One More Step

by Sheree Fitch

Fourteen-year-old Julian's parents separated when he was a baby and he is still angry and hurt. His mother has had relationships since--all of which have ended disastrously―but this time it seems serious. Jean-Paul looks like he might be the real thing. Julian is wary―and critical―as he comes to terms with the fact that he and his brother may have to let down their defenses and allow their mother to find happiness. On a road trip with his mother and her new beau, Julian finds that love―and happiness―come in many guises. In the end, he realizes that it is not blood that determines true family, but the willingness to stand together.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

From the Writer's Federation of Nova Scotia:

"Sheree Fitch is an educator, literacy activist and author of award winning poetry, picture books, nonfiction, plays and novels for all ages. Her first book, Toes in My Nose, illustrated by Molly Lamb Bobak, was launched in 1987. The books that followed have garnered numerous awards, including The Mr. Christie Award for There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen, The Anne Connor Brimer Award for Mable Murple. If You Could Wear my Sneakers, a book on Children's Rights commissioned by Unicef won both the Ontario Silver Birch Award and Atlantic Hackmatack award.

In 1998 she won the prestigious Vicky Metcalf award for a body of work inspirational to Canadian Children. She has been goodwill ambassador for Unicef since 1994 and her lipslippery adventures have taken her to remote parts of the globe.

Her work as a poet and literacy educator has taken her to the Arctic as eight-time poet laureate for Peter Gzowski's fundraisers for literacy and to Bhutan where she taught writing and participated in that country's first national reading week. Author readings have taken her to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Belize and Mexico.

Currently, she is Honorary Spokesperson for the New Brunswick Coalition for Literacy. The coalition recently initiated the Sheree Fitch Adult Learner Scholarships. She is also Honorary Spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Read to Me Program. This program provides literacy information to new parents and books for newborns. Each year she sponsors a writing competition for New Brunswick Youth. Her latest venture in literacy education includes completing a three year (summer ) writer in residency for Somebody's Daughter --- out on the tundra in Nunavut. This is an innovative program for Inuit women started by Bernadette Dean, Sheree's friend and former student from a writing workshop Ftich held during one of her soujourns to the north.

In the fall 2004, Gooselane Editions released an expanded anniversary edition of her adult book of poetry In This House Are Many Women and Orca published Pocket Rocks, illustrated by Helen Flook.

In May 2005, Fitch's first novel (ages ten and up), The Gravesavers, was published by Doubleday Canada Random House. A coming of age story blended with a historical event—the wreck of S.S. Atlantic in 1873—Fitch considers the novel "a kind of love letter" to her Maritime home and a celebration of her roots. Upcoming books include If I Had A Million Onions, a collection of nonsense for all ages and Peek a Little Boo, a book for babies.

Fitch lives with her husband, Gilles Plante and divides her time between Washington D.C. and River John, Nova Scotia. In demand as a visiting author, workshop leader and keynote speaker, she is currently working on an adult novel. She holds a B.A. from St. Thomas, an M.A. from Acadia University and honorary doctorates from both St. Mary's and Acadia for her contribution to Canadian literature and education. She has two grown children."

Reviews

[Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was very good...it was comical and at the same time showed what it is like for a kid whos parents are divorced and dating.this is a book that alot of children could relate to nowdays since alot of kids parents are getting divorced more and more.it really gives you the perspective of kids with two seperate households and how hard it is to go from house to house and not have one big family.i can say i know how it is because my parents are divorced and this book felt like a documentary on my own life...i would definatley reccomend this book to any teenagers whos parents are divorced and dating..

[Deanna Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Julian is fourteen years old and is something of a skeptic about people. His mother is dating Jean-Paul, yet another guy in a long line of questionable characters. Will this one be a loser too? Julian looks forward to a ski trip with his brother and dad at Christmas time. But after his dad gets drunk and caused a calamity that ends in his older brother being in a hip cast and the ski trip is canceled, Julian decides his dad is no great shakes either. He calls his mom to go home, but she has other plans. So he agrees to go to Quebec with her and Jean-Paul to meet Jean-Paul's family.

This slow moving novel attempts to portray a family with lingering issues surrounding a divorce. Teens who have similar concerns will gain some insight and perspective from this tale. However, with the slow pace and the characters treatments on the lighter side, the message may go overlooked.

Interest level, grades 9-12. Reading level, 2nd grade.

[Hannah Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It dragged along a little bit and it felt like it needed to pick up the pace. Although, if your looking for a quick read then this is the book for you.

[Catherine Mccormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a young adult book told from the point of view of a 14 year old. His mother has a new boyfriend, a French guy, and he and his brother are getting a little tired of his mother and new men. We find out why later in the story. The author captures and adolescent feelings very well, I thought, and it has quite a bit of humour and is very down to earth. I'd recommend it to anyone over 13

[O. Shelton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd tell y'all not to waste your time, except it really doesn't take that much time. I finished in under an hour. So read it if you have a spare hour and nothing better to do. :)
MC is a complete jerk. His older brother and stepfather are nice, though. That's about all the good I can say for it.

[Charisse · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first line was questionable

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

An OK story following Julian's adjustment to his mother's latest boyfriend. Good stuff about step families and divorce. At 85 pages, this is quick and easy to finish. I suspect American readers will struggle with some of the references to Quebec and Canadian life. And there are many family members Julian must contend with, making some spots character heavy for a book targeted at reluctant readers. Not great, but pleasant.

[El Rosendo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Book was boring, but it's easy to read, it took me like 4 days to go through, if you read. It's about a boy named Julian who lives with his mother,(divorced family) and I don't really like it. The reason I didn't like it, is because reading about the life of a kid who lives through a parents divorce doesn't really call my atention its to normal to common.

[slippers · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is about a kid called Julian and his brother chris who have to suffer through all the boyfriends that his mom is getting. their parents broke up but chris and julian go and see him sometimes, if i were that kid than i would be very VERY annoyed right now with my mom. Any way im just starten the book so i dont know what to expect

[Denish · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book is about the boy parent get divorce and he don't really like his father first then at the end he started liking it. It has lot of funny part in the book and it is kind of fun.