Necessary Parties

by Barbara Dana

Stunned when his parents' intention to get a divorce begins to tear his family apart, fifteen-year-old Chris enlists the help of an idealistic lawyer to stop them in court.

Genres: Fiction

342 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

BARBARA DANA is an award-winning author of books for children and young adults. Her books include Zucchini, Zucchini Out West, Crazy Eights, Necessary Parties, Rutgers and the Water Snouts, Spencer and his Friends and Young Joan, a historical novel based on the life of Joan of Arc. Her new novel, A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson, is available March 1, 2009 (HarperCollins Publishers).

She is the co-editor of the recent release, Wider than the Sky: Essays and Meditations on the Healing Power of Emily Dickinson. She co-wrote the television adaptation of her novel, Necessary Parties, for PBS.

Other screenplays include Chu-Chu and the Philly Flash, and T.G.I.F. Her first play, War in Paramus, premiered in New York in the fall of 2005 at Abingdon Theatre Company directed by Austin Pendleton.

She is an actor as well as an author, having appeared on stage, screen and television since the age of sixteen."

Reviews

[Hyowon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first novel proper I read in English. I went to Kyobo Bookstore in 1991 and saw this one in the original import book section, and purchased it. It turned out that I chose the right one - it was easy to read, simple sentences, story was engaging and touching. It had a light tone throughout but sometimes the main boy character showed strong will and love for his family, and the court appearance was quite memorable.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea behind this book--that a child might get legal representation and challenge his parents' divorce--is a bit farfetched, but fun and different. The characters are well fleshed out, with perhaps the exception of the parents, who are a stock misguided couple stumbling into an ill-considered divorce. Perhaps that's to be expected; this is a kid's book, and so must have a happy ending. The legalese appears to be authentic.

My biggest problem with this book is that it has not been properly proofread. There are a few weird things going on with the text, but the standout is that a minor character who is named Vivian for most of the book abruptly becomes Mollie for the remaining four-fifths. Honestly! There is no excuse for that degree of carelessness. I haven't seen an error anywhere near as big and boneheaded in any self-published book, let alone in something allegedly professionally published. Hang your heads in shame, Bantam Starfire!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must have read this book dozens of times growing up. Going through the typical 'I'm too amture for these books' phase I ended up throwing it out.

The only thing I could remember was the cover, general plot and the character's name, Chris. So many great memories of days spent at the library.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting vintage 80's teen novel about a teen boy desperate to stop his parents divorce. Great flashback!