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Always, Abigail
Discover Abigail's triumphant story of friendship told through heart-touching letters and lists
Abigail and her two best friends are poised for a life of pom-poms and popularity. But not only does Abigail end up in a different homeroom, she doesn't make the squad. Then everyone's least favorite teacher pairs Abigail up with the school's biggest outcast, Gabby Marco, for a year-long "Friendly Letter Assignment." Abigail can hardly believe her bad luck. As her so-called best friends and entire future of popularity seems to be slipping away, Abigail has to choose between the little bit of fame she has left or letting it go to be a true friend.
Abigail and her two best friends are poised for a life of pom-poms and popularity. But not only does Abigail end up in a different homeroom, she doesn't make the squad. Then everyone's least favorite teacher pairs Abigail up with the school's biggest outcast, Gabby Marco, for a year-long "Friendly Letter Assignment." Abigail can hardly believe her bad luck. As her so-called best friends and entire future of popularity seems to be slipping away, Abigail has to choose between the little bit of fame she has left or letting it go to be a true friend.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
214 people are currently reading
842 people want to read
About the author
Nancy J. Cavanaugh
7 books123 followersNancy J. Cavanaugh lives in the Chicago area with her husband, her daughter, and their adorable, five-pound Cockapoo. One of Nancy's favorite pastimes is eating pizza. She loves reading middle grade novels. Her secret? She hasn't read an adult book in years.
Nancy's newest novel, WHEN I HIT THE ROAD, is the story of Samantha's madcap road trip with a karaoke-loving grandma and a wild summer of memories that will last a lifetime.
Like one of her main characters, Ratchet, Nancy is pretty handy with a ratchet and is able to take apart a small engine and put it back together.
Like another of her main characters, Abigail, Nancy often struggled while growing up to find the courage to do the right thing. (She also fell in a HUGE parking-lot-sized puddle, just like Abigail did.)
Her third book, JUST LIKE ME was inspired by her daughter and is a fun, funny summer camp story of three Asian girls adopted from China by three different American families.
And Nancy's fourth book is a mystery, adventure story that takes place in the Okefenokee Swamp in the 1930's.
Nancy has been an elementary and middle school teacher as well as a library media specialist. One of her favorite parts of writing for children is being able to say "I'm working" when reading middle grade novels.
Nancy's newest novel, WHEN I HIT THE ROAD, is the story of Samantha's madcap road trip with a karaoke-loving grandma and a wild summer of memories that will last a lifetime.
Like one of her main characters, Ratchet, Nancy is pretty handy with a ratchet and is able to take apart a small engine and put it back together.
Like another of her main characters, Abigail, Nancy often struggled while growing up to find the courage to do the right thing. (She also fell in a HUGE parking-lot-sized puddle, just like Abigail did.)
Her third book, JUST LIKE ME was inspired by her daughter and is a fun, funny summer camp story of three Asian girls adopted from China by three different American families.
And Nancy's fourth book is a mystery, adventure story that takes place in the Okefenokee Swamp in the 1930's.
Nancy has been an elementary and middle school teacher as well as a library media specialist. One of her favorite parts of writing for children is being able to say "I'm working" when reading middle grade novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
September 27, 2020
This book really surprised me. It brought out the inner child in me. It made me realize that all though there are books that I can read for my age... Reading books for the younger audience can your change your perspective. I actually got a lot of advice from this book. The theme of the book is to always do the right thing and be nice to everyone.
In this book, a girl named Abigail has reached middle school with her two best friends Alli and Cam. And nothing is going as planned for Abigail. Firstly her best friends aren't in the same homeroom as her and she has one of the worst homeroom teachers, or so she thinks. Their dreams are to become cheerleaders (pom-pom girls) but when Abigail doesn't make the team, will they split apart? Alli and Cam become mean cheerleaders and Abigail becomes friends with the biggest outcast in the school, Gabby Marco. And her school reputation is on the line. Does she become mean or does she become friends with Gabby and learns the true meaning of friendship?
This book is probably for sixth graders but I would recommend this to all adults. Especially because adults have hard lives and I feel like some (if not, all) have forgotten what it's like to be a kid again. I will be an adult very soon and I'm trying to keep the inner child always within me.
Until my next book review, Yours Truly,
Me 🥰
In this book, a girl named Abigail has reached middle school with her two best friends Alli and Cam. And nothing is going as planned for Abigail. Firstly her best friends aren't in the same homeroom as her and she has one of the worst homeroom teachers, or so she thinks. Their dreams are to become cheerleaders (pom-pom girls) but when Abigail doesn't make the team, will they split apart? Alli and Cam become mean cheerleaders and Abigail becomes friends with the biggest outcast in the school, Gabby Marco. And her school reputation is on the line. Does she become mean or does she become friends with Gabby and learns the true meaning of friendship?
This book is probably for sixth graders but I would recommend this to all adults. Especially because adults have hard lives and I feel like some (if not, all) have forgotten what it's like to be a kid again. I will be an adult very soon and I'm trying to keep the inner child always within me.
Until my next book review, Yours Truly,
Me 🥰
June 14, 2015
This morning, I found a note from my 8-year old daughter taped to this book and it said "Dear Momma, This was one of the best books I have ever read!"
I loved it too - great book for 3rd-5th grade girls to read about peer pressure, bullying, and figuring out who your true friends are.
I loved it too - great book for 3rd-5th grade girls to read about peer pressure, bullying, and figuring out who your true friends are.
February 26, 2019
I love this book so, so much! 💙This book is told in lists, which is her hobby. This book was so good (didn't I already say that, we get it) 😐
Plus, there is a second book called This Book Belongs to Ratchet, and that was really good too!! 👍🏽😍
Plus, there is a second book called This Book Belongs to Ratchet, and that was really good too!! 👍🏽😍
February 10, 2017
Abigail is ready for sixth grade. With her best friends Alli and Cami (AlliCam) by her side, Abigail is going to make the Pom Squad. The three of them will live the life of popularity, poms, happiness, and flavor that they have been waiting for. Everything is perfectly planned. Nothing can go wrong. Until...
Until Abigail is in a different homeroom. AlliCam are together, and they're locker partners and, they're in the same homeroom as Jackie and MacKenzie (J&M). J&M are only the two most popular girls in school! It's bad enough that Abigail has to listen to homeroom gossip and inside jokes that make no sense whatsoever, but AlliCam and J&M have lunch together, while Abigail is stuck in a different period. This means while they're using the period to practice poms, Abigail is stuck with someone else, pretending to listen to a conversation that she doesn't care about. All of a sudden, things just got worse. Abigail is stuck with the worst teacher, and the Friendly Letter Assignment. Doesn't it sound fun, sending letters to an assigned partner? And you will never guess who Abigail's partner is. Gabby. Only the school's biggest outcast. Eeek! Maybe sixth grade will be survivable, you know, with AlliCam, J&M, and Abigail all being on poms together.? Until (here we go again)... Abigail doesn't make the team. She is the alternate. They might have just said, "Sorry, but there is no way that you will ever be popular now, so ba-bye hon." There is no way sixth grade could get any worse!
As Abigail journeys through different kinds of friends, and different kinds of fun, she is starting to realize that she is living two different lives. One with AlliCam, J&M, and Kip, the boy who might just be Abigail's true love. You know, the life with poms, a fake smile, and laughing at things that aren't really that funny? And the other, a life of Gabby, who turns out to be more than an outcast. She might just be a friend. Abigail is starting to wonder if J&M are really that great. What about AlliCam? The girls that were supposed to be sisters to Abigail? Where were they when Abigail needed them? With everything from boys, to girls, to poms, to mascara, even to phony friends, Abigail travels through sixth grade, opening her heart and her mind more and more as she moves along.
Always Abigail was the sweetest story (told through lists) of what sixth grade is like for Abigail. She is happy and kind, (although she might mess up sometimes ; ), still learning the ropes of middle school, but also finding happiness in the oddest places. During the book, there were times where I was upset with certain people, but also proud and happy for Abigail. Always Abigail immensely reminded me of . I loved both : )! So read Always Abigail; you will not regret it!
Until Abigail is in a different homeroom. AlliCam are together, and they're locker partners and, they're in the same homeroom as Jackie and MacKenzie (J&M). J&M are only the two most popular girls in school! It's bad enough that Abigail has to listen to homeroom gossip and inside jokes that make no sense whatsoever, but AlliCam and J&M have lunch together, while Abigail is stuck in a different period. This means while they're using the period to practice poms, Abigail is stuck with someone else, pretending to listen to a conversation that she doesn't care about. All of a sudden, things just got worse. Abigail is stuck with the worst teacher, and the Friendly Letter Assignment. Doesn't it sound fun, sending letters to an assigned partner? And you will never guess who Abigail's partner is. Gabby. Only the school's biggest outcast. Eeek! Maybe sixth grade will be survivable, you know, with AlliCam, J&M, and Abigail all being on poms together.? Until (here we go again)... Abigail doesn't make the team. She is the alternate. They might have just said, "Sorry, but there is no way that you will ever be popular now, so ba-bye hon." There is no way sixth grade could get any worse!
As Abigail journeys through different kinds of friends, and different kinds of fun, she is starting to realize that she is living two different lives. One with AlliCam, J&M, and Kip, the boy who might just be Abigail's true love. You know, the life with poms, a fake smile, and laughing at things that aren't really that funny? And the other, a life of Gabby, who turns out to be more than an outcast. She might just be a friend. Abigail is starting to wonder if J&M are really that great. What about AlliCam? The girls that were supposed to be sisters to Abigail? Where were they when Abigail needed them? With everything from boys, to girls, to poms, to mascara, even to phony friends, Abigail travels through sixth grade, opening her heart and her mind more and more as she moves along.
Always Abigail was the sweetest story (told through lists) of what sixth grade is like for Abigail. She is happy and kind, (although she might mess up sometimes ; ), still learning the ropes of middle school, but also finding happiness in the oddest places. During the book, there were times where I was upset with certain people, but also proud and happy for Abigail. Always Abigail immensely reminded me of . I loved both : )! So read Always Abigail; you will not regret it!
September 27, 2014
Always, Abigail by Nancy J. Cavanaugh – I admit it. I love books where there’s an immature, frustrating character who doesn’t know how shallow she’s acting… but really Abigail isn’t that way at all. She knows better. She just acts the way she does because of peer pressure that she’s let mold her into the person she is… Loved reading this book. I’m a huge fan of Nancy J. Cavanaugh. She’s brilliant when writing realistic fiction novels. My sister and I are fans of her first book This Journal Belongs to Ratchet. The parents in this book are fabulous. The brother of Gabby is so incredible. The storyline is perfect. I completely was caught up from the beginning, especially loving how Abigail is a list maker so that the whole book naturally has some kind of a list in a journal format after another. Quite an original, fabulous book!
Favorite quotes: “When life hands you lemons don’t pucker and pout, make lemonade and laugh out loud. Margaret Marco The Four questions.”
“Gabby needed a friend more than anyone at Crestdale Heights, and I was probably the only person who knew that. But I still didn’t want anybody to know we were friends.”
“Sometimes you just have to move on.”
Read a blog post by Nancy J. Cavanaugh here- she writes about progress trumping perfection: http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/20...
Favorite quotes: “When life hands you lemons don’t pucker and pout, make lemonade and laugh out loud. Margaret Marco The Four questions.”
“Gabby needed a friend more than anyone at Crestdale Heights, and I was probably the only person who knew that. But I still didn’t want anybody to know we were friends.”
“Sometimes you just have to move on.”
Read a blog post by Nancy J. Cavanaugh here- she writes about progress trumping perfection: http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/20...
February 1, 2017
This book is great. Its a perfect easy read. The book is all about friends and cheerleading. If you like quick books than this book is perfect for you.
July 10, 2020
Abigail is looking forward to the transition to middle school - trying out for the Pom squad, being popular, having fun with her best friends. But when she gets put in a different homeroom, Abigail feels left out. And then, she doesn't make the squad! And to make matters worse, her LA teacher partners her with school outcast Gabby for a yearlong project. This story would make a great read-aloud for a 4th or 5th grade teacher who is looking to talk about social structures and bullying in school. The structure of the book - it is told through lists - would make it easy to break up into chunks as long or as short as needed. And Abigail's struggle to balance what she knows is right with what is better for her social life will feel real to students, and an opportunity to create a "brave space" for students to talk about the realities of being a kid and trying to make a social space for yourself. Best for grades 4-5 (may be a little young for 6th but might work there as well). Great for you if you like realistic school or friendship stories.
December 4, 2020
Abigail has just started the sixth grade and what makes it so dreadful for her is that she has the "Old Hawk" as her homeroom teacher. To top it off, her best friends, Allie and Cami, are not in the same homeroom as her and she has been assigned as "friendly letter" partners with the "biggest loser" in her school. Abigail is very determined to keep her friendship with Allie and Cami despite the obstacles and to make the pom-pom girl squad at her school. When she makes it only as an alternate, she feels like her life is going down hill.
I read this book because I really liked This Journal Belongs to Ratchet. I don't really know how to feel about Abigail, though. Although she ends up doing the right thing at the end of the story, it feels like it took forever. I really would have liked to see much more of Abigail's new friendship with Jackson and Gabby. My favorite thing about Cavanaugh's stories is that she doesn't try to make the characters grow up too fast like you see in many other films and books. I did read a PDF version and I think it would have been a very different experience if I had read a physical book because it would have made it more unique with the way that Cavanaugh sets up the hand writing in her books.
The biggest theme in this book is that you never really know what someone is going through, so you should always be kind. I like that a lot and think it would benefit a lot of people to learn this message. Especially crucial for kids to learn this, I think.
I recommend for younger kids around fifth and sixth grade. Really nice story even though it frustrated me at times. Maybe would give a higher rating if Abigail hadn't taken so long to do the right thing. But after all, it is through the perspective of a middle school girl.
I read this book because I really liked This Journal Belongs to Ratchet. I don't really know how to feel about Abigail, though. Although she ends up doing the right thing at the end of the story, it feels like it took forever. I really would have liked to see much more of Abigail's new friendship with Jackson and Gabby. My favorite thing about Cavanaugh's stories is that she doesn't try to make the characters grow up too fast like you see in many other films and books. I did read a PDF version and I think it would have been a very different experience if I had read a physical book because it would have made it more unique with the way that Cavanaugh sets up the hand writing in her books.
The biggest theme in this book is that you never really know what someone is going through, so you should always be kind. I like that a lot and think it would benefit a lot of people to learn this message. Especially crucial for kids to learn this, I think.
I recommend for younger kids around fifth and sixth grade. Really nice story even though it frustrated me at times. Maybe would give a higher rating if Abigail hadn't taken so long to do the right thing. But after all, it is through the perspective of a middle school girl.
August 3, 2014
This book accurately portrays the anxiety of middle school. Concerns about not being in the same classes as friends and worrying about making a cheer squad were handled with the intensity that is sincere in tweens. The narrative technique of telling the story via lists was a fresh diversion from traditional prose and the common middle grade style of diary entries; it also reads very quickly in this format. The theme of standing up for yourself and for friends is presented well. Abigail discovers what truly matters in the middle school social sphere and how to handle herself around disingenuous frenemies and bullies. I appreciated that real life difficulties, including characters in correctional facilities, were discussed. My only complaint I had was with the ending. I think a series could be built from some of the other characters in this book-- especially Jackson or even the brothers.
***I received a galley from the publisher.
***I received a galley from the publisher.
June 11, 2015
Ten Things I Thought While Reading Always, Abigail
1. Many of Abigail's lists can be used in class to model list-making when writing.
2. Abigail has a strong voice, though not one I particularly like. (Which is sort of the point, I think.)
3. Many young girls will enjoy the drama and relatable social situations reflected in this book.
4. Lists don't offer much room to develop characters, so the Fab Five, Abigail, and Gabby don't have an opportunity to become fully recognized by the reader.
5. Abigail has some interesting anger issues which I would love to see explored.
6. This is a great book for girls struggling to find something to keep them reading. It's fast paced, interesting, and easy to connect with.
7. I don't see Gabby existing outside this book. Her kindness and confidence make her a middle school superhero, but I do think young readers will love her.
8. While this book isn't my cup of tea, it definitely has a place in the hands of 4th and 5th grade readers.
9. Old Hawk and Abigail's brother are my favorite characters in the book.
10. I can easily think of several students right now that will love Always, Abigail.
1. Many of Abigail's lists can be used in class to model list-making when writing.
2. Abigail has a strong voice, though not one I particularly like. (Which is sort of the point, I think.)
3. Many young girls will enjoy the drama and relatable social situations reflected in this book.
4. Lists don't offer much room to develop characters, so the Fab Five, Abigail, and Gabby don't have an opportunity to become fully recognized by the reader.
5. Abigail has some interesting anger issues which I would love to see explored.
6. This is a great book for girls struggling to find something to keep them reading. It's fast paced, interesting, and easy to connect with.
7. I don't see Gabby existing outside this book. Her kindness and confidence make her a middle school superhero, but I do think young readers will love her.
8. While this book isn't my cup of tea, it definitely has a place in the hands of 4th and 5th grade readers.
9. Old Hawk and Abigail's brother are my favorite characters in the book.
10. I can easily think of several students right now that will love Always, Abigail.
March 26, 2015
The first few pages of the irksome, Pom squad wannabe really irritated the snot out of me. I could just hear her fiends and her high pitched squeals from here! But then The Old Hawk got a hold of her and things began to change. What a wonderful book to read aloud to 3-5th graders on just how others think, feel and act due to circumstances around them, and how to be an overcomer. Perfect book for fourth grade teachers and kids on writing letters, lists, and getting your point across. Vocabulary! Emotions! Character changing! Problems and solutions! Great little book that I couldn't wait to get up this morning to finish reading!
October 4, 2015
Texas Bluebonnet book Always, Abigail brought me back to my own sixth grade year. A quick read, this book will surely resonate with middle graders. Written in a list-fashion, Abigail embarks on a year of discovery. Is pom-pom club or reading club her "destiny?" At first glance, this seemingly light read makes you think there is no substance behind the stylish cover. Don't judge a book by its cover. Always, Abigail was a pleasant surprise! I loved her teacher, as it serves as a powerful reminder that educators have tremendous power in the lives of their students. It's no wonder then, that Nancy Cavanaugh is a former teacher and librarian.
February 3, 2017
Great middle school book about friendship, popularity, and being yourself. Abigail grows tremendously as she struggles with all of these during 6th grade. And the story is completely told in the lists she loves to make for herself. I will definitely widely recommend this one.
September 27, 2015
This a really good book about a girl that pretty much writes the whole book in lists and some letters. It is all about the troubles in 6th grade and becoming a friend to someone she did not know she even liked. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the style of a book in letters it is a really good book anyone should read it.
November 1, 2016
This book was amazing. It made me feel happy at times but then sad at other times. The reason I felt like this was because Abigail would go through some things with her friends/without her friends and it really gets to you. I would recommend this book to my counselor because it seems like a book she'll enjoy.
February 3, 2017
Abigail is obsessed with lists, which makes it a quick read like Cavanaugh's This Journal Belongs to Ratchet. Sixth grade antics of Abigail and her classmates ring true of middle school situations.
March 26, 2015
Brilliant depiction of middle school angst and the conflict between being bitchy/popular or kind/unpopular. Probably one of my favorites for 2015. Really, really good!
December 14, 2016
I loved this book! I think Nancy Cavanaugh perfectly captured what it's like being a middle school girl struggling between popularity and "doing the right thing."
April 11, 2017
It had the best ending ever! I really hope there is a sequel to this.
May 1, 2017
Always Abigail is an awesome book. I loved reading it and it shows us to not judge a person by its rank or look. Like they say "don't judge a book by its cover".
February 6, 2022
This was the first book ive read by nancy and i defo want to read more of her books now. I love how this book was written via lists so every chapter was made up of lists. What a unique way to write. Anyway so this book features the Miain character Abigail and her struggles through 6th grade. She tries out for the cheerleading team,becomes best friends with the school nerds and realises that maybe her old friends are the greatest friends they are cut up to be. She aLeo develop a love for writing. I rlly enjoyed this book and its worth a read
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May 1, 2018I personally love this book because it has real life struggles like mean girls, and not making something that youre friends did. Another reason why I love this book is because its supper intersesting and make you think that you know something but the totally oppist thing happens next!
May 31, 2017
Fans of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet or anyone who likes realistic fiction about social drama/school stories (Dork Diaries, etc.) will like this.
October 4, 2018
I THINK THIS BOOK IS AMAZING BECAUSE IT HAS SO MANY JUICY DETAILS I LOVE IT SO MUCH I CAN RELATE THOUGH THAT HAPPENED TO ME DURRING THE 6TH GRADE SO IT WAS WAY WORST YOU KNOW BECAUSE I DIDNT KNOW ANYONE IN THE SCHOOL THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE WHICH SCARED ME ALOT AND ITS NOT REALLY ABOUT HAVING 2 BEST FRIENDS YOU KNOW SO I CANT REALLY RELATE TO THAT BUT I MADE ONE FRIEND THAT DAY SHE WAS SO NICE,THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER... WE BECAME REALLY GOOD FRIENDS IT WAS AWSOME, BUT... WE GOT SEPERATED IN DIFFRENT CLASSROOMS SO YEAH AND SHE MEET SOMEONE NEW AND U KNOW THAT FEELING WHEN ONE OF YOUR CLOSER FRIENDS MEET SOMEONE NEW AND THEN THEY START HANGING WITH THEM ALOT AND IT MAKES YOU JEALOUS AND CRAZY THATS ME RIGHT THE JEALOUS TYPE OF GIRL SO WE DONT REALLY HANG OUT ANYMORE ITS JUST ME AND MY BEST FRIEND KITANA NOW SHES LIKE SOME TYE OF BULLY SHES MEAN I CANT STAND HER NOW SHE WAS SO SWEET I LOVE HER SO MUCH THOUGH I DONT KNOW WHY SHES LIKE THAT WE USED TO HAVE SLEEP OVERS BASICALLY EVERY DAY ITS SAD TO THINK ABOUT THE PAST AND ALL THE GOOD TIMES THAT WE HAD TOGETHER AND NOW THINK ABOUT HOW MEAN SHE IS TO ME YOU KNOW TO THIS DAY WE ARE LIKE ENIMES EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..............................................................................I THINK IDK? ABIGAIL IS A LITTLE LUCKY THAT SHE GETS TO HAVE TWO FRIENDS THTS SHE DOESNT LOSE YOU KNOW. ITS MALEZIA SIGNING OFF SEE U NEXT WEEK WITH A NEW BOOK.
August 2, 2018
i think this book way so funny. I like the way the author wore in a way that was creative and has a good story line. what i like about this book the most is that they way it's told is like the character Abigail is actually writing it.
December 5, 2015
Always, Abigail was a cutesy, girly read. The storyline was fairly simple and predictable - when Abigail doesn't make the Pom Pom Squad with her best friends Alli and Cami, Abigail begins to feel like she doesn't belong anymore. As an alternate team member, she might as well be as uncool and weird as Gabby from her homeroom. Sixth grade is ruined! But thanks to her teacher's pen pal assignment, Abigail is partnered up with Gabby and she starts to learn that there's more to Gabby than she knew. Abigail begins to question who her friends really are and if being on the Pom Pom Squad is really everything she dreamed it would be.
This story was kind of like a light, fluffy version of Wonder, written for a girly girl. I can see recommending this one to fans of the Dork Diaries series - it has a similar journal feel. I think a lot of parents will like Abigail's character better than Nikki though - Abigail grows and matures a lot as a character throughout the story, and considers the consequences of her actions more. In that way, it's a little bit more serious (if you can call middle grade chick lit serious...).
The story is written from Abigail's perspective, so we don't see what's going on in other characters' heads as much. We do get a few snippets from her conversations with and letters from Gabby, and from Jackson's letter Gabby finds in the recycling bin. The only thing I would change is that I would have liked to have understood the kids in the in crowd a little more - they came off as one-dimensional mean girls. Maybe that was Cavanaugh's intention - she does refer to Abigail's besties as "Allicam" rather than their individual names throughout the book - but rather than lumping the girls into one clique, I would have liked to have understood their motivations a little better.
Ages 8-12
This story was kind of like a light, fluffy version of Wonder, written for a girly girl. I can see recommending this one to fans of the Dork Diaries series - it has a similar journal feel. I think a lot of parents will like Abigail's character better than Nikki though - Abigail grows and matures a lot as a character throughout the story, and considers the consequences of her actions more. In that way, it's a little bit more serious (if you can call middle grade chick lit serious...).
The story is written from Abigail's perspective, so we don't see what's going on in other characters' heads as much. We do get a few snippets from her conversations with and letters from Gabby, and from Jackson's letter Gabby finds in the recycling bin. The only thing I would change is that I would have liked to have understood the kids in the in crowd a little more - they came off as one-dimensional mean girls. Maybe that was Cavanaugh's intention - she does refer to Abigail's besties as "Allicam" rather than their individual names throughout the book - but rather than lumping the girls into one clique, I would have liked to have understood their motivations a little better.
Ages 8-12
August 28, 2014
Always, Abigail is a fantastic twist on the epistolary novel. Who doesn’t love making lists to be more organized? Nancy J. Cavanaugh has found a great way to engage both bookworms and reluctant readers alike by telling Abigail’s story in amusing, delectable bites. So, to take a leaf from her book:
Two Things I Loved About Always, Abigail
1. The plot is believable and relatable. I don’t know anyone out there, girl or boy, who hasn’t experienced the drama of middle school. I completely understand Abigail’s dilemma of trying to hang on to AlliCam whilst knowing that they were growing further and further apart. And who wouldn’t have a hard time accepting a Gabby Marco as the teacher’s purposeful choice of Friendly-Letter-Assignment partner? Gabby is a great character and, in some ways, is the star of the show for me. She’s funny, rational, and authentic. And, to be honest, I saw so much of my grade-6 self in her that I felt sad saying goodbye to her at the end. I wonder if Cavanaugh will tell her story someday, too.
2. Cavanaugh’s voice is so well developed. It really felt like Abigail was talking to me, and when the novel ended, I could still hear her making lists in my head. Readers often take it for granted that different characters will sound differently from one another, but we forget that it requires talent, which Cavanaugh has in spades, to make this skill seem effortless yet effective.
Kids, this book will give you a glimpse into the grade-6 world of modern times. Parents, this is a great segue into the topics of conformity, (mild) peer pressure, and dealing with classmates who are different in one way or another.
A version of this review originally appeared at www.squinklebooks.wordpress.com.
Two Things I Loved About Always, Abigail
1. The plot is believable and relatable. I don’t know anyone out there, girl or boy, who hasn’t experienced the drama of middle school. I completely understand Abigail’s dilemma of trying to hang on to AlliCam whilst knowing that they were growing further and further apart. And who wouldn’t have a hard time accepting a Gabby Marco as the teacher’s purposeful choice of Friendly-Letter-Assignment partner? Gabby is a great character and, in some ways, is the star of the show for me. She’s funny, rational, and authentic. And, to be honest, I saw so much of my grade-6 self in her that I felt sad saying goodbye to her at the end. I wonder if Cavanaugh will tell her story someday, too.
2. Cavanaugh’s voice is so well developed. It really felt like Abigail was talking to me, and when the novel ended, I could still hear her making lists in my head. Readers often take it for granted that different characters will sound differently from one another, but we forget that it requires talent, which Cavanaugh has in spades, to make this skill seem effortless yet effective.
Kids, this book will give you a glimpse into the grade-6 world of modern times. Parents, this is a great segue into the topics of conformity, (mild) peer pressure, and dealing with classmates who are different in one way or another.
A version of this review originally appeared at www.squinklebooks.wordpress.com.
January 4, 2017
Always, Abigail is a wonderful realistic fiction book for girls in grades 5-6 written in first person and told through lists. Abigail Walters is starting sixth grade at Crestdale Heights K-8 with her best friends Alli and Cami (Allicam). They have wanted to be pompom girls (cheerleaders) since they were in third grade. But things don't go exactly the way Abigail plans. First of all, Allicam are in a different home room with the new teacher, while Abigail is stuck with Ms. Hendrick, or "Old Hawk", who assigns everybody partners for the "Friendly Letter" assignment that she is having them do. Abigail isn't very happy when she gets partnered up with Gabby Marco, the schools' biggest outcast. Then, she is made the alternate on the pom squad. But through a course of events that Abigail will never forget, she learns about friendship, bullying, and that the best way to turn a bad day (or days) is to take the lemons and turn them into lemonade. I couldn't put this book down! This is a really good book for people who like books that you can read over and over again. It is for sure one of the best books I've read! I also recommend it to people who want a break from the intense novels that we are expected to read but teachers will approve of it because it is more than 200 pages long. I recommend this book to everyone!
February 13, 2017
THIS BOOK IS SOOOOO GOOD! I FINISHED IT IN ONE SITTING. IT IS SOOOO GOOD! I CAN MAKE A CONNECTION WITH ABIGAL! PLEASEEEEE MAKE A SEQUAL!!!!!!
April 15, 2020
Edit 4/15/2020: I have edited this review so that you'll never see the cringy hybrid of r/notlikeothergirls and r/iamverysmart that it was before. Sorry, not sorry.
One out of ten stars.
I first read this book in my middle-grade contemporary phase, and I enjoyed it. Now that I've been thinking about more since my re-read (which was about two years ago), I've realized just how bad this book is. The main character is annoying, and the fact that she only writes in lists is also annoying. There isn't much of a conflict, except for the "really mean teacher".
All I remember is something about a girl named Gabby (I think), a girl named Abigail, some kindergarten class (I hope that was in this book, or else my review is inaccurate), a hawk, and lots of pom-poms. I still don't understand why Abigail wanted to be a cheerleader so much. Oh, and one more thing I remember: I hate this book. Well, hate is a strong word, and I enjoyed it when I first read it, but I severely dislike it now. This is basically all I can say.
One out of ten stars.
I first read this book in my middle-grade contemporary phase, and I enjoyed it. Now that I've been thinking about more since my re-read (which was about two years ago), I've realized just how bad this book is. The main character is annoying, and the fact that she only writes in lists is also annoying. There isn't much of a conflict, except for the "really mean teacher".
All I remember is something about a girl named Gabby (I think), a girl named Abigail, some kindergarten class (I hope that was in this book, or else my review is inaccurate), a hawk, and lots of pom-poms. I still don't understand why Abigail wanted to be a cheerleader so much. Oh, and one more thing I remember: I hate this book. Well, hate is a strong word, and I enjoyed it when I first read it, but I severely dislike it now. This is basically all I can say.
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