The Noah Confessions

by Barbara Hall

At the age of 16, it's standard procedure for every girl at Lynnie Russo's posh Los Angeles prep school to get a car. So on her 16th birthday, Lynnie is startled when she opens the small gift box from her father—it doesn't contain the shiny new set of keys she was expecting. Instead she finds a worn-out bird charm bracelet. What can he be thinking? When she cuts school to go try surfing so as to have a special day, instead of grounding her, her father hands her a manuscript box and says, "Your mother wanted you to have this when it seemed you were losing perspective. I think now's the time."

Through "The Noah Confessions," Lynnie uncovers her family's secrets, loves, and tragedies, and comes to recognize that their past may not necessarily determine her future.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, High School, Teen

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 8, 2007

About the author

To TV audiences she may be better known as a four-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer (Joan of Arcadia, Judging Amy) and the co-Executive Producer of Homeland, but to avid readers she’s a novelist with 11 published works whose imagination has been honored by numerous institutions, including the American Library Association in both their Best Books and Notable Books categories.

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 16-yr-old girl that attends private school in Southern California gets a mysterious gift for her birthday. Expecting a car, Lynnie reacts poorly to an old bracelet and a thick letter written by her mother as a teen. She already has trouble identifying with her father, who seems to have never gotten over her mother's death, and this unexpected "gift" doesn't help matters. As she reads, she comes to realize that there was more to her mother than she knew.
Over the course of the novel, she also meets a boy, has her first date, takes foolish risks, and comes to understand that maybe she DOESn't know everything.

This is an interesting novel, and I appreciated the fact that it didn't wrap everything up in a nice bow. Life is rarely neat and clean. The reader is left with the feeling that this young woman will be sorting through her feelings for some time to come.

* Chosen by teens to receive the 2008-09 Young Adults Reading Program (YARP) Award, a South Dakota State Library program.

[Kri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a quick read and had a hard time putting this book down!

[Carlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Noah Confessions" by Barbara Hall is a story that delves deep into the past of a young girl's history and the history of her family. The main character, Lynnie Russo, struggled to find her true self. At the beginning of the story, all Lynnie wanted was to fit in. At the age of 16, for their birthday, every teenager receives a car from their parents. When Lynnie turned 16, however, she received an old, disfigured bird charm bracelet. Her reaction to the bracelet wasn't what her father expected. Throughout the story, as readers, we were able to see Lynnie's growth. Lynnie changed into a girl of understanding, showing us that there is a reason behind everything.

At the very beginning of the story, all Lynnie cared about was proving to her friends that she was cool and like them. She strived to fit in and longed to have friends. She had trouble with this because she was different. She was different in that she only lived with her father. Her mother had passed away much earlier in Lynnie's life. On her 16th birthday, instead of getting a car like all of the other 16 year old kids in California, Lynnie received an old bracelet with beat up birds dangling from the chain. Her first thought was that her father was trying to humiliate her in front of her friends, peers, and all of California. The night she received her "new" bracelet, she begged her father to get her a car, instead. She didn't understand the importance and meaning behind the bracelet. Because of that, Lynnie's father decided she was old enough to read "the letter."

The letter. What more could be explained about Lynnie's family tree after reading the letter? Lynnie's father explained to her that when she reached a certain age, she was old enough to read the letter. Lynnie's mom had written this letter to a man named Noah. She explained her deepest secrets in the letter. She even confessed of being a criminal. When Lynnie first started reading the letter, she was very angry. She didn't understand why she was now finding out all of this information. Later on, after she finished the letter, she was even more angry. Lynnie couldn't believe all of the secrets that have been hidden throughout her whole life.

After a terrible accident, Lynnie realized how wrong she was to be upset with her father for not buying her a car and for giving her the long, secret filled letter. She ended up in the hospital in a coma. While she was unconscious, she imagined herself talking with a beautiful woman. This woman happened to be her mother. Lynnie's mother explained to her that in life, people make mistakes. The only way to succeed in life is to make mistakes and then learn from them. She also told her that Lynnie's father was doing everything he could to make Lynnie happy. All he wanted to do was bring joy into her life. He didn't want to lose his daughter like he lost his wife.

When Lyinnie became conscious again, she knew that what her father had been doing all this time was for her own benefit. She finally understood that her father truly cared for her and would never stop. In the end, a new car was not something she longed for, but her family and friends were.

This story was magnificent. I had so much trouble putting it down. I have already recommended this story to numerous people and will continue to suggest this book to more people. This story taught me that family is what really matters. Be thankful for what you have because before you know it, those things will be gone.

[Shonali · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

I have been reading quite a lot of YA recently and some seriously good YA at that. The Noah Confessions was no exception. An accidental find at my library (which has quite a good selection of Teen books ) I was intrigued on reading the summary at the back. I must say I was little put off with the cover though.

Lynnie Russo is as difficult to handle as is any 16 yr old when her highly expected birthday gift of a car , turns out to be a really ugly-looking bird charm bracelet. Every person in her school gets a new car when they turn sixteen. But her father has other plans. When she fails to understand his intention at not letting her have a car , and bunks her class to take a surfing lesson from a friend , he hands over a manuscript, saying that her mother , who died when Lynnie was a little girl ,wanted her to have this. Now ,Lynnie is stuck with 2 gifts she doesn’t really want , an ugly bracelet and an old set of letters written by her mom to some guy named Noah when she was a teen ager.

What follows is a Lynnie’s journey in to her late mother’s childhood and teenage. Along the way , she uncovers a few family secrets she would rather not know and some that bring joy to her . All the time thinking did she really know the perfect mother she idolizes .

It’s a really beautiful narrative with quite a storyline. I really liked the father daughter bond , that Lynnie and John Russo share. Even though she hates the gift he gives her , she still wears it so that he doesn’t feel bad. I am yet to see a teenager I know do that.

Her are a few lines from the book I really liked

He said, “Lynnie, Mommy is gone.” It was that simple. And part of me still blamed him just because he was the one who said it. I remember going very still and thinking, Don’t cry, don’t show anything. Because if you show something it will be real, not just for you but for him. I started taking care of him right that moment.

And I hadn’t stopped. I didn’t know how to stop. Which was why I was wearing the stupid bird bracelet and why I hadn’t cried or complained as much as I wanted to about the car. I
had to let it go. He had been through enough and I was all he had.

Now why didn’t I give this book a 5 on 5? Firstly , it did grow monotonous somewhere half way through, got a little philosophical for a YA. That didn’t last long. It went back to fast and interesting within 4 to 5 of pages. Secondly , the cover. Come on , they could have done better than that. It has no connection whatsoever with the story , it’s a big put off so to say.

If not for these 2 little glitches , the book is a wonderful read.

Highly recommended for teens and adults alike

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Does the name Barbara Hall sound familiar? It does to me because she has written and produced a number of my favorite TV shows - Judging Amy, Chicago Hope, and Joan of Arcadia. I knew she had also written some books, but I hadn't read any. THE NOAH CONFESSIONS caught my eye at the bookstore, and then I saw her name and snatched it up pronto!

Lynnie Russo doesn't remember much about her mom, but she's about to learn way more than she ever thought there was to know. Her mom died in what everyone refers to as a "bad car wreck." Having a dead mom puts Lynnie in a special category at her private L.A. prep school. Everyone there is known for something, and this is Lynnie's "something."

A sixteenth birthday in Lynnie's neighborhood means a new car. Lynnie's expectations are not necessarily new, maybe a modest used VW, but definitely a car. Surprise! Her dad hands her a small box. Car keys? Nope, just a cheap looking charm bracelet with birds on it. You've got to be kidding. Where's the car? Dad says there isn't one.

There is something else though. Lynnie's dad also gives her a manuscript. It is a letter written by her mother back when she was fifteen, almost sixteen. It is supposed to explain her mother's life. All Lynnie knows as she begins to read the lengthy letter to some mysterious Noah person; it is not a car.

Barbara Hall takes readers on a journey with Lynnie as she discovers a huge secret about her mother's life. Imagine thinking you know the people who have surrounded you for your entire life only to discover a whole other world full of secrets. THE NOAH CONFESSIONS will suck you in before the end of the first chapter.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lynnie Russo attends a high-class prep school in Los Angeles, where it’s tradition for students to receive a car on their sixteenth birthday from their parents. What Lynnie gets instead is a big surprise: a strange, used charm bracelet that used to be her mother’s (who died in a car accident), which her father thinks she will treasure. Lynnie doesn’t. She rebels by cutting school to go surfing. Her father’s response is surprising. He hands Lynnie a journal, written by her mother.

The more Lynnie reads, the more intrigued she gets. It is the story of her mother’s life—but not one Lynnie ever knew about. Who is this mysterious Noah her mother is writing to? The secrets contained inside shock Lynnie to the core. Is she mature enough to deal with the truth about her mother?

The Noah Confessions is an intriguing novel with a lot of life lessons thrown in. Teens should be able to identify with Lynnie and the things she goes through. The things she finds out about her mother help her to put her own life into perspective and to realize what is really important.

The story moves along slowly at times; more than once I grew a little bored waiting for something more interesting to happen. One complaint I always have with journal-style novels is the same in this one—the journal writing is totally unrealistic. People cannot remember long, involved conversations enough to write them down as a pages-long narrative in their journal. It always throws me when I see journal entries like that and causes me to pause.

Otherwise, The Noah Confessions will appeal to teens looking for a story with heart and a message about the choices we make and how it affects our lives.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars This YA fiction was much better than what it appeared to be by the teaser on the back cover - a girl who attends a private all-girl prep school is disappointed when her father doesn't give her a car for her 16th birthday. Oh please. Nice twist to the story. Would never have read it without the recommendation of the librarian. Definitely for 8th grade and older readers.

[Casle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started slow and confusing. There’s a family tree in the front for good reason. But the story is compelling.
A young Cat sees her father kill the babysitter, doesn’t tell until years later when she meets Noah, a cute boy and cousin of the victim. But no one believes!
Year’s later, Cat’s dead, and her daughter reads Cat’s confession letter.
I don’t get the point of the father/daughter years later thing. I think it would have been better to just tell Cat’s story.

[Benjamin Mak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lynnie’s reflections and internal dialogue evoke focused introspection, which I find intellectually stimulating in the book. The letter, however, can be a bore and unclear when a cluster of characters crowd the narrative, thereby adding to the confusion. That said, it is still interesting to observe teenagers work through life’s challenges, interpreting the human nature beneath these choices.

[Sasha Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Your mother wanted you to have this when it seemed like you were losing perspective. I think now's the time." Barely 16 year old Lynnie Russo like everyone else at her private school expected to get a car on her birthday. But fate had something else for her, she gets a bracelet. An ugly bracelet, with deformed birds on it. Like all teenagers, it seems like the world is ending, and to teach her dad a lesson she decides to ditch school. But an outstanding student can't ever do something rowdy without feeling guilt. During this time, she has the chance to realize her family is different. Different from all of her friends. Her parents didn't grow up here, they didn't live a Southern California life. And most importantly, she doesn't know anything about her dead mother.
Barbara Hall's "The Noah Confessions" is a great example of a frame narrative. When her dad realizes, she is old enough to know the truth; he gives her a Manila envelope. She starts to read and is intrigued, because it is a series of letters her mom wrote to some guy named Noah. Thus creating this story inside of a story, her moms life inside of her dads life inside of Lynnie's life. Another great thing about this book is the symbolism. The cemetery is a great part of the protagonist life. She can't seemed to understand why she keeps going back there everyday, almost as if there is something her mom hasn't told her and she'll get the answers in the cemetery. By the end of the book, when she knows the truth about her family, she doesn't need to go there everyday. She knows it's time to let go. The suspense in this book is absolutely thrilling. One can't wait to find out what is wrong with her family. What kind of things her mom has done! How she is different from everyone else. This book is one of those books that is hard to come by, so it will be definitely enjoyed people who wonder about human behavior and the brain.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review
The Noah Confessions
****
10/27/10
Want a book about a childs mother she barely met? and her horrible childhood?
Lynnie learns from her mothers mistakes and she learns about her mother. She was just a normal girl. Who wanted a car for her birthday. Instead she receives a letter, written by her mother that Lynnie did not know for long. At first Lynnie puts it away and wont read it. After a day or so she starts to read it. This is where the story starts.

This book was more amazing then i thought it would be. When i first started reading it i thought it would be this girl Lynnie just reading this boring letter about her mother and her past and her little boyfriend. But Barbara Hall wrote this book so much better than taht. Lynnie learns all about her mother, who she barely knew that much. Lynnie lerans a lot about her mom and it is wonderful to hear all these story's. But it is not only the letter, Lynnie has a lot of problems and drama going on in her life

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

The Noah Confessions By Barbara Hall was an amazing book that I could not put down. The cover is was drawed me to this book. I want to know how the ocean and the fire played a part in this book, and who the girl is on the cover. In the end i looked at the cover again and i could tell you what the cover was telling you. I won't tell you what it means, you will just have to read the book yourself, you will not regreat it. I even have my sister reading the book, and she is not a book reader.

Throughout the book you learn about Lynnies dark family's past, and what they did for true love. It was a heart warming book, that had you feeling strongly for her mom, though all the pain she went though in her life.

I hope that you all give this amazing book a try. Barbara Hall has a way with her words, with the letter within, that tell you about things that you can't beleive. I rated this book a well earned 5 out of 5.

[Karen Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynnie is expecting a car for her 16th birthday, because everyone at her private school gets that. Instead, she receives an old charm bracelet with chipped birds hanging off it. It belonged to her mother, but even that information isn't enough to keep Lynnie from being angry over the gift. After Lynnie ditches school to learn to surf, her father gives her a very long letter her mother had written many years ago to someone named Noah, and Lynnie begins to discover her family's secrets -- including why she's never met her own grandparents. Lynnie finds out how courageous her mother had to be early on in life, and to prove she is like that, she goes surfing during a big swell and almost drowns. This brings her closer to those she loves -- her father and her new boyfriend. This story has three different points of view and an interesting premise. For 8th grade and up.

[Shaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book! The premise is a good one, if not entirely original. Lynnie's mother died in a car crash when she was young. Now she lives in CA with her dad and goes to a private school where everyone gets a car when they turn 16. Except Lynnie's dad gives her an ugly bird bracelet and no car. Later, he gives her an account her mother wrote about a crime that was committed. Both Lynnie's and her mother's narratives are interesting and well-written. Lynnie grows throughout the book and improves her relationship with her father. I liked that while there are romantic relationships they're not the point of the book. All the characters sound like real people. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes good young adult realistic fiction.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm most struck by the discussion later in the book of the difference between what the "private" and "secret" parts of our lives are. I had no idea the author was a television writer until I read her bio at the end of the book, but the structure and wrap up of the story certainly makes sense. The tone is somewhat dark and disturbing, yet the characters are always struggling to define and understand love. It was a quick read.

[Ms.Goldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good because its main character, who starts out as a stereotypical selfish teenager, reads a letter written by her dead mother and learns that her parents were actually real people, once. It shows how people have to learn to be themselves while also allowing others to be themselves, which isn't always easy. The book is serious at times, light-hearted at times, and also has a little bit of surfing action and romance. It's got something for just about everyone.

[KRISTI ♫ ♪ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite good actually. Everything happens too fast though and there's a few parts where it gets REALLY boring but besides that, it's a good book. And it has an aamaazing ending. Not like "And they lived happily ever after" ending. Psh, those were SO last year. This ending is...just normal. In fact this whole book is just normal...everything that happens could seriously happen in real life and that's what I like about it.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Lynnie doesn't get the car she expects for her sixteenth birthday, she's more than a little disappointed. She does get a manuscript written by her now deceased Mom and in it Mom reveals family secrets that cause Lynnie to examine how she will choose to live her life. I appreciated finding more depth here than I expected.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off kind of slow and I thought it was going to be one of thoose books that drag on about a teenager and was makning us feel bad for them because they didnt get a car for their birthday. But it turns out it was totally different than that it was this murder mystery/teen romance type book but it was a good, quick read.

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review:
A wonderful and compelling novel that I didn't want to end and was left wishing for more. At first it was a bit confusingwith all the different families but then I got used to it.

A great novel about understanding who you are and where you've come from and knowing it's not about what happens when you die but what happens when you live.

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

So I saw this book at a bookstore for $3 and thought "why not? It sounds interesting." I am so glad I bought it! It was better than I thought it was going to be and very intriguing. I loved seeing the main character develop and realize that some of the things she wants don't matter. Good book.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://welfycatreads.blogspot.com/200...

[Bagger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided to read this book after finding Barbara Hall's blog online, she writes with the same humor/drama that her scripts and tv shows have. It is pretty good so far......

[Brynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story told by a fairly weak writer.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hard to follow, but the premise was interesting

[LibraryLaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing examination of how family history affects us. Written by the creator of Joan of Arcadia, which is why I picked it up.

[Ericka S* · Rating 5 out of 5]

life has many past from not knowing your grandparents and then learn the true about them

[7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book. It teaches you how to be grateful of what you have.. However, the flow of revealing the confession is too slow.

[GSL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really insightful novel that helped me to develop and formulate my own definations of character, bravery, history and how they affect my life as well as the difference b/t secrecy and privacy.

[Chelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be very boring but I am glad to get it off my TBR as it has sat there for years.