The Almost Year

by Florence Engel Randall

A black girl's stay during the school year with a white suburban family sparks off many tensions within the household.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

239 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from a Scholastic book drive when I was maybe 11 or 12 years old, and it has always stuck with me. Imagine my joy to find my old copy at the back of my bookshelf today. I've taped the loose pages back in and ready to see how well this stands the test of time. What I remember: Set in 1971, the story involves racial tensions as a black teenager is sent to live with a white suburban family for the school year. Soon, she finds the house has a poltergeist. Is our heroine the poltergeist? Maybe. She has a lot of anger, and it's easy to see why. Now heading to the couch for a Florence Engel Randall read-a-thon.

[frogfairie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and remember thinking that it was really good. Something about it really stuck with me for some unknown reason. Perhaps it's time to read it again. Giving four stars since I can't recall exactly how it went, but it deserves a minimum of four since I haven't completely forgotten about it over the years. If I recall correctly, the characters that weren't very likable in the beginning become likable in the end.

[Zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how much I'd like this book, but I'm definitely glad I read it. The characters are all very real and Randall describes the general atmosphere very well--it almost makes me feel like I was there. The characters that you hate in the beginning of the book grow on you as they do on each other, and it feels as if you go on a journey with the rest of the characters. I'd definitely recommend it.

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a kid, can't remember the year.

[Lorelei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book