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The Chain Letter
Livvie isn’t superstitious like her best friend, Joyce, who thinks everything is bad luck. So Livvie isn’t worried about tearing up the chain letter and throwing it away–until she’s humiliated in gym class, falls down her back stairs, and gets invited to Thanksgiving dinner at Peter Finch’s house. Peter’s dad has crooked teeth, a plastic wonderland in his front yard, and some kind of secret up in his study. There is no way Livvie wants Phil Finch to date her mom.
But it’s hard work keeping their families apart–especially when Livvie is assigned to work on the sixth-grade snow maze project with Peter. Clearly, Joyce was right: breaking the chain was a huge mistake. And the only way to set things straight is to find out who sent the letter in the first place. . . .
Rich in humor and suspense, Julie Schumacher’s absorbing novel is about friendship, choices, and the kind of luck that really matters.
From the Hardcover edition.
But it’s hard work keeping their families apart–especially when Livvie is assigned to work on the sixth-grade snow maze project with Peter. Clearly, Joyce was right: breaking the chain was a huge mistake. And the only way to set things straight is to find out who sent the letter in the first place. . . .
Rich in humor and suspense, Julie Schumacher’s absorbing novel is about friendship, choices, and the kind of luck that really matters.
From the Hardcover edition.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
9 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Julie Schumacher
27 books411 followersJULIE SCHUMACHER grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from Oberlin College and Cornell University, where she earned her MFA. Her first novel, The Body Is Water, was published by Soho Press in 1995 and was an ALA Notable Book of the Year and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. Her 2014 novel, Dear Committee Members, won the Thurber Prize for American Humor; she is the first woman to have been so honored. She lives in St. Paul and is a faculty member in the Creative Writing Program and the Department of English at the University of Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 13, 2020
Okay, I read this when I was like 12 or something, but this cover has been stuck in my head recently and I don't know why so I've been looking for it and I finally found it, so here I am.
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October 26, 2016OK usually every book I read I enjoy, but this book I personally did not really like. I'm not sure what exactly killed it for me, but it's probably the vibes. When I saw this book's title, it looked like a creepy mystery book, and the cover made it look like that too (I know the phrase don't judge a book by its cover, but as an artist I take cover art very seriously. I say it's supposed to reflect the title and a bit of the book!) However this title and cover misled me to an undesirable path that I probably wouldn't normally choose. Yes, there was a chain letter, but that's only about 18 percent of the book's lore. The rest is random stuff like family drama that I don't care about. I wish there were more creepy aspects. It's not that this is a bad book, I just don't like it. If others do that's cool, don't take my hate personally.
July 31, 2014
I purchased this book way back when at a little book fair when I was in elementary school. It is rather sad but now that I am 9 days away from turning 16, and going into my Junior year of high school, I have finally gotten around to reading it!
Overall, this book wasn't half bad. I was however left unsatisfied and wanting more. The story line was rather bland and never seemed to have any depth. I never felt any emotions while reading this book, even though all of these bad events kept occurring. I feel like scenarios where your best friend faints face first into the snow or when a creepy stalker sneaks into your house should leave me scared and uneasy but it didn't.
In fact... the only uneasy feeling I had associated when reading this book was when I kept trying to figure out how someone would wear a pom-pom hat over their foot? How does that even work? Where does the pom-pom go? Wouldn't that be extremely awkward considering she already had a cast on?
Then of course there is the character development. That also disappointed me. Pretty much all of the characters were flat and dull, especially Livvie the main character. None of them really had any distinguishing personality traits apart from Phil. Phil was actually the only character that I really enjoyed because unlike everybody else, he wasn't 1 dimensional.
So all in all, I wish I would have read this book back in 5th grade when I bought it. It probably would have been a lot more enjoyable at that age.
Overall, this book wasn't half bad. I was however left unsatisfied and wanting more. The story line was rather bland and never seemed to have any depth. I never felt any emotions while reading this book, even though all of these bad events kept occurring. I feel like scenarios where your best friend faints face first into the snow or when a creepy stalker sneaks into your house should leave me scared and uneasy but it didn't.
In fact... the only uneasy feeling I had associated when reading this book was when I kept trying to figure out how someone would wear a pom-pom hat over their foot? How does that even work? Where does the pom-pom go? Wouldn't that be extremely awkward considering she already had a cast on?
Then of course there is the character development. That also disappointed me. Pretty much all of the characters were flat and dull, especially Livvie the main character. None of them really had any distinguishing personality traits apart from Phil. Phil was actually the only character that I really enjoyed because unlike everybody else, he wasn't 1 dimensional.
So all in all, I wish I would have read this book back in 5th grade when I bought it. It probably would have been a lot more enjoyable at that age.
April 23, 2012
I thought that this book was really good because I was able to connect to it. One connection was that the main idea of this book was that it was about how the main character did not send a chain letter and all the bad luck started to happen. I also get these type of chain letters but never send them because I do not believe in those type of things. Sometimes I think about it twice, but still never do it because I know that it is just made up. When I read this book, I noticed that there were two main themes and they were to always do what something tells you and friendship because the main character got into a serious fight with one of her close friend and she didn't have anyone to talk to about the problems that she has been experiencing. Also you should do what you are told because you don't want anything bad to happen you.
October 3, 2008
Read the first 3 pages, and couldn't stand it. Couldn't hold my attention
May 25, 2011
I thought that it did not have to go on as long. Maybe if more bad luck happened, I would enjoy it more!
November 10, 2018
The chain letter is about a girl named Livvie who finds a chain letter in her mailbox, but doesn’t believe in the good luck, so she decides to throw it away. Almost instantly she begins to have bad luck. Her friend Peter’s dad hangs out with her mom a lot, and Livvie doesn’t want his dad with her mom, and she decides that she should try to keep them away from each other. This action leads to another bad action, to another, and so on. Was the chain letter actually bad luck, or is she just making bad choices? It’s up to Livvie to make things right again.
I would recommend this book kids ages 9 and up. This book taught a lot about friendship and life lessons. I enjoyed reading this book because of the way the author wrote out Livvie’s feelings almost making you feel as if you were there with them. I enjoyed this book you are sure to like it too.
I would recommend this book kids ages 9 and up. This book taught a lot about friendship and life lessons. I enjoyed reading this book because of the way the author wrote out Livvie’s feelings almost making you feel as if you were there with them. I enjoyed this book you are sure to like it too.
June 8, 2021
This was a really cute little book. Not what I expected, considering the title, but definitely a fun book, nonetheless. It's got Schumacher's sense of humor throughout, which was that drew me to her books in the first place. I have to admit, I just kind of mass ordered them, so I didn't realize this was a YA book until it showed up. That being said, it (thankfully) does not have the traditional worn out YA tropes that have become the norm in the genre, making it just a fun little kids learning their place in the world story.
May 22, 2017
This was a really interesting book.
November 7, 2018
This book is a fun and funny book about a girl who doesn’t follow the chain letter and experiences inconveniences.
April 29, 2020
My favorite part was when Livvie got lost in the maze
November 9, 2023
Ok so usually I love every book I read, I’m 13 and I’ve read well over a hundred books and I never found a book I didn’t like. Until now, first off to say the cover art is, well, questionable to say the least but for 2004 i guess it isn’t out of the ordinary. But that’s not why this book was rated so low. The plot was ok but the writing style I personally didn’t like. It sounded so literal (here is a quote from the book) “ Lizzie watched Joyce stir her spoon clockwise and counterclockwise, that’s Joyce” it just sounded so literal and not that good.
no hate to the author apparently she had 2 daughters at the time this book was published and I know its hard to write and publish a book but honestly I hated this book with all my passion. the only thing I didnt hate was my integrity to finish it but I couldn't it was so bad that I was a dnf, and this book is MADE for my age group.
no hate to the author apparently she had 2 daughters at the time this book was published and I know its hard to write and publish a book but honestly I hated this book with all my passion. the only thing I didnt hate was my integrity to finish it but I couldn't it was so bad that I was a dnf, and this book is MADE for my age group.
