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Daphne's Book
The Secret: Everybody in Jessica's English class makes fun of Daphne. She never says a word to anyone -- just walks around with her nose in a book, with her long straggly hair hanging over her face. Now the worst thing has happened. The teacher has assigned Jessica to be partners with Daphne in the Write-A-Book contest!
But being forced to work with the class "weirdo", Jessica gets an even bigger surprise. Not only does Daphne talk to her, but she tells Jessica a terrible secret...one that Jessica knows could be very dangerous to keep.
But being forced to work with the class "weirdo", Jessica gets an even bigger surprise. Not only does Daphne talk to her, but she tells Jessica a terrible secret...one that Jessica knows could be very dangerous to keep.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
26 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
About the author
Mary Downing Hahn
71 books4,385 followersI grew up in a small shingled house down at the end of Guilford Road in College Park, Maryland. Our block was loaded with kids my age. We spent hours outdoors playing "Kick the Can" and "Mother, May I" as well as cowboy and outlaw games that usually ended in quarrels about who shot whom. In the summer, we went on day long expeditions into forbidden territory -- the woods on the other side of the train tracks, the creek that wound its way through College Park, and the experimental farm run by the University of Maryland.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 143 reviews
August 6, 2022
I've always associated Mary Downing Hahn almost exclusively with her memorable scary novels, including the Caudill Award-winning Time for Andrew. This book has added dimension to my perception of the author.
What makes Daphne's Book so effective for what it is—a story of cautious friendship slowly beginning to take root between two girls who have a lot in common that they never before have noticed—is the realism in how that friendship is built. Daphne is a quiet, put-offish, often derided girl who has always seemed immune to the goings-on around her, and when Jessica is partnered with her to create a picture book in English class, it seems to Jessica that she has drawn the proverbial short straw. She really doesn't want to give Daphne a chance, but the encouragement of her teacher and her mother are enough to make Jessica at least willing to approach the idea of a friendship with Daphne with an open attitude.
There's no one point when the flower of new friendship obviously first begins to bloom. Jessica and Daphne connect through the expression of their intellects, the art that binds them (writing, for Jessica, and drawing, for Daphne), and their mutual affection for Daphne's energetic, charming little sister, Hope. Jessica and Daphne run into many setbacks with each other along the way, with Daphne frequently receding back into her standoffish shell of indifference to Jessica's friendliness, but over the course of time things change almost imperceptibly as Daphne begins to accept Jessica as a real friend.
Daphne's home is a troubled one, however, and as Jessica grows closer to her, she sees that Daphne and her sister face some serious issues relating to the mental and physical stability of their grandmother (who is their sole guardian) that could change the sisters' lives permanently if anyone were to find out. At the same time, Jessica's friends at school are increasingly teasing her about her friendship with Daphne, whom the popular girls have fixed on from the start as the butt of their thoughtless and often cruel jokes.
What is Jessica to do? Would keeping Daphne's secret about her grandmother be the best way to honor the trust of their friendship, or should Jessica speak out to ensure that Daphne and Hope gain the safety of a sure, stable home?
Mary Downing Hahn is an exceptional writer. She describes things and people with lovely insight and tremendous skill, but what really stands out to me about her writing in this book is her sensitivity to all of the relationships in the narrative. These relationships are nuanced and complete and touching in every respect, and will make the reader feel as if he or she knows the characters on a personal level; as if they, too, have something real at stake in what ends up happening as the novel progresses.
As Daphne points out while she and Jessica are creating their picture book, a happy ending slapped onto a good story can make the whole thing feel false, and forced. It can undo the work of a great writer who has a profound story to deliver. There is nothing false or forced about Daphne's Book, however. It is a novel of the first rank that continues to touch hearts and minds, and hopefully will do so for a very long time. This book is a deeply noteworthy achievement.
What makes Daphne's Book so effective for what it is—a story of cautious friendship slowly beginning to take root between two girls who have a lot in common that they never before have noticed—is the realism in how that friendship is built. Daphne is a quiet, put-offish, often derided girl who has always seemed immune to the goings-on around her, and when Jessica is partnered with her to create a picture book in English class, it seems to Jessica that she has drawn the proverbial short straw. She really doesn't want to give Daphne a chance, but the encouragement of her teacher and her mother are enough to make Jessica at least willing to approach the idea of a friendship with Daphne with an open attitude.
There's no one point when the flower of new friendship obviously first begins to bloom. Jessica and Daphne connect through the expression of their intellects, the art that binds them (writing, for Jessica, and drawing, for Daphne), and their mutual affection for Daphne's energetic, charming little sister, Hope. Jessica and Daphne run into many setbacks with each other along the way, with Daphne frequently receding back into her standoffish shell of indifference to Jessica's friendliness, but over the course of time things change almost imperceptibly as Daphne begins to accept Jessica as a real friend.
