Customer Reviews

Hershey Herself

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This book was a very easy read, and was entirely engaging. It gave a realistic portrayal of shelter life, and the dynamics between Hershey and her mother were intense, but true to life. Deals with abuse, shelter life, friendships, and coping behaviors. Excellent book - I plan on using it in my programming at the shelter I work at. Good for young teens.

Twelve-year-old Hershey lives with her mom, baby sister Ella, and her mother's boyfriend, Slade. Ever since Slade moved in with them, things have gone downhill for Hershey. First, it was just little things like the Job List, but it soon progressed into him being verbally abusive, until he became so mad that he threw a glass and almost blinded Hershey. But that's still not enough to convince Hershey's mom to leave him permanently.

Hershey finally comes up with a plan to make her mom leave him but it goes all wrong. Slade doesn't just yell and throw something, he hits Hershey's mom and threatens Hershey herself.

Hershey's mom makes the decision to run away with Hershey and Ella and go to a battered woman's shelter. Once in the shelter, Hershey finds her worries shifting from practicing for the talent show with her best friend to staying away from Slade and worrying about Augustus Gloop. She also finds herself making unexpected friends with the other women in the shelter and, with their help, she discovers a hidden talent that may just help her win the talent show.

Never before have I read a tween book that can use humor and make the reader laugh while dealing with such a tough topic, but Cecilia Galante does just that. The characters, the plot, and the setting are all very realistic to the point where you can feel yourself being pulled into the story. It's written in a way that everyone, whether they're ten, fourteen, or fifty-two, can relate and enjoy. If there's any book that should be required reading for seventh or eighth grade, it's this book.

Reviewed by: Harmony