February 17, 2011
The story The Chain Letter by Julie Schumacher Livvie does not believe in superstition like her best friend Joyce. Through the story Livve goes through a lot to change her mind about superstition. When they both receive a chain letter and Joyce sends it on and Livve does no bad thing start to happen to Livve. Bad things never use to happen to her until now. She gets in trouble in choir class, looses her math books, falling down the back stairs and getting invited to dinner at Peter Finches house. This makes her relies that she needs to find the letter. Most of the tension is because she does not want her mom to date Peters father Phil. He wants to date her mother but she does not want her to. She is a good friend with Peter but his dad is not normal. Through the story bad things happen to Livve and through the story Joyce is telling her that he told her so.
Julia Schumacher is a well-published writer. She has written many books that have been nominated and won awards. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She was one of five girls and she was the youngest. Before she became a writer she had many other jobs. She worked at an ice cream shop but got fired because she did not know how to make a banana split. She also was a legal secretary and an associate editor for medical magazines. Her first published story, "Reunion," written to fulfill an undergraduate writing assignment "tell a family tale" was reprinted in The Best American Short Stories 1983. Additional stories were published in The Atlantic, MS, and Minnesota. She is now working at the English Department at the University of Minnesota.
I would recommend this book very much to teen readers. It is a very entertaining read that many would enjoy. Livvie is confronted with real life issues of family and friendship. She learns that good luck is sometimes disguised as bad luck and that you can make your own luck in life. This is the kind of book that keeps you turning pages. You want to read on to see what happens to her and to see if her good luck comes back. This book teaches you a lesson that even if you don’t believe in something still go through with it because it might be better in the long run. Julie Schumacher made this clear in this book and that is why I would recommend it to you.
Julia Schumacher is a well-published writer. She has written many books that have been nominated and won awards. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She was one of five girls and she was the youngest. Before she became a writer she had many other jobs. She worked at an ice cream shop but got fired because she did not know how to make a banana split. She also was a legal secretary and an associate editor for medical magazines. Her first published story, "Reunion," written to fulfill an undergraduate writing assignment "tell a family tale" was reprinted in The Best American Short Stories 1983. Additional stories were published in The Atlantic, MS, and Minnesota. She is now working at the English Department at the University of Minnesota.
I would recommend this book very much to teen readers. It is a very entertaining read that many would enjoy. Livvie is confronted with real life issues of family and friendship. She learns that good luck is sometimes disguised as bad luck and that you can make your own luck in life. This is the kind of book that keeps you turning pages. You want to read on to see what happens to her and to see if her good luck comes back. This book teaches you a lesson that even if you don’t believe in something still go through with it because it might be better in the long run. Julie Schumacher made this clear in this book and that is why I would recommend it to you.
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November 28, 2016So in this book there’s this girl named Livvie and a girl named Joyce. Livvie hates how Joyce is so superstitious and so she throws away the chain letter that somebody sent her. Then all of her luck goes down the drain. Even though Joyce answered the chain letter her luck goes with Livvie’s. Then at the end of the book they both find out who sent them the chain letters.
The theme I think this book has is that you can’t let superstition rule your life. Whenever Joyce was by the lockers she wouldn’t stop turning the locks until she was done with all the lockers and that made her late for class. Then when Livvie started being superstitious she couldn’t think of anything else except for her rotten luck. Another example is whenever Joyce was walking she would knock on every lamp post, and she walked almost every day.
What I did like about is was it kept you turning the pages. What I also liked about it was it kept you guessing until the end. What I didn’t like about it was how stubborn Joyce was. I also didn’t like how stubborn Livvie’s mom was.
The theme I think this book has is that you can’t let superstition rule your life. Whenever Joyce was by the lockers she wouldn’t stop turning the locks until she was done with all the lockers and that made her late for class. Then when Livvie started being superstitious she couldn’t think of anything else except for her rotten luck. Another example is whenever Joyce was walking she would knock on every lamp post, and she walked almost every day.
What I did like about is was it kept you turning the pages. What I also liked about it was it kept you guessing until the end. What I didn’t like about it was how stubborn Joyce was. I also didn’t like how stubborn Livvie’s mom was.
September 21, 2016
Julie Schumacher captures the youthful perspective of Livvie McFee as she faces school humiliation, her mom dating again, and a broken toe. The Chain Letter is the story of a girl who tears up a chain letter, only to be met with a string of bad luck. In a light-hearted tale of events, Schumacher creates a narrative that shows the moment we all feel after a chain letter. “I didn’t answer the chain letter, and now… I’ll probably end up spreading disaster wherever I go.” The Chain Letter also includes a cast of eccentric characters that do well to add humor and commentary about Livvie’s “bad luck.” It is Schumacher’s unique characterization that makes me still enjoy this book even years after my initial reading.
Ultimately, Livvie discovers that it is she who is in control of her destiny, and forgetting her math book at home has nothing to do with an unanswered chain letter.
Review by Dennise Garcia
Ultimately, Livvie discovers that it is she who is in control of her destiny, and forgetting her math book at home has nothing to do with an unanswered chain letter.
Review by Dennise Garcia
July 30, 2008
I didn't expect much of The Chain Letter, sort of expected it to be one of those pre-teen books that are sort of shallow and I don't really read much anymore. It was actually surprisingly good writing, with good characters and description. It had a hint of mystery and suspense while still dealing with realistic issues. For some reason, it sort of reminded me of A Mango Shaped Space, although I don't know why. I guess the writing styles were similar and so were the characters. I would definitely recommend this to pre teen readers that are looking for an all-around good book.
April 20, 2010
The chain letter is also a good book that I randomly chose from a book fair in my middle school last year. It is a good book about superstitions which you can probably tell based on the name "The Chain Letter". The book is really good and does really show how believing in bad luck can really affect people...I almost started believing in good/bad luck after reading this book. :)Joking. But yea...it is good. You should read it if your into superstitious books!!!
February 28, 2012
I gave this book three stars because I like of the middle. My favorite part of the book is when livvie broke her toe and had to stay with peter and his dad because livvie mom had to go to Arizona for a funeral so that’s why she had to stay with peter and his dad. Her friend Joyce was sick too she had mono so she was in the hospital. So the main characters where both sick.
i didnt like the end of the book because i did not ever find out if livvies mom came back and if joyce ever got better.
i didnt like the end of the book because i did not ever find out if livvies mom came back and if joyce ever got better.
November 2, 2014
the chain letter is a very fun, mysterious book about three friends fighting bad luck. first of all, livvies mom and peters dad are in love! then, livvies friend, joyce, has a breakdown from a serious cold winter, right in the middle of their walk to school! then, while throwing out the trash with slippery socks, livvie slips and breaks her toe!!!!read the chain letter, by julie schumacher to find out what bad luck is going to approach these 3 friends.
November 11, 2012
Well...that was unexpected.
I really didn't expect that ending.
In fact, I didn't even expect myself to pull through the book at all. But as I read on, it got even more interesting. It wasn't very impressive - no impressive writing or plot, just a cute quick read. I recommend for girls the age of 9-12. c:
I really didn't expect that ending.
In fact, I didn't even expect myself to pull through the book at all. But as I read on, it got even more interesting. It wasn't very impressive - no impressive writing or plot, just a cute quick read. I recommend for girls the age of 9-12. c:
August 4, 2016
I think it was such a good book. I loved reading it. I really connected to it and the detail was fantastic. I just don"t remember what the chain letter said. Although I would love to remember I don't remember Livvie's last name. But the book was fantastic and i would recommend this book to everybody. My reveiw 5 stars.
June 2, 2012
I thought that this book was good and it taught me that some events are based on bad luck and some aren't...Darryl,who wrote the chain letter actually told the story.Without him writing the letter then,it actually wouldnt be a story to read because no "unlucky" events would've happend.
April 8, 2013
As my opinion i think this book is really good.Connets whit my life and i think it was so good for all my friends and people to read this book.It was delightfull the hours i spent reading this book in my room.I JUST HOPE YOU ENJOYED it the way i did.
January 9, 2008
This was a really good mystery book. Julie Schumacher has a great way of describing superstitions, and why to avoid chain letters. READ IT!
April 30, 2008
Great book i highly recommend it!!
May 10, 2008
A girl who thinks she is being cursed because she didn't send a chain letter.
September 8, 2008
I love this book really suspenseful and you could relate to it
June 18, 2009
This is a good middle school read, but it doesn't have a lot of draw for the high school or older set.
September 9, 2009
this book is AWESOME!! :D
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews