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Tallahassee Higgins
Tallahassee Higgins enjoys the vagabond lifestyle she lives with her free-spirited mother, but when Mother goes to Los Angeles to try her luck in TV and movies, Tallahassee is placed with her uncle whose conventional suburban lifestyle makes her question her mother's values--and her own.Tallahassee Higgins enjoys the vagabond lifestyle she lives with her free-spirited mother, but when Mother goes to Los Angeles to try her luck in TV and movies, Tallahassee is placed with her uncle, whose conventional life style makes her question her mother's values
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
Mary Downing Hahn
67 books4,524 followersI grew up in a small shingled house down at the end of Guilford Road in College Park, Maryland. Our block was loaded with kids my age. We spent hours outdoors playing "Kick the Can" and "Mother, May I" as well as cowboy and outlaw games that usually ended in quarrels about who shot whom. In the summer, we went on day long expeditions into forbidden territory -- the woods on the other side of the train tracks, the creek that wound its way through College Park, and the experimental farm run by the University of Maryland.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
June 8, 2011
*a book from your childhood*
The book that started my love for reading. I first read this is 1994 and still loved every minute of it.
The book that started my love for reading. I first read this is 1994 and still loved every minute of it.
March 5, 2009
This book is better than I thought it would be.
At twelve, Tallahassee is more adult than her mother will ever be. She matter-of-factly copes with situations that would make most grown-ups blanch -- and in the end, finds her own niche while staying true to herself.
Not that she still won't need years of therapy, later on...
No happy ending. But the ending does ring true.
At twelve, Tallahassee is more adult than her mother will ever be. She matter-of-factly copes with situations that would make most grown-ups blanch -- and in the end, finds her own niche while staying true to herself.
Not that she still won't need years of therapy, later on...
No happy ending. But the ending does ring true.
November 21, 2009
I read this in 4th grade during our state testing week. My librarian thought it was too advanced for me but two days later I returned because I had finished it and needed another. I always seem to recall this book when I think back to elementary school. Though it has been years since I read it, the characters and the story always stick with me. I wish I owned a copy.
September 21, 2013
This book really is an example for what kids should NOT do if they are ever in a situation similar to this book's setting. Tallahassee was such a brat, and the aunt didn't act much better. Then, all of a sudden at the end of the book, everyone just changes their attitude and everything's alright. Not realistic.
June 17, 2008
Weird!
April 24, 2013
Yes, this is about a girl named Tallahassee. (I knew very well what "Tallahassee" was, considering I'd recently moved to Florida when I read this and that was the capital of my new state.) Poor Tallahassee kind of has an abusive mom, but not in the more obvious way. Her mom has been stringing her along and refusing to maturely provide a stable existence for her daughter, routinely uprooting her and making her follow her across the country as she chases fame and success. And all along, Talley has felt like she and her mother are more like friends or sisters than they are mother and daughter.
Eventually Tallahassee's mother decides to plop her down with her uncle Dan and her strict Aunt Thelma so it will be easier for her to pursue her fanciful dreams out west. Tallahassee believes just about as much as her mother does that one day everything will turn out great for them and then her mom will send for her, so she has no qualms about telling everyone she meets about her mom the future movie star and how she isn't going to be living with Aunt Thelma's insufferable rules and condescending comments about her immature mom very long.
But slowly, she starts to listen to the messages her more mature aunt gives her about her mother, and she realizes that her mother isn't a perfect person who can do no wrong. I remember poor desperate Talley spending her silver dollars trying to get as far west as possible, no plan in hand much like her mother, and all the pain she had to deal with in accepting that sometimes you love and trust people who just aren't good for you, even if they're related by blood. I also really liked that Aunt Thelma, despite being much better for Tallahassee's stability and emotional growth than her mother was, did have some flaws and was sometimes harsh (can you say judging the apple for the sins of the tree?)--it was enough to really make me feel for Talley. I love when books don't have just a Wise Old Adult who's perfect and all their wisdom is shown as Ultimate Truth by the end.
Eventually Tallahassee's mother decides to plop her down with her uncle Dan and her strict Aunt Thelma so it will be easier for her to pursue her fanciful dreams out west. Tallahassee believes just about as much as her mother does that one day everything will turn out great for them and then her mom will send for her, so she has no qualms about telling everyone she meets about her mom the future movie star and how she isn't going to be living with Aunt Thelma's insufferable rules and condescending comments about her immature mom very long.
But slowly, she starts to listen to the messages her more mature aunt gives her about her mother, and she realizes that her mother isn't a perfect person who can do no wrong. I remember poor desperate Talley spending her silver dollars trying to get as far west as possible, no plan in hand much like her mother, and all the pain she had to deal with in accepting that sometimes you love and trust people who just aren't good for you, even if they're related by blood. I also really liked that Aunt Thelma, despite being much better for Tallahassee's stability and emotional growth than her mother was, did have some flaws and was sometimes harsh (can you say judging the apple for the sins of the tree?)--it was enough to really make me feel for Talley. I love when books don't have just a Wise Old Adult who's perfect and all their wisdom is shown as Ultimate Truth by the end.
March 1, 2013
Tallahassee is a resilient little girl with a free-spirited mother. Her mom, who she calls Liz, suffers from depression, and Tallahassee, however young, is often there to cheer her mother up. But when her waitress mother meets one of many boyfriends, she decides to run away from Florida to California to follow her pie in the sky dream of becoming an acttress. Instead of bringing Tallahassee with her, she sends him to live with her estranged brother and his wife in Maryland.
Tallahassee believes that her stay with her aunt and uncle is temporary. She waits for the day that her mother will send for her and she can take a bus out to meet her in California. But in California, Liz is working in a restaurant again and is not any closer to becoming an actress. She doesn't even call Tallahasses.
In Maryland, Tallahassee manages to make a new friend, but she finds living with her aunt difficult. She also finds out who her real father is (her mother never told her). While her father died in Vietnam, her grandmother is still alive and actually lives across the street. This woman is totally unaware that her son even ever had a daughter in the first place.
I loved this simple story that deals with a kid dealing with neglect. The character reminded me a bit of one of my favorite TV movies "The Neon Ceiling" which I've mentioned previously in my blog.
Highly recommended!
Tallahassee believes that her stay with her aunt and uncle is temporary. She waits for the day that her mother will send for her and she can take a bus out to meet her in California. But in California, Liz is working in a restaurant again and is not any closer to becoming an actress. She doesn't even call Tallahasses.
In Maryland, Tallahassee manages to make a new friend, but she finds living with her aunt difficult. She also finds out who her real father is (her mother never told her). While her father died in Vietnam, her grandmother is still alive and actually lives across the street. This woman is totally unaware that her son even ever had a daughter in the first place.
I loved this simple story that deals with a kid dealing with neglect. The character reminded me a bit of one of my favorite TV movies "The Neon Ceiling" which I've mentioned previously in my blog.
Highly recommended!
November 19, 2011
Where has this little gem of a book been hiding? I have known Mary Downing Hahn more for her eminently readable ghost stories (Think Wait Till Helen Comes, The Doll in the Garden, The Old Willis Place) than for other genres. There was nary a ghost to be found in this story of a young girl who is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Maryland while her irresponsible mother goes off to chase her dream of being an actress in Hollywood.
The reason I like this book so much is that it tells Tallahassee’s story so well (Hahn really knows how to get into a young girl’s head) while exploring issues like creepy parenting, abandonment, tricky family relationships—without becoming preachy and heavy-handed. I just have to say that I am still mopping my eyes at the ending. It was recommended to me by a student who hates to read because it’s so hard for her. She was determined to finish THIS book, however, because she absolutely loved the story. I would have read ANY book Jessica begged me to read—-but this one really hit a chord. I LOVED IT!!!! I need to write Hahn a fan letter. She has made my life as a reading teacher so much easier, because kids recommend her books to each other all the time.
The reason I like this book so much is that it tells Tallahassee’s story so well (Hahn really knows how to get into a young girl’s head) while exploring issues like creepy parenting, abandonment, tricky family relationships—without becoming preachy and heavy-handed. I just have to say that I am still mopping my eyes at the ending. It was recommended to me by a student who hates to read because it’s so hard for her. She was determined to finish THIS book, however, because she absolutely loved the story. I would have read ANY book Jessica begged me to read—-but this one really hit a chord. I LOVED IT!!!! I need to write Hahn a fan letter. She has made my life as a reading teacher so much easier, because kids recommend her books to each other all the time.
May 12, 2011
Talley and her mom lived as free spirits - more like friends than mother and daughter. When Talley's mom decides that 12 years of raising a child is long enough and that she needs some "me" time, Liz puts her daughter on a plane and runs off with a boyfriend to California to become a movie star. Liz says she'll send for Talley once they get settled, but Liz has a history of leaving people behind.
Talley goes to live with her loving uncle and not-very-nice aunt. It's hard to adjust to a new life full of Aunt Thelma's rules. Rules about behavior, bedtime, homework. She never had any rules with Liz.
Now Talley is living a new life with a stable family and a best friend, and she may have even discovered who her father is, but always hanging over her head is the thought that her mom might not ever send for her.
This book was written in the 80s, so kids today will probably read it as historical fiction - no cell phones, computers or Facebook, but it's well-written, believable and doesn't have a storybook ending.
One caveat: don't read this book on a bus or an airplane, unless you don't mind randomly busting into tears in public.
Talley goes to live with her loving uncle and not-very-nice aunt. It's hard to adjust to a new life full of Aunt Thelma's rules. Rules about behavior, bedtime, homework. She never had any rules with Liz.
Now Talley is living a new life with a stable family and a best friend, and she may have even discovered who her father is, but always hanging over her head is the thought that her mom might not ever send for her.
This book was written in the 80s, so kids today will probably read it as historical fiction - no cell phones, computers or Facebook, but it's well-written, believable and doesn't have a storybook ending.
One caveat: don't read this book on a bus or an airplane, unless you don't mind randomly busting into tears in public.
February 24, 2010
I liked this book and gave it a five stars because i love mary downing hahns books and it is about a girl who doesnt know who her dad is and her mom cant keep a job so she goes and lives with relatives and her mom basicaly drops her off and doesnt call or send post cards. tallahassee is having a hard time because she hass lived her life with no rules and doing what ever she wants when she wants and know she has rules from her aunt and uncle. She also feels that her aunt hates her. Her mom lived with uncle dan and aunt thelma because dan is 20 or so years older than the mom and there mom died. Liz the mom thought that thelma hated her to. they come to accept. alot happens in this book. i would suggest reading to any one because alot of girls can probaly relate to having their mom leave them and take off like there is no tomorrow.
March 4, 2014
Tallahassee a young twelve year old girl,who lives with her young cool hip mother that lets her do whatever she wants has a change in life when she is left with her old fashioned, strick aunt. while her mom liz is having the time of her life in hollywood Tallahassee is left to deal with aunt Thelma's dumb rules that Dont seem that appealing. Life seems to be over for Tallahassee but is it really? Tallahassee will discover that what she seemed to love the most inst what she really needed in life. I really enjoyed this book because you get to view how the character changes dramatically trough out the book. You get to see more of what the character is like and what they really desire. I also like this book because I feel like I can connect to theme or character which is what you want isnt always what you need. This book is really good i would totally recommend it.
September 11, 2008
A great book from my early teen years. This book follows twelve year old Tallahassee Higgins. Her mother has left Tally with her brother (Talley's Uncle Dan) and his wife while she goes to California to make it big in movies. The mother is a total flake. Talley has trouble fitting in at her new school and does not get along with her Aunt Thelma. She worries about when she's going to move to California with her mom, who is calling and writing less frequently.
It's a good book. Mary Downing Hahn was one of my favorite authors growing up. This book is a little frustrating in that EVERY adult seems to take Talley's mother's mistakes out on poor 12 year old Talley. I'm sure that there are some adults who would do that, but surely not this many!
It's a good book. Mary Downing Hahn was one of my favorite authors growing up. This book is a little frustrating in that EVERY adult seems to take Talley's mother's mistakes out on poor 12 year old Talley. I'm sure that there are some adults who would do that, but surely not this many!
April 10, 2014
A one of a kind novel. This is reality!
Tallahassee (love the name) Was left by her mother To a relative she didn't even knew. And then of course there's the evil step mother (Although here its her aunt) who hates her and wants nothing of her. Talley misses her mom a lot except Her mom doesn't seem to miss her that much, because if she did then why doesn't she send money for Talley?
Questions to be answered:
Will she ever be reunited with her mom again?
Why does her aunt hates her a lot?
Who is Talley's dad?
Does her mother left her for good? Does she still loves her?
Tallahassee Higgins Is a character you can't help liking
Tallahassee (love the name) Was left by her mother To a relative she didn't even knew. And then of course there's the evil step mother (Although here its her aunt) who hates her and wants nothing of her. Talley misses her mom a lot except Her mom doesn't seem to miss her that much, because if she did then why doesn't she send money for Talley?
Questions to be answered:
Will she ever be reunited with her mom again?
Why does her aunt hates her a lot?
Who is Talley's dad?
Does her mother left her for good? Does she still loves her?
Tallahassee Higgins Is a character you can't help liking
July 20, 2014
4 STARS
"Out of sight, out of mind.” That’s what Tallahassee Higgins’s mother, Liz, always says about her ex-boyfriends. But now that Tallahassee has been sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Maryland so Liz can start a movie career in California, the words are taking on new meaning. Aunt Thelma says that Liz is gone for good, but Talley is sure her mother will come for her. So who cares if mean Aunt Thelma hates her, if she’s failing sixth grade, or if the kids at school think she’s a liar? It’s not like she’s staying in Maryland forever. Unless Aunt Thelma is right and Liz isn’t coming back" (From Amazon)
A heartwarming story about a young girl coming of age.
