Georgie

by Malachy Doyle

Georgie is a damaged young boy acting out his rage and grief on all those who try to help him. In a final attempt to break through to Georgie, his caretakers send him to a new facility and this move is, at last, a catalyst for change. As Georgie struggles to find a place for himself in this new home he meets two people who change his A young girl with whom he shares the pain of loss, and a counselor whose patience and tender care help him find and maintain his sense of self.

A raw, emotional and even controversial read, Georgie will strike a nerve with young adult readers. Intense situations and emotions are skillfully handled by this truly talented author.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Mental Illness

150 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2002

About the author

Malachy Doyle is the author of Antonio on the Other Side of the World, Getting Smaller and many other books for children. He lives in Donegal, Ireland.

Reviews

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I have to admit I was drawn in immediately and wondered what the heck was going on. But the more I read, the more I wanted to know what it was that had caused Georgie to be the way he is. The immediate, violent introduction caused me to wonder if I could feel empathy for his character since I didn’t have any background knowledge. The further into the book I got, I started to pick up on hints that Georgie didn’t want to be this way but he just couldn’t control himself. There are times he even shows signs of a split personality.

This is a good look into places designed to help teens that others would easily give up on. These kids need the time and dedication of someone who really wants to see them come out and be okay, not perfect. This vivid look from the mind of a teen in the system is the wake-up call that not only parents but teens on the edge really need to see. The book does have some language but nothing above the S-word, and it does contain violence but not over the top gore. The nice thing about this book is the length because this is something that would work for high interest/low reading level students. I would recommend this book for high school and above.

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I wasn't too impressed with this one. Georgie was a total mess: incredibly, unpredictably violent, dangerous to himself and other people, unable to keep anything in his room because he destroyed everything he owned. Then he got sent to a facility where he improved dramatically...simply because people acted nice to him. He got a whole room full of possessions and never destroyed any of them. He left his room, started eating in the cafeteria with the other kids, went outside, started speaking, made a friend, etc...all in the course of a few months. All because people were nice to him.

Nice as it sounds, it's just not realistic. I'm not the target audience and probably a teenager (I'm 27) would have an easier time buying it. But I know it takes a lot more than kindness and love to turn such a troubled, animal-like child into a functional human being.

[Bianca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Georgie, a 14-year old boy, deals with tough issues and has been traumatized by an event that happens after school one day. He is now emotionally disturbed due to the events of the fateful day. He is placed in a home for kids with emotional disturbance. When the place he's been in for a while moves him, Georgie experiences several emotions, including anger, hopelessness, and fear. He moves to the new home and is given freedoms and encouragement unlike what he is used to. Unsure of what to do with this newfound freedom and encouragement to deal with his issues. Georgie grows and builds relationships that he never thought he would.

This is a quick read and a fairly easy reading level. The author was able to pull this off because the main character Georgie is also the narrator for much of the story. Georgie, who is a teen but does not talk and hasn't read since he was little, struggles with his behavior in psychiatric hospitals. Moved to a new, last-chance hospital, he begins to make progress. He meets fellow student Shannon and teacher Tommo, both of whom have more patience with him than past acquaintances. I liked how the author, Malachy Doyle, gradually reveals what happened to Georgie. I know that I can definitely relate to Georgie's struggle with his temper - I think many people try daily to realize who they are really hurting when they react like Georgie does, even if they haven't been through what Georgie has. I recommend this book to reluctant readers who might find books at a higher reading level difficult because it will hold their interest as Georgie tries to leave his old self in the new glass - real glass - mirror at his new residence.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark book about a disturbed boy. Georgie is trying to deal with his past and face the present in a home for the mentally disturbed. It a sorrowful book of healing and triumph.

[ExoDoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

ho letto questo libro in meno di tre ore, senza fermarmi. di notte dalle 10 fino alle due del mattino. storia interessante ma triste.

[James Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a startling beginning, this book grows deeper and more thoughtful- as does the main narrator (Georgie). This is about a damaged teen who has to learn to trust again after a trauma cripples. him emotionally. He is in care but faces a new life beyond what he has known and this leads to dread. However, he does find it comes with new freedoms and responsibilities- and a whole load of new people! A really profound book masked by a light and easy writing style. Really worthwhile.

[MG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle grades reading level with some more advanced content (violence, cursing). Sends the message that placement can dramatically impact children with disabilities and it’s important to process trauma. I didn’t love that it also suggests that disabilities can be “fixed” with just having kind people around

[Romy Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It got me out of my reading slump, as I read it all in a day, so for that I have to thank it. However I’ve read better books. Did like it though. :)

[Josefina Lizette a c e. [☮]]

"All I want is for someone, anyone, to come and put their arms around me. To tell me it's a bad dream. To tell me it's all right."

[Gabriela Figueroa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but didn't love it. I was expecting more of an ending and the real one disappointed me sadly. Oh well...

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

#144
Borrowed from library.

FS: "Are you awake, Georgie?"

LS:

[Amy Choate]

I thought it was a good time killer.