I like how the book begins with Suzie, a 12 year old girl, admiring her mother and talking about how she's good at a lot of things then gradually it's apparent to the reader that the mother is extremely bad at one thing: being a mother. This book is partly about child abuse (mostly emotional), mental illness, and learning to deal.
I am not exactly sure what mental illness it is that Suzie has since it is not stated and I'm no expert. I believe she has post-traumatic stress disorder which is what some children who have been abused may end up with. Like I said though, I'm not 100% sure. Either way Suzie is depressed to the point that she cannot talk or move quickly and always has to sit in a certain way. While she's at the mental institution, her mother and a few others tell her that she's not trying to talk and not trying to get better, but like Suzie says, there is no trying, it's not something she can simply do, she just has no words and that's what may help her get out of that place.
As a reader, one will feel awful for poor Suzie and come to hate her parents and sometimes even Deanna, Suzie's sister. The fact that Suzie can't help but love her mother is awful, but I can understand that. It must be hard not to love someone who's cared for you . Her mother did have her good moments after all. What is worse is that Suzie blames herself for her mother's behavior which is what occurs most of the time with a child who has been abused. I wish someone had been there for Suzie in the beginning so that they could tell her there is no excuse for someone to hurt another and it is of course not Suzie's fault that her mother is abusive towards her. As readers find out these thoughts from Suzie, they will want to hug the poor girl.
In the beginning of the story, the author has a few unanswered questions about why Suzie is the way she is. It's clear her mother is abusive, but it is unclear just to what extent and it's not apparent if anything else happened to Suzie. Slowly while Suzie is recovering at St. Dorothy's, there are flashbacks with clues that give insight to what happened to Suzie. These flashbacks include more information on how horrible Suzie's mother can be towards her and the awful things she's said to her daughter. The reader is also given small pieces of information that all add up by the end of the book.
What I did not like about this book was the reason given for the mother's behavior. Supposedly she is an alcoholic, but the reader does not really "see" this so it's almost hard to believe (if that makes sense). The end itself also somewhat disappointed me because it seemed to have gotten wrapped up in a clean way which was strange considering the situation. Suzie does say she has doubts which make it more realistic, but either way, I was not a fan of the ending.
I recommend this read for those that are interested in seeing through the eyes of a girl who has been abused and an alcoholic "mother." The author really manages to convince you that these thoughts are those that a girl like Suzie would have and boy does it put you in her shoes. It's also a neat book about friendship (aww Joshua how I will miss you!) and learning how at times it may be important to speak whether you want to or not.
-T.V and Book Addict
Quotes:
From Suzie's concerned uncle
"'Look at her,' he says. 'Look at the circles under her eyes. When was the last time she ate? Or smiled? Or talked? And her hair'"
Suzie's thoughts in reply to the above words
"'I can't comb my hair', I want to explain. You can't do that when you have to sit so still. And smiling takes so much energy'"
I am not exactly sure what mental illness it is that Suzie has since it is not stated and I'm no expert. I believe she has post-traumatic stress disorder which is what some children who have been abused may end up with. Like I said though, I'm not 100% sure. Either way Suzie is depressed to the point that she cannot talk or move quickly and always has to sit in a certain way. While she's at the mental institution, her mother and a few others tell her that she's not trying to talk and not trying to get better, but like Suzie says, there is no trying, it's not something she can simply do, she just has no words and that's what may help her get out of that place.
As a reader, one will feel awful for poor Suzie and come to hate her parents and sometimes even Deanna, Suzie's sister. The fact that Suzie can't help but love her mother is awful, but I can understand that. It must be hard not to love someone who's cared for you . Her mother did have her good moments after all. What is worse is that Suzie blames herself for her mother's behavior which is what occurs most of the time with a child who has been abused. I wish someone had been there for Suzie in the beginning so that they could tell her there is no excuse for someone to hurt another and it is of course not Suzie's fault that her mother is abusive towards her. As readers find out these thoughts from Suzie, they will want to hug the poor girl.
In the beginning of the story, the author has a few unanswered questions about why Suzie is the way she is. It's clear her mother is abusive, but it is unclear just to what extent and it's not apparent if anything else happened to Suzie. Slowly while Suzie is recovering at St. Dorothy's, there are flashbacks with clues that give insight to what happened to Suzie. These flashbacks include more information on how horrible Suzie's mother can be towards her and the awful things she's said to her daughter. The reader is also given small pieces of information that all add up by the end of the book.
What I did not like about this book was the reason given for the mother's behavior. Supposedly she is an alcoholic, but the reader does not really "see" this so it's almost hard to believe (if that makes sense). The end itself also somewhat disappointed me because it seemed to have gotten wrapped up in a clean way which was strange considering the situation. Suzie does say she has doubts which make it more realistic, but either way, I was not a fan of the ending.
I recommend this read for those that are interested in seeing through the eyes of a girl who has been abused and an alcoholic "mother." The author really manages to convince you that these thoughts are those that a girl like Suzie would have and boy does it put you in her shoes. It's also a neat book about friendship (aww Joshua how I will miss you!) and learning how at times it may be important to speak whether you want to or not.
-T.V and Book Addict
Quotes:
From Suzie's concerned uncle
"'Look at her,' he says. 'Look at the circles under her eyes. When was the last time she ate? Or smiled? Or talked? And her hair'"
Suzie's thoughts in reply to the above words
"'I can't comb my hair', I want to explain. You can't do that when you have to sit so still. And smiling takes so much energy'"
