This Isn't About the Money

by Sally Warner

In one terrible night, Janey’s world goes from her perfect loving family to the bright lights of the hospital. Her parents are dead, killed by a drunk driver, and her grandfather and great-aunt are to become her new family. She and her little sister, YoYo, are orphans. But almost worse is the fact that five-year-old YoYo seems happy to be an orphan, and her great-aunt is more concerned with suing the drunk driver than mourning her parents’ deaths. Janey decides that it’s up to her to keep her parents’ spirit alive and not let YoYo forget their real family.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Sally Warner is a writer of fiction for children and young adults and of books on creativity. She made the Lily series and Emma series for children's books. Sally Warner was born in New York City and grew up in Connecticut and California, where her family moved when she was eight years old.

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

another free book bin find! i read it pretty quick and it was interesting. another easy read. it did touch on some serious topics though with death and loss of family members and etc. some parts were kinda wierd but it was good nonetheless.

[Linda B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thoughtful book about two girls whose parents were killed in a car crash while they slept in the backseat. It is mostly about Janey as Yoyo is only five years old. The book delves into Janey's feelings, or lack of them. Unfortunately, the ending came too quickly and did not really finish Janey's story.

[Ifunanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very interesting book and I enjoyed reading it but I hated the cliffhanger because i want to know what happened in the end.

[Jada D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, 4.5 stars!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey readers!
In this story, Janey Bishop and her little sister Yolanda Bishop are orphans. Because their parents died in a car accident. The two girls were with them but the parents didn't survive. And Janey needed to get a surgery while her little sister was fine. Anyway, the girls had to stay with their Grandfather and their great aunt. And they were waiting for the lawsuit money. And aunt Baby (the great aunt's name) pretended not to care about the money. And Janey and aunt Baby had fights all the time. Because the both of them are fighting over Yolanda. Aunt Baby spoiled Yolanda and Janey tried to let Yolanda become normal again and remember their parents. Janey felt awful at first, but at the end, the only way to make herself feel better, is to be with her friends.

My character Janey has certain traits that describe her.
Brave: Janey to the surgery without being scared.
Sarcastic: Mom said "But you can help me with the laundry." Then Janey said "Oh, thanks."
Negative thinker: Why do my parents have to die?

Jacqueline.

[Ashley Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was impressed by this book. I purchased it years ago through my school, and had since then had little intention on reading it. Out of boredum, however, I managed to pick it up, and it gripped me. I'm not usually a huge fan of children's books. However, I didn't hate this book. It was well written, and a very touching story. I recently lost my father, so I can relate to the Janey in the situation of losing a parent. I managed not to cry until the end, which was simply impossible to stay dry-eyed during.

[Agreenhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a young adult novel about a girl whose parents die in a drunk driving accident. As you can imagine, it is not a fun read, but it is an honest look at a grieving child. It is told in a matter-of-fact first person style. The lack of histrionics makes the tragedy more real. I can imagine it would provoke a good discussion among teenagers, but even as an adult, I find the topic of losing a parent so painful that this book can just depress the heck out of you.

[Mandi Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this for free and decided to read it even though I am a lot older than it's intended audience. Definitely a quick and uninteresting book for anyone older than 14, but it is a child's book (I think), so not too shabby considering.

[Mary Mcgobe]

This was just an ok book. I didn't like the victim mentality that Janey had nor did I like the way the adults interacted with the younger kids. Also, the author made it seem like Janey was all better after her trip to the cemetery. That's not the way mourning works.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really touched me, emotionaly. Even though I read it awhile ago, I still remeber the lesson it taught me. Family is more important than money.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully well written story about a young girls tragic loss

[Sarah Keeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Teared me up a bit at the end. I don't usually get emotional with books, so this is quite something. I totally recommend it, 5/5.

[Haden Quittschreiber]

Good book, good plot, and was interesting.