Daphne's home is a troubled one, however, and as Jessica grows closer to her, she sees that Daphne and her sister face some serious issues relating to the mental and physical stability of their grandmother (who is their sole guardian) that could change the sisters' lives permanently if anyone were to find out. At the same time, Jessica's friends at school are increasingly teasing her about her friendship with Daphne, whom the popular girls have fixed on from the start as the butt of their thoughtless and often cruel jokes.
What is Jessica to do? Would keeping Daphne's secret about her grandmother be the best way to honor the trust of their friendship, or should Jessica speak out to ensure that Daphne and Hope gain the safety of a sure, stable home?
Mary Downing Hahn is an exceptional writer. She describes things and people with lovely insight and tremendous skill, but what really stands out to me about her writing in this book is her sensitivity to all of the relationships in the narrative. These relationships are nuanced and complete and touching in every respect, and will make the reader feel as if he or she knows the characters on a personal level; as if they, too, have something real at stake in what ends up happening as the novel progresses.
As Daphne points out while she and Jessica are creating their picture book, a happy ending slapped onto a good story can make the whole thing feel false, and forced. It can undo the work of a great writer who has a profound story to deliver. There is nothing false or forced about Daphne's Book, however. It is a novel of the first rank that continues to touch hearts and minds, and hopefully will do so for a very long time. This book is a deeply noteworthy achievement.
March 25, 2012
This was my very favorite book as a child, and continues to be at the very top of my list today. I can't believe I never added it to my GoodReads list until just now, as I dug it up to put in our library's "Librarians' Favorite Books" display for National Library Week. I identified very much with Jessica in this book, trying to keep my best friend who was slipping away into the "popular" crowd, like Tracy, while at the same time, always wanting to be friends with everyone. Also, it was a clue into the fact that not all kids were as lucky as me, to have a great home life with two loving parents and simple things like light, heat and food - there were many kids out there like Daphne. To this day, I think of this book often. It displayed bullying and all of its' evils - and also displayed why those kids who are bullied are more often than not the kids most worth getting to know.
August 22, 2020
While this is more of an 'issues' book than anything else, the two main characters are very creative. Jessica is a writer, and Daphne is talented in art. Their friendship blooms because neither, for different reasons, really wants to 'grow up' if growing up means giggling about clothes and boys.
I felt it portrays that kind of writer very well. Jessica nurtures her imagination, pays attention to other people and what's going on, and has both patience and a desire to do what is right & good.
Btw, the blurb promises a secret, but it's a more sad secret than a scary one. I did not lose sleep over it, as I worried I might.
Also, don't give up after the first dozen pages or so. Once we see what physical object brings them to be able to talk together, it becomes a much more interesting book. 3.5 stars now, rounded up because young me would have loved that 'prop.'
I felt it portrays that kind of writer very well. Jessica nurtures her imagination, pays attention to other people and what's going on, and has both patience and a desire to do what is right & good.
Btw, the blurb promises a secret, but it's a more sad secret than a scary one. I did not lose sleep over it, as I worried I might.
Also, don't give up after the first dozen pages or so. Once we see what physical object brings them to be able to talk together, it becomes a much more interesting book. 3.5 stars now, rounded up because young me would have loved that 'prop.'
August 27, 2007
This was my first real experience reading something that dealt with class differences, in addition to social groups in middle school. It never occurred to me in my private school bubble that kids would go to bed hungry, or not have heat and hot water, or not have a competent adult in their life to protect them and see to it that all of their needs were met. And it was presented in a really gentle way- as a reader, you learn about class differences along with the main character.
October 10, 2015
This is one of the first books that I can remember reading that wasn't a picture book and parts of it have actually stuck with me into adulthood. I haven't read this since I was in fourth grade I would guess but rereading it as an adult it was a pleasure to find that it was still as magical as it was the first time. This was the first book that I can remember giving me an idea of what other people my age are going through. That not everyone has a warm home and loving family members and safety, perhaps that is why it has clung to my grey matter for all these years. The characters were so real to me then and now and I would recommend this to anyone, in my opinion it is a must read.
April 21, 2019
A good juvenile novel for sensitive types - file along with Bridge to Terabithia, Afternoon Of The Elves, and The Summer of the Swans. It provides a good springboard for discussions of friends, popularity, cliques, etc. as well as other issues.
March 2, 2013
This book was originally published in 1983. The edition I read was a paperback reprint from 2008. It's a timeless story but also feels very much set in the 1980's. The succinct story would've been perfect material for an Afterschool Special.
Mary Downing Hahn is a prolific writer of ghost stories, but she's also published a bunch of more straightforward teen and pre-teen dramas. Daphne's Book is one of her best. In Hahn's fiction, the characters often live in single parent households or are struggling with the departure of their parent(s).
In Daphne's Book, Jessica lives with her single mother who works as a librarian. The mother is an independent woman who takes care of Jessica and her older brother. The other character, Daphne, has more serious problems than Jessica. Her father died in Vietnam and her mother was killed in a car wreck.
Jessica is twelve years old. Her best friend Tracy is now starting to hand out with a different crowd. Tracy's new firends are two typical popular mean girls who talk about nothing but how they look and boys. They also make fun of the strange new girl in their class, Daphne.
When their English teacher, Mr. O'Brien, assigns the girls to work in groups for a picture book contest, Jessica hopes she will be paired with Tracy. Instead, she gets paired with Daphne. Mr. O'Brien claims that it is because Jessica is the best writer in the class and Daphne is the best artist. Still, Jessica is distraught over being paired with the "weird" girl. She is embarassed and believes this paring will further estrange her from Tracy.
When Jessica finally meets up with Daphne to work on their project, she finds that there is a lot to like about this girl. Daphne visits Jessica's house with her little sister Hope. They engage in a game based on Jessica's dollhouse and the toy mice that inhabit it. This becomes the basis for the picture book that they create.
Soon Jessica finds out that there is more to Daphne's strange behavior than she imagined. It turns out that she lives in an old decrepit house on the outskirts of her town. Both of her parents are dead. Her grandmother lives there, but scary Mrs Woodleigh is quickly losing her mind. She believes her son, the kids's parents, will soon come back to take care of everything. Unfortunately, he was killed years ago in Vietnam. The house is in a shambles, the electricity is turned off and she makes the kids collect bottles for redemtion money. The food that they purchase with their scant money goes to feeding the cats. She also forbids the kids to go to school. Daphne obeys, in fear of being sent to an orphanage.
Because Daphne believes that she has found a friend in Jessica, she shares her family's story with her. Jessica, in return, promises to keep it a secret. Their school teacher, for example, believes that Daphne is out with Mono. No one knows of Daphne's true situation besides Jessica. Jessica visits Daphne after school and on the weekends to bring her school assignments and to talk. When Daphne gets lonely and desperate, she sneaks away to McDonald's in order to call Jessica from a payphone (there is no phone in her home). Jessica develops a bond with Daphne, but is still unsure of how to act with her when Tracy's friends are around. They still make fun of Daphne.
Eventually, the situation becomes so dire, that Jessica can not hold in her secret any longer. She eventually tells her mother. But when her mother decides to help, Jessica wonders if she has betrayed her new best friend.
This is a great short novel that deals realistically with both friendship and family problems. Highly recommended!
Mary Downing Hahn is a prolific writer of ghost stories, but she's also published a bunch of more straightforward teen and pre-teen dramas. Daphne's Book is one of her best. In Hahn's fiction, the characters often live in single parent households or are struggling with the departure of their parent(s).
In Daphne's Book, Jessica lives with her single mother who works as a librarian. The mother is an independent woman who takes care of Jessica and her older brother. The other character, Daphne, has more serious problems than Jessica. Her father died in Vietnam and her mother was killed in a car wreck.
Jessica is twelve years old. Her best friend Tracy is now starting to hand out with a different crowd. Tracy's new firends are two typical popular mean girls who talk about nothing but how they look and boys. They also make fun of the strange new girl in their class, Daphne.
When their English teacher, Mr. O'Brien, assigns the girls to work in groups for a picture book contest, Jessica hopes she will be paired with Tracy. Instead, she gets paired with Daphne. Mr. O'Brien claims that it is because Jessica is the best writer in the class and Daphne is the best artist. Still, Jessica is distraught over being paired with the "weird" girl. She is embarassed and believes this paring will further estrange her from Tracy.
When Jessica finally meets up with Daphne to work on their project, she finds that there is a lot to like about this girl. Daphne visits Jessica's house with her little sister Hope. They engage in a game based on Jessica's dollhouse and the toy mice that inhabit it. This becomes the basis for the picture book that they create.
Soon Jessica finds out that there is more to Daphne's strange behavior than she imagined. It turns out that she lives in an old decrepit house on the outskirts of her town. Both of her parents are dead. Her grandmother lives there, but scary Mrs Woodleigh is quickly losing her mind. She believes her son, the kids's parents, will soon come back to take care of everything. Unfortunately, he was killed years ago in Vietnam. The house is in a shambles, the electricity is turned off and she makes the kids collect bottles for redemtion money. The food that they purchase with their scant money goes to feeding the cats. She also forbids the kids to go to school. Daphne obeys, in fear of being sent to an orphanage.
Because Daphne believes that she has found a friend in Jessica, she shares her family's story with her. Jessica, in return, promises to keep it a secret. Their school teacher, for example, believes that Daphne is out with Mono. No one knows of Daphne's true situation besides Jessica. Jessica visits Daphne after school and on the weekends to bring her school assignments and to talk. When Daphne gets lonely and desperate, she sneaks away to McDonald's in order to call Jessica from a payphone (there is no phone in her home). Jessica develops a bond with Daphne, but is still unsure of how to act with her when Tracy's friends are around. They still make fun of Daphne.
Eventually, the situation becomes so dire, that Jessica can not hold in her secret any longer. She eventually tells her mother. But when her mother decides to help, Jessica wonders if she has betrayed her new best friend.
This is a great short novel that deals realistically with both friendship and family problems. Highly recommended!
August 19, 2016
Lately I've been really interested in children's ghost stories and on Goodreads I kept running across Mary Downing Hahn, author of Wait Till Helen Comes, along with numerous other ghost books for kids. I just got my hands on a bunch of her books and among them was Daphne's Book. I had thought that I'd never read Hahn as a child, but I was wrong! Turns out I'd actually read Mary Downing Hahn back in my 5th grade class, though it wasn't a ghost book.
Daphne's Book is the story of 7th grader Jessica who is paired up with Daphne to work on an English project. Daphne is the "weird kid" of school and insecure Jessica is worried that working with Daphne will hurt her reputation. As the story progresses Jessica and Daphne become friends and Jessica learns about true friendship.
It's weird, there are a lot of books from my childhood that I don't remember, but once I was reading it, I remembered Daphne's Book fairly clearly. I have to say that I didn't actually like the book at the time, but that's probably because it was forced upon us in class and I definitely felt we were being preached at. The book was also almost 20 years old at that point and it felt very dated to me. Today it doesn't bother me, but a kid today might not be able to relate.
Overall I really liked the story. Jessica reminds me a lot of how I was when I was younger. I was really worried about fitting in - probably because I never wanted to be the kid who was made fun of, like Daphne was. I didn't want to be popular exactly; I just wanted to blend into the crowd. Jessica is in the same situation, but she learns that she can't be friends with both Daphne and Tracy (and Michelle & Shelly) without standing up for Daphne. Even if it's 30 years old at this point, I think there are a lot of good lessons that a modern kid could take away from Daphne's Book. Not only does it touch on bullying, but it also talks about poverty. I first read this book in fifth grade and I think that's a good age for this. Even though the book is about seven graders, I think they're a little too old to appreciate it.
Daphne's Book is the story of 7th grader Jessica who is paired up with Daphne to work on an English project. Daphne is the "weird kid" of school and insecure Jessica is worried that working with Daphne will hurt her reputation. As the story progresses Jessica and Daphne become friends and Jessica learns about true friendship.
It's weird, there are a lot of books from my childhood that I don't remember, but once I was reading it, I remembered Daphne's Book fairly clearly. I have to say that I didn't actually like the book at the time, but that's probably because it was forced upon us in class and I definitely felt we were being preached at. The book was also almost 20 years old at that point and it felt very dated to me. Today it doesn't bother me, but a kid today might not be able to relate.
Overall I really liked the story. Jessica reminds me a lot of how I was when I was younger. I was really worried about fitting in - probably because I never wanted to be the kid who was made fun of, like Daphne was. I didn't want to be popular exactly; I just wanted to blend into the crowd. Jessica is in the same situation, but she learns that she can't be friends with both Daphne and Tracy (and Michelle & Shelly) without standing up for Daphne. Even if it's 30 years old at this point, I think there are a lot of good lessons that a modern kid could take away from Daphne's Book. Not only does it touch on bullying, but it also talks about poverty. I first read this book in fifth grade and I think that's a good age for this. Even though the book is about seven graders, I think they're a little too old to appreciate it.
September 7, 2013
Jessica is paired up with Daphne to write a picture book. Daphne is the one girl who everyone in school avoids. As Jessica is forced to work with the silent Daphne she discovers that Daphne is a girl worth knowing and that she has a lot in common with Daphne. As Jessica learns more about Daphne's homelife she is torn between the trust of a friendship and the need to help Daphne.
This was a good story. Though the story takes place in Middle School there is only the mention of dating by the Queen Bee girls. Daphne and Jessica though are not ready to date yet. One plus Jessica's Mom is a librian. The story of the friendship and Jessica's descion to be her own person rings true. The story the girls come up with is magical. My only quibble as a professsional is I wished more had be said on the specialness of a good picture book and how they can be the hardest books to pull off.
Right from the start I was hooked: "It was one of those dreary January days when nothing goes right."
"Mr. O"Brien, who used to be my favorite teacher, decided to ruin not only what was left of my day but my life as well."
Mom stared at Daphne for a few seconds. "Why, Jess, she's beautiful."
"Above my head, the wind rocked the branches of the trees and hissed through the weeds in the fields on either side of me."
This was a good story. Though the story takes place in Middle School there is only the mention of dating by the Queen Bee girls. Daphne and Jessica though are not ready to date yet. One plus Jessica's Mom is a librian. The story of the friendship and Jessica's descion to be her own person rings true. The story the girls come up with is magical. My only quibble as a professsional is I wished more had be said on the specialness of a good picture book and how they can be the hardest books to pull off.
Right from the start I was hooked: "It was one of those dreary January days when nothing goes right."
"Mr. O"Brien, who used to be my favorite teacher, decided to ruin not only what was left of my day but my life as well."
Mom stared at Daphne for a few seconds. "Why, Jess, she's beautiful."
"Above my head, the wind rocked the branches of the trees and hissed through the weeds in the fields on either side of me."
April 6, 2016
So I was really into Mary Downing Hahn as a child. They were usually the perfect either adventure or delicately creepy/moving book when that was what I wanted.
This one is different, and probably my favorite.
There's just so much--and I know this sounds cliche--realness in this book. More than in just about any other book from her. There's something so realistic about Jessica--the barely-accepted nerdy kid desperate to hold onto her changing best friend, scared of rejection and change--and her emerging friendship with Daphne. This was also probably one of the first books I read that really shoved it home that sometimes the worst situations come when everyone really is trying their best, and that sometimes keeping a promise is the absolute worst thing you can do for someone.
Now, I will say that, like a lot of books just in general, there's a big "not like other girls"/"the character not interested in boys and makeup is obviously better" girl-hate shit going on. But it's really no worse than any other book, and better than some. Just a reader-beware thing. But overall a fantastic book that really resonated and stuck with me for like a decade and a half of my life.
This one is different, and probably my favorite.
There's just so much--and I know this sounds cliche--realness in this book. More than in just about any other book from her. There's something so realistic about Jessica--the barely-accepted nerdy kid desperate to hold onto her changing best friend, scared of rejection and change--and her emerging friendship with Daphne. This was also probably one of the first books I read that really shoved it home that sometimes the worst situations come when everyone really is trying their best, and that sometimes keeping a promise is the absolute worst thing you can do for someone.
Now, I will say that, like a lot of books just in general, there's a big "not like other girls"/"the character not interested in boys and makeup is obviously better" girl-hate shit going on. But it's really no worse than any other book, and better than some. Just a reader-beware thing. But overall a fantastic book that really resonated and stuck with me for like a decade and a half of my life.
December 23, 2012
I first read this book in seventh grade and loved it. It's not so bad as an adult either. Daphne is teased and ridiculed by her peers so Jessica doesn't want to be her partner in a project because who wants to be tease too?
Jessica cares too much about what other people think. And Daphne has more complicated secrets than anyone thinks she has.
Also, from her fashion sense and description who wants to bet Daphne grew up to look like this? http://images1.fanpop.com/images/phot... or http://img22.fansshare.com/photos/jen...
Also, is it wrong that I hope Daphne and Jessica got together and lesbianonic as grown ups, writing books and illustrating them together? It's a great book for the nerdy ones like me who feel different and need to know it's GREAT to be different and talented and much more interested than boys, hair and make up.
Jessica cares too much about what other people think. And Daphne has more complicated secrets than anyone thinks she has.
Also, from her fashion sense and description who wants to bet Daphne grew up to look like this? http://images1.fanpop.com/images/phot... or http://img22.fansshare.com/photos/jen...
Also, is it wrong that I hope Daphne and Jessica got together and lesbianonic as grown ups, writing books and illustrating them together? It's a great book for the nerdy ones like me who feel different and need to know it's GREAT to be different and talented and much more interested than boys, hair and make up.
December 13, 2009
The book I recently read is called Daphne's book. I felt that this book was very emotional. It was about how these two girls became friends but one of them has a terrible secret. Their names are Jessica and Daphne. It all started when many people tease Daphne and Jessica was assigned a project and she had to work with Daphne. They soon find alot in common, but Jessica finds out a terrible secret about Daphne. Daphne has a crazy grandmother. Her grandmother's son "supposedly died", but her grandmother keeps thinking he's still alive. Jessica wants to help Daphne, but she promised Daphne she wouldnt tell anyone. Many people have been in this situation. You want to help the person, but the person doesnt want anyone to know. Jessica finally tells her mother and brother and Daphne and her sister help go to a shelter. Sometimes its really hard to keep promises when you know your friend is in trouble. One thing that could have been addded was pictures.
October 22, 2013
Daphne is the last person Jessica wants to work with for the write a book contest.They have to work with eachother in order to pass english.When they spend a lot of time together,Jessica realizes that Daphne is really fun to hang amd be around.When they become bestfriends,Jessica's friends catch her hanging out with Daphne.They dont like Daphne,in fact nobody but Jessica does.When they catch her they make fun of her,and stop talking to her.Jessica hides from them because she doesnt want to be seen with Daphne.When they fix things,Daphne tells Jessica a horrible secret that she HAS to tell. Read to find out what. Happens next.........
October 31, 2014
Daphne’s Book has relatable middle school characters and story line. When Jessica is paired up with the ‘weird girl” in English class to write and illustrate a children’s picture book she experiences mean girl/ age expected peer mentality and its effects including low self confidence and self doubt. Jessica grows and learns from the alarming situations she is faced with as she gets to know Daphne and her family. The book is a good representation of mental changes and old age and the coping skills of the younger generation.
August 18, 2007
Another memorable book from my childhood. I even think it had illustrations that were lovely.
It's a great story about how to look deeper than the surface and like my own childhood experience taught me that sometimes the popular/pretty people aren't always the most interesting or nice.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder or just skin deep. Both lessons apply.
It's a great story about how to look deeper than the surface and like my own childhood experience taught me that sometimes the popular/pretty people aren't always the most interesting or nice.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder or just skin deep. Both lessons apply.
Currently reading
December 11, 2011This book was truely an amazing and captivating story. it almost brought tears to my eyes towards the ending with finding out more and more devastating details. the story was heartbreaking and hearwarming but i would definitely reccommend it to EVERYONE!
December 6, 2016
this is a good book just a little sad but has a good happy ending
October 13, 2022
This was one of my absolute favorite books. I read it over and over.
July 31, 2007
my favorite book in 6th grade. the first book i 'couldn't put down'.
September 3, 2017
When I first read this book, I must have been a pre teen or in my early teenage years. I remember enjoying the book, but I doubt I fully grasped everything in the story. When I was younger, I might have been on Daphne and Hope's side, thinking Jessica should keep their secret, but as an adult, I know how wrong that would be.
I loved the imagination the girls showed in this story as they wrote their book and how they let the younger sister play with them and didn't shun her, as big sisters sometimes do. I believe the story handled bullying well, and Jessica and Daphne's reactions to it were realistic. I also think it handled the mental decline of the grandmother well, though I have no personal experiences with it to know if it was a correct representation.
Some of the words and actions of the grandmother toward Daphne and Hope broke me. I can understand why Jessica was terrified of her and also cringed every time the grandmother and Jessica interacted. As a child reading this, I probably would have disliked the grandmother as I wouldn't fully understand about her illness, but as an adult, I just feel sorrow and fear to know her condition is what happens to some of us as we age. It is sad, but a fact of life.
I do feel like the ending was a bit rushed. I wish there were more at the end, showing us how everyone is a few weeks, months, or even years down the road. Did Jessica keep in contact with them? Did they ever see their dream come true of being a writer/illustrator team? Did Jessica ever find her missing mouse?
Over all, I think this was a wonderful book and I hope many people of all ages get to enjoy it.
--
Child me: 4 stars
Adult me: 4 stars
*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group, except for kids reading erotica or something, of course.*
I loved the imagination the girls showed in this story as they wrote their book and how they let the younger sister play with them and didn't shun her, as big sisters sometimes do. I believe the story handled bullying well, and Jessica and Daphne's reactions to it were realistic. I also think it handled the mental decline of the grandmother well, though I have no personal experiences with it to know if it was a correct representation.
Some of the words and actions of the grandmother toward Daphne and Hope broke me. I can understand why Jessica was terrified of her and also cringed every time the grandmother and Jessica interacted. As a child reading this, I probably would have disliked the grandmother as I wouldn't fully understand about her illness, but as an adult, I just feel sorrow and fear to know her condition is what happens to some of us as we age. It is sad, but a fact of life.
I do feel like the ending was a bit rushed. I wish there were more at the end, showing us how everyone is a few weeks, months, or even years down the road. Did Jessica keep in contact with them? Did they ever see their dream come true of being a writer/illustrator team? Did Jessica ever find her missing mouse?
Over all, I think this was a wonderful book and I hope many people of all ages get to enjoy it.
--
Child me: 4 stars
Adult me: 4 stars
*For the first book in a "child/teen/middlegrade/nostalgic" book, I am going with the rating younger me would have gone with, then if I read on in the series, I will rate the books what adult me believes it should be rated. If the book is a stand alone, I will go with whatever rating I feel most comfortable giving the book. Please note, I do not really think books should have an age limit. People should read what they want to regardless of the intended age group, except for kids reading erotica or something, of course.*
January 20, 2025
The ending had me in tears and I think that means it deserves a five star rating. Published in 1983, but I think the story would be appreciated by young readers today. Discusses friendship, popularity, bullying, poverty, family changes, and loss through the messiness of learning to speak up, making mistakes and the shame that can come along with it.
April 8, 2020
this is actually better than i thought it would be
March 18, 2021
My mom encouraged me to read this book so I did. So sad! This book is very sad! I love Hope and her name matches her perfectly! She never gave up hope!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2022
Like so many others, I read this when I was just a little too young for it and it absolutely devastated me. It's just as good as I remember it being, if not better. You must, must read it.
September 10, 2017
I loved this book when I was a kid, but didn't remember too much about it. Recently ran across it again (thanks to some lovely people on Instagram), and it still holds up. There's a kind of magic about Mary Downing Hahn's writing, and it still made my adult self cry after all these years. Highly recommended.
October 2, 2014
People can really relate to this book because this book has a lot of girl drama (which i really don't like) but it was still an amazing book.
******SPOILER ALERT******
In the book, the girl named Daphne, is a lonely girl that nobody likes and I'm not sure why but it says because she is "weird" i guess that's what people say but I really like this book because it's so much drama and the main character (Jessica) has to work with Daphne and Jessica protects Daphne from the people who bully her.
Since Jessica protects Daphne, she got bullied too.I like the genre of this book because it's realistic fiction and those are my favorite genre's. This book can really make people say "WOW I CANT BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED!!!!!!". In this book Jessica had a group of best friends but then they betrayed her because she was protecting Daphne.
I thought this was kinda dumb because a lot of people judge people because of how they look yet that's chapter one of what they discover and there's a lot more to what people see than what's really on the inside. A scene in my book that made me surprised was when Jessica was at McDonalds with Daphne, the bullies came and Jessica went straight to the ladies room to hide from them.Jessica used to be friends with the bullies (Tracy, Michelle, Tony and Scott)but ever since Jessica got partnered up with Daphne, Tracy and Michelle have been making fun of both of them, calling Daphne "Daffy Duck" while making duck noises as she passes by. Anyway, while Jessica was in the ladies room, she hid in the stall to not be seen by Tracy and Michelle. Daphne's little sister (Hope) then ran into the bathroom as well and looked under the stall that Jessica was in and said "Jessica are you ever coming out?" Tracy and Michelle then ask Hope if she was "Daffy Duck's" little sister. She responded yes and both girls laughed. As soon as Jessica came out the bathroom, both girls asked if she was hanging out with "Daffy". Jessica told them that she was with her only to bring her her homework because Daphne hasn't been in school because she was "too smart" to go to school.
When Hope and Jessica came out the restroom, they found that Daphne was whine and they looked for her until they found her. Daphne was crying because she thought that Jessica was embarrassed because she hangs out with her.
But overall, this book was awesome, I would recommend to read this if you're into drama books because this book is full of drama. In the book, I love that Jessica picks Daphne:a sweet calm quiet friendly girl. Over Tracy:a judgmental can be nice at points rude girl. I love it because it really shows her passion and affection for her true friends. I'm not saying that everyone in Lincoln should read this but this but this book was so interesting because if this happened in our world, I know that worse things would be happening.
This book can really teach people a lesson on not to bully people by their looks because they don't know what goes on in their life.
******SPOILER ALERT******
In the book, the girl named Daphne, is a lonely girl that nobody likes and I'm not sure why but it says because she is "weird" i guess that's what people say but I really like this book because it's so much drama and the main character (Jessica) has to work with Daphne and Jessica protects Daphne from the people who bully her.
Since Jessica protects Daphne, she got bullied too.I like the genre of this book because it's realistic fiction and those are my favorite genre's. This book can really make people say "WOW I CANT BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED!!!!!!". In this book Jessica had a group of best friends but then they betrayed her because she was protecting Daphne.
I thought this was kinda dumb because a lot of people judge people because of how they look yet that's chapter one of what they discover and there's a lot more to what people see than what's really on the inside. A scene in my book that made me surprised was when Jessica was at McDonalds with Daphne, the bullies came and Jessica went straight to the ladies room to hide from them.Jessica used to be friends with the bullies (Tracy, Michelle, Tony and Scott)but ever since Jessica got partnered up with Daphne, Tracy and Michelle have been making fun of both of them, calling Daphne "Daffy Duck" while making duck noises as she passes by. Anyway, while Jessica was in the ladies room, she hid in the stall to not be seen by Tracy and Michelle. Daphne's little sister (Hope) then ran into the bathroom as well and looked under the stall that Jessica was in and said "Jessica are you ever coming out?" Tracy and Michelle then ask Hope if she was "Daffy Duck's" little sister. She responded yes and both girls laughed. As soon as Jessica came out the bathroom, both girls asked if she was hanging out with "Daffy". Jessica told them that she was with her only to bring her her homework because Daphne hasn't been in school because she was "too smart" to go to school.
When Hope and Jessica came out the restroom, they found that Daphne was whine and they looked for her until they found her. Daphne was crying because she thought that Jessica was embarrassed because she hangs out with her.
But overall, this book was awesome, I would recommend to read this if you're into drama books because this book is full of drama. In the book, I love that Jessica picks Daphne:a sweet calm quiet friendly girl. Over Tracy:a judgmental can be nice at points rude girl. I love it because it really shows her passion and affection for her true friends. I'm not saying that everyone in Lincoln should read this but this but this book was so interesting because if this happened in our world, I know that worse things would be happening.
This book can really teach people a lesson on not to bully people by their looks because they don't know what goes on in their life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2013
Daphne's book
Mary downing Hahn
Fiction
Realistic fiction
176 pages
Daphne's book is about a girl named Jessica who has to be partnered up with a girl named Daphne to do there school write a book contest. No body at Jessica's school likes Daphne. Everyone thinks she weird and Daphne never talks to anyone. So when Jessica and Daphne are partnered up Jessica is not happy. But as daphne and Jessica start working on the project her and Daphne start to become friends. Jessica figures out that Daphne has a secret that she can't tell anyone. But when her secret starts to become a serious problem Jessica has to brake her promise to Daphne to never tell anyone about her secret.
I thought Daphne's book was a really good story. I would recommend it to people who like realistic fiction with little twists tied into the story. I like that the author had Daphne and Jessica become friends I thought it made the story a lot better. Something else I thought made the book really good was Daphne's secret her secret changed the book and I thought it made it a lot better. I think that this book would make a good movie and I would really want to see it. I hope that there is a second book that comes out because I want to know what happens after the end of the story. I thought this was a very good book and I would read it again.
Mary downing Hahn
Fiction
Realistic fiction
176 pages
Daphne's book is about a girl named Jessica who has to be partnered up with a girl named Daphne to do there school write a book contest. No body at Jessica's school likes Daphne. Everyone thinks she weird and Daphne never talks to anyone. So when Jessica and Daphne are partnered up Jessica is not happy. But as daphne and Jessica start working on the project her and Daphne start to become friends. Jessica figures out that Daphne has a secret that she can't tell anyone. But when her secret starts to become a serious problem Jessica has to brake her promise to Daphne to never tell anyone about her secret.
I thought Daphne's book was a really good story. I would recommend it to people who like realistic fiction with little twists tied into the story. I like that the author had Daphne and Jessica become friends I thought it made the story a lot better. Something else I thought made the book really good was Daphne's secret her secret changed the book and I thought it made it a lot better. I think that this book would make a good movie and I would really want to see it. I hope that there is a second book that comes out because I want to know what happens after the end of the story. I thought this was a very good book and I would read it again.
May 16, 2016
Wow. Having only read a few of Mary Downing Hahn books as a child, I went to the library fully intending to pick up another ghost story from her on a cold rainy day. What I left with instead was a book that explored the friendship between two young girls. One girl dealing with tragic life circumstances and the other trying to do the right thing and fit into a social circle that she didn't really want to to be in.
I started reading this in the middle of a rainy day and the book brought me into the Maryland suburbs and rural areas starting in the cold of January. Hahn's descriptions of the woods and the weather had me pulling a blanket around to keep the chill out. The two girls were believable and I almost could convince myself this was taking place in current times if not for the references to the Vietnam War.
My only criticism of the book is the ending really felt rushed. Maybe this is because it is a "children's" book, but I wanted more description of the home Daphne was in. The descriptions of the various places in the rest of the book were so vivid, it really felt like there was something missing at the end.
I will definitely give this book a place in my library, it's one I'm looking forward to introducing to my children when they are a bit older.
I started reading this in the middle of a rainy day and the book brought me into the Maryland suburbs and rural areas starting in the cold of January. Hahn's descriptions of the woods and the weather had me pulling a blanket around to keep the chill out. The two girls were believable and I almost could convince myself this was taking place in current times if not for the references to the Vietnam War.
My only criticism of the book is the ending really felt rushed. Maybe this is because it is a "children's" book, but I wanted more description of the home Daphne was in. The descriptions of the various places in the rest of the book were so vivid, it really felt like there was something missing at the end.
I will definitely give this book a place in my library, it's one I'm looking forward to introducing to my children when they are a bit older.
June 1, 2014
Jessica worries that being forced to team with Daphne, the strange, quiet new girl who dresses differently and never speaks, will surely plunge her into the worst of all middle grade fates; oblivion. Her reputation is already tenuous due to her lack of interest in boys and lip gloss. Her best friend, Tracy, is pulling away from her. Jessica had hoped to be teamed with her for the Write-a-Book competition. Once Jessica spends time with Daphne and by default her little sister, Hope, she finds there are reasons for Daphne’s odd behaviors. Reasons Jessica could never have imagined.
Daphne’s world is revealed through Jessica’s eyes and her dislike of her partner erodes with each secret she exposes. While the main theme is to look before you judge, Hahn’s ability to show Daphne’s world only through Jessica’s eyes is touching. The same descriptions through Daphne’s point of view would seem whiny or worse, trite.
Middle school hasn’t changed much since 1983. Daphne’s Book is an excellent reminder that while children may seem mature, they are still children in need of guidance and, at times, assistance.
Daphne’s world is revealed through Jessica’s eyes and her dislike of her partner erodes with each secret she exposes. While the main theme is to look before you judge, Hahn’s ability to show Daphne’s world only through Jessica’s eyes is touching. The same descriptions through Daphne’s point of view would seem whiny or worse, trite.
Middle school hasn’t changed much since 1983. Daphne’s Book is an excellent reminder that while children may seem mature, they are still children in need of guidance and, at times, assistance.
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