"Out of sight, out of mind.” That’s what Tallahassee Higgins’s mother, Liz, always says about her ex-boyfriends. But now that Tallahassee has been sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Maryland so Liz can start a movie career in California, the words are taking on new meaning. Aunt Thelma says that Liz is gone for good, but Talley is sure her mother will come for her. So who cares if mean Aunt Thelma hates her, if she’s failing sixth grade, or if the kids at school think she’s a liar? It’s not like she’s staying in Maryland forever. Unless Aunt Thelma is right and Liz isn’t coming back" (From Amazon)
A heartwarming story about a young girl coming of age.
February 18, 2011
I read this when I was a kid. I can't quite remember what age...in forth or fifth grade maybe.
I remember liking it, and the one thing that stuck with me is that Tallahassee gets to ride on an airplane all alone when she is sent to her aunt's house. I remember thinking that was so weird and cool, because I had never even been on an airplane, and couldn't imagine my mom ever letting me fly by myself.
I remember liking it, and the one thing that stuck with me is that Tallahassee gets to ride on an airplane all alone when she is sent to her aunt's house. I remember thinking that was so weird and cool, because I had never even been on an airplane, and couldn't imagine my mom ever letting me fly by myself.
November 17, 2011
A rather disappointing book. I didn't find the main characters particularly likable until the very end. Usually I sympathize with the protagonist, but I have to admit Tallahassee was hard to warm up to, despite her circumstances. I actually felt more sorry for the aunt who'd had her marriage intruded on by first Liz (Tallahassee's mom) and then Tallahassee. It's just sad that any kids have to grow up with irresponsible parents; Tallahassee is probably luckier than many.
May 28, 2015
this book was inspiring and sad all at the same time it made me laugh and it almost made me cry it was amazing. this book was about a young girl named Tallahassee Higgins she was forced to stay with her aunt Thelma and uncle she hated it they gave her to many rules and she missed her mom who was currently on the rode to make it big in Hollywood. will Tallahassee figure out how to make it back to her mom read the book to find out.
September 11, 2016
I think there are a lot of kids out there that would be able to relate to being abandoned by a parent. Tallahassee Higgins is a good kid who just wants to be with her mom, but her mom decides it's time to chase after her own dreams and leaves Tallahassee with an uncle and a not-so-nice aunt. It was hard for me to read this book because I hate to see anyone treated unkindly, but the last few chapters brought some closure and made it easier to swallow.
December 4, 2011
Accidentally stole this book in 3rd grade (yes, I remember that far back) and just now...after over 20 years...realized that it is the same author students have been recommending to me all semester! Have read several of her books this semester and did not make the connection! I actually find this book on my shelf every so often and read it right then. :)
July 13, 2012
I remember reading this in the early 90's, as a new librarian, at least partly because I was coming to NYC from 6 years in Tallahassee, so the title caught my eye right away. I was also attracted by the MD setting, since I grew up in MD. I don't remember much about it 20 years later, but I do remember that I liked it.
August 4, 2014
Good Book
Good Book
I remember reading Mary Downing Hahn's paranormal stories as a child and I have to say, I didn't expect an actual realistic tale but she did pretty well with this one. I loved it and I also liked that it told the moral that many children and adults don't like to face.
Good Book
I remember reading Mary Downing Hahn's paranormal stories as a child and I have to say, I didn't expect an actual realistic tale but she did pretty well with this one. I loved it and I also liked that it told the moral that many children and adults don't like to face.
April 24, 2008
Usually, I don't like Downing Hahn's bitchy protagonists, but Tallahassee is my exception. Perhaps because she is so abandoned by her mother, and must carve her own way in mom's old hometown. Ultimately, this character finds a family after all.
September 21, 2009
omg this is the best book ive read this year . . . well my top 3 anyways its awesome i love it i love mary if ur reading this mary plz make more books like that and like deep dark and dangerous or wait till helen comes ur my fav authir ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 19, 2007
I used to read these (Mary downing Hahn books) when I was a kid, stumbled upon them when I was at a library booksale, and man, they're still good.
October 10, 2007
Cute, fun kids book.
May 12, 2008
It kinda gets me annoyed at her mother. But it is still ok...
October 16, 2008
I liked this book! It seems kind-of childish and confusing in the begining but as it goes on, it gets better.
November 30, 2008
I think I might of cried when I read this book, I mean at the end of the book (not to spoil anything) Tallahassee Higgin's mother deserted her!
February 21, 2009
so sad but great!
May 19, 2009
i was utterly disapointed. it was NOTHING like a mary downing hahn book (who is my favorite author). the book was more like a beverly cleary book. it was AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews