Now That Andi's Gone

by Karle Dickerson

Kimmie and her best friend Andi have shared laughter and secrets for as far back as Kimmie can remember. In fact, Kimmie can't imagine anything ever coming between them, even when a boy named Bradley enters the picture. But then, in one tragic moment, all that Kimmie holds dear changes forever in this gripping novel of love and loss, and finally, hope.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

142 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 3, 1994

Reviews

[Kat Gale]

The first time I read this book I was a kid and didn't read the description before plunging into it. I couldn't relate to it, so I put it away. Recently, one of my closest friends died unexpectedly. No one I know has lost anyone close to them so I've felt very, very alone. Then I found this book hidden away on my shelf and read it again. It made me feel so much better because finally, there was someone telling me that it's okay to be so upset. It's okay to feel like so much of my life is missing that I can't make sense of it anymore.

Even though it's written for a younger audience, anyone who has lost a loved one unexpectedly will be able to relate with this book on some level. There's a scene in which Kimmie automatically picks up the phone to call Andi. I did the same thing, and the horror of the instant realization-she'll never be there to talk to ever again-punched a burning hole in my chest all over again. I recommend this book to anyone who has lost someone close to them, especially if they have no one to turn to for comfort or understanding.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was in the fifth grade and it still holds a special place in my heart. It helped me through one of the toughest times of my life-the death of my brother. This girl loses her best friend to a drunk driver, while I lost my brother to a debilitating disease. The circumstances are very different, but grief is grief. The thoughts going through her head when she's trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she'll never see her friend again and how it happened so abruptly rings so true.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at a library book sale years ago and only got to it this year. Recently losing a best friend myself, one I've known for years, this book although YA is good for even a middle ager like myself during deep grief. Especially when a sudden unexpected death is difficult to accept. Thank you Karle Dickerson for writing this, it spoke to me better than most well wishers about my grief.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended by someone who read my review of another YA book nominated for a RITA award, I’m not her, that addressed a young girl living in the shadow of another and death at a young age. I don’t think the parallels are that great, but it was an enjoyable and quick read. I think it took me about 90 minutes to read. Touching book, but a a bit too predictable.

Kimmie’s best friends with Andi, a cheerleader and one of the most popular girls at school. When Andi attracts the attention of a sophomore boy, Kimmie’s mind jumps through several hoops and assumes that Andi will become one of those girls and desert her.

Although this reaction is understandable, esp. given Kimmie’s insecurity, it seemed a little unrealistic Kimmie would react so strongly unless Andi had ignored her for a boy before. Andi’s reaction felt almost creepy.

Kimmie leaves Andi a note explaining her concerns. She doesn’t hear from her so she starts calling and leaving messages so she assumes the worst, at least the worst in her mind --that Andi is mad at her. But the truth is worse, Andi has been killed by a drunk driver.

The remainder of the book focuses on how Kimmie deals with the grief. Kimmie’s actions and reactions seemed very true to life. The portrayal of the grieving process followed the stages one might find in a book on grief. She becomes depressed, then angry, then finally realizes she can be true to Andi and move forward with her life.

The downside of this realistic portrayal is that it almost seemed too clinical, like the author was using a grief check list and marching the characters through those stages. This may reflect that it is a YA novel and aimed at young teens. I would have like to have seen stronger development of the characters and themes and perhaps a surprise or two, but I’m not the target audience. Although there are YA novels I like, it is not my favorite genre.

Some of the aspects of the book that may make it true to life also drove me crazy, such as the teenage talk in phrases like “puhleeze” Maybe it’s authentic, but I don’t enjoy reading that language style very much. I’ll tolerate when I’m really crazy about the story.

I was torn about the rating on this book as it reflects that I am not a huge fan of YA. Readers who like that genre may like this book a lot more, but ultimately I use the rating system to to distinguish how I feel about books.

My review of "I'm not her" can be found on the Smart Bitches website, http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/bl...