Just Like Always

Janie Tannenbaum

by Elizabeth-Ann Sachs

Confined to the hospital in casts because of scoliosis, two young girls become best friends in spite of the differences between them

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Also publishes under the names Betsy Sachs and E.A. Sachs.

E.A. Sachs is the author of numerous books for middle grade and young adult readers. She is best known for The Boy Who Ate Dog Biscuits (Random House, 1991), a beloved book among children and teachers.

Sachs has worked as a journalist, as a book reviewer for The New York Times and Kirkus. She is listed in Something About the Author and is a long-standing member of Pen American. She is currently completing a memoir about learning to dance after a life long spinal trauma. She teaches writing and speaks to children and adult groups.

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a child, and read it, and read it. I think the book fell apart, or we lost it in a move. I never forgot the story, of how two different girls bonded over the same illness. Mostly I remember how I wasn't sure which of the girls I identified with most, tomboyish Janie or dreamy Courtney. A little bit of both, I think, which is why it resonated so much with me.

[Allie]

I have thought about this book so frequently since I read it in second grade! I didn't know the title, and I vaguely remembered that they were both in the hospital in some kind of cast. I just decided to plop some of those keywords into worldcat and limit it too books published pre-1990 and I found it within a few clicks! Ahhhh!

I can't imagine it holds up...

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book 20 odd years ago in a used bookstore and fell in love with it. Soon my copy was tattered by multiple readings. I rediscovered the book when going through a box of my childhood things. It was time for a reread.

While a bit dated - the book brought back memories of lazy summers and reading in the heat. I would definitely recommend this to a young teenager, or anyone who likes to read YA.

[Saire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually wrote a review of this book for a NJ newspaper (The Asbury Park Press) back when I was 12 years old. I still feel the same way about it. It is a wonderful book about two very different girls coming together (forced together in the same hospital room) despite their differences, initially due to their shared diagnosis of scoliosis.

I remember reading this in one sitting, I couldn’t read it fast enough! It was so good, and I felt strongly for both characters—and both girls are so well written, I felt like I could meet them on the street or in school.

I could say so much, but I don’t want to give anything away. I still own my copy, I treasure it. I ended up meeting Ms. Sachs and she is just as wonderful as you’d think. I wish we hadn’t lost touch!

So: read it! And/or have your kid read it!!! 😊

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two very different girls who are both going through the same battle with scoliosis in the hospital bond as they undergo the difficult procedure.

This is one of those books which brings back memories of what it was like to be a child in the hospital back in the 1970s. I wasn't there for weeks like these girls were, but when I was 5 and had my tonsils out I too was left to my own devices (parents not able to visit very often or very long while there for days). The escapades the girls got into by exploring the hospital, finding the vending machine, and other things really strikes a chord with me.

It's also one of those books which is a reminder of how much times have changed. Kids in the hospital for extended stays are not are frequent (especially for this), nor are they kept from families to this extent. So while this book might not be the most exciting book (very little really happens) it is a great glimpse of what was like when this was written.

Not fond of the ending which doesn't resolve what to me was one of the most important questions of the book. But since this is more a coming of age story than anything, I guess I can give that a pass. Still, as interesting as this book is, I'm going to give it only 3 stars.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book about two girls facing the challenges of major surgery and its aftermath. I love seeing a friendship grow between two very different girls, and I like seeing that friendship grow in future books. I also value this book for its caring coverage of scoliosis, something that wasn’t talked about much when it was first written.

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Judy Blume's Deenie, I read this book. As a child I also went through illness and like reading Deenie this book helped me deal with it.🙂

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few books I remember reading as a young child.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was reminded of this book by a query posted to the YALSA list looking for teen fiction about scoliosis. It's about a girl who has to go in for surgery on her back to correct scoliosis. She shares a room with another girl and follows their adventures in the hospital.

I remember it being a bit old-fashioned. The most vivid part I remember is that the characters are asked a lot about their "BMs" (bowel movements - but they are always called bm's).

[Basil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a flea market on a whim since it was only a dollar. This book is absolutely delightful and full of laughs despite the serious subject matter--Janie is a real piece of work. I was in tears laughing at the Pigeon Lady part. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves rambunctious characters with a little bit of scary seriousness mixed in.

[Tuesday · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a Christmas present from my fourth grade teacher, Gwen Currie. I read it countless times as a kid. It was the first book to make me cry

[Sibylla Matilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my VERY favorite books as a kid....haunting, sweet....beautiful....

[Dnabgeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this one as a kid. It stuck with me