Going Backwards

by Norma Klein

Meet Charles Goldberg. He's young, reasonably handsome, but in his multi-talented family he's seen as something of a loser. Now his grandmother, Gustel, has moved in with the Goldbergs, and things are even worse. Gustel used to be a great old lady; now it's impossible to live with her. She shuffles around the house; she scares Charles's little brother; she even wets her pants.

Charles is sick of being embarrassed every time Gustel is around. He's tired of hearing his parents fight about what to do with her, and he hates the fact that she's ruining his chances with the one girl who likes him.

How can Charles cope with growing up when everyone he loves is growing old?

Genres: Young Adult

182 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1986

About the author

Norma Klein was born in New York City and graduated cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College with a degree in Russian. She later received her master's degree in Slavic languages from Columbia University.

Ms. Klein began publishing short stories while attending Barnard and since then she had written novels for readers of all ages. The author got her ideas from everyday life and advised would-be writers to do the same -- to write about their experiences or things they really care about.

Ms. Klein died in 1989.

Reviews

[Lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Norma, when you derail from the plan it's tedious to read your work. I need at least one awkward sex scene per 34 pages.