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Say Yes
When twelve-year-old Casey came home to an empty apartment, she didn't think much of it. But when she wakes up the next morning, and her stepmother, Sylvia, still hasn't come home, she knows that something is wrong. Casey doesn't have any other family--and she's afraid that the police will put her in foster care, so when landlord's teenaged son offers to help, Casey is more than willing to accept. Until, she learns that his help comes at a price. If Casey says yes, she'll be breaking the law. If she says no, she doesn't know how she'll survive.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Couloumbis
22 books74 followersAudrey is a recently transplanted (yet again) New Yorker (by choice), now in Bunker Hill, West Virginia (also by choice), where Civil War ghosts scare the dogs at night, where a CSX train track runs behind the house and the romantic sound of a faraway train can be heard three or four times a day, where she is starting a new garden of rambling roses and assorted deer-resistant flowering shrubs and renovating an old house.
Leisure time, what little there is of it, is spent watching how-to acrylic painting videos on youtube and occasionally getting out the paints to play.
New books are on the way: If Wishes Were Princes, Life and Death at the Warwick Arms, and Anthony Was Here. Stay tuned.
Leisure time, what little there is of it, is spent watching how-to acrylic painting videos on youtube and occasionally getting out the paints to play.
New books are on the way: If Wishes Were Princes, Life and Death at the Warwick Arms, and Anthony Was Here. Stay tuned.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 9, 2018
2.5 stars
I didn't feel particularly strongly one way or another with this book. I think that the story was fine, and it didn't annoy me, though the characters and, ultimately, the story itself, is fairly forgettable. In the next few days I'm sure I'll have forgotten minor details, in weeks, character names, and in a few months, I'll only remember a general outline of the novel. Overall, not a terrible read, but neither was it astounding by any means.
Popsugar 2018 Reading Challenge: a book by an author with the same first or last name as you
Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge 2018: One and Done: a book that you can finish in one day
I didn't feel particularly strongly one way or another with this book. I think that the story was fine, and it didn't annoy me, though the characters and, ultimately, the story itself, is fairly forgettable. In the next few days I'm sure I'll have forgotten minor details, in weeks, character names, and in a few months, I'll only remember a general outline of the novel. Overall, not a terrible read, but neither was it astounding by any means.
Popsugar 2018 Reading Challenge: a book by an author with the same first or last name as you
Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge 2018: One and Done: a book that you can finish in one day
May 30, 2020
The book could have been much better. The summary was intriguing, but I felt that the plot wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. SPOILER: SHE SAYS YES, BUT THE STORY STILL GOES ON AFTER THAT! If the book were going to be like that, then it should've been much shorter.
I also found the main character, Casey, to be childish and immature. When she narrates the story, she doesn't sound like a twelve-year-old girl.
Also, at the age of twelve, shouldn't she be learning how to take care of herself? I didn't find that very realistic.
Overall, the book was forgettable and not very realistic.
I also found the main character, Casey, to be childish and immature. When she narrates the story, she doesn't sound like a twelve-year-old girl.
Also, at the age of twelve, shouldn't she be learning how to take care of herself? I didn't find that very realistic.
Overall, the book was forgettable and not very realistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2012
Audrey Coulumbis is a Newbery award winning author. Getting Near to Baby is one of my favorite Newbery books primarily because like Out of the Dust, Okay for Now, The Wednesday Wars and Bud, Not Buddy, Coulumbis' books deal with difficult subjects in a non over the top way.
This small book packs a whallop without leaving the reader feeling bruised. When twelve year old Casey returns home from school realizing she has been abandoned by her step mother, she tries as best as possible to soldier on. No stranger to loss, her father died a number of years ago. Knowing her step mother loves her, she is surprised at the lack of care and consideration.
Afraid and brave, she relies on the foster child her the super of the New York City apartment building. When the street wise foster child of the super of the building relies on her fears to convince her to steal from an elderly woman, she walks down an uncharted path. Knowing she needs rent money and food, despite her moral compass, she follows through with the brazen plan.
Tentatively reaching out to her step grandmother nets an amazing response of kindness and compassion.
