Walk Softly, Rachel

by Kate Banks

Fourteen-year-old Rachel remembers little about her brother, Jake, except that he died in a car accident when she was seven and he was seventeen. Her parents rarely talk about him, but his presence in the family can be felt and his room has been left untouched. It's by means of Jake's journal that Rachel begins to know her brother and learns that his death was a suicide. With candor and humor, Rachel filters Jake's anguished journal entries through her own experiences – her relationship with her parents and grandmother; the departure of her best friend, Adrian; and her growing involvement with the likable son of family friends who may be as troubled as Jake. In unraveling her family's secret and examining her own shortcomings, Rachel gains sympathy for her parents, realizing that they are all survivors.

Kate Banks explores inner lives with exquisite sensitivity and precision. Sometimes funny, often sad, but painfully true, Walk Softly, Rachel is a story of love, loss, and letting go.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Teen

149 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2003

About the author

Kate Banks has written many books for children, among them Max’s Words, And If the Moon Could Talk, winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and The Night Worker, winner of the Charlotte Zolotow Award. She grew up in Maine, where she and her two sisters and brother spent a lot of time outdoors, and where Banks developed an early love of reading. “I especially liked picture books,” she says, “and the way in which words and illustrations could create a whole new world in which sometimes real and other times magical and unexpected things could happen.” Banks attended Wellesley College and received her masters in history at Columbia University. She lived in Rome for eight years but now lives in the South of France with her husband and two sons, Peter Anton and Maximilian.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/katebanks

Reviews

[Diane Twomley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Banks has crafted a story of adolescence and family filled with doubt, confusion, small comforts and escape. I believe this book could really spark some good discussions of how parents are seen by their children and how we all see what we want to see in the world and what we actually know about those closest to us. Eye opening, sad and yet gentle, I recommend it.

[Hannah Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just randomly picked this book off the shelf and I loved it!

This book explores family relationships in a profound way. I would recommend that parents read this with their young adult children. I would generally recommend this to young adults as it explores many themes regarding growing up.

In a classroom, students and teachers can talk about growing up, expectations, and making life choices. They can also talk about suicide, honesty, and family relationships. Students can talk about how they relate or empathize with the youth in the story.

Content warning:
-Language
-Suicide/violence
-Underage drinking

[Maura Brockelbank · Rating 2 out of 5]

i don’t really know what inspired me to read this book. well i actually do- i found it in my old bedroom and the synopsis grabbed me because it reminded me of my favorite childhood book, “mick harte was here”. i also wanted a short and quick read before i delved into a longer book this month. however, this book was very boring and tried too hard to be deep. it would’ve been way better if the brother was gay too lol. would not recommend.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at a young age and I never really forgot it. Going through my old things I happened to come across it and remember all The emotions that pastor my body as I read it. At a young age I had already gone through losing a friend to suicide and it was devastating. I had a lot in common with Rachel the sister. Doesn't matter the age it's a good read for anybody.

[Cheyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about forgiveness. Rachel learns about her older brother's death through her journal, while dealing with her own issues (laughing instead of crying, and vice versa). She learns about her parents, and what it means to survive.

[Alyssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this book I liked how the author used the main character's brother to show how Rachel (the main character felt). The two were very similar people that had almost the same life. I also liked that Rachel was dramatic because it shows how we all have differences.

[Amandine Détrez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce petit livre, raconte l'histoire de Rachel (3), dont le grand frère Jake, est mort quand elle était petite. Ses parents n'en parlent jamais, et tout simplement elle se demande pourquoi... quand elle trouve le journal de Jake...

Alors déja, ne vous attendez pas à un suspense de fou, dès les premières pages du roman, on peut savoir quelle va en être la fin, voir même rien qu'en lisant le résumé si on est comme moi très observateur (^^)

Autrement, nous lisons les pensées écrites de Jake, quand au même moment il se passe des choses dans la vie de Rachel, qui peuvent être mises en rapports, même si elle ne fais presque jamais les même "choix" que son frère (et je ne parle pas (que) de la fin).

Au vu de la disposition des extraits de journal, j'ai eu quelque peu du mal à m'y retrouver même si les parties du journal sont en italiques, car elles sont insérées comme cela dans le roman, sans transition véritable!

J'ai tout de même bien aimé suivre cette évolution psychologique, que ce soit celle de Rachel que celle de Jake, même si ce n'est pas non plus un roman extraordinaire qui peut nous faire nous évader loin puisqu'il touche un sentiment, une situation assez terre à terre qui ne peut nous laisser rêver.







This little book tells the story of Rachel (3), whose older brother Jake, died when she was little. His parents never talk about, and simply she wonders why ... when she finds Jake log ...

So already, do not expect a crazy suspense from the first pages of the novel, one can know what will be the end, or even just by reading the summary if you're like me very observant (^^)

Otherwise, we read the written thoughts of Jake, when at the same time there are things happening in the life of Rachel, which can be put in reports, although it almost never do the same "choice" that his brother (and I does not speak (as) from the end).

Given the layout of newspaper excerpts, I had a little trouble finding my way even if parts of the newspaper in italics, as they are inserted as in the novel, with no real transition!

I still liked to follow this psychological evolution, whether that of Rachel than Jake, though this is not an extraordinary novel that can make us far away because it affects a feeling, a situation quite down to earth that can leave us dream.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rachel's brother Jake died seven years before the story opens. Fourteen-year-old Rachel doesn't remember him very well, and her parents avoid a subject they find difficult to discuss. When Rachel's best friend moves away, she becomes very depressed and visits Jake's room to try to sort out her feelings. There she finds his journal and reads it in bits and pieces over the next few months. Rachel comes to understand that Jake's life was troubled, although everything appeared perfect from the outside. As she learns to cope with growing up, making new friends, and the possibility of moving, she sees Jake's writing through maturing eyes. Will Rachel be able to handle what she discovers about Jake and about herself?

The title, Walk Softly, Rachel, comes from a phrase Rachel's mother used to repeat when a small Rachel played while her older brother was trying to study. The reader can identify with the way in which the grief of losing Jake has affected each family member differently. Rachel, in particular, is curious about Jake's life and death, yet afraid of causing her parents more pain by asking questions. Teens will be able to put themselves into Rachel's shoes and empathize with what she is experiencing emotionally. Even with the deeper message, it's interesting to peek over Rachel's shoulder and read Jake's journal, to share his sister's glimpses into his inner thoughts and secrets.

Kate Banks lives in France, and her writing reflects that influence. Walk Softly, Rachel deals with some tough issues. It takes an insightful look at growing up, and learning how to cope with tragedy as well as living life each day.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having been only seven at the time of her older brother's death, Rachel is confused with the silence and secrecy surrounding his passing and so delves into his belongings and journal to discover the truth that in turn helps her gain a better perspective of herself as well as understanding for her mourning parents.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting approach. The story of a teen (dead from the beginning of the story) told through excerpts of his diary that are being read by his sister (who found the book in her brother's room. A story of secrets, of teens who don't "fit in" to their communities, of parental expectations, and of overcoming grief. I enjoyed this short, easy read.

[Robynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel, at age seven lost her much older brother to a car crash. Now, at fourteen her best friend, Adrian, has moved away and while struggling with that loss she discovers her brother's journal. A gracefully written story about a family dealing with death and doubt.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel's best friend has just movied, and she feels the loss keenly. She finds her brother's journal in his bedroom, which her mother has kept the same since he died when Rachel was 7. As she reads his journal, she learns about her dead brother, the scars left in the family, and herself.

[Mariah Vikander · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Walk Softly, Rachel. It is about a girl named Rachel. Her brother died when she was 7 and his room is still the same, from the day he died. It is also a realistic fiction book and if you like to read realistic fiction you would like Walk Softly, Rachel. It is a pretty good book.

[Cali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing writing, lacking storyline. What makes this different from other suicide novels? What makes this special? I would have rated it more stars if the story was more complete and shocking. Maybe if she'd put a little more description and build-up it would have moved me more.

[Skylar Forester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very sad, and itn depressed me at times, but it definately had a point. People tend to hide themselves by an invisible mask and they don't reveal their true feelings. I loved that this book showed you the world in a way people would never think it to be.

[Bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

well crafted young adult fiction about family, grief & adolescence.

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a book with a bittersweet ending, and this one helped with the craving for sure.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was...sad...like alot of books I've been reading lately, lol