The Trouble with Terry

by Joan M. Lexau

"Everything I do turns out wrong!" Terry wails. Poor Terry! She makes a promise to her best friend--and forgets all about it. She boils eggs on the stove-- and they explode. She helps her brother deliver papers-- and hits her teacher in the stomach with the Evening News! Here's Terry in one funny mishap after another-- and a wonderful surprise at the end.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

First published June 1, 1962

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1962 this is an episodic story of one summer in the life of Terry, an almost 11 year-old tom-boy. She tags around her older brother and his friends and yearns for a paper route of her own so she can buy a bicycle. I found Terry's mother's distaste for her lively outdoor "boyish" ways a little off-putting (at one point the mother smiles with relief when she sees Terry reading Little Women), but the story on the whole is pleasant, albeit a bit unremarkable. Terry's friendship with a much younger neighbor boy, who is left out and picked on by the others, is rather touching, although I was a little surprised that what seemed like an obvious denouement (marriage between Terry's single mother and Soupy's single father -- really, normally in a book from this era it seems that a parent is single only so that marriage can be part of the plot!) did not come to pass.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am proud to be the first person to review this charming book! I read it many, many years ago when I was in grade school. I don't remember what grade I was in when I read it and it took a bit of surfing to find the authors name but I have never forgotten this book and that is why I am giving it five stars! Surely, a book that has stayed with me for some 40+ yrs deserves five stars!
Unfortunately, the library in my city does not have this title but I plan to order it from a bookseller on line.
Terry is a 5th grade girl living in a shabby apartment with her mother & older brother, Tommy. Her father is dead and the family is struggling and over the course of a summer, Terry grows up.
If you have a 10 year old daughter, granddaughter, niece or if you were once a 10 year old girl and are lucky enough to come across this book, I don't think you will be disappointed. The trouble with Terry? There is none!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I've read this book, and I don't even know if I own it still, but it is one of those books that sticks out in my mind since childhood. It is about this girl Terry (duh) who is about eight or nine, and she is having a rough time being a kid. Her mom is never home, she hates school, the usual. She gets into hijinks, like waxing herself into a corner in the kitchen. Once I buy it online, I'll have a better review!

It reminds me of my grandma, who gave me the book.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a voracious reader as a child and this is the only book that sticks out in my mind. I read this over and over and would love to have another copy. I don't know what became of the one I had. :(

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite part was when terry was happy.the worst part was when she wasnt happy.the best character was terry.ther was no worst character.Auryn 9 years

[Harlow]

I still have my copy. One of my favorite childhood books along with Mrs. Mike, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Goops, etc.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and fun old-school kids' chapter book. This "kid at heart" enjoyed it.

[Amy Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book as a kid!

[Van Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book aimed at 10 year-olds it wasn't too bad, but what is it with the single parent households? The trouble with Terry is that she seems to be lacking in self confidence.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea why I would have read this juvenile book as an adult! Just catching up on my "read" list.