Letters to Julia

by Barbara Ware Holmes

Liz Beech wants nothing more than to escape her crazy family and be a writer. Channeling all her energy and drive into her work, Liz becomes an astute and humorous observer of the people around her. When she begins writing to Julia Steward Jones, a professional editor, the two become fast friends. But Julia doesn't realize the impact that her words have on others until she has gone too far. This unforgettable novel gives readers a glimpse into the minds of two compelling and rich characters.

Genres: Young Adult

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Barabara Ware Holmes is the author of several novels for young people, including Charlotte Shakespeare and Annie the Great. She lives in Madison, NY and Port Clyde, ME.

Reviews

[Bonnie Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two very big themes I learned while reading this book. They are friendship and communication. Elizabeth and Julia started writing letters to each other after Elizabeth's teacher told her to write to an editor, Julia. The reason is Elizabeth's English teacher thinks she has talent. Eventually, the two became very good friends. Julia constantly compliments Elizabeth and her work. However, like in any other friendships, there would be arguments. Elizabeth thought that Julia was and Elizabeth's father were talking about Elizabeth. Therefore, Lizabeth started ignoring her. Eventually, Elizabeth found out she was wrong and wrote back to Julia, but she never responded. It turns out that Julia was in a clinic for a few months and luckily, Julia and Elizabeth were good friends again. This book tells me that you have to learn to trust your friends and not let trivial matters ruin your friendship because friendships are VERY valuable. You might not notice that when you have it, but you would regret it if you break it.

[S.Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I couldn't tell you how much I loved this book!
It's been a long while since I've read a realistic fiction book, but this one felt so different! I absolutely loved the writing style, how it made me feel like I was reading what had happened in the past and intruding on a lost journal. It was so refreshing and made me feel so too.

I don't think I've ever felt so emotional from a book. I felt like I was in the middle of an argument, watching helplessly as the atmosphere grew thicker and thicker.

It reminded me a lot of my friend, and I really can't explain it, but this book felt personal in a way, despite nothing in that book having ever happened to me or anything similar. It made me want to talk to her again every time I stopped reading. It was an odd, distant feeling.

Letters to Julia was so bittersweet to me, I would love to be able to experience this book for the first time again.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique, I like Julia a lot more than the girl but still I was impressed with how the girl matured. I think we are all like that as teenages, we have such a chip on our shoulder, so sure of our views, our perceptions, so blind to the struggles of everyone else around us. Blind even to their love or need for us. And then we slowly start to wake up and live, enjoy things we didn't appreciate before, and love more fully, become more lovable in the process. I feel like this book is more about a teenager growing up, then a teenager pursuing her dream to become a writer. As we pursue our dreams, we grow up. Even if we don't become the award wining authors, gold-medal winning athletes or world famous artists we had wanted to become. We grow up and that is an incredible success in itself.

[Cricket Muse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book as I finish it. The epistolary format of a teen girl desiring to become a writer and forming a friendship with Julia, a New York editor is appealing. As Liz creates her chapters to send off to Julia she works through her family’s issues.
The premise begins to unravel as the adults, and even Liz, begin to over react and even become irrational diminishing the overall effect. It’s still a diverting little story about having to be accountable, be it a teen or an adult.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and I only have a general complaint. During the middle of the book, the two protagonists are really depressed. I think that they were depressed a little long, and I would have believed the same out come with less of a "depressed" drag.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It had a nice twist to it but I'm glad it all worked out for the best. This was my first book by Barbara Ware Holmes so I may just see what else she has written and check those out as well.

[Embo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for adolescent literature!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: https://hiplibrariansbookblog.com/200...

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll say it again: God bless quality YA.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, touching story about a rare teenager/adult friendship.