… wondering, you know? *shifty eyes*
The book description absolutely does not live up to the book itself. The book is short and fast paced but still wonderfully thorough. Savannah’s story is chock full of hard decisions, fear, hope, and the prospect of the future. Savannah is her brother’s hero though it was never stated plainly.
Savannah was a strong character, but she was also very vulnerable. I loved that Carolyn MacCullough didn’t shadow the vulnerability of Savannah’s character but also didn’t make it loud and obnoxious. We glimpsed her insecurities in the way she had trouble sleeping or habitually looked over her shoulder, surveying her surroundings. It was all very subtle and easy to pick up on without any effort. Oh, and Henry… Henry is a soft-spoken 8-year-old who will absolutely break your heart with the want to give him the world.
In addition to Savannah and Henry’s story, their mom, Alice’s, story from her teenage years is explained occasionally throughout the book. The glimpses into the past give us just enough information to understand why Alice is the way she is and what caused her to make the choices she has. Honestly I would have loved to hear more about Alice’s story. I feel like there were several things that needed to be fleshed out more. Perhaps I just liked the characters on that side of things, who knows? I really wish we could have gotten to know Noah more, because from the little bits we saw of him I started to love his character.
All in all I’m completely in love with Stealing Henry. Everything in this novel is so subtle. I found myself feeling embarrassingly emotional without really knowing why. I feel like the story and MacCullough’s writing were amazing at making me feel. This story will make your heart squeeze, and throb, and occasionally break… and it’s worth every minute.
P.S. Do you think the library will mind if they don’t see this book again? No reason. I was just… wondering, you know? *shifty eyes*
December 11, 2009
I kind of loved this book. Kind of. In that 5/5 way. Read it in under 4 hours. Carolyn did a brilliant job with Alice and Savannah's voices, with flashbacks into the past, with the characterization of even the minor characters. It ended the way real-life would, which again I loved.
Much recommended to you :)
Much recommended to you :)
January 21, 2009
It was fantastic. I only wish it had been longer.
October 4, 2019
I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 because i really liked it. The story its self is really deep and relateable to many people in this world and makes it understandable. The message put out through this book is powerful and makes me drawn to the book. While i was reading the book I would always want to keep reading and want to know what was gonna happen next. The only problem I had with the book is the ending I wish it would've ended with a happier ending and they actually got more of what they deserved.
January 13, 2017
alotta words....a little story....what story there was - was decent enough but OMG all those words !!!! so very hard to sit thru this one with out passing pages back and forth....teenage girl struggles to protect her little brother from an abusive stepfather and takes matters into her own hands without much thought or reasoning....maybe a fourth/fifth grade summer reading list - but don't count on to many book reports....so many words....
February 7, 2017
Despite how short the book is, I still liked the writing style and the two stories throughout between Savannah and Alice. A quick but good read.
January 21, 2019
Stealing Henry took me in from its opening line and from then on it was hard to put the book down. Stealing Henry tells a story about a girl named Savannah who hasn’t had an easy life. She spent the first half of her life traveling the country with her mother, Alice. Alice and Savannah never stay in one place long and Alice always had a new boyfriend and new job. Until one day she settles down and marries a drunk named Jack. He is both physically and emotionally abusive and Alice never listens to Savannah’s plea’s to leave. So one day Savannah has had enough and takes her brother Henry and does just that. This is a story of suspense and courage. What I liked about this book is it was compelling and you kept reading because you wanted to know that the kids were going to be safe. I think both sexes would enjoy this book. It is a book that deals with both a mother/daughter and a brother/sister relationship.
March 24, 2020
Good read .
Read
September 27, 2016Stealing Henry, written by Carolyn McCullough, tells the story of Savannah and Henry with their journey about running away from the dreadful lifestyle they are forced to live in. Their abusive step-father fueled Savannahs abrupt leaving. With their mom always working and letting every abusive action fade into nothing, Savannah does what she feels as right by running away with her brother Henry. Their journey will force Savannah to deal with the consequences and whether what she did was right. Returning back home is not an option in her mind.
I recommend this book to students in High School since the situations are better suited to a more mature audience. By educating the young adults in the world over just one of the many consequences of a parent’s poor behavior, it can help eliminate the issue in the future. The writer describes the characters in a way that gives the reader a taste of their emotions and the reasons behind their actions.
McCullough wrote the story with Savannah as one of the main characters. Savannah is strong even in her weakest times, goes with her instincts, and assumes the role of the main parent in her brother’s life. By creating a character with almost “super hero” qualities, her story leaves the readers on the tip of their toes waiting for her next move. Her instincts took over as “…she slams the pan up like a tennis racket, through unencumbered space, and into the side of Jack’s head.” Although the book does highlight some actions that are seen as bad, she will begin to question if her actions were the best for her brother.
Throughout the book there are chapters with flash backs from when Alice, her mother, was a teen. This allows us to better understand why the character acts the way she does. The constant change from the past to the present gave me the understanding that our future is based on our decisions. Savannah was falling into the path her mom took as a teenager, but changed her life by running away. She took charge of her life and did something different than letting history repeat itself. The story is written in such a way you need to look at the set up as a whole to really understand the message the author was trying to convey.
Although some readers may not enjoy the book from the basis of a predictable plot line, others may find the book to be very appealing. Overall the book was a good read and left me asking questions only a sequel could answer. McCullough’s book is definitely a piece of literature you should add to your wish list.
I recommend this book to students in High School since the situations are better suited to a more mature audience. By educating the young adults in the world over just one of the many consequences of a parent’s poor behavior, it can help eliminate the issue in the future. The writer describes the characters in a way that gives the reader a taste of their emotions and the reasons behind their actions.
McCullough wrote the story with Savannah as one of the main characters. Savannah is strong even in her weakest times, goes with her instincts, and assumes the role of the main parent in her brother’s life. By creating a character with almost “super hero” qualities, her story leaves the readers on the tip of their toes waiting for her next move. Her instincts took over as “…she slams the pan up like a tennis racket, through unencumbered space, and into the side of Jack’s head.” Although the book does highlight some actions that are seen as bad, she will begin to question if her actions were the best for her brother.
Throughout the book there are chapters with flash backs from when Alice, her mother, was a teen. This allows us to better understand why the character acts the way she does. The constant change from the past to the present gave me the understanding that our future is based on our decisions. Savannah was falling into the path her mom took as a teenager, but changed her life by running away. She took charge of her life and did something different than letting history repeat itself. The story is written in such a way you need to look at the set up as a whole to really understand the message the author was trying to convey.
Although some readers may not enjoy the book from the basis of a predictable plot line, others may find the book to be very appealing. Overall the book was a good read and left me asking questions only a sequel could answer. McCullough’s book is definitely a piece of literature you should add to your wish list.
October 18, 2023
I personally did not enjoy this book at all! It was very confusing to follow because of the different flashback chapters about Savannah's mom. I feel like there was not really much conflict and overall had just one problem that was just dragged on throughout the whole book. I would not recommend this book to a classmate and should definitely not be a class read whatsoever.
January 25, 2015
The night Savannah brains her stepfather Jack with the frying pan is the night she decides to leave home for good. It doesn't matter that she has no money and her eight-year-old brother Henry to take care of. It doesn't even matter that her stepfather will probably follow them. Savannah can stand a few obstacles as well as she can a slap or two. What she can't stand is the idea of becoming like her mother Alice.
Alice used to be someone Savannah admired, someone she could look up to. But that was another life when Alice was still looking for her own future and finding nothing she expected.
Savannah's life wasn't always about listening before entering a room and not making eye contact or talking back. Her childhood homes could fill a road atlas. Savannah and Alice traveled all across the country before the fateful day their car broke down and the party stopped for good.
Savannah and Henry are journeying to a house they've never seen. Eighteen years ago certain events conspired to drive Alice to leave that same house for good; events that would eventually determine the course of both Alice and Savannah's lives in Stealing Henry (2005) by Carolyn MacCullough.
Stealing Henry draws readers in right from the beginning with a shocking opening line and a truly evocative cover (designed by Rodrigo Corral--the mastermind behind the US covers for the Uglies series). Nothing about Savannah's life is easy and it's simple to assume reading about her won't be either. But the opposite is true. MacCullough's lyrical prose pulls readers in, quickly making Savannah and her unreal life completely believable.
Even passing scenes of the local emergency room, Alice's current place of employ, are skillfully written with a high degree of authenticity. Everything about this story is evocative and compelling.
I read Stealing Henry shortly after the van incident and a generally not peaceful time in my own life. Reading about Savannah and her own journey was somehow entirely appropriate for that situation and often comforting. Much like MacCullough's later novels, this story is always optimistic. Even at her lowest, Savannah remains hopeful; the writing itself becoming both peaceful and reassuring.
Possible Pairings: How to (un)Cage a Girl by Francesca Lia Block, The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley, The Bride's Farewell by Meg Rosoff, Little Voice by Sara Bareilles (music album)
Alice used to be someone Savannah admired, someone she could look up to. But that was another life when Alice was still looking for her own future and finding nothing she expected.
Savannah's life wasn't always about listening before entering a room and not making eye contact or talking back. Her childhood homes could fill a road atlas. Savannah and Alice traveled all across the country before the fateful day their car broke down and the party stopped for good.
Savannah and Henry are journeying to a house they've never seen. Eighteen years ago certain events conspired to drive Alice to leave that same house for good; events that would eventually determine the course of both Alice and Savannah's lives in Stealing Henry (2005) by Carolyn MacCullough.
Stealing Henry draws readers in right from the beginning with a shocking opening line and a truly evocative cover (designed by Rodrigo Corral--the mastermind behind the US covers for the Uglies series). Nothing about Savannah's life is easy and it's simple to assume reading about her won't be either. But the opposite is true. MacCullough's lyrical prose pulls readers in, quickly making Savannah and her unreal life completely believable.
Even passing scenes of the local emergency room, Alice's current place of employ, are skillfully written with a high degree of authenticity. Everything about this story is evocative and compelling.
I read Stealing Henry shortly after the van incident and a generally not peaceful time in my own life. Reading about Savannah and her own journey was somehow entirely appropriate for that situation and often comforting. Much like MacCullough's later novels, this story is always optimistic. Even at her lowest, Savannah remains hopeful; the writing itself becoming both peaceful and reassuring.
Possible Pairings: How to (un)Cage a Girl by Francesca Lia Block, The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley, The Bride's Farewell by Meg Rosoff, Little Voice by Sara Bareilles (music album)
April 11, 2009
This book starts luring you in as soon as you read the first line, and has you consequently hooked all the way through. It's simple, cute, and quirky in it's own ways. Each chapter take turns revealing the life of Savannah's mother, Alice circa 1980's, and Savannah's escape with her younger brother Henry. It has likable characters, such as Matt, Savannah's past love interest that she tutored in high school. Savannah's great-aunt Jane, whom took up for Savannah's mother Alice all through her teenage years, and provided her with cigarettes against Alice's mother's will. And of course you begin to see the fairytale storyline of Alice's once care-free ways slowly fade, and see the nameless woman she has become. Your heart goes out to her old soul that once roamed the streets of Three Springs, Maine. And towards the end you fall in love with the weird character Alice dated throughout the flashbacks in the book, Mike, whom you finally realize at the end is Savannah's long lost father, whom Alice never wanted in Savannah's life. Savannah's stepfather, Jake is an incredible ass, and you feel sorry for Alice for getting herself into that trap some 9 years ago, and even worse for Henry and Savannah for having to take the gist of his wrath through the years. The book leaves you wondering what will happen next in the life of Savannah after her mother takes her brother away from her and tells her she can not return home due to an agreement with her stepfather. Her friend Matt calls her up and she's off to a road trip with him and his friend Holt, whom seems to have an interest in Savannah. I recommend this book to anyone who wants an enjoyable read full of love, laughs, and plenty of heartache.
>i<
>i<
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2011
Savannah is in a tough spot. Her stepfather is a drunk and has hated her from day one, her mother who used to be her best friend, works all the time to escape from home, and Henry her little brother worships her. Things come to a head one night when Savannah is cooking dinner, mom works over nights, step-daddy, drunk again, starts in on her. When Henry walks in to stop the yelling the anger is turned on him, this is when Savannah snaps. She grabs the pan and beans step-daddy, grabs Henry and runs.
Instead of running to the normal spot, a family friend, she runs to hospital where her mother works. Her mother urges her to go the friends home. Savannah knows this won't work, she might have gone a step to far, but she is tired of getting slapped around and doesn't want it to flow to Henry.
Savannah runs to New York and an old friend. It is here that Savannah has the time to wonder WTF and what she is going to do next. She also remembers her mother when things were good. Of course she is viewing things through rose colored glasses. We also get Alice's back story in flash backs and you come to understand her better.
Savannah ends up in a place she didn't expect, loosing a lot along the way. But even as bad as things look they do seem to be looking up for her at the end. It would be interesting if we could have one more chapter that was 5 years or so in the future to know just what life brings for Savannah.
Instead of running to the normal spot, a family friend, she runs to hospital where her mother works. Her mother urges her to go the friends home. Savannah knows this won't work, she might have gone a step to far, but she is tired of getting slapped around and doesn't want it to flow to Henry.
Savannah runs to New York and an old friend. It is here that Savannah has the time to wonder WTF and what she is going to do next. She also remembers her mother when things were good. Of course she is viewing things through rose colored glasses. We also get Alice's back story in flash backs and you come to understand her better.
Savannah ends up in a place she didn't expect, loosing a lot along the way. But even as bad as things look they do seem to be looking up for her at the end. It would be interesting if we could have one more chapter that was 5 years or so in the future to know just what life brings for Savannah.
August 26, 2010
This book felt way too brief. There was a great, engaging plot and the flashbacks to Savannah's life with Alice on the road were good. However, Savannah's relationship with her stepfather wasn't villainous enough for my tastes, especially when it seemed that she "just didn't like him" from the beginning. This didn't bother me at first, but when juxtaposed with her feelings for Kurti (another automatic dislike for no particular reason) it made me wonder why we should believe Savannah.
(I'm NOT excusing/defending a man who beats his children, I'm simply saying I wanted MORE reasons to dislike him, especially if I was viewing the story through Savannah's eyes.)
The relationship tensions were also very good - Alice and Jack, and then Kurti's attempt to do the right thing. All of that felt real and authentic because of their complicated nature. But again, I just wanted more of everything. I think this book calls for a sequel - the road trip that Savannah takes would be a great way to unravel more memories and delve deeper into her psyche. Plus, I mean, what's she going to do NOW?
(I'm NOT excusing/defending a man who beats his children, I'm simply saying I wanted MORE reasons to dislike him, especially if I was viewing the story through Savannah's eyes.)
The relationship tensions were also very good - Alice and Jack, and then Kurti's attempt to do the right thing. All of that felt real and authentic because of their complicated nature. But again, I just wanted more of everything. I think this book calls for a sequel - the road trip that Savannah takes would be a great way to unravel more memories and delve deeper into her psyche. Plus, I mean, what's she going to do NOW?
January 11, 2008
Stealing Henry is a young adult novel about a teenager who runs away, along with her younger brother, from an abusive father. The story is nothing new. However, MacCullough writes well and creates characters who are both believable and trustworthy. Since the print is huge and the margins are likewise, I finished it rather quickly; at the end I found myself feeling like I do on Thanksgiving - really quite satisfied, but more than ready for that pumpkin pie that is sitting on the counter. I would like a sequel to tell “the rest of the story,” but then again, I am a major sucker for sequels. (I have a hard time with letting go…) The thing I liked the best about this book is that MacCullough does not talk down to her ideal reader simply because they are “young adults”; rather, she writes in a more simple tone about the issues at hand.
January 28, 2009
Savannah has lived a nomadic life with her mother, Alice, as they drift from town to town with seemingly little direction or purpose. But all that changes when their car breaks down on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike and her soon-to-be stepfather, Jack, stops to help them. Now Savannah finds herself suddenly and unexpectedly once more on the road; only this time without Alice. Fleeing from Jack's wrath, Savannah and her 8-year-old half brother, Henry, head north into the territory of Alice's childhood.
I love how MacCullough weaves Savannah's story with her mother's. You start to understand why not only Alice is the way she is, but also Savannah. It's a heart-breaking story about a mother and daughter, but written with such beautiful sadness that I loved the experience.
I love how MacCullough weaves Savannah's story with her mother's. You start to understand why not only Alice is the way she is, but also Savannah. It's a heart-breaking story about a mother and daughter, but written with such beautiful sadness that I loved the experience.
July 13, 2008
Finished this today, and may do a proper review when I'm feeling less brain-fuzzy.
I thought this was just great - really well-written, great characters, and I loved the way Savannah's mother's story was interwoven - just enough that it added but didn't overwhelm Savannah's story. Savannah was a nicely complex character, which was good, as her 'determined survivor' nature would likely have been one-note characterization in many authors' hands. I was amazed to find myself so drawn in that I was hoping against hope for her mother to take Savannah and Henry and hit the road again, because it seemed that her becoming the outwardly irresponsible mother she'd been when Savannah was young would have been an improvement.
But Henry would break your heart...
I thought this was just great - really well-written, great characters, and I loved the way Savannah's mother's story was interwoven - just enough that it added but didn't overwhelm Savannah's story. Savannah was a nicely complex character, which was good, as her 'determined survivor' nature would likely have been one-note characterization in many authors' hands. I was amazed to find myself so drawn in that I was hoping against hope for her mother to take Savannah and Henry and hit the road again, because it seemed that her becoming the outwardly irresponsible mother she'd been when Savannah was young would have been an improvement.
But Henry would break your heart...
March 31, 2008
Saving Henry is about Savannah and her brother Henry on the run from their abusive father. Their mother usually just tells them to go to a neighbors house, but not this time. Savannah has had enough, after knocking out her stepdad, Jack, she tells Henry to pack their things, and they take off. Along the way you see past glimpses of Savannah and Henry's mother, Alice, and her struggles of her first love and teen pregnancy.
January 1, 2012
I kind of loved this book. Kind of. In that 5/5 way. Read it in under 4 hours. Carolyn did a brilliant job with Alice and Savannah's voices, with flashbacks into the past, with the characterization of even the minor characters. It ended the way real-life would, which again I loved.
Much recommended to you :)
Much recommended to you :)
June 21, 2009
I just finished this book today, and loved it. It tells a story about a girl named Savannah and her younger step-brother, Henry, as they try to run away from Savannah's abusive step-father, while revealing pieces of their mother, Alice's past.
July 27, 2009
Loved this. When you're on the cusp of adulthood you learn that growing up doesn't mean you make less mistakes. Usually it means you make more.
This author writes conversations better than anyone I've read in a while.
This author writes conversations better than anyone I've read in a while.
August 8, 2010
This was a really touching book. I feel like it could have been non-fiction. I felt sorry for Savannah and Alice, they both lost certain things in their life that changed who they were. I wish Alice would have wised up and gone back to old Alice. Written lovely though.
Read
August 6, 2008Savannah makes a decision that she can't take the abuse anymore and escapes with her stepbrother, running away from a home that is no longer safe.
Read
May 26, 2010i cried at the end.... its very good i like books like this
July 19, 2012
Written in present tense, cut with flashbacks from the mother's perspective - that's two types of new, but it still didn't make a great impact on me.
July 18, 2014
Wow, I haven't been on Goodreads in a while! Anyway, this book just wasn't that great to me. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't a big fan of the book. Overall, it was okay…so I'll give it a 2.5.
April 30, 2015
It was really good but I wished that they would've gave more information as to what becomes of Henry and the family.
July 3, 2008
A book that explores the relationship between past and present. Beautifully written and intense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews