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Hating Heidi Foster
Mae McBride and Heidi Foster were the very best of friends. Tied at the hip from early elementary school, their relationship was the stuff of storybooks, legendary even, in the minds of their high school classmates.
Unshakable.
That is, until Mae's father died while saving Heidi's life. When Mae finds out, she blames Heidi. She blames her father for putting Heidi ahead of her. She blames her friends for taking Heidi’s side. She begins to unravel amid that blame and her uncontrollable and atypical anger.
At the same time Heidi is beset by guilt, falls into depression and stops eating properly; wasting away physically and emotionally while waiting for Mae to let her back into the friendship she misses so dearly.
Mae, consumed by her hatred of Heidi, the confusion regarding her father’s motives, the perceived desertion of her friends and her mother’s grief, loses more and more of herself.
What could possibly bring these two old friends back to each other? A miracle?
Hating Heidi Foster, is a young adult novel about the place of honor true friendships hold in our lives. It is about suffering and loss and the ethics of grief. It is about a deep and painful conflict, the bright light of selflessness and sacrifice and the love that rights the ship and carries us safely to port.
Unshakable.
That is, until Mae's father died while saving Heidi's life. When Mae finds out, she blames Heidi. She blames her father for putting Heidi ahead of her. She blames her friends for taking Heidi’s side. She begins to unravel amid that blame and her uncontrollable and atypical anger.
At the same time Heidi is beset by guilt, falls into depression and stops eating properly; wasting away physically and emotionally while waiting for Mae to let her back into the friendship she misses so dearly.
Mae, consumed by her hatred of Heidi, the confusion regarding her father’s motives, the perceived desertion of her friends and her mother’s grief, loses more and more of herself.
What could possibly bring these two old friends back to each other? A miracle?
Hating Heidi Foster, is a young adult novel about the place of honor true friendships hold in our lives. It is about suffering and loss and the ethics of grief. It is about a deep and painful conflict, the bright light of selflessness and sacrifice and the love that rights the ship and carries us safely to port.
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2012
2 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Blount
5 books64 followersJeffrey is a novelist and Emmy award-winning television director
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 5, 2012
Had he gone a different route, Jeffrey Blount would have made a terrific heart surgeon. Hating Heidi Foster reveals his mastery of the subject, exploring with sensitive, yet razor-sharp precision why our hearts beat as they do, how quickly they can be damaged, and how, with proper care, they can be repaired.
This is a touching and emotional story written for young adults that could have easily lapsed into sentimentality. Instead, Blount realistically assesses and helps us process the anger Mae McBride feels when her father dies in a house fire while rescuing her best friend, Heidi Foster.
Mae tells the story, and it is no cliché to say we feel her pain. An only child, her father’s death is devastating. Is hating her best friend the only way to survive, or is there another way to get through?
Blount, an Emmy Award-winning television director, puts his day job skills to good use, masterfully moving the main characters from scene to scene until an opportunity finally arrives for Mae and Heidi to reconnect.
Hating Heidi Foster requires tissues and wine, for you will cry, but in the end you will celebrate. Make that fruit juice for you young adult readers. Five stars all the way.
This is a touching and emotional story written for young adults that could have easily lapsed into sentimentality. Instead, Blount realistically assesses and helps us process the anger Mae McBride feels when her father dies in a house fire while rescuing her best friend, Heidi Foster.
Mae tells the story, and it is no cliché to say we feel her pain. An only child, her father’s death is devastating. Is hating her best friend the only way to survive, or is there another way to get through?
Blount, an Emmy Award-winning television director, puts his day job skills to good use, masterfully moving the main characters from scene to scene until an opportunity finally arrives for Mae and Heidi to reconnect.
Hating Heidi Foster requires tissues and wine, for you will cry, but in the end you will celebrate. Make that fruit juice for you young adult readers. Five stars all the way.
April 19, 2013
Forgiveness is rarely easy, and anger can feel like the only thing that’s real when the world falls apart. At least, that’s how it seems to Heidi’s friend Mae who tells her story in Jeffrey Blount’s Hating Heidi Foster. Fourteen-year-old Mae has just lost her father, and it’s all Heidi’s fault. Somehow in the course of being Mae’s best friend Heidi must have made Mae’s father love her more than Mae. That has to be it, because Mae's Dad saved Heid and now Mae and her mother are all alone.
Grandparents help with wise advice and hugs, real and virtual. A lovely friendship develops between Mae and her father’s mother as they chat over the internet. But Vballqueen turns into The Tragic One, and can’t even make the volleyball team anymore. Meanwhile all Mae’s teachers and friends are comforting Heidi.
Mae hugs her anger close. She hates Heidi. She’s angry with her Dad. And she’s betrayed by everyone else. Wise words don’t help and time doesn’t heal, but a chance revelation might change her point of view when the time is right.
Written with a beautifully consistent voice, Hating Heidi Foster is a startlingly real depiction of grief, deeply evocative and haunting. But it’s also a tale of the friendship, memory, communication, and forgiveness. The healing revelation may seem a little too easy, but truly it's almost inevitable; at the right time, something, somewhere, somehow has to give. The reader’s simply glad that healing comes in time for friendship to survive.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book and asked for my honest review.
November 18, 2024
A great book for young adult readers. As a librarian, books that provide windows and mirrors to readers are important for all of us. Depending on the perspective of the reader, one who has lost someone dear to them, or someone trying to understand that type of loss, this book provides insight into grieving process.
January 3, 2024
I read this book with my students because the fantastic #NovelNetwork donated them to my classroom. After we read, Jeffrey Blount allowed my students to interview him during a Zoom session. What an awesome experience for them! Hating Heidi Foster is by no means a light read. After all, it revolves around a teenager grieving for her father while hanging onto anger for her best friend, whom she feels is responsible for his death. Mae, the protagonist, is an only child. I can speak from experience what it’s like for an only child to lose a parent and Jeffrey Blount captures that devastation and loneliness beautifully. I recommend this one to any reader who can handle a heavy topic!
November 5, 2019
Ok, I'm a little obsessed with Mr. Blount books, not only because they open your heart to the human spirit but they make you think deeper. Besides, Mr. Blount writes of my hometown, Suffolk, Va. and Smithfield, I live in Chuckatuck..
Now this book was a book I needed to read to help me understand grief. I lost my mother in 2009, I've struggled with the lost, and I lost a dear friend in 6th grade, and I'm 56 now, again the struggle to grieve and understand loss and to stop blaming others for our loss.
I love that this book explores the friendship and allows the reader to feel the pain and suffering of all those involved who have lost a love one. Loss is not a singular event, it effects many. Mr. Blount communicates this well in Hating Heidi Foster.
Now this book was a book I needed to read to help me understand grief. I lost my mother in 2009, I've struggled with the lost, and I lost a dear friend in 6th grade, and I'm 56 now, again the struggle to grieve and understand loss and to stop blaming others for our loss.
I love that this book explores the friendship and allows the reader to feel the pain and suffering of all those involved who have lost a love one. Loss is not a singular event, it effects many. Mr. Blount communicates this well in Hating Heidi Foster.
January 3, 2013
I won this book on LibraryThing. It was given in exchange for an honest review. I do not know the author. All opinions given are my own.
I absolutely LOVED this book!!! 5 stars all the way.
The book is told through the eyes of fourteen year old Mae McBride whose father is killed in a fire while trying to save her best friend Heidi Foster. Before the fire, Mae and Heidi are the very best of friends - inseparable. After the fire, Mae is consumed with hatred toward Heidi and blames her for her father's death. Mae is also angry with her father and cannot understand why he would choose to do something that could cause him to be separated from her and her mother. The journey of Mae from hatred to understanding is told brilliantly by Jeffrey Blount in this book. At first, I thought Mae was just a spoiled brat but as the story progressed, I came to understand how a fourteen year old girl could come to blame her best friend out of grief. Heidi wastes to almost nothing because of the guilt. She doesn't eat or sleep. Her parents put her in therpy, but nothing seems to help. She is consumed with guilt and with Mae's hatred it is almost more than she can bear. Mae interviews the policeman, the firemen and a witness involved in her fathers death. [Spoiler start] Mae finds a videotape of her father (when she was a little girl) talking to an unnamed man about if he would sacrifice his life for someone else. Her father explains that if he saw someone needing help, even if it could cost him his life, he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he chose not to help. This videotape is just what Mae needs to be able to release all the anger, hatred and rage and come to the complete understanding of her father. This also helps her to understand how horrible she has treated Heidi and she does her very best to make it right. She then takes her one last interview - Heidi. It's just the thing she needed to hear. When she shows Heidi the video, it also helps her to release the guilt. [Spoiler end]
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to everyone. Warning though - it is a tearjerker. (Or it was for me anyway)
I absolutely LOVED this book!!! 5 stars all the way.
The book is told through the eyes of fourteen year old Mae McBride whose father is killed in a fire while trying to save her best friend Heidi Foster. Before the fire, Mae and Heidi are the very best of friends - inseparable. After the fire, Mae is consumed with hatred toward Heidi and blames her for her father's death. Mae is also angry with her father and cannot understand why he would choose to do something that could cause him to be separated from her and her mother. The journey of Mae from hatred to understanding is told brilliantly by Jeffrey Blount in this book. At first, I thought Mae was just a spoiled brat but as the story progressed, I came to understand how a fourteen year old girl could come to blame her best friend out of grief. Heidi wastes to almost nothing because of the guilt. She doesn't eat or sleep. Her parents put her in therpy, but nothing seems to help. She is consumed with guilt and with Mae's hatred it is almost more than she can bear. Mae interviews the policeman, the firemen and a witness involved in her fathers death. [Spoiler start] Mae finds a videotape of her father (when she was a little girl) talking to an unnamed man about if he would sacrifice his life for someone else. Her father explains that if he saw someone needing help, even if it could cost him his life, he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he chose not to help. This videotape is just what Mae needs to be able to release all the anger, hatred and rage and come to the complete understanding of her father. This also helps her to understand how horrible she has treated Heidi and she does her very best to make it right. She then takes her one last interview - Heidi. It's just the thing she needed to hear. When she shows Heidi the video, it also helps her to release the guilt. [Spoiler end]
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to everyone. Warning though - it is a tearjerker. (Or it was for me anyway)
December 22, 2012
The Phases of Grieving made more poignant through a teenager's view
Jeffrey Blount is a successful television writer and director and he brings those skills to this, his first novel. He relates the story of Mae, a fourteen year old girl who is living the good life with her closest friend Heidi - a bond between two girls that seemed implacable until a cruel turn of events changes everything.
Mae's beloved father responds to an emergency - a fire in which Heidi is trapped and Mae's father rescues her but in the process is killed. The grieving process is what this book is about and Blount sensitively examines that process by taking us through the various stages of anguish, anger, and reconciliation by placing the relationship between Mae and Heidi as the focal point. Mae feels betrayed by her father, even though she desperately misses him, because her father chose saving Heidi and dying instead of staying alive to care for Mae. Mae's blaming Heidi for her loss of her father soon replaces this initial response. But Blount wisely doesn't allow this grieving response to be one sided: we also see the effect of the incident on Heidi as she withdraws into anorexia and depression. How the bilateral crises are resolved and the lessons of life are learned in the sophisticated way in which Blount serves them to us.
This novel is addressed to young readers but it is equally effective reading for anyone who is witnessing or enduring grieving. It is particularly useful to parents of teenagers who are undergoing the grieving process. But a `self help' book this is not. This is a masterfully written short novel of superb craftsmanship.
Grady Harp
Jeffrey Blount is a successful television writer and director and he brings those skills to this, his first novel. He relates the story of Mae, a fourteen year old girl who is living the good life with her closest friend Heidi - a bond between two girls that seemed implacable until a cruel turn of events changes everything.
Mae's beloved father responds to an emergency - a fire in which Heidi is trapped and Mae's father rescues her but in the process is killed. The grieving process is what this book is about and Blount sensitively examines that process by taking us through the various stages of anguish, anger, and reconciliation by placing the relationship between Mae and Heidi as the focal point. Mae feels betrayed by her father, even though she desperately misses him, because her father chose saving Heidi and dying instead of staying alive to care for Mae. Mae's blaming Heidi for her loss of her father soon replaces this initial response. But Blount wisely doesn't allow this grieving response to be one sided: we also see the effect of the incident on Heidi as she withdraws into anorexia and depression. How the bilateral crises are resolved and the lessons of life are learned in the sophisticated way in which Blount serves them to us.
This novel is addressed to young readers but it is equally effective reading for anyone who is witnessing or enduring grieving. It is particularly useful to parents of teenagers who are undergoing the grieving process. But a `self help' book this is not. This is a masterfully written short novel of superb craftsmanship.
Grady Harp
April 11, 2013
'Staring into the darkness, I wondered, is this how we will forever remember him? Not as the man we loved, but as the man who destroyed so many lives while trying to save just one.'
During the majority of this book I had tears streaming down my cheeks. Literally. Bucketloads of them. I'm still recovering from the sobs that shook my whole body. Everyone needs to read this.
This short story was so real & emotional. Watching the little girl, Mae, go through the stages of grief were just heartbreaking. Experiencing the support Grammy & Gran Gran & different parts of the community were beautiful, even though those were the parts that had me crying the hardest.
"I love you. Truly I do."
I loved everything about this book. It was so thought provoking and tells the tale of something that people go through every day. The loss of a loved one. I felt Mr Blount had an incredible way of taking us on that journey. *sniff* The vides moved me beyond words, as did the box of memories on Christmas morning, and the way they survived each holiday. The words in this book touched me deep in my soul.
I am certain that I will remember Mae, Heidi & their families story forever & would recommend this for any age. Kudos to the author...
During the majority of this book I had tears streaming down my cheeks. Literally. Bucketloads of them. I'm still recovering from the sobs that shook my whole body. Everyone needs to read this.
This short story was so real & emotional. Watching the little girl, Mae, go through the stages of grief were just heartbreaking. Experiencing the support Grammy & Gran Gran & different parts of the community were beautiful, even though those were the parts that had me crying the hardest.
"I love you. Truly I do."
I loved everything about this book. It was so thought provoking and tells the tale of something that people go through every day. The loss of a loved one. I felt Mr Blount had an incredible way of taking us on that journey. *sniff* The vides moved me beyond words, as did the box of memories on Christmas morning, and the way they survived each holiday. The words in this book touched me deep in my soul.
I am certain that I will remember Mae, Heidi & their families story forever & would recommend this for any age. Kudos to the author...
November 21, 2012
From the first beautifully rendered sentences, Hating Heidi Foster sweeps the reader into the horrifically altered world of fourteen-year-old Mae, a grieving adolescent who has just lost her father in a fire. The agony is compounded by the particulars of her father’s death, a heroic giving of his own life to rescue Mae’s closest friend, Heidi.
Written with a pitch perfect sense of how a child moves from grief to healing, the novel takes the reader through the months of sorrow, hate and rage that any Daddy’s Girl would feel after such a loss. But the book is so much more, a celebration of loving families and how they find the courage to rebuild shattered lives. The scenes depicting Mae’s mother and grandparents as they help her to heal are heartwarming; the final closing scenes, which I won’t reveal for fear of spoiling the read, provide a true celebration of the father-love that should be every child’s birthright.
Buy this book for your sons and daughters. After they read, settle in and enjoy a story sure to restore your faith in the human heart.
Written with a pitch perfect sense of how a child moves from grief to healing, the novel takes the reader through the months of sorrow, hate and rage that any Daddy’s Girl would feel after such a loss. But the book is so much more, a celebration of loving families and how they find the courage to rebuild shattered lives. The scenes depicting Mae’s mother and grandparents as they help her to heal are heartwarming; the final closing scenes, which I won’t reveal for fear of spoiling the read, provide a true celebration of the father-love that should be every child’s birthright.
Buy this book for your sons and daughters. After they read, settle in and enjoy a story sure to restore your faith in the human heart.
December 31, 2015
This is a very fast read, and held my interest throughout. I can’t say I was particularly fond of Mae, but losing one’s father right before entering high school isn’t easy. No doubt it affected her personality in ways one might never expect. I did feel some of the dialogue sounded much too mature for freshmen in high school – even those who had horrible events mature them faster than their peers. And those peers often also spoke a bit more maturely than one would expect. Still, it’s an interesting situation, and I thought Mae made great progress by the end of the book.
October 8, 2018
This is a good discussion topic about a person's choice to give up their life to save someone else's.
December 10, 2012
Book: Hating Heidi Foster by Jeffrey Blount
Pages: 105
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Sent from Alluvion Press
Short Synopsis: Mae is consumed with grief from losing her father who died while trying to save Heidi's life.
My Thoughts: A deep, and gripping tale of loss and acceptance, Hating Heidi Foster was a very emotional read.
Mae McBride and Heidi Foster were the very best of friends. Tied at the hip from early elementary school, their relationship was the stuff of storybooks, legendary even, in the minds of their high school classmates.
Unshakable.
That is, until Mae's father died while saving Heidi's life. When Mae finds out, she blames Heidi. She blames her father for putting Heidi ahead of her. She blames her friends for taking Heidi’s side. She begins to unravel amid that blame and her uncontrollable and atypical anger.
At the same time Heidi is beset by guilt, falls into depression and stops eating properly; wasting away physically and emotionally while waiting for Mae to let her back into the friendship she misses so dearly.
Mae, consumed by her hatred of Heidi, the confusion regarding her father’s motives, the perceived desertion of her friends and her mother’s grief, loses more and more of herself.
What could possibly bring these two old friends back to each other? A miracle?
Hating Heidi Foster, is a young adult novel about the place of honor true friendships hold in our lives. It is about suffering and loss and the ethics of grief. It is about a deep and painful conflict, the bright light of selflessness and sacrifice and the love that rights the ship and carries us safely to port.
--From Goodreads
Mae McBride can't seem to shake the grief of losing her father in a horrible fire while trying to save Heidi, Mae's best friend. And though her life will never be the same, Mae also hates her friend, who was the cause of loosing her father. Both Mae and her mother are trying to recuperate from loosing Mae's father, as both try to grieve in their own way.
Mae slowly gets back into school, with things being awkward, especially her friends, and especially with Heidi being around as well. As weeks and months pass by, Mae's hatred from Heidi consumes her as Mae seems to be loosing her friends, and both girls seem tortured by this one event. As life goes on for Mae, she learns to take her anger out on her sport, and manages to come to her senses and forgiveness with her best friend, Heidi.
A very indelible, and heartbreaking story about loss and forgiveness as Mae goes on a profound journey, leaving readers breathless and wanting more. I was deeply moved by this story and felt the hurt that Mae felt, as she couldn't shake the fact that her father was no longer with her.
It was interesting to read how Mae still kept in contact with her grandmother from her father's side, and that their connection was stronger than before, due to recent events. And though I can't imagine what it's like to loose someone close, it kind of felt that Mae's mother wasn't as in the picture as I expected her to be.
And I also I can't imagine what it would be like to be in Mae's position, I was a bit surprised at how lengthy Mae's grudge against her best friend was. The whole situation was obviously hurting Heidi, and couldn't see that due to Mae's hate.
It was also interesting to read how the whole situation went down in the end, but I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more detailed information about Heidi's point of view, or how the fire started in the first place. In general, a very touching and moving story about loosing the one you love.
Would I recommend this book: Yes
Rating: I give this book a 4/5.
Pages: 105
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Sent from Alluvion Press
Short Synopsis: Mae is consumed with grief from losing her father who died while trying to save Heidi's life.
My Thoughts: A deep, and gripping tale of loss and acceptance, Hating Heidi Foster was a very emotional read.
Mae McBride and Heidi Foster were the very best of friends. Tied at the hip from early elementary school, their relationship was the stuff of storybooks, legendary even, in the minds of their high school classmates.
Unshakable.
That is, until Mae's father died while saving Heidi's life. When Mae finds out, she blames Heidi. She blames her father for putting Heidi ahead of her. She blames her friends for taking Heidi’s side. She begins to unravel amid that blame and her uncontrollable and atypical anger.
At the same time Heidi is beset by guilt, falls into depression and stops eating properly; wasting away physically and emotionally while waiting for Mae to let her back into the friendship she misses so dearly.
Mae, consumed by her hatred of Heidi, the confusion regarding her father’s motives, the perceived desertion of her friends and her mother’s grief, loses more and more of herself.
What could possibly bring these two old friends back to each other? A miracle?
Hating Heidi Foster, is a young adult novel about the place of honor true friendships hold in our lives. It is about suffering and loss and the ethics of grief. It is about a deep and painful conflict, the bright light of selflessness and sacrifice and the love that rights the ship and carries us safely to port.
--From Goodreads
Mae McBride can't seem to shake the grief of losing her father in a horrible fire while trying to save Heidi, Mae's best friend. And though her life will never be the same, Mae also hates her friend, who was the cause of loosing her father. Both Mae and her mother are trying to recuperate from loosing Mae's father, as both try to grieve in their own way.
Mae slowly gets back into school, with things being awkward, especially her friends, and especially with Heidi being around as well. As weeks and months pass by, Mae's hatred from Heidi consumes her as Mae seems to be loosing her friends, and both girls seem tortured by this one event. As life goes on for Mae, she learns to take her anger out on her sport, and manages to come to her senses and forgiveness with her best friend, Heidi.
A very indelible, and heartbreaking story about loss and forgiveness as Mae goes on a profound journey, leaving readers breathless and wanting more. I was deeply moved by this story and felt the hurt that Mae felt, as she couldn't shake the fact that her father was no longer with her.
It was interesting to read how Mae still kept in contact with her grandmother from her father's side, and that their connection was stronger than before, due to recent events. And though I can't imagine what it's like to loose someone close, it kind of felt that Mae's mother wasn't as in the picture as I expected her to be.
And I also I can't imagine what it would be like to be in Mae's position, I was a bit surprised at how lengthy Mae's grudge against her best friend was. The whole situation was obviously hurting Heidi, and couldn't see that due to Mae's hate.
It was also interesting to read how the whole situation went down in the end, but I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more detailed information about Heidi's point of view, or how the fire started in the first place. In general, a very touching and moving story about loosing the one you love.
Would I recommend this book: Yes
Rating: I give this book a 4/5.
December 7, 2012
‘It was Heidi Foster or Mae McBride. No sitting on the fence allowed.’
Mae McBride is standing by the river with her grandfather while her mother, waist deep in the river is sobbing. Renata McBride has just committed her husband’s ashes to the river, and is watching them float away. Mae is thinking about the death of her father, and the cause of his death. Mae and Heidi Foster have been best friends since second grade, but not anymore. Mae blames Heidi for her father Eddie’s death. She hates Heidi now, and is worried that she will not be able to remember her father’s face.
‘I have never been very good with faces.’
There was a fire at Heidi’s house, and while Eddie MacBride saves Heidi he is not able to escape from the burning house. Mae blames Heidi: she should have been able to get out of the house on her own. Mae blames her father: he has put Heidi ahead of her. Mae blames her friends: they seem to have taken Heidi’s side rather than hers.
Heidi is also suffering, but Mae does not care. Mae is angry, and her black and white view of the situation does not allow any room for forgiveness. It seems highly unlikely that Mae will ever forgive Heidi and that they can ever be friends again.
But with the help of her mother, grandparents and the emergency services workers who attended the fire, Mae comes to a different understanding. Her search to know more about her father eventually leads her to understand why he acted as he did.
‘I think I’d rather be dead and have them be proud of me for trying to
do what’s right ..’
The loss of a dearly loved parent or friend can be overwhelming, and in this story Mae has lost both her father and her best friend. Her emotions as she works through her grief are uncomfortable to read about but are completely understandable. . Grief can have emotional, mental and physical aspects. While this novel is aimed at young adults, I think many older adults would also find it a worthwhile read. It’s a short thought-provoking novel – engaging the reader with an aspect of life that many of us would prefer not to think about.
Note: I was offered, and accepted, a copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Mae McBride is standing by the river with her grandfather while her mother, waist deep in the river is sobbing. Renata McBride has just committed her husband’s ashes to the river, and is watching them float away. Mae is thinking about the death of her father, and the cause of his death. Mae and Heidi Foster have been best friends since second grade, but not anymore. Mae blames Heidi for her father Eddie’s death. She hates Heidi now, and is worried that she will not be able to remember her father’s face.
‘I have never been very good with faces.’
There was a fire at Heidi’s house, and while Eddie MacBride saves Heidi he is not able to escape from the burning house. Mae blames Heidi: she should have been able to get out of the house on her own. Mae blames her father: he has put Heidi ahead of her. Mae blames her friends: they seem to have taken Heidi’s side rather than hers.
Heidi is also suffering, but Mae does not care. Mae is angry, and her black and white view of the situation does not allow any room for forgiveness. It seems highly unlikely that Mae will ever forgive Heidi and that they can ever be friends again.
But with the help of her mother, grandparents and the emergency services workers who attended the fire, Mae comes to a different understanding. Her search to know more about her father eventually leads her to understand why he acted as he did.
‘I think I’d rather be dead and have them be proud of me for trying to
do what’s right ..’
The loss of a dearly loved parent or friend can be overwhelming, and in this story Mae has lost both her father and her best friend. Her emotions as she works through her grief are uncomfortable to read about but are completely understandable. . Grief can have emotional, mental and physical aspects. While this novel is aimed at young adults, I think many older adults would also find it a worthwhile read. It’s a short thought-provoking novel – engaging the reader with an aspect of life that many of us would prefer not to think about.
Note: I was offered, and accepted, a copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 4, 2013
Hating Heidi Foster is about a young 14-year-old girl named Mae whose father dies while saving her childhood friend, Heidi. I was expecting a sweet, powerful, poignant novel about forgiveness and sacrifice. Instead I got something else, and really, I'm not even sure what it was, because I quit halfway through. Here is why I didn't bother finishing it.
Jeffrey Blount, I'm sorry, but you're not a good writer. You had a great idea for a novel and it had a very high concept and so much potential but the execution was poor and full of run-on sentences and missing commas such as the sentence that I just wrote about you so that I could depict just how annoying it was to try to read your novel.
A note to all writers: unless you are especially skilled, don't write a novel in the voice or perspective of the opposite sex. It just doesn't turn out well.
Mae… oh Mae, what can I say about you. Within the first few pages, the only thing I knew about her was that there was something strange about her. After a few more pages, that feeling grew, until I realized what it was: She sounded like a seven-year-old. She's supposed to be fourteen in this novel, just entering her Freshman year of High School, but she has the voice of a child, and really doesn't even feel like a girl. She doesn't feel like a boy, but she doesn't feel like a girl either.
Not only was Mae's character strange, but it was also awful. Yes I realize her father died, but that was the only characterization that I had on her. I had even less of her mother. And Heidi? Forget it, I didn't know squat about her. I couldn't tell you what these characters looked like, sounded like, wore, where they lived, anything.
This book is barely over 100 pages. Within the first quarter, literally nothing happened. It was thoughts and reelections and conversations, but nothing happened. In a literary novel that was 700 pages and about fifteen characters and had political and religious stories running through it, I would expect that sort of thing. But not from a YA novel.
Jeffrey Blount, I'm sorry, but you're not a good writer. You had a great idea for a novel and it had a very high concept and so much potential but the execution was poor and full of run-on sentences and missing commas such as the sentence that I just wrote about you so that I could depict just how annoying it was to try to read your novel.
A note to all writers: unless you are especially skilled, don't write a novel in the voice or perspective of the opposite sex. It just doesn't turn out well.
Mae… oh Mae, what can I say about you. Within the first few pages, the only thing I knew about her was that there was something strange about her. After a few more pages, that feeling grew, until I realized what it was: She sounded like a seven-year-old. She's supposed to be fourteen in this novel, just entering her Freshman year of High School, but she has the voice of a child, and really doesn't even feel like a girl. She doesn't feel like a boy, but she doesn't feel like a girl either.
Not only was Mae's character strange, but it was also awful. Yes I realize her father died, but that was the only characterization that I had on her. I had even less of her mother. And Heidi? Forget it, I didn't know squat about her. I couldn't tell you what these characters looked like, sounded like, wore, where they lived, anything.
This book is barely over 100 pages. Within the first quarter, literally nothing happened. It was thoughts and reelections and conversations, but nothing happened. In a literary novel that was 700 pages and about fifteen characters and had political and religious stories running through it, I would expect that sort of thing. But not from a YA novel.
January 29, 2013
Wins:
What you HAVE to understand about this book is the fact that it isn't a lavish tale. It doesn't go into deep description or characterize all that much. What it does is highlight the importance of it's message. That message: The importance of friendship.
This book is good in the way that it defines real grief. The blind rage we get when someone passes, the guilt when someone sacrifices for us, the hole that a person can leave in our life.
It was fairly quick read. It's only about one-hundred pages long and it's stuffed pretty full.
Even though this book doesn't have much depth into the characters you still can fill that void with the little the author gives you. He gives you a skeleton and you can fill it in the way you want.
The idea that a character blames their best friend for their fathers death? Very, very human. This is the reason why I agreed to review this book. This idea intrigued me and I wanted to see how it played out.
"Look at all the misery we've had to face with only the cliches to comfort us." pg 39. It seems like this should be a lyric in a song. It's beautiful.
Fails:
You have no idea what Mae or her mother or Heidi even look like. This characterization is needed for a clear picture in your head. I felt like I only saw a vague and blurry picture of what it could be. A book should take you there.
This is probably just a I-am-the-only-one-who-really-cares-about-this-sort-of-thing thing but it drives me nuts. She calls her Mom Mummy and her Dad Daddy. She's fourteen, not four. Now I get the Daddy and I can over look it but Mummy? It just makes me think about Docto Who. (I also feel this way about the word tummy. We are not little kids.) (It's not just that it's used but that it is used through the whole book. I mean if you call them Mom for most of the book and then Mummy when you are sad or really need them that's fine but the whole book? I just can't do it, self edit sets in.)
Overall: This book is like a gem that could use some polishing but it still shines without it. A great commentary on loss and life.
What you HAVE to understand about this book is the fact that it isn't a lavish tale. It doesn't go into deep description or characterize all that much. What it does is highlight the importance of it's message. That message: The importance of friendship.
This book is good in the way that it defines real grief. The blind rage we get when someone passes, the guilt when someone sacrifices for us, the hole that a person can leave in our life.
It was fairly quick read. It's only about one-hundred pages long and it's stuffed pretty full.
Even though this book doesn't have much depth into the characters you still can fill that void with the little the author gives you. He gives you a skeleton and you can fill it in the way you want.
The idea that a character blames their best friend for their fathers death? Very, very human. This is the reason why I agreed to review this book. This idea intrigued me and I wanted to see how it played out.
"Look at all the misery we've had to face with only the cliches to comfort us." pg 39. It seems like this should be a lyric in a song. It's beautiful.
Fails:
You have no idea what Mae or her mother or Heidi even look like. This characterization is needed for a clear picture in your head. I felt like I only saw a vague and blurry picture of what it could be. A book should take you there.
This is probably just a I-am-the-only-one-who-really-cares-about-this-sort-of-thing thing but it drives me nuts. She calls her Mom Mummy and her Dad Daddy. She's fourteen, not four. Now I get the Daddy and I can over look it but Mummy? It just makes me think about Docto Who. (I also feel this way about the word tummy. We are not little kids.) (It's not just that it's used but that it is used through the whole book. I mean if you call them Mom for most of the book and then Mummy when you are sad or really need them that's fine but the whole book? I just can't do it, self edit sets in.)
Overall: This book is like a gem that could use some polishing but it still shines without it. A great commentary on loss and life.
March 19, 2021
I don't know what it's like losing a parent, but I do know what it's like suddenly hating a childhood friend. Which is probably the only thing I have in common with Mae.
A lot of people might not have like Mae, but for a 14 year old dealing with loss I'm kind of surprised she didn't lose herself more.
She isolated herself from everyone because she felt betrayed by them for, in her eyes, picking Heidi over her. Rather selfish yes, but again 14, like I mentioned above I know what it's like hating a childhood best friend well; and because of that I know isolation well also.
And I personally think Mae separating herself from everyone, while not the best while it was happening, helped her in the end. It's when you don't have anything when you realize how good the things you do (and did) have are.
It's rare for me to find a YA book like this, they usually feel superficial or unrealistic especially the more realistic they try to make them. And this seemed real, for all I know I really could have been reading a teenage girls diary.
I'd kind of like to hear Heidi's side of the story. What's her take on what she went through? Mae isn't the only one who had to go though a hard time, what Heidi went through might have been even worse. Someone died because of her.
But we didn't get her story. This is Mae's story, Mae's heartbreak, and Mae's loss. That's what this story is, the months spent grieving and hating after the loss of not only a parent but a friend. Mae not only lost her father but she lost her best friend and maybe she didn't care but she was still left alone because of her hate and honestly while she might lose sympathy at times her hate is still acceptable.
She's young but really at any age no one would have handled it that well.
It's also about Mae finding forgiveness, not only that but maybe a new inner piece. When we lose we also gain be it hate or inner piece but with both we manage to learn and grow.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
A lot of people might not have like Mae, but for a 14 year old dealing with loss I'm kind of surprised she didn't lose herself more.
She isolated herself from everyone because she felt betrayed by them for, in her eyes, picking Heidi over her. Rather selfish yes, but again 14, like I mentioned above I know what it's like hating a childhood best friend well; and because of that I know isolation well also.
And I personally think Mae separating herself from everyone, while not the best while it was happening, helped her in the end. It's when you don't have anything when you realize how good the things you do (and did) have are.
It's rare for me to find a YA book like this, they usually feel superficial or unrealistic especially the more realistic they try to make them. And this seemed real, for all I know I really could have been reading a teenage girls diary.
I'd kind of like to hear Heidi's side of the story. What's her take on what she went through? Mae isn't the only one who had to go though a hard time, what Heidi went through might have been even worse. Someone died because of her.
But we didn't get her story. This is Mae's story, Mae's heartbreak, and Mae's loss. That's what this story is, the months spent grieving and hating after the loss of not only a parent but a friend. Mae not only lost her father but she lost her best friend and maybe she didn't care but she was still left alone because of her hate and honestly while she might lose sympathy at times her hate is still acceptable.
She's young but really at any age no one would have handled it that well.
It's also about Mae finding forgiveness, not only that but maybe a new inner piece. When we lose we also gain be it hate or inner piece but with both we manage to learn and grow.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2012
What a powerful read! I found the summary so intriguing that I knew I had to read this one. Consider how you'd feel if your father died saving your best friend---what would you do? Could you still be friends, knowing that your friend is the reason your father is dead? Adding another layer of complexity is the fact that these girls are in high school, which is a hard enough time to live through without any traumatic events.
I was not expecting to be so moved while reading Hating Heidi Foster, especially considering that it is a relatively short book. I found myself crying at several points throughout the book, especially at the end. From a mother's point of view, Hating Heidi Foster was even more powerful. I could not imagine what Mae's mother goes through, losing her husband, but also having to help her daughter grieve for her father. And Mae grieves much differently than her mother does. That was a new thought for me: I know people process their emotions in different ways, but to think that the way Mae handles her grief actually causes her mother more pain was really something to consider.
I wasn't sure how much character growth could take place in such a short book, but there was a lot of growth on Mae's part, as well as her mother and Heidi. I loved how Mae starts to stand up for herself and how she eventually sees the error of her ways. The conflict resolution between Mae and Heidi was very welll-done and realistic. I loved the way the other students and high school staff were involved and invested in their lives.
I found the way Mae deals with her grief to be very realistic and relatable. The movies were a nice touch, and something I could easily picture her doing. Mae is definitely no shrinking violet, and once she decides to take charge of things, she really took off.
I would highly recommend Hating Heidi Foster. It's a moving, emotional read with a great message.
I was not expecting to be so moved while reading Hating Heidi Foster, especially considering that it is a relatively short book. I found myself crying at several points throughout the book, especially at the end. From a mother's point of view, Hating Heidi Foster was even more powerful. I could not imagine what Mae's mother goes through, losing her husband, but also having to help her daughter grieve for her father. And Mae grieves much differently than her mother does. That was a new thought for me: I know people process their emotions in different ways, but to think that the way Mae handles her grief actually causes her mother more pain was really something to consider.
I wasn't sure how much character growth could take place in such a short book, but there was a lot of growth on Mae's part, as well as her mother and Heidi. I loved how Mae starts to stand up for herself and how she eventually sees the error of her ways. The conflict resolution between Mae and Heidi was very welll-done and realistic. I loved the way the other students and high school staff were involved and invested in their lives.
I found the way Mae deals with her grief to be very realistic and relatable. The movies were a nice touch, and something I could easily picture her doing. Mae is definitely no shrinking violet, and once she decides to take charge of things, she really took off.
I would highly recommend Hating Heidi Foster. It's a moving, emotional read with a great message.
December 6, 2012
Book Review: Hating Heidi Foster
Author: Jeffery Blount
Mae McBride and Heidi Foster are BFF’s. Their friendship is bound together by love and loyalty, and is truly a union made in heaven. That is until one day when a terrible fire breaks out in Heidi’s home and Mae’s dad is killed while trying to rescue Heidi from the inferno.
It is at this point in the book that everyone’s life changes. Mae feels abandoned by her dad and angry that he chose to risk his life to save her friend. Mae’s collapsed world causes her to plummet into deep feelings of grief, despair and hopelessness. Her inability to forgive her friend leads her to be imprisoned in a chasm of hate towards Heidi. Heidi’s world morphs into one of endless grief for both Mae’s dad and her lost friend. She develops deep hatred towards herself, and a sense of helplessness and impending mental and physical decay.
Throughout all of this, Mae and her mother hold tightly onto each other and gain comfort as they work through the memories of their beloved who died in the fire. Mae discovers what transpired in the last moments of her father’s life as she meets with the first responders who were sent in for Heidi’s rescue, along with witnesses that actually saw what happened in the fire. Mae stumbles across the answer she is seeking by watching old videos of herself and her dad spending precious time together. The answer is revealed in her dad’s own words.
At long last Mae is able to forgive Heidi and restore their beloved friendship. Renewed love and forgiveness bring healing to both girls. They learn that friendships are to be cherished and that you should hate things and circumstances - not people - and especially not your best friend.
Author: Jeffery Blount
Mae McBride and Heidi Foster are BFF’s. Their friendship is bound together by love and loyalty, and is truly a union made in heaven. That is until one day when a terrible fire breaks out in Heidi’s home and Mae’s dad is killed while trying to rescue Heidi from the inferno.
It is at this point in the book that everyone’s life changes. Mae feels abandoned by her dad and angry that he chose to risk his life to save her friend. Mae’s collapsed world causes her to plummet into deep feelings of grief, despair and hopelessness. Her inability to forgive her friend leads her to be imprisoned in a chasm of hate towards Heidi. Heidi’s world morphs into one of endless grief for both Mae’s dad and her lost friend. She develops deep hatred towards herself, and a sense of helplessness and impending mental and physical decay.
Throughout all of this, Mae and her mother hold tightly onto each other and gain comfort as they work through the memories of their beloved who died in the fire. Mae discovers what transpired in the last moments of her father’s life as she meets with the first responders who were sent in for Heidi’s rescue, along with witnesses that actually saw what happened in the fire. Mae stumbles across the answer she is seeking by watching old videos of herself and her dad spending precious time together. The answer is revealed in her dad’s own words.
At long last Mae is able to forgive Heidi and restore their beloved friendship. Renewed love and forgiveness bring healing to both girls. They learn that friendships are to be cherished and that you should hate things and circumstances - not people - and especially not your best friend.
December 11, 2012
Hating Heidi Foster is a very endearing and heart wrenching story filled with pain, anger, and the miracle of forgiveness. The story is centered around fourteen year old Mae, who is struggling to come to terms with the events that led to her father's death. Afterall, how do you forgive your father for dying while saving your best friend? And how could you possibly forgive that best friend for being the reason your father is gone?
The author does a great job of showing Mae's anger and resentment toward both her father and Heidi. She constantly struggles with how to handle herself and her feelings. She pulls away from her friends and blames everyone for taking Heidi's side. While Mae's anger festers, Heidi's despair grows. I really wish the book had shown more of Heidi's suffering instead of simply hearing about it from other characters. I think that would have been more powerful, but also, the "hearing" all Mae gets and is a huge part of the way she reacts. She's so blinded by hate, that she can't see what's really happening to her best friend or the true importance of her father's decision.
When Mae finally finds the answer to why her father did what he did, she begins to find her own answers amid the various stories of those who witnessed his heroic actions. And ultimately, she has to decide... if she has to live without her father, can she afford to live without her best friend?
This is a great book for young girls and their friends to read together. It focuses on the value of friendship, and how healing is not an individual action but is best learned with those we love most. If you are looking for the perfect gift for your daughter or grandaughter this Christmas, consider Hating Heidie Foster. It will bring a smile to her face, and love to her heart.
The author does a great job of showing Mae's anger and resentment toward both her father and Heidi. She constantly struggles with how to handle herself and her feelings. She pulls away from her friends and blames everyone for taking Heidi's side. While Mae's anger festers, Heidi's despair grows. I really wish the book had shown more of Heidi's suffering instead of simply hearing about it from other characters. I think that would have been more powerful, but also, the "hearing" all Mae gets and is a huge part of the way she reacts. She's so blinded by hate, that she can't see what's really happening to her best friend or the true importance of her father's decision.
When Mae finally finds the answer to why her father did what he did, she begins to find her own answers amid the various stories of those who witnessed his heroic actions. And ultimately, she has to decide... if she has to live without her father, can she afford to live without her best friend?
This is a great book for young girls and their friends to read together. It focuses on the value of friendship, and how healing is not an individual action but is best learned with those we love most. If you are looking for the perfect gift for your daughter or grandaughter this Christmas, consider Hating Heidie Foster. It will bring a smile to her face, and love to her heart.
January 19, 2013
I feel it's beneficial for all to read this wonderful book.
It's deep, personal, full of passion ~ and sorrow. Having never lost anyone close to me I can't imagine the pain and devastation that Mae goes through losing her father. Jeffrey Blount is a very accomplished writer and fully able to describe the pain and loneliness both girls feel while coping with a man who has been a huge part of each of their lives. I loved how he stretched the story to include Heidi who is Mae's best friend and the reason Mae's father dies. I often felt like I was onsite as I read the story whether I was in Mae's home, at her high school or during the conclusion when Mae works through her grief by compiling a "scrapbook" of sorts so she can remember her dad.
It's a fast read (it took me only a couple of hours) and it will touch each person differently. I think younger teens (12+) could read it and parents could easily use it to open the gates of conversation to encourage their teens to talk about loss. I strongly encourage book groups, parent/kid book clubs and English teachers to read this as a group. The only thing Hating Heidi Foster is missing is discussion questions at the end of the book.
Outstanding book & one of the few books I give 5 stars to. Hating Heidi Foster will have a permanent place on my bookshelf unless I find a family perhaps that will benefit from it.
Disclaimer:I received a copy of Hating Heidi Foster to read and review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands.
It's deep, personal, full of passion ~ and sorrow. Having never lost anyone close to me I can't imagine the pain and devastation that Mae goes through losing her father. Jeffrey Blount is a very accomplished writer and fully able to describe the pain and loneliness both girls feel while coping with a man who has been a huge part of each of their lives. I loved how he stretched the story to include Heidi who is Mae's best friend and the reason Mae's father dies. I often felt like I was onsite as I read the story whether I was in Mae's home, at her high school or during the conclusion when Mae works through her grief by compiling a "scrapbook" of sorts so she can remember her dad.
It's a fast read (it took me only a couple of hours) and it will touch each person differently. I think younger teens (12+) could read it and parents could easily use it to open the gates of conversation to encourage their teens to talk about loss. I strongly encourage book groups, parent/kid book clubs and English teachers to read this as a group. The only thing Hating Heidi Foster is missing is discussion questions at the end of the book.
Outstanding book & one of the few books I give 5 stars to. Hating Heidi Foster will have a permanent place on my bookshelf unless I find a family perhaps that will benefit from it.
Disclaimer:I received a copy of Hating Heidi Foster to read and review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands.
December 27, 2012
Loss is never an easy thing to deal with, but for Mae the loss of her father comes coupled with the loss of her best friend as well. No, Heidi Foster is not dead, but the day Mae’s father rushed into Heidi’s burning house to save her and never walked out again Heidi died to Mae. This novel explores the stages of grief through the eyes of a freshman girl who never expected to have to say goodbye to the father she loves so much.
This novel was five stars for me mostly because of how it made me feel. I felt for Mae, for her mother and grandparents, and even for Heidi. I sat and thought of how I would feel to lose my father that way and it nearly brought me to tears. For a novel so short to pack such an emotional punch, the author must be doing something right. The scenes where Heidi and her mother had to find new ways to celebrate holidays and other special moments without her father made my heart hurt. The brief comments the author makes every once in a while about the future let me know that Heidi will one day grow up to be happy and give me closure. The only critique I have is that some of the dialogue sounded like something someone would write, but not necessarily the way someone would say it. Besides that this book was amazing: a strong central theme, relatable characters, and emotions aplenty. I am going to be lending this book around to all my friends and hoping they enjoy it just as much as I did.
This novel was five stars for me mostly because of how it made me feel. I felt for Mae, for her mother and grandparents, and even for Heidi. I sat and thought of how I would feel to lose my father that way and it nearly brought me to tears. For a novel so short to pack such an emotional punch, the author must be doing something right. The scenes where Heidi and her mother had to find new ways to celebrate holidays and other special moments without her father made my heart hurt. The brief comments the author makes every once in a while about the future let me know that Heidi will one day grow up to be happy and give me closure. The only critique I have is that some of the dialogue sounded like something someone would write, but not necessarily the way someone would say it. Besides that this book was amazing: a strong central theme, relatable characters, and emotions aplenty. I am going to be lending this book around to all my friends and hoping they enjoy it just as much as I did.
December 19, 2012
When the story begins, fourteen-year-old Mae McBride's father has just died in a fire saving Mae's best friend, Heidi. As such, Mae can't help but feel anger and hatred towards Heidi. In Mae's mind, it's Heidi's fault that her father is dead ... her father died choosing Heidi over his wife and daughter.
At school, everyone seems to be concerned about Heidi and taking her side. This angers Mae even more so she turns her back on all her friends and becomes "the Tragic One". The only ones she feels she can turn to is her mother, her paternal grandparents and her maternal grandparents. She consoles herself watching old family videos. It's in one of these videos that she gets a message from her Dad that will shift her way of thinking.
This is a quick read (just 105 pages). Though it's considered a young adult novel, I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style and didn't find it too immature for me. It was well-paced and kept me wanting to read more. I liked the characters and could feel their struggle in dealing with Eddie's death in their own way.
I'd recommend it. I think young adults and older will find it interesting.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2012/12...
At school, everyone seems to be concerned about Heidi and taking her side. This angers Mae even more so she turns her back on all her friends and becomes "the Tragic One". The only ones she feels she can turn to is her mother, her paternal grandparents and her maternal grandparents. She consoles herself watching old family videos. It's in one of these videos that she gets a message from her Dad that will shift her way of thinking.
This is a quick read (just 105 pages). Though it's considered a young adult novel, I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style and didn't find it too immature for me. It was well-paced and kept me wanting to read more. I liked the characters and could feel their struggle in dealing with Eddie's death in their own way.
I'd recommend it. I think young adults and older will find it interesting.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2012/12...
January 23, 2013
Hating Heidi Foster is a bittersweet novel about teenager Mae McBride who has lost her father when he died trying to save her best friend Heidi Foster in a fire. Mae is consumed with grief and hatred for Heidi. Not understanding why her father would put himself in danger like he did is so overwhelming to Mae that she shuns all her friends and is consumed with her hatred for Heidi. Heidi on the other hand is also grieving, grieving the loss of a man who was like a father to her and also for the loss of her friendship with Mae. Her grief takes a different direction in that she doesn't eat, doesn't see her friends and withdraws from everything including school.
This story brought tears to my eyes, for all the characters in the story, for the grief that they all shared and for the ultimate love and forgiveness that these two girls finally gave into. A young adult story but one that can be read by anyone. It is a fast read and very enjoyable.
I received a copy of this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review.
This story brought tears to my eyes, for all the characters in the story, for the grief that they all shared and for the ultimate love and forgiveness that these two girls finally gave into. A young adult story but one that can be read by anyone. It is a fast read and very enjoyable.
I received a copy of this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review.
May 9, 2013
I received this book from the author, Jeffrey Blount, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
At the Kensington Day of the Book Festival, I was intrigued by the title of an author’s book, Hating Heidi Foster. When I looked closer, I noticed actual photographs of two girls. How did these two things match up?
Jeffrey Blount, the author of Hating Heidi Foster, was kind enough to explain. He had witnessed a touching moment between his daughter and her best friend, and was inspired to write a book about friendship.
In Hating Heidi Foster, Mae McBride and Heidi were best friends, inseparable, and just starting high school. Until the day that Mae’s father died while saving Heidi from a fire in her home.
Mae is unable to forgive Heidi, tormented by the thought that her father chose Heidi over her, and that Heidi will live with her father, while Mae’s father is the one to die.
Will Mae ever be able to forgive?
For the full review, visit Love at First Book
At the Kensington Day of the Book Festival, I was intrigued by the title of an author’s book, Hating Heidi Foster. When I looked closer, I noticed actual photographs of two girls. How did these two things match up?
Jeffrey Blount, the author of Hating Heidi Foster, was kind enough to explain. He had witnessed a touching moment between his daughter and her best friend, and was inspired to write a book about friendship.
In Hating Heidi Foster, Mae McBride and Heidi were best friends, inseparable, and just starting high school. Until the day that Mae’s father died while saving Heidi from a fire in her home.
Mae is unable to forgive Heidi, tormented by the thought that her father chose Heidi over her, and that Heidi will live with her father, while Mae’s father is the one to die.
Will Mae ever be able to forgive?
For the full review, visit Love at First Book
January 7, 2013
I received this book from librarythings early reviewers club giveaways. I was nervous about the book at first because it looks like a very quick read and was afraid there wouldn't be enough story, but was pleasently surprised by how much story there actually was. The main characters name is Mae and the title of the book Heidi Foster is also a main character in the book, and the book starts out with a lot of emotion when there was a tragic fire that took the life of Mae's father, and a lot of angry feelings towards Mae's childhood friend, Heidi Foster who was the girl Mae's father rescued from the fire that took his life. The story moves very smoothly, I felt there was a lot of description, and no questions unanswered in the end. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, and will definitely be recommending it to others. This book has an important message within it about loss, and healing that needs to be read by many. The author did an amazing job!
December 21, 2012
First line:
"I've never been very good with faces."
If you have ever lost someone close to you, this book might be helpful for you. Mae McBride has lost her father in a tragic fire. Her father is a hero, saving her best friend, Heidi but the pain of losing her father sends Mae into a depression that she takes out on everyone around her, including Heidi. How Mae learns to deal with her grief is told in this story by Jeffrey Blount.
This is a short and sweet story, easily read in one setting.
This is more of a book to help with death and grieving than a YA story. There's a lot of nicknames is this book, which can be distracting.
A good book about friendship.
Rating: PG
L: No
V: No
S: No
Liked:
This book helping others with grief
Value of a good friendship
Disliked:
Nothing
"I've never been very good with faces."
If you have ever lost someone close to you, this book might be helpful for you. Mae McBride has lost her father in a tragic fire. Her father is a hero, saving her best friend, Heidi but the pain of losing her father sends Mae into a depression that she takes out on everyone around her, including Heidi. How Mae learns to deal with her grief is told in this story by Jeffrey Blount.
This is a short and sweet story, easily read in one setting.
This is more of a book to help with death and grieving than a YA story. There's a lot of nicknames is this book, which can be distracting.
A good book about friendship.
Rating: PG
L: No
V: No
S: No
Liked:
This book helping others with grief
Value of a good friendship
Disliked:
Nothing
March 13, 2013
This is one I really thought was going to be a good read. I was wrong. Well to begin with it's very evident that Jeffrey Blount should not try write a book in the character of a young girl. It didn't work for me. It didn't feel comfortable or even believable to read. It was an awkward feeling as I read each page. The thing about it is that the plot of the story was interesting, it could have been written better maybe by a woman perhaps. I'm not real sure but reading this felt like it was at age age appropriate but other times it was far too mature for a freshman. I didn't like Mae at all. As a matter of fact some parts made liking her almost impossible. I think this book was too emotionally charged at times for young reader. I planned on sharing this book with my 13 year old granddaughter but after reading it myself I came to the conclusion that she would not enjoy it at all.
July 7, 2016
Such a heartbreaking story about grief, loss, forgiveness, and love. I found it to be riveting, sad, informative and quite a story. There were certainly many deep discussions that were important to learn from.
It makes you question how you would handle the same scenario. This story was complete and I liked the ending. The relationship between mother and daughter was sweet and loving, without the usual judgments and rudeness that seems to occur nowadays.
I cried through the sad parts and enjoyed the conversation of all the adults as they interacted with one another and with Mae. I couldn't wait to know who she was, and what the story was all about.
Excellent job! Read it today!
It makes you question how you would handle the same scenario. This story was complete and I liked the ending. The relationship between mother and daughter was sweet and loving, without the usual judgments and rudeness that seems to occur nowadays.
I cried through the sad parts and enjoyed the conversation of all the adults as they interacted with one another and with Mae. I couldn't wait to know who she was, and what the story was all about.
Excellent job! Read it today!
January 26, 2013
I was fortunate enough to obtain an autographed copy thru Library Thing. This book was a unique look at a teenager's grief through the eyes of a young girl named Mae Mc Bride, whose father passed while saving her best friend Heidi Foster. This tears their relationship apart. I did not care for some of the dialogue in the book, it seemed not really realistic for a teenager, but aside from that, it was a pretty good book.
November 11, 2013
Though I had a tear in my eye at the end, I was still left with the niggling thought that this really could have been a heart-wrencher had the book shown us just how close Mae and Heidi are before they are torn apart. We are told that they were best friends, but showing is worth more than words and I felt ambivalent about the destruction of the friendship for almost the entire book. Considering the book is only 105 pages, some more time on developing the characters would not be wasted time.
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