- Hardcover: 169 pages
- Publisher: Holiday House Inc. (Mar 19 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0823411419
- ISBN-13: 978-0823411412
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.6 x 1.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 349 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7-This story of a sixth grader who is buoyed by her friendship with Judy, a handicapped girl, never quite floats. Courtney's social-climbing stepmother spends the family's meager funds recklessly before running away with another man. To add to her family's problems, her brother is arrested for supposedly dealing drugs, the principal thinks she has stolen money from his office, her father seems powerless to help, and her popular friends desert her. No adult intervenes in the situation except for Judy's mother, who tells Courtney, "we don't have time to belly-ache or sit and feel sorry for ourselves." Judy, who has a mobility disability, is entirely self-sufficient, upbeat, and able to defend herself. But she exists less as a character on her own and more as a symbol to show Courtney the way-thanks to her, Courtney learns that "If you fall down, just get up and keep going." Wallace re-creates the faction-ridden social structure of a middle school and has an ear for the dialogue of 12-year-olds, but the many subplots, the large number of minor characters to keep straight, and the didactic theme make this novel a less-than-essential purchase.
Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 4-7. As Courtney enters the sixth grade, life promises to be wonderful. The most popular girl in the class befriends Courtney; she makes the cheerleading squad; and she even begins to get along with her stepmother. All of her newfound happiness disintegrates, however, as one event after another turns her life to shambles. Her brother gets arrested; her friends dump her; and her stepmother leaves, destroying her dad both emotionally and financially. At the height of her troubles, Courtney finds a true friend in Judy, a new girl shunned by the others because she walks with a cane and lives in the wrong part of town. The book is well written, with the foreshadowing of Courtney's troubles seen by the discerning reader. Wallace not only provides poignant glimpses at the way one challenged young person deals with obstacles, but also shows how Judy helps Courtney to realize her own courage in a manner that is inspirational without being sappy. Susan DeRonne
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
True Friends,
By A Customer
This review is from: True Friends (Paperback)
I really enjoyed reading the book Ture Friends. At first it seemed a little bit dull because the girl was just explaining how boring her life was and I figured everyone has problems in life who cares about hers. Then as I continued reading and saw how she accepted Judy, a handicapped student, I realized that the book also related to how popular some people are, and saying that everyone their own "clique", even if they don't find it right away. It also made me wonder where I am on the scale. The book is very interesting and humorous, and I'm very glad i read it. The best part of the book was in Chapter 6. Judy put twinkies in a little boys chair. It was so funny to see that she had enough courage and strength to play a joke on someone so mean. The characters and conflict were the best part of the novel. The characters were always doing something that makes you want to read more. The conflict in the story always made you wonder how the characters were going to deal with the situation. The charaters and conflict were mainly what made the novel exciting.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: True Friends (Paperback)
This book is wonderful, and I will recomend it to anyone. You can also learn something from it and it taught me how to be a better friend
5.0 out of 5 stars
lydia kate and ashley,
By A Customer
This review is from: True Friends (Paperback)
MY FRIENDS HAVE READ BILL WALLACE BOOKS FOR SCHOOL. OUR TEACHERGAVE US THE ASSIGNMENT TO READ THE BOOK ANND DO A REPORT. I FOUND THESTORY VERY INTRESTING WITH ALL THE GOOD DETAILS. I THINK IT WAS ON OF THE BEST BOOKS HE READ. (IT KEEPSS YOUR ATTENTION)
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