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Skin Deep
If all the world’s a stage, Andrea Anderson is sitting in the audience. High school has its predictable heroes, heroines, villains, and plotlines, and Andrea has no problem guessing how each drama will turn out. She is, after all, a professional spectator. In the social hierarchy she is a Nothing, and at home her mother runs the show. All Andrea has to do is show up every day and life basically plays out as scripted.
Then one day Andrea accepts a job. Honora Menapace–a reclusive neighbor–is sick. As in every other aspect of her life, Andrea’s role is clear: Honora’s garden must be taken care of and her pottery finished, and someone needs to feed her dog, Zena. But what starts out as a simple job yanks Andrea’s back-row seat out from under her. Life is no longer predictable, and nothing is what it seems. Light is dark, villains are heroes, and what she once saw as ugly is too beautiful for words. Andrea must face the fact that life at first glance doesn’t even crack the surface.
Then one day Andrea accepts a job. Honora Menapace–a reclusive neighbor–is sick. As in every other aspect of her life, Andrea’s role is clear: Honora’s garden must be taken care of and her pottery finished, and someone needs to feed her dog, Zena. But what starts out as a simple job yanks Andrea’s back-row seat out from under her. Life is no longer predictable, and nothing is what it seems. Light is dark, villains are heroes, and what she once saw as ugly is too beautiful for words. Andrea must face the fact that life at first glance doesn’t even crack the surface.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
9 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Crane
1 book8 followersE. M. Crane is the winner of the 2006 Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel. She lives in Sackets Harbor, New York, where she is a fulltime writer. Skin Deep is her first book for young readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 13, 2010
This is a really good book. I fear that it will not get its due in the young adult circuit because it is a quiet book. It is a quiet book with a lot of power.
This book takes place in Pennsylvania near where I grew up. Crane captures what it is like to grow up there perfectly. It was like I was transported back in time.
There are many young people who feel the way the main character in this book does. Andrea is not a tragic character, she is simply ordinary (in her mind). Being ordinary is difficult--especially while in school, where only the "large" characters get noticed. But being ordinary is also a gift, because it allows a person to decided who he or she will become--a choice that the "large" characters have already had made for them. That is what this book is about.
Although the story is bookended by sad events, the overall feeling of the book is hope, discovery, renewal. This is an excellent read for young and old alike. I highly recommend it to all.
This book takes place in Pennsylvania near where I grew up. Crane captures what it is like to grow up there perfectly. It was like I was transported back in time.
There are many young people who feel the way the main character in this book does. Andrea is not a tragic character, she is simply ordinary (in her mind). Being ordinary is difficult--especially while in school, where only the "large" characters get noticed. But being ordinary is also a gift, because it allows a person to decided who he or she will become--a choice that the "large" characters have already had made for them. That is what this book is about.
Although the story is bookended by sad events, the overall feeling of the book is hope, discovery, renewal. This is an excellent read for young and old alike. I highly recommend it to all.
March 12, 2025
This book had a beautiful story and a beautiful message for anyone who takes time to read it. I started out a little skeptical, but by the second chapter I was happy I didn't judge too quick. Leave it to an eccentric artist to leave an impression. The plot was bittersweet but necessary and while it left me sad, it wasn't harrowing. If anything, it left me hopeful for what is to come.
I'm not entirely sure what this book demographic is since the writing seems to cater to a younger audience (I'm thinking middle, maybe early high school) but the plot is something that I could see someone of that age not full ingesting. Not necessarily because they aren't capable of understanding, rather a lot of younger kids would see this as required reading versus something they would actively pick up for pleasure. As an adult it was a very good, thoughtful read.
I'm not entirely sure what this book demographic is since the writing seems to cater to a younger audience (I'm thinking middle, maybe early high school) but the plot is something that I could see someone of that age not full ingesting. Not necessarily because they aren't capable of understanding, rather a lot of younger kids would see this as required reading versus something they would actively pick up for pleasure. As an adult it was a very good, thoughtful read.
February 3, 2015
Skin Deep follows high school sophomore Andrea Anderson through seemingly everyday experiences. Andrea understands how important it is to fly beneath the radar, to be exceptionally unexceptional. After the suicide of her homeroom teacher, Mr. Diego, her perception of life and death is forced under the microscope. Shortly after her teacher's death, her reclusive neighbor, Mrs. Menapace is hospitalized, and Andrea is asked to take care of her dog for her. Mrs. Menapace (Honora) becomes Andrea's mentor, and Zena (the dog) one of her closest friends. Honora, Zena, along with other unlikely friends (including a new father figure) help Andrea on her journey to self-discovery and acceptance.
I absolutely love this book. Winner of the Delacorte Press Best Young Adult Novel Award, Skin Deep creates a world and characters that is universally relatable to Young Adults. Andrea is a well-rounded, very dynamic character, though her change is deliberately subtle. There is no didactic moment at the end where Crane says, "And thus we see that Andrea has become a confident young woman"; the reader has to have their own personal epiphany where he realizes this is not the Andrea they met at the beginning of the book. The language is clever, the imagery refreshingly unusual, and even the stock character of aged mentor is unique enough to hold attention and create a deep personal connection with the reader. Though many young adult readers may not pick up on the symbolism that is woven subtly throughout this novel, it adds a depth that appeals to all literature lovers. Everyone is a little bit like Andrea Anderson, so we are able to see through her unreliable narration at the beginning of the novel, and we barely notice when her perception aligns with ours. The only flaw in this book is that it falls prey to the "parent problem" in YA Lit: Andrea's mother isn't the most understanding or loving of mothers. However, the reader can see her good intentions at time, and also recognize Andrea's contribution to the weakness of the relationship. The supporting cast of characters may be static, but there is hardly two or three flat characters in the whole book. Crane knows how to show, not tell, and the emotion she creates makes this one of my favorite Young Adult novels. It's a shame this is the only book of hers I've ever been able to find!
Content Advisory: one scene involving alcohol, non-graphic description of suicide, death as a main theme throughout the entire book.
I absolutely love this book. Winner of the Delacorte Press Best Young Adult Novel Award, Skin Deep creates a world and characters that is universally relatable to Young Adults. Andrea is a well-rounded, very dynamic character, though her change is deliberately subtle. There is no didactic moment at the end where Crane says, "And thus we see that Andrea has become a confident young woman"; the reader has to have their own personal epiphany where he realizes this is not the Andrea they met at the beginning of the book. The language is clever, the imagery refreshingly unusual, and even the stock character of aged mentor is unique enough to hold attention and create a deep personal connection with the reader. Though many young adult readers may not pick up on the symbolism that is woven subtly throughout this novel, it adds a depth that appeals to all literature lovers. Everyone is a little bit like Andrea Anderson, so we are able to see through her unreliable narration at the beginning of the novel, and we barely notice when her perception aligns with ours. The only flaw in this book is that it falls prey to the "parent problem" in YA Lit: Andrea's mother isn't the most understanding or loving of mothers. However, the reader can see her good intentions at time, and also recognize Andrea's contribution to the weakness of the relationship. The supporting cast of characters may be static, but there is hardly two or three flat characters in the whole book. Crane knows how to show, not tell, and the emotion she creates makes this one of my favorite Young Adult novels. It's a shame this is the only book of hers I've ever been able to find!
Content Advisory: one scene involving alcohol, non-graphic description of suicide, death as a main theme throughout the entire book.
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
I can't stop thinking about this story. It is deep and completely satisfying.
Andrea Anderson is a loner in high school. She plays on the sidelines of life. She has a single mom who is very demanding and her life is very dull and ordinary. She thinks of school as a theater, and as she travels the hallways she sees different soap opera scenes.
The one thing that Andrea loves are dogs and long walks in the countryside. Andrea's mom works at the local hospital and when one of the neighbors is admitted, she volunteers Andrea to walk the neighbor's dog. This single event changes Andrea's life.
When she meets Honora, her neighbor, and Honora's dog, Zena, Andrea finds acceptance for the first time. Honora employs Andrea to be her assistant. Honora is an artist and loves nature. She teaches Andrea about pottery, herbs, plants, dyes, and how to look at life beneath the surface. Andrea starts to be open about life and seeing people in a completely new light.
This story was full of metaphors about art, life, and nature. It was also a coming of age story about a lonely young girl who finds her way in this world. I highly recommend this quiet little story about life. I promise it will stay with you for a long time afterward.
I can't stop thinking about this story. It is deep and completely satisfying.
Andrea Anderson is a loner in high school. She plays on the sidelines of life. She has a single mom who is very demanding and her life is very dull and ordinary. She thinks of school as a theater, and as she travels the hallways she sees different soap opera scenes.
The one thing that Andrea loves are dogs and long walks in the countryside. Andrea's mom works at the local hospital and when one of the neighbors is admitted, she volunteers Andrea to walk the neighbor's dog. This single event changes Andrea's life.
When she meets Honora, her neighbor, and Honora's dog, Zena, Andrea finds acceptance for the first time. Honora employs Andrea to be her assistant. Honora is an artist and loves nature. She teaches Andrea about pottery, herbs, plants, dyes, and how to look at life beneath the surface. Andrea starts to be open about life and seeing people in a completely new light.
This story was full of metaphors about art, life, and nature. It was also a coming of age story about a lonely young girl who finds her way in this world. I highly recommend this quiet little story about life. I promise it will stay with you for a long time afterward.
October 24, 2018
All the worlds a stage and she’s merely a spectator. Or so she thinks. Andrea Anderson the protagonist of the novel, slowly undergoes a change in how she sees the world. This novel was in the Halloween area of the library, unfortunately it wasn’t scary. Fortunately, was a great read. Nothing exciting, but well written. I enjoyed the novel. Had a tear or two at the end.
Read
December 10, 2018It was low key confusing
June 8, 2025
3,75 sterren!
Dit is gewoon een gaaf YA boek. Echt enorm genoten van het hoofdkarakter. Haar gedachtes die alle kanten op gingen maar ook duidelijk groei hadden. Veel simpele maar mooie anekdotes en scenario’s.
De schrijfster bracht me terug naar tiener zijn, en hoe je gebeurtenissen zo anders kan ervaren. De scène met de vazen was een perfect voorbeeld hoe iets kleins zo groot en kwetsbaar kan voelen. En de dood van Diego dat zo groot is, ver weg en klein kan voelen. Dank voor dit verhaal met interessante relaties, inzichten en hoop.
Dit is gewoon een gaaf YA boek. Echt enorm genoten van het hoofdkarakter. Haar gedachtes die alle kanten op gingen maar ook duidelijk groei hadden. Veel simpele maar mooie anekdotes en scenario’s.
De schrijfster bracht me terug naar tiener zijn, en hoe je gebeurtenissen zo anders kan ervaren. De scène met de vazen was een perfect voorbeeld hoe iets kleins zo groot en kwetsbaar kan voelen. En de dood van Diego dat zo groot is, ver weg en klein kan voelen. Dank voor dit verhaal met interessante relaties, inzichten en hoop.
November 20, 2016
Andrea Anderson flies under the radar at school and at home. She knows she doesn’t fit with any of the cliques at school, and at home the only time Mom pays attention to her is during commercial breaks in her evening TV shows. She reads a lot to escape, but has little else to look forward to. Her only real friend, Victor moved away a couple years before. One thing she does have going for her is a budding insight, coupled with intelligence.
Everything changes when her mother tells her about mysterious Ms. Menapace who lives in a house on a nearby hill. She’s in the hospital needs someone to care for her dog. Despite initial misgivings, Andrea makes the trek to the home, imagining it in disrepair and believing the owner is a frail old lady.
Entering the fenced in garden to reach the back door is the first step in an amazing journey for her. Spring hasn’t fully hit yet, but the stones and sculptures are striking enough to start her imagining what things will look like when all the plants awaken. Then she meets Zena, the huge but gentle Saint Bernard, owned by Honora (Ms. Menapace). They connect almost immediately and once they venture into the woods, a place that’s like a second home to Andrea, that connection is cemented.
Reading on is like watching elegant dominoes fall in slow motion. Zena and Honora, who’s a lot younger than Andrea imagined, exert their combination of wisdom and magic to pull her out of the protective shell she’s built around her. Once it begins to crack, readers follow her coming of age, one that includes understanding of others, particularly her mother, new friends both young and old and a growing level of self confidence. It’s a beautiful journey to experience.
I haven’t seen such eloquent prose in a YA book for some time. The sample below is just one of many in the story: “I no longer feel awkward and second-rate with Honora. I’ve realized that I’m one color in her painting of the world. And while any artist may have her favorite colors, a good artist never discredits those subtle, shy hues that contribute to the landscape.”
While it’s been out for a while, this is a great book to offer teens and advanced tweens who like intelligent stories with great prose. I wish the author had written more.
Everything changes when her mother tells her about mysterious Ms. Menapace who lives in a house on a nearby hill. She’s in the hospital needs someone to care for her dog. Despite initial misgivings, Andrea makes the trek to the home, imagining it in disrepair and believing the owner is a frail old lady.
Entering the fenced in garden to reach the back door is the first step in an amazing journey for her. Spring hasn’t fully hit yet, but the stones and sculptures are striking enough to start her imagining what things will look like when all the plants awaken. Then she meets Zena, the huge but gentle Saint Bernard, owned by Honora (Ms. Menapace). They connect almost immediately and once they venture into the woods, a place that’s like a second home to Andrea, that connection is cemented.
Reading on is like watching elegant dominoes fall in slow motion. Zena and Honora, who’s a lot younger than Andrea imagined, exert their combination of wisdom and magic to pull her out of the protective shell she’s built around her. Once it begins to crack, readers follow her coming of age, one that includes understanding of others, particularly her mother, new friends both young and old and a growing level of self confidence. It’s a beautiful journey to experience.
I haven’t seen such eloquent prose in a YA book for some time. The sample below is just one of many in the story: “I no longer feel awkward and second-rate with Honora. I’ve realized that I’m one color in her painting of the world. And while any artist may have her favorite colors, a good artist never discredits those subtle, shy hues that contribute to the landscape.”
While it’s been out for a while, this is a great book to offer teens and advanced tweens who like intelligent stories with great prose. I wish the author had written more.
July 10, 2009
Taken from my blog post.
Andrea Anderson is an observer amongst her chaotic high school peers. She watches, not participates, uninterested in the predictable schoolyard drama. Her house isn’t much of a comfort either, with an overbearing single mother and frozen meals as dinner, so she finds relief by walking through the woods and longing for a dog.
Her life alters when a neighbor Andrea doesn’t know goes to the hospital, leaving behind one of the few things Andrea loves, a dog. She slowly forms a bond with the dog, Zena, and her neighbor, Honora, who has cancer. Through these relationships, Andrea learns many things about life, death, love, and happiness.
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I thought this was a brilliant coming-of-age tale, with great characters and a simple plot that was delivered with as close to perfection as one can get.
Andrea was a great character, full of depth, as she struggled through her high school life. It was easy to relate to her look on life and question those around us. She changes tremendously throughout the book and I even felt a bit proud for her at the end.
There are so many different topics in this book, but one of my favorites was the different types of death and how people respond to them. E.M. Crane wrote beautifully and was able to clearly capture all her characters and bring them to life. This book was heartwarming, occasionally sad, meaningful, definitely a short but well deserved read.
I think most will enjoy Skin Deep, but I will say that if you’re looking for a romance novel, look elsewhere. Impossibly, E.M. Crane has steered away from hormonal teenagers and their first loves.
Andrea Anderson is an observer amongst her chaotic high school peers. She watches, not participates, uninterested in the predictable schoolyard drama. Her house isn’t much of a comfort either, with an overbearing single mother and frozen meals as dinner, so she finds relief by walking through the woods and longing for a dog.
Her life alters when a neighbor Andrea doesn’t know goes to the hospital, leaving behind one of the few things Andrea loves, a dog. She slowly forms a bond with the dog, Zena, and her neighbor, Honora, who has cancer. Through these relationships, Andrea learns many things about life, death, love, and happiness.
-
I thought this was a brilliant coming-of-age tale, with great characters and a simple plot that was delivered with as close to perfection as one can get.
Andrea was a great character, full of depth, as she struggled through her high school life. It was easy to relate to her look on life and question those around us. She changes tremendously throughout the book and I even felt a bit proud for her at the end.
There are so many different topics in this book, but one of my favorites was the different types of death and how people respond to them. E.M. Crane wrote beautifully and was able to clearly capture all her characters and bring them to life. This book was heartwarming, occasionally sad, meaningful, definitely a short but well deserved read.
I think most will enjoy Skin Deep, but I will say that if you’re looking for a romance novel, look elsewhere. Impossibly, E.M. Crane has steered away from hormonal teenagers and their first loves.
April 6, 2009
I had never heard of this book, but reading the insert made me want to give it a try. I'm glad I did. This was a beautiful story, and the type of book that I thought about even when I was not reading it because of the sound wisdom it contained. The message was so truthful, that one really has to scratch the surface of things and people to see the true beauty in them, and that it's better to face everything life has to offer, good or bad, than to miss out. There were a few parts of the book that made me cry, as it was at times tragic, and other times extremely moving.
A major point of the story that I have to commend E.M. Crane on is that she provided one of the more accurate portrayals of high school that I've read in YA. Perhaps this is because she did not focus on the popular kids, the nerds, or the other "labeled" cliques. Instead, the main character was a "nothing", neither popular or picked on, but one of the ignored kids who falls through the cracks in the confining world of high school. This was an interesting and realistic point-of-view, and I found that I could relate to it better than most of the books I have read.
It's too bad this book has not received more recognition than it has. It's a simple plot that still manages to get to the heart of some of the more complex problems within the human experience, and at the same time tell an interesting story.
A major point of the story that I have to commend E.M. Crane on is that she provided one of the more accurate portrayals of high school that I've read in YA. Perhaps this is because she did not focus on the popular kids, the nerds, or the other "labeled" cliques. Instead, the main character was a "nothing", neither popular or picked on, but one of the ignored kids who falls through the cracks in the confining world of high school. This was an interesting and realistic point-of-view, and I found that I could relate to it better than most of the books I have read.
It's too bad this book has not received more recognition than it has. It's a simple plot that still manages to get to the heart of some of the more complex problems within the human experience, and at the same time tell an interesting story.
September 16, 2015
The book was slow. I believe it was trying to be poetic with the writing but it came off wrong to me. I knew the general idea of the book just by the name but I was hoping there would be more to it. I was wrong. This book is one of the few rare ones that you can judge by it's title.
The main character Andrea keeps talking about how she is average. Nothing special about her at all. She's surprised to find people who want to be friends with her. She befriends a sick forty year old woman. And she keeps talking still about how she is average. Skin deep shows that she finds others to not be as simple as she thought but she still sees herself as nothing special and for her to keep reminding me throughout the book was incredibly annoying.
This book left me feeling like I just read another overused idea that went nowhere. There was no real plot and I really didn't need to read a "self-discovery" book that doesn't really go that much further beyond "Hey, people have lives outside of what I expect of them."
The main character Andrea keeps talking about how she is average. Nothing special about her at all. She's surprised to find people who want to be friends with her. She befriends a sick forty year old woman. And she keeps talking still about how she is average. Skin deep shows that she finds others to not be as simple as she thought but she still sees herself as nothing special and for her to keep reminding me throughout the book was incredibly annoying.
This book left me feeling like I just read another overused idea that went nowhere. There was no real plot and I really didn't need to read a "self-discovery" book that doesn't really go that much further beyond "Hey, people have lives outside of what I expect of them."
June 23, 2021
This quiet novel was such a breath of fresh air, especially for a YA book (even with the heavier subject matter). The cover attracted me to this book, then I found myself intrigued by the synopsis. I always read the first paragraph or two of a book, to get a feel for the writing before I decide to read it, and I was drawn in right away by Crane’s writing. Skin Deep has such a well written lead character in Andrea Anderson; very relatable and realistic. Plus, Andrea has a soft spot and forms a connection with a four-legged character as well, which I love 🥰 Andrea’s journey through this novel is so well paced and her growth is subtle. The relationships Andrea makes and learns from aren’t the cliché ones in so many novels today, so that was refreshing. I enjoyed this book, both the story and the lessons shown through it. If you want to try a YA novel with a little more depth than the ones usually publicized (and you’re okay with heavy topics that aren’t over-focused on), I highly suggest Skin Deep. This novel is a gem and a fairly quick read.
October 4, 2008
Andrea Anderson is a self-proclaimed “Nothing” in life. She is ignored at school, disconnected from her mother, and has a completely absent inner life. She floats through life and watches, nothing sticks to her. Until she enters the lives of Honora, the crazy lady who lives in a crumbling house on the hill, and her 200 pound Saint Bernard, Zena. Initially helping to walk Zena while Honora is in the hospital, when Honora begins a quick decline from cancer Andrea stays on to help as her “assistant”; although Andrea’s paid duties include learning herbalism and the art of Raku, a form of pottery-making. As their quiet relationship grows, Andrea’s inner life expands to process a fuller perspective of life, including the suicide of one of her teachers and accommodating her mother’s new boyfriend.
I really enjoyed the quiet beauty of this story and its characters. I strongly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed the quiet beauty of this story and its characters. I strongly recommend this book.
May 17, 2009
this was a really great book! most of the books i find in the young adult section are just chick flicks waiting to be filmed, but not this one. it was a wonderful story about a girl really coming to know herself and develop a healthy sense of self-worth. while certain plot points were fairly predictable, most of the storyline was able to avoid teen fiction cliches, which i was grateful for. there was no obvious love interest, stereotypes were both strengthened and obliterated (depending on the character), and unique perspectives were brought to light. the end was satisfying and definite, not likely to lead into a sequel, but that's one of the things i liked about it - there was no guessing about whether the story had more to it or not. loose ends were wrapped up nicely, although not necessarily in the sit-com sickeningly sweet way - outcomes in the story tended to be more realistic. very sad at some points, but uplifting all the same. awesome, quick read!
April 5, 2008
Andrea is a spectator of life, certainly something I (and maybe many) can relate to. I liked how she doesn't wallow in self pity or pine to be different. She just kind of accepts things, which is what leads her into some truly significant and life-changing relationships with people in unexpected places, including an artist down the street who hires Andrea to take care of her dog. Reminds me a little of Joan Bauer's books (like Rules of the Road, minus the humor) because of the connections we make with both quirky and "normal" people. This book won the highly-coveted (in the writing world) Delacorte prize, and I can totally see why. Excellent writing. Avoids stereotypes of high school sub-groups, too
November 24, 2008
Everyone in her high school seems to have a role to play - cheerleaders, geeks, jocks... Everyone except Andrea Anderson. She's so uninteresting that she's invisible to her classmates and teachers. But when she gets a job as an assistant to a local hermit artist, Honora will help Andrea see that she's beautiful and vibrant on the inside.
This one started a little slowly for me, but about 60 or 70 pages I really got into it. It's a beautiful story of Andrea's quest to find herself and her place. She learns that people aren't always what they appear to be (including herself) and that she doesn't need to be what others see in her. She needs to be who she wants to be. This is a quiet, absorbing story and one I won't soon forget.
This one started a little slowly for me, but about 60 or 70 pages I really got into it. It's a beautiful story of Andrea's quest to find herself and her place. She learns that people aren't always what they appear to be (including herself) and that she doesn't need to be what others see in her. She needs to be who she wants to be. This is a quiet, absorbing story and one I won't soon forget.
August 16, 2018
This book wasn't awful, I just couldn't connect with it at all and was bored while reading it. I thought the message this book conveyed, which was to look beneath the surface to understand who a person really is, was very meaningful, but since I felt very detached from everything and everyone, it didn't pack the punch I was hoping for.
I thought that Andrea's relationship with her mom was awful and that it should have more developed, because I don't understand why Andrea's mom kept acting like a bitchy teenager towards her daughter. I couldn't believe that she ended up raising a reasonable human being with that attitude.
My favorite thing was probably Zena, the Saint Bernard dog.
I thought that Andrea's relationship with her mom was awful and that it should have more developed, because I don't understand why Andrea's mom kept acting like a bitchy teenager towards her daughter. I couldn't believe that she ended up raising a reasonable human being with that attitude.
My favorite thing was probably Zena, the Saint Bernard dog.
September 3, 2010
This is a young adult book that I read before bringing it along to a middle school book club. It was a brilliant work - a simple story beautifully told. I think this story of a young teen finding her place in the world should be mandatory reading in middle and high school. There are no vampires, no secret or forbidden romances, no adventures with secret spy gear in this story. It's characters and messages of self-acceptance will stay with me always. Written for the young reader, Skin Deep holds it's own on an adult bookshelf!
July 2, 2012
This book has just become one of my all time favorites. I picked it up thinking, why not? It was such a deep and powerful book, and extremely different from what I expected. The characters are so complex and that's what makes it a great book. It shows that people are not always how they seem and cliche or not it's the truth. This book is the story of a high school girl who has just started to realize that people are complex and different. She starts to realize that she herself is no exception to this. We are all wonderful and so much more.
March 9, 2009
Andrea is not popular. She feels that she is ugly, unlovable, and invisible.
Her homeroom teacher ends up committing suicide. Her mother seems to think he did it just to mess up the status quo. Her mother starts dating. Andrea is shocked to tears to discover that a teacher knows her by name. She also finds herself employed looking after a dog of a hospital patient.
It's really a book about growth and perspective and love. Sad, but uplifting.
Her homeroom teacher ends up committing suicide. Her mother seems to think he did it just to mess up the status quo. Her mother starts dating. Andrea is shocked to tears to discover that a teacher knows her by name. She also finds herself employed looking after a dog of a hospital patient.
It's really a book about growth and perspective and love. Sad, but uplifting.
July 6, 2008
I loved this book. It was meaningfull and worth the few hours I spent reading it. The characters were wonderful, rich, and I was able to imagine them down to the last detail. My favorite character was Zena. I was overjoyed that Zena ended up owning Andrea. Overall this was an amzing book, well written, interesting, and emotional.
August 21, 2010
Just breath taking. Andrea changes so subtly that you feel as if you missed it until you get to the end and then you realize that it happened right in front of your face but was handled so realistically that it was like it was actually happening. It's just like when you or a friend or family member changes, you don't notice until it's over. HIGHLY recommended.
August 16, 2009
If you like big, cuddly Saint Bernards, art, and/or beautiful stories about growing up and living life to the fullest, this book is for you. This is one book you CAN judge by the cover--the story inside is just as beautiful.
September 30, 2009
Delacorte prize winner and one I actually liked. A coming-of-age story that's not predictable in places. She is an average kid with nothing going for her except her love of animals. It is that love that turns her life around and allows her to see the world through different lens.
December 22, 2009
This was a powerful read. I would highly recommend for the more mature YA set--I'm hoping some of my honors 8th graders will pick it up. Andrea Anderson's transformation from a girl on the fringes to a young woman involved with the world was a compelling read.
September 11, 2010
Great message in this book and I really became involved with the friendship of Andrea and Honora. It was neat to see how Andrea changed in the book. Many times I don't see characters change much, and this book showed the transformation.
February 26, 2014
What a wonderfully written book! Vividly written and endearing, deeply rooted philosophies about life and death and the beauty of both. Truly makes the reader appreciate the viewpoints from which we experience life.
October 4, 2017
I picked this book because the cover was so beautiful! And it didn't disappoint at all, the prose was as beautiful as the cover.
I am not sure how many young adults will appreciate this book, but as an adult I absolutely loved it.
I am not sure how many young adults will appreciate this book, but as an adult I absolutely loved it.
February 9, 2019
I did not like this book. It was kind of a vague book, but focused a lot on emotions, which I liked. A lot of the normal things that happen though I don't really agree with, and I feel like it was supposed to be the good part of the book. This book just didn't sit right I guess as well.
April 30, 2020
Wow... this was such a subtle story. Nothing absolutely remarkable happens but it creates such a captivating journey. A short coming to age story that shows that everyone is more than just what they appear to be.
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