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Pictures in the Dark
Sisters Carlie and Sarah live in a little old house in Spokane, Washington. It's the 1950s and the Nevilles seem like the perfect family-Dad runs a floor-cleaning business, and Mom takes care of the girls. But something is wrong, and no matter how careful Sarah and Carlie are, they never know what might make their mother fly into a rage. They don't know if they'll get dinner, or be able to take a bath, or talk to a new friend on the phone. And they are not sure if their hardworking dad even knows what is going on. The only question is how long this can continue before someone snaps. In this carefully balanced story about a carefully unbalanced family, Patricia McCord takes us into the hearts of two strong and resourceful girls, sisters whose story will resonate with readers for a long time to come.
225 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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July 16, 2008Though the County classed this as a Juvie fiction book, its themes of child abuse and neglect seemed far too strong for a very young Juvie audience. I would strongly recommend this book as a more wholesome alternative to VC Andrews; with less melodrama and more heart, the sister protagonists of this story try their best to relate to their manic-depressive mother and don't quite come out unscathed.
March 19, 2012
I read this book in 2005 and I couldn't remember the name or author, all I could remember was bits and pieces of the story.
I JUST found it about 20 minutes ago! I am SO happy!!
Update (03/2012): Just finished this book. It wasn't as good as it was when I was younger, but I still liked it.
I JUST found it about 20 minutes ago! I am SO happy!!
Update (03/2012): Just finished this book. It wasn't as good as it was when I was younger, but I still liked it.
July 13, 2017
This was the first book that I actually engaged with. It was just during 5th grade summer that I decided to read something for once. I had a great teacher who taught me how to get through things step by step in educational purposes. And because of her, I kept track of quotes that motivated me. It was a thing we used to do in her class: copy down quotes and analyze them. I really like doing that now. I'm all up in poetry.
In my elementary, the teachers told me that when I read, I should be seeing pictures in my mind. That never happened until this book. It was amazing to finally imagine and see the pictures. I'm glad that I finally opened my mind and engaged in reading. It's wonderful. I will hold this book dearly in my heart, for I could finally see pictures in the dark. *bad puns*
In my elementary, the teachers told me that when I read, I should be seeing pictures in my mind. That never happened until this book. It was amazing to finally imagine and see the pictures. I'm glad that I finally opened my mind and engaged in reading. It's wonderful. I will hold this book dearly in my heart, for I could finally see pictures in the dark. *bad puns*
April 22, 2019
its about 2 sisters who's mom is abusive to them and their father doesn't seam to get it. It all comes to a head when the oldest daughter runs away and the family realizes they need to do something. Not sure I agree with the end but I think this book is meant for a lower level reader and if this reader was in grade school or middle school it would be appropriate.
October 13, 2021
This is a really enjoyable read in the middle it gets dark when Carlie runs away and the fact that their mother physically hurt them at the beginning I felt it had a very satisfying ending that was well thought out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2019
It says a lot about a book when you constant remember it years after reading it. Enjoyed the book as a kid and still do now. Great book for young and old.
December 1, 2016
Two girls in the bedroom scared to make noise because if the do they set off their mom. The genre of this book is realistic fiction. My opinion about this book is that it was really good and interesting.
The setting of this story is in Sarah and Carlie's bedroom. The two girls have a mom that can get mad or be nice at any moment. They can't make any noise or light or else there mom will go to their room and they'll never know if she'll be nice or mad. Sometimes when their mom is in a good mood she invites them to eat breakfast. Sometimes their mom forgets that they're even there. The girls have to eat very little so they can have something to eat each day. The girls at times depend on their father to help the mother so they can eat but he doesn't notice their moms attitude.
The title relates to the book by the pictures part in the title show that the girls are like picture because if they move to much or make any sound their mom will hear and maybe be really mad. Also pictures don't move or make sound. The dark part in the title show that the girls can't turn on the lights because if they do their mom will see and be really mad at them. So the girls try to be quiet as possible.
I liked the way the author chose to write a book like this. I like it because this could happen to someone. Kids that are afraid to make any noise or light because their parent might get really mad at them. I was surprised when I read that the mother sometimes didn't notice that her kids were there. That got me upset a bit because when you're a mother you are never supposed to forget your kids.
I would rate this book 5 stars. I rated this 5 stars because I love how the author wrote this book about two girls that are afraid of doing anything because the are scared their mom will get really mad. I would recommend this book to 5 grade though 8 grade because so they can really understand the book and see that not everyone's world is perfect. The world isn't perfect there are people afraid of doing anything because in this case their mom and get angry at any moment.
The setting of this story is in Sarah and Carlie's bedroom. The two girls have a mom that can get mad or be nice at any moment. They can't make any noise or light or else there mom will go to their room and they'll never know if she'll be nice or mad. Sometimes when their mom is in a good mood she invites them to eat breakfast. Sometimes their mom forgets that they're even there. The girls have to eat very little so they can have something to eat each day. The girls at times depend on their father to help the mother so they can eat but he doesn't notice their moms attitude.
The title relates to the book by the pictures part in the title show that the girls are like picture because if they move to much or make any sound their mom will hear and maybe be really mad. Also pictures don't move or make sound. The dark part in the title show that the girls can't turn on the lights because if they do their mom will see and be really mad at them. So the girls try to be quiet as possible.
I liked the way the author chose to write a book like this. I like it because this could happen to someone. Kids that are afraid to make any noise or light because their parent might get really mad at them. I was surprised when I read that the mother sometimes didn't notice that her kids were there. That got me upset a bit because when you're a mother you are never supposed to forget your kids.
I would rate this book 5 stars. I rated this 5 stars because I love how the author wrote this book about two girls that are afraid of doing anything because the are scared their mom will get really mad. I would recommend this book to 5 grade though 8 grade because so they can really understand the book and see that not everyone's world is perfect. The world isn't perfect there are people afraid of doing anything because in this case their mom and get angry at any moment.
November 18, 2013
What if you were scared to get caught eating by your mother and you don’t know what she would do if she did? This is a realistic fiction story about Sarah and Carlie, two sisters that have to deal with their mother who is very unfair and strict.
In this story, Sarah and Carlie wanted them and their mother to love each other, but their mother was very mean and treated them unfairly. So the two sisters have to learn how to deal with her treating them as she does. The conflict is person vs. person because Sarah and Carlie have a hard time with their mother and many fights. The characters in this story are Sarah who is 12, the youngest, and Carlie is 15, Jesse, Carlie’s boyfriend that works and lives in the gas station, the mother of the two girls, and finally the father of the girls which most of the time is working and neglectful.
Pictures in the Dark is great book. Although, I thought it could have contained more action or intensity, but I still really enjoyed reading it. I think this story is a really good book for people around my aged or younger. I thought the ending of the book was great. It had a lot of meaning toward it and made me happy. This story reminds of the book The Rules of Survival because in both stories there is a mother that is kind of… crazy. Also, it has children that have to deal with their mother.
Overall, I thought this story was a good book and would recommend this book to those who like a realistic fiction story with a bit of action. I would rate this book an 8 because it was good, but do wish it would have had some more intensity in more some parts of the story. The two sisters always stick together, but will they be able to survive together with their mother?
In this story, Sarah and Carlie wanted them and their mother to love each other, but their mother was very mean and treated them unfairly. So the two sisters have to learn how to deal with her treating them as she does. The conflict is person vs. person because Sarah and Carlie have a hard time with their mother and many fights. The characters in this story are Sarah who is 12, the youngest, and Carlie is 15, Jesse, Carlie’s boyfriend that works and lives in the gas station, the mother of the two girls, and finally the father of the girls which most of the time is working and neglectful.
Pictures in the Dark is great book. Although, I thought it could have contained more action or intensity, but I still really enjoyed reading it. I think this story is a really good book for people around my aged or younger. I thought the ending of the book was great. It had a lot of meaning toward it and made me happy. This story reminds of the book The Rules of Survival because in both stories there is a mother that is kind of… crazy. Also, it has children that have to deal with their mother.
Overall, I thought this story was a good book and would recommend this book to those who like a realistic fiction story with a bit of action. I would rate this book an 8 because it was good, but do wish it would have had some more intensity in more some parts of the story. The two sisters always stick together, but will they be able to survive together with their mother?
February 23, 2016
Pictures in the Dark is a long drawn out story about how two sisters, Carlie and Sarah, suffer while living with their strict and abusive mother and a bystander for a father. Most of the story consists of several incidents where the girls' mother yells at them or physically hurts them. Only in the last few chapters does the fictional story's plot becomes interesting when Carlie has finally had enough and runs away. This event changes the personalities of Sarah, the father, and even the mother but is it for the better? Recommended for high school aged readers looking for an easier read.
March 8, 2011
Carlie and Sarah are stuck in a house with an abusive mother and an inattentive father. The girls live in fear of angering their mother. They can't use the bathroom or eat without permission. Carlie has been sneaking out to meet Jesse, the gas station attendant. One day Carlie cant take it anymore and runs away. Sarah is left behind, wondeirng the worst. Will she be able to tell the truth and end it?
October 22, 2008
This book is an amazing story of a close sister bond... and parental mistakes. The two protagonists are lovable and you feel as though you hurt with them throughout the novel. I cried during several parts... it's one of my favourite books. At some points I relate to the younger sister, and I sympathize. Must-read in my book.
April 29, 2009
I think this book is really good. It is about a sixteen-year-old called Carlisle/Carlie, a twelve-year-old, an as-it-seems evil mum and an in-the-background dad. Carlie makes a terrible mistake and ends up leaving her mum in tears, for the reason you will have to read the book!! An UNBELIEVIBLY amazing book that you HAVE to read!
December 19, 2011
I know the story takes place in olden times (not sure when, but their TV is black-and-white), but the characters in this book use phrases like, "Gee" and "Oh, brother" in highly stressful situations -- for example, when their abusive mother is on the rampage. The author clearly hasn't been a teenager for a very, very long time, and it shows; her protagonists sound like they're 8, not 12 and 16.
October 15, 2008
Very average family abuse novel.
April 4, 2009
Book is about two sisters who are being abused by their mother - their father is "not noticing" what is happening. It is full of suspense, didn't want to put it down!
July 10, 2009
The sisters in this book were to be pitied, but the most interesting thing for me was the setting was in the 1950's, so I recognized a lot of the special things about that era. Interesting.
June 28, 2010
A teen book that I grabbed for Rachel for our vacation, I suddenly found myself without a book and I picked it up. It was a sad story, but really good. I'm hoping she'll read it!!
January 10, 2011
I loved this story. It was deeply touching, as well as extremely interesting.
November 13, 2011
it was a book to betryral to two girls who r scared of there mother and waiting for a change in there life and they r waiting and drawing pictures in the dark.
July 20, 2012
Did not trample over 1950s suburban nostalgia anywhere near as much as I thought it would! Instead, actually made a good story out of having an unpredictable, neglectful/abusive mother.
July 25, 2022
read it when I was young and have been looking for it since! Great book!
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September 9, 2016I think the book was good but the book was kinda weird.
January 11, 2017
Very wonderful book, it hurt my heart sometimes to read.
May 29, 2015
been on the shelf for years; dark; not that great; not sure why it was set as "historical'
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews