Emmy's Question

by Jeannine Auth

Ten-year-old Emmy wants desperately to be just a normal kid with a happy family like her friends. But no matter how hard she tries to keep her mother's drinking problem a secret, things keep getting worse. Emmy finds bottles hidden all over the house. Then her mom totally humiliates her by showing up at school and at her dance recital after drinking too much wine. Even though she's teased at school and snubbed by classmates after that, she's too ashamed to talk about it to her teacher or anyone else. Besides, her mom says she's her best friend. And friends don't tell on friends. Writing in her diary is the only way she can express how much she is hurting and how lonely she feels.


But when her mom leaves the family, Emmy's pain is so overwhelming that she agrees to see a counselor. "How could Mom choose wine over me?" is the question she keeps asking herself over and over. Emmy's journey to find the answer is one that will empower any youngster struggling under the shadow of a parent's addiction. No longer shackled by the "don't tell rule", Emmy is able to reach out for help and ultimately find the best in herself, her love for her mother intact. Hers is a voice not easily forgotten.


Emmy's Question is appropriate for individual or small group reading and discussion. Readers who come from happy, well-adjusted families will gain a greater appreciation and empathy for those who are not so fortunate. A complete resource section is included.

Hardcover

First published August 1, 2007

Reviews

[Laina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starred-reviews are so misleadning. I would never describe this book as a "two-star book," but it wasn't my favorite, so I didn't feel like giving it any more stars. The writing was good. It was clear, it was sweet, and it was believable. The story was touching. I had never realized how paralyzing alcoholism is to a life, especially one being affected indirectly. I liked the resolve that came, the confidence that came, and the acceptance that came. However, it wasn't a huge land-mark book for me. I've never had to deal with alcoholism, so therefore, it was just a nice read.

[Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's so much here for a child who needs to see themselves in a book about how hard it is to have an addict as a parent. The writing isn't the smoothest or most literary, but that's okay - it's an important story.