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Second to None
SECOND TO NONE, originally published under the byline ArLynn Presser Garnet Brown is seventeen years old, has a great mother, a boyfriend Andy, and a cute tutor Grant who is undeniably geeky but somehow still charming and attractive. Her life plan revolves around getting into a good college and getting out of the poor neighborhood she's lived in her whole life. The one where she's mostly known as the child of an illicit affair that cost her mother her job and reputation and that left Garnet seeing her father only every few years, in court, where her parents would argue about money. So, when her well-to-do father comes to call, asking her to come visit and meet the family: the wife, the older half-brother and the younger half-brother they had after he went back to his wife, there has to be a might big string attached. Like a son with cancer and a last-chance hope that Garnet can be a bone-marrow donor. Life hasn't ever been easy but it's suddenly gotten way harder and a surprising kiss from Grant turns everything on its head even more than suddenly having a father in her life. The choices are surprising, confusing and surprisingly romantic.
- GenresYoung AdultRomance
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1994
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 19, 2015
Brothers and Sisters
Not my normal reading, this book will stay with me for a long time. Written from the perspective of a high school student from the poor section of Chicago, one experiences all the angst and confusion of a girl caught between the childhood fantasy of a family and the reality of the people around her. Her Mother was unwed, and her Father was her Mother's wealthy boss who had her fired and denied paternity until DNA proved it. She never had any interactions with him until.....
Well his younger son is dying and needs a bone marrow transplant. She's it.
You'll have to read this to get the full impact of the hopes, dreams, realities and emotions that this girl is going through. It isn't often that you can get into someone's thoughts like this. A very emotional book.
Her newly found brother says it best: "I told you because you’re my sister. Regardless, you are. It’s funny that you think my mom and our dad get to decide whether you are or not. They don’t choose— you just are. If you’re a donor or not. If I die, and you haven’t had your shot at playing a hero, you’re still my sister, Garnet. It doesn’t depend on them. You’re my sister.”
Not my normal reading, this book will stay with me for a long time. Written from the perspective of a high school student from the poor section of Chicago, one experiences all the angst and confusion of a girl caught between the childhood fantasy of a family and the reality of the people around her. Her Mother was unwed, and her Father was her Mother's wealthy boss who had her fired and denied paternity until DNA proved it. She never had any interactions with him until.....
Well his younger son is dying and needs a bone marrow transplant. She's it.
You'll have to read this to get the full impact of the hopes, dreams, realities and emotions that this girl is going through. It isn't often that you can get into someone's thoughts like this. A very emotional book.
Her newly found brother says it best: "I told you because you’re my sister. Regardless, you are. It’s funny that you think my mom and our dad get to decide whether you are or not. They don’t choose— you just are. If you’re a donor or not. If I die, and you haven’t had your shot at playing a hero, you’re still my sister, Garnet. It doesn’t depend on them. You’re my sister.”
Displaying 1 of 1 review