This is an intricate story of fear, love, abandonment and redemption. Twelve year old Casey learns that life and love are very complicated and people aren't always what they appear to be.
It is a book of pleasant surprises. I recommend that you say yes to reading this one!
This small book packs a whallop without leaving the reader feeling bruised. When twelve year old Casey returns home from school realizing she has been abandoned by her step mother, she tries as best as possible to soldier on. No stranger to loss, her father died a number of years ago. Knowing her step mother loves her, she is surprised at the lack of care and consideration.
Afraid and brave, she relies on the foster child her the super of the New York City apartment building. When the street wise foster child of the super of the building relies on her fears to convince her to steal from an elderly woman, she walks down an uncharted path. Knowing she needs rent money and food, despite her moral compass, she follows through with the brazen plan.
Tentatively reaching out to her step grandmother nets an amazing response of kindness and compassion.
This is an intricate story of fear, love, abandonment and redemption. Twelve year old Casey learns that life and love are very complicated and people aren't always what they appear to be.
It is a book of pleasant surprises. I recommend that you say yes to reading this one!
July 12, 2010
So, I got this book in a lot of Young Adult books on Ebay. With its 12 year old MC, I'm thinking this book is more MG than YA, but I really enjoyed it. It was fast paced, action packed, and filled with emotion. You couldn't help but feel sorry for Casey as she drawn into the situations she is.
Anyhoo, when Casey wakes up one morning, she could never imagine how her life would change by the end of the day. That's when she returns home to her apartment to find her stepmother gone. While she keeps waiting and waiting, Sylvia never returns. Casey lives with her stepmother b/c her mother got hit by a car when she was just little and then her father died a year or two earlier. The next morning Sylvia is still not home. Casey notices that all her clothes are gone from the closet, but to make sure that no one suspects anything is up, Casey goes on to school like nothing is wrong.
After a few days, salvation enters in the way of Paulie, the foster son of the buildin's super as well as a sixteen year old small time hustler who "employs" Casey in his elderly home robbery scheme. Even though she tries to back down numerous times, she knows that she needs Paulie to forge Syliva's signature on checks and things. So, her first robbery scores almost 2K dollars and a ring.
She gets in some trouble when she goes to this "mysticism" ladies house...when she leaves her application at the woman's house, the woman and her daughter turn up a few days later at Casey's apartment...wanting to use the apartment for business. Thankfully, Sylvia's mother, Fran, shows up....well, actually Fran saves Paulie from Mr. Loach, the building super who is hunting him down after beating him up and discovering his and Casey's money stash. It's the neighbor woman who helps save Casey from Razza and her daughter.
But after two weeks of hell waiting and hoping for Sylvia to come home, Casey has just settled into the idea of living with Fran...although she's sad that Paulie had to be turned over to Family Services, but at least he got a decent family this time. Then shock of shocks...who should show up but Sylvia.
It's hard not to be furious with Sylvia....Casey deals with this....and the reader does too. Even when we learn that the reason she left was the man she ws interested in didn't want a family with Casey, so Sylvia felt like she just tried to see,but it turned out badly when he had been embezzling in his business and was wanted by the police.
The end is a happy one with Sylvia and Casey making up and moving in with Fran to be one big happy family with the promise of Paulie coming to visit. Oh, and Casey goes back to Mrs. Clark's apartment--the woman she robbed to give her back the money as well as the ring.
I guess that would be my one fault with the novel....everything wraps up happy in a big red bow after some grim circumstances. But hey, I'm not going to fault a happy ending!
Anyhoo, when Casey wakes up one morning, she could never imagine how her life would change by the end of the day. That's when she returns home to her apartment to find her stepmother gone. While she keeps waiting and waiting, Sylvia never returns. Casey lives with her stepmother b/c her mother got hit by a car when she was just little and then her father died a year or two earlier. The next morning Sylvia is still not home. Casey notices that all her clothes are gone from the closet, but to make sure that no one suspects anything is up, Casey goes on to school like nothing is wrong.
After a few days, salvation enters in the way of Paulie, the foster son of the buildin's super as well as a sixteen year old small time hustler who "employs" Casey in his elderly home robbery scheme. Even though she tries to back down numerous times, she knows that she needs Paulie to forge Syliva's signature on checks and things. So, her first robbery scores almost 2K dollars and a ring.
She gets in some trouble when she goes to this "mysticism" ladies house...when she leaves her application at the woman's house, the woman and her daughter turn up a few days later at Casey's apartment...wanting to use the apartment for business. Thankfully, Sylvia's mother, Fran, shows up....well, actually Fran saves Paulie from Mr. Loach, the building super who is hunting him down after beating him up and discovering his and Casey's money stash. It's the neighbor woman who helps save Casey from Razza and her daughter.
But after two weeks of hell waiting and hoping for Sylvia to come home, Casey has just settled into the idea of living with Fran...although she's sad that Paulie had to be turned over to Family Services, but at least he got a decent family this time. Then shock of shocks...who should show up but Sylvia.
It's hard not to be furious with Sylvia....Casey deals with this....and the reader does too. Even when we learn that the reason she left was the man she ws interested in didn't want a family with Casey, so Sylvia felt like she just tried to see,but it turned out badly when he had been embezzling in his business and was wanted by the police.
The end is a happy one with Sylvia and Casey making up and moving in with Fran to be one big happy family with the promise of Paulie coming to visit. Oh, and Casey goes back to Mrs. Clark's apartment--the woman she robbed to give her back the money as well as the ring.
I guess that would be my one fault with the novel....everything wraps up happy in a big red bow after some grim circumstances. But hey, I'm not going to fault a happy ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2011
I like this book its not to boring or interesting. This book is just right, When i first read this book it was funny and i reminded me of me and my sister. The girl don't like being treated like a little baby. She is 10 I think and her sister/ mother like talking to her like she a little baby. When she left for school they was having an disagreement about her sister/ mother boyfriend.
January 13, 2014
A nice read, but the basic storyline was a bit over the top
June 15, 2010
I hated the book.
October 23, 2018
The book seem realistic to me because it maybe happen in real life . I did like the book it was a very dip book to get into .The last favorite thing was when her stepmother came back from where ever she was .my least favorite book was when she cut all of her hair . I had something in common with her it was her relation ship she had with her mom . the book make me feel like i was living all that was happening in the book. My favorite quote was ''say yes'' the name of the book because every thing she did is because she ''say she''to the boy that afford to help her to her stepmother to fran an d all the lies she had to make . I will recommend this book .
September 12, 2022
I honestly love books like this. Where kids have to fend for themselves and we just follow along with their little adventures. I love the character of Pauly. A street kid who’s as slick as butter. I’ve read this book 2 times and honestly in a few years I’ll read it again probably once I forget the plot all over again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2017
I like the main character Casey. She's only 12 but figured out some basic ways to survive. I didn't like Paulie at first but I warmed up to him.
October 5, 2017
I thought the book was really good but I feel like it should have had more detail. The concept of the story was really good but the way the author wrote it wasn’t as good.
June 10, 2019
A nice, heartwarming read. It's comforting to see that each character has each others back.
Read
October 25, 2019i remember the words in the blurb - if she says yes, she will be breaking the law - when i read this, as a child, that was terrifying and extremely formidable a prospect for me to think about
Read
August 30, 2021Great YA story. Does not disappoint. Fascinating premise -- a girl finds herself home alone. Really, completely alone, her step-mother nowhere to be found. How does she manage on her own?
March 17, 2024
nothing really stood out, but i would describe it as “comfortable”
November 8, 2024
Super nice. I always love books about (somewhat) independent and maybe on-the-verge of crying children
Didn't like the random Romani slur but erm
Didn't like the random Romani slur but erm
September 15, 2016
The story starts very simple with the everyday life of Casey, a twelve year old girl, and her stepmother Sylvia living in their apartment in NYC. One morning this everyday life changes. Casey came home to an empty apartment. Also the next day, Sylvia is not home. Casey is worried that Sylvia went off to marry her current boyfriend, who Casey didn’t like at all, and that she might never be coming back again. Therefore Casey is afraid that the police will put her in a foster care. She decides to take the offered help of Paulie, her a bit older neighbor, to stay undiscovered. But in return Casey has to do something for him. He wants her to rob an old lady’s apartment. Casey is a very decent girl, and is absolutely against breaking any law. But she has to consider it.
I liked very much that her decision changes not only her life, but also her character. She develops to be braver and stronger person. Throughout the whole book there is one question, and you get the answer at the very end. “Is Sylvia ever coming back?” this question held the book together. You read and read and always wonder what is with Sylvia?, what happens with her in the end of the story?
What I really liked was that there were not too many characters, therefore there is no chance of getting mixed up. The book is very exciting towards the end part, in the beginning though it was very slow and monotonous. It would be suitable for a quick school project because the book is written very simply and understandable.
I liked very much that her decision changes not only her life, but also her character. She develops to be braver and stronger person. Throughout the whole book there is one question, and you get the answer at the very end. “Is Sylvia ever coming back?” this question held the book together. You read and read and always wonder what is with Sylvia?, what happens with her in the end of the story?
What I really liked was that there were not too many characters, therefore there is no chance of getting mixed up. The book is very exciting towards the end part, in the beginning though it was very slow and monotonous. It would be suitable for a quick school project because the book is written very simply and understandable.
August 25, 2010
This story is about a narrator Casey comes home and doesnt find her step mother Sylvia. She didnt really care much until the next day she wakes up and shes still not there yet. She kept watching the news and thinking about a girl who lost her mother and had to go to a foster home so for that reason she refused to tell anyone. She stayed near the phoneShe wanted to call Sylvias mother for help because her and Sylvia argued about her always doing the wrong things and she didnt want Sylvia to be mad at her. Casey ends up getting help from the landlords son Paulie. Also Fran which is Sylvias mother comes. In the middle of this book Fran find out that Paulie is being abused by his foster parents because he have serveal bruses and a bad foot. Towards the ending Sylvia comes home and tell them the story of her leaving with a man but then she realizes he was trying to get away from trouble. She left him and finds her way home and apolgizes and learned from her mistakes. I learned you have to realize who your messing with in life.
September 26, 2012
I think that this book was amazing. Sylvia was Casey's step mom. Casey's mom and dad died when she was younger, so Sylvia is her only "real" parent. But then Sylvia disappeared. Paulie, the owner's son of the apartment building, stepped in to help her. I think that Paulie is a bad influence on Casey. He persuaded Casey to steal an old person's money. This I disliked that Sylvia left Casey all alone for almost 2 weeks. But I liked when Paulie stepped in and helped her out with money and food. But I liked the ending because Sylvia has came back and Casey doesn't have to worry again. I think that Sylvia is a good and bad parent. I think she is a good parent because she makes food for Casey and buys clothes for her. I think she is a bad parent because she left town just to live a life with her new boyfriend. Her new boyfriend didn't want Casey to come along and only wanted Sylvia to come. She came back because she misses Casey and was really sorry that she chose her boyfriend over her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2012
What would you do if you were a 12yr old girl and came home to find an empty, deserted apartment? That is what happens to Casey. A girl who has lost her mother and father, and lives with her stepmother who has not been choosing the best boyfriends. Casey comes home to an empty apartment for several days, keeping hope that her stepmother will soon return. It doesn't take her too long though to realize that she is going to need more money to buy food for herself, and then Paulie reminds her about all of the bills. Paulie is the super's foster child and he has a few ideas on how to help Casey make it on her own without involving child services. After trying Paulie's idea, Casey's world is changed. Audrey Couloumbis develops the characters just enough to keep you immersed in the story. Recommended for grades 7 and up.
October 15, 2010
this book was truly amazing. its about this 12 year old girl named casey and her step mother leaves her without a trace. now she is home all alone with just little money. sylvia, the stepmother, had left her with no care nothing not even telling the reason of her leaving. so the supers son has a way of her staying alive. but she had to steal money from old ladies which casey didnt like, but she did it in order for her to stay breathing.so the supers son took care of her and casey took care of him until sylvia came back 1 month later. she had ran off with her boyfriend! that shocked me but pretty good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2008
This book is about a girl living with her step-mom who leaves one day and doesnt return for her. The girl (named Casey) is having to start trying how to live on her own and could wind up in some trouble by making the wrong decision. She ends up meeting the apartment owner's son named Pauly. He is a boy that gets into a lot of mischief and is someone that Casey probably shouldn't be hanging around. In order for Casey to be able to stay living in her apartment she has to scrap up some money somewhere and thats where the trouble comes into the story.
June 10, 2009
I liked this book alot. It is about this 12 year old girl who lives in this apartment with her aunt. Her aunt is not that nice of a girl.Casey the 12year old leaves for school and comes back to a apartment with her aunt missing. So Casey goes to her aunt work. The boss said that she hasnt been to work for a couple of days. So she remembered that her aunt was talking to someone on the phone this morning so excited. her aunt was never excited. well if i say anymore I will give the book away. I hope who ever reads this book will like it as much as I did
October 12, 2011
I met Audrey in a limousine in Chicago going to the Newbery/Caldecott dinner in 2000. She kind of looks like my mother and I did learn a lot from her and kept in e-mail contact with her in the early to mid-2000's. She's an excellent writer. I liked the New York setting and how the girl was doing something she knew she shouldn't be doing. The story is intriguing, but it has been a while since I read the book. I liked this as much as Getting Near to Baby, but Getting Near to Baby was written more poetically.
August 19, 2011
Strong realistic fiction about a girl whose stepmother disappears with only money left in an envelope on the refrigerator. Casey is worried that she'll be placed in foster care before she can find out what happened to her stepmother. The situations and dilemmas for Casey are serious and worrying. For a child reading this book, Casey's life can seem scary and uncertain. It is a great story for children who have unstable backgrounds. It will also work for children who feel that they are ready to be independent and don't need an adult in their life!
October 26, 2015
Say Yes: Audrey Couloumbis
Say yes is a heartwarming novel about independence, friendship, and courage. Casey lives in a apartment with her stepmother, Sylvia. And Wednesday morning is the same as every other day of the week,but this morning, Sylvia gets up to see Casey off to school. That's unusual,but Casey doesn't think to hard about it until she gets home from school and Sylvia’s gone. If you sometimes wonder what it would be like without an adult in your life, this is the book for you. Learn how Casey fends for herself, makes friends, and will do anything to have Sylvia back
Say yes is a heartwarming novel about independence, friendship, and courage. Casey lives in a apartment with her stepmother, Sylvia. And Wednesday morning is the same as every other day of the week,but this morning, Sylvia gets up to see Casey off to school. That's unusual,but Casey doesn't think to hard about it until she gets home from school and Sylvia’s gone. If you sometimes wonder what it would be like without an adult in your life, this is the book for you. Learn how Casey fends for herself, makes friends, and will do anything to have Sylvia back
April 2, 2011
Wednesday morning is like any other, except Casey's stepmom Sylvia gets up to see her off. When Casey gets home that afternoon, there is money in an envelope clipped to the fridge. No Sylvia anywhere. Casey is no baby and can take care of herself. She doesn't want Sylvia in trouble for leaving, so she won't tell anyone. Except Paulie, the 16 year old foster son of the super, saw Sylvia go. Now Casey is in over her head, working with Paulie to rob old ladies . . .
September 3, 2013
Say Yes(fictional)by Audrey Couloumbis is an amazing book.This book is so awesome because itb really pulls the reader into the tale which the little girl tells.I would recommand alot of people to read this book because you would be suprised about how the little girl has to do to survive until her stepmom gets back but the question is,'Is her step mom coming back?'As I read the book 12-year old Casey had me hanging off the edge of my seat!Thats how thrilling the book is to me.
August 5, 2007
Twelve year old Casey wakes up one morning to find that her stepmother has abandoned her and she is now left all alone to fend for herself. She teams up with her building super’s son and they carry out an illegal scheme to get some fast cash. Casey’s conscience gets the best of her though so she makes amends with her victim.
November 12, 2011
This book was filled with eye-opening suspence as you take a trip with pre-teen, Casey to figure out the mystery behind her guardians disappearance.Along the way, she has no other choice then to find help where she can get it, her landlord's son whi is more than what he appears.This book is really good, and I highly encurage it for everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews