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Where People Like Us Live
I want to shake Rita. She thinks all the screwed-up things in the world are happening somewhere else. But bad things are happening right here. It's a routine Libby's used to by pack up, move, start over, repeat. This time it's to Rubberville— faces, names, a few factories, and Angie, a girl who nearly-but-not-quite gets Libby killed the first day they meet. Angie is everything Libby wishes she outspoken, fearless, and happy to risk it all to have a little fun. But one day Libby learns that behind Angie's attitude is a frightening secret. Libby faces an impossible Does she protect her friendship or her friend?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 10, 2011
I'm not too sure what this book was.
A life story?
A friend's secret?
A life lesson?
A story that was on the news?
Where did the author get her inspiration for this?
It seems like it would have made a good after-school special but as a book... not so much.
I enjoyed that it was short. And I enjoyed the relationship between the two girls (I remember girls like that. The free spirited jump on the bed and don't look back kind).
But this book just didn't make me go squee. THere was a part or two that made me go "WOAH" but even a woah can turn into a squee. (not that it has to be happily ever after... I'll squee at tragedy too)
It's not a bad book.... the plot was clever... I just think it would make a better after school special.
A life story?
A friend's secret?
A life lesson?
A story that was on the news?
Where did the author get her inspiration for this?
It seems like it would have made a good after-school special but as a book... not so much.
I enjoyed that it was short. And I enjoyed the relationship between the two girls (I remember girls like that. The free spirited jump on the bed and don't look back kind).
But this book just didn't make me go squee. THere was a part or two that made me go "WOAH" but even a woah can turn into a squee. (not that it has to be happily ever after... I'll squee at tragedy too)
It's not a bad book.... the plot was clever... I just think it would make a better after school special.
November 13, 2008
What would you do if you saw something that you shouldn't have?
If you tell, then you might lose your best friend, but if you don't tell, then your best friend could be in deep trouble.
This is the problem facing Libby. Her family has moved to Rubberville, a bleak factory town in Wisconsin. This is normal for Libby, since her family moves all the time. Libby is hoping that her father will find what he is looking for and will stay and put down roots.
The first week in Rubberville, Libby meets Angie. They become fast friends, except for the big secret that Angie is hiding.
I think that this book was very well-written and it made me think about the time my daughter had to tell about some scary things that her best friend was doing to herself. She had a hard time deciding what to do, but in the end did the right thing and helped her friend. Her friend was mad at the time, but within a couple of weeks they were best friends again.
Friendship requires responsibility and sometimes it can be very hard and complicated. I would especially recommend this book to book clubs, because after it is read I believe it should be discussed.
If you tell, then you might lose your best friend, but if you don't tell, then your best friend could be in deep trouble.
This is the problem facing Libby. Her family has moved to Rubberville, a bleak factory town in Wisconsin. This is normal for Libby, since her family moves all the time. Libby is hoping that her father will find what he is looking for and will stay and put down roots.
The first week in Rubberville, Libby meets Angie. They become fast friends, except for the big secret that Angie is hiding.
I think that this book was very well-written and it made me think about the time my daughter had to tell about some scary things that her best friend was doing to herself. She had a hard time deciding what to do, but in the end did the right thing and helped her friend. Her friend was mad at the time, but within a couple of weeks they were best friends again.
Friendship requires responsibility and sometimes it can be very hard and complicated. I would especially recommend this book to book clubs, because after it is read I believe it should be discussed.
February 27, 2019
I hate to say it but I knew some little girls like Angie when I was growing up. Those girls that you have to look at and say, "I am so sorry you have to live that way."
This story was not just one of sexual abuse but of friendship and courage. Libby was brave and in the end, made the best decision possible. We also see how the victim of sexual abuse can sometimes portray the abuse as love. Angie thought Kevin loved her, when in reality he loved no one but himself.
This story was not just one of sexual abuse but of friendship and courage. Libby was brave and in the end, made the best decision possible. We also see how the victim of sexual abuse can sometimes portray the abuse as love. Angie thought Kevin loved her, when in reality he loved no one but himself.
March 28, 2008
Libby is used to moving every time her headstrong father gets laid off from his job. This time her father moves the family to Rubberville. Here she meets Angie, a girl who is the complete opposite of Libby, and almost gets her killed the first day they meet. Angie and Libby soon develop a strong friendship and Angie becomes Libby's first real best friend. A friend is certainly what Libby needs her first summer in Rubberville, because not even a week after her father starts his job, his fellow employees encourage him to join the strike and he is out of a paycheck. This creates much hardship for Libby as well as for her family. Libby is quick to realize that Angie is hiding a secret, one involving her step father Kevin. She is faced with the choice of letting her friend get hurt or to hurt her friendship. The choice she makes empowers her to be the girl that she wants to be and helps her face her own greatest fear.
This was a very moving book and I absolutely loved it. Patricia Cumbie has a way with words and Where People Like Us Live is a stunning first novel. It really grasps the idea of a true friendship and makes us realize how lucky we are to have friends. I really liked how Libby was the character telling the story, it really gave the book a voice. This book is a must read for any girl, regardless of if you have one friend or fifty. I was unable to put the book down, anxious to hear what was going to happen to Libby, Angie, and their families next!
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
What would you do if you saw something that you shouldn't have?
If you tell, then you might lose your best friend, but if you don't tell, then your best friend could be in deep trouble.
This is the problem facing Libby. Her family has moved to Rubberville, a bleak factory town in Wisconsin. This is normal for Libby, since her family moves all the time. Libby is hoping that her father will find what he is looking for and will stay and put down roots.
The first week in Rubberville, Libby meets Angie. They become fast friends, except for the big secret that Angie is hiding.
I think that this book was very well-written and it made me think about the time my daughter had to tell about some scary things that her best friend was doing to herself. She had a hard time deciding what to do, but in the end did the right thing and helped her friend. Her friend was mad at the time, but within a couple of weeks they were best friends again.
Friendship requires responsibility and sometimes it can be very hard and complicated. I would especially recommend this book to book clubs, because after it is read I believe it should be discussed.
What would you do if you saw something that you shouldn't have?
If you tell, then you might lose your best friend, but if you don't tell, then your best friend could be in deep trouble.
This is the problem facing Libby. Her family has moved to Rubberville, a bleak factory town in Wisconsin. This is normal for Libby, since her family moves all the time. Libby is hoping that her father will find what he is looking for and will stay and put down roots.
The first week in Rubberville, Libby meets Angie. They become fast friends, except for the big secret that Angie is hiding.
I think that this book was very well-written and it made me think about the time my daughter had to tell about some scary things that her best friend was doing to herself. She had a hard time deciding what to do, but in the end did the right thing and helped her friend. Her friend was mad at the time, but within a couple of weeks they were best friends again.
Friendship requires responsibility and sometimes it can be very hard and complicated. I would especially recommend this book to book clubs, because after it is read I believe it should be discussed.
March 27, 2017
"She thinks all the screwed-up things in the world are happening somewhere else. But bad things are happening right here. Where people like us live."
Libby and her family have moved around for as long as she remembered. This time, they have moved to a small town called Rubberville. This time, Libby ends up befriending Angie, a girl who lives across the street. Or, actually Angie introduces herself to Libby and nearly gets themselves killed walking down the train tracks on their first day of friendship. Libby never had a close friend before and is not very close to her older sister, Rita. But when Libby discovers a secret of Angie's, she must risk saving her friend or protecting their friendship.
While the book may seem thin, the story itself is deep.The characters are well developed and the story is very well-formed. The main point of the story, being trapped in a situation that risks a friend and that bond is something familiar with teens. Maybe not in the same situation as the novel but the idea of it is similar.
Friendships are hard. They are complicated. They are intricate. This is a good book to read and discuss about friendships, choices, relationships.
Libby and her family have moved around for as long as she remembered. This time, they have moved to a small town called Rubberville. This time, Libby ends up befriending Angie, a girl who lives across the street. Or, actually Angie introduces herself to Libby and nearly gets themselves killed walking down the train tracks on their first day of friendship. Libby never had a close friend before and is not very close to her older sister, Rita. But when Libby discovers a secret of Angie's, she must risk saving her friend or protecting their friendship.
While the book may seem thin, the story itself is deep.The characters are well developed and the story is very well-formed. The main point of the story, being trapped in a situation that risks a friend and that bond is something familiar with teens. Maybe not in the same situation as the novel but the idea of it is similar.
Friendships are hard. They are complicated. They are intricate. This is a good book to read and discuss about friendships, choices, relationships.
July 26, 2008
“I’m not a philosopher, but it seems that if you stand up for something you believe in, there are always consequences, even if you don’t get socked in the stomach.”
Libby’s family moves a lot. She has never really had a best friend, and certainly not one like Angie. For a 14 year old, Libby is remarkably naive, and a little young. Her family lives on the edge of survival and she knows it but she is remarkably optimistic, or at least placid about her life. Angie, is not. She lives on her own edge of survival as well.
Where people like us live may wrap up a little neat but it is an uncomfortable ride getting there, and given the subject matter it should be.
Libby’s family moves a lot. She has never really had a best friend, and certainly not one like Angie. For a 14 year old, Libby is remarkably naive, and a little young. Her family lives on the edge of survival and she knows it but she is remarkably optimistic, or at least placid about her life. Angie, is not. She lives on her own edge of survival as well.
Where people like us live may wrap up a little neat but it is an uncomfortable ride getting there, and given the subject matter it should be.
February 22, 2016
Triggers: sexual abuse
This book is written very simply but deals with a very explicit and often complicated topic to talk about. This gives the book a chance to be read by students of various ages with multiple reading levels and capabilities. Also serves as a possible way to introduce the topic of sexual abuse to students who may need to reach out or discuss this, especially if they are uncomfortable or worried about the repercussions.
Cathartic read, especially for anyone who has been a part of an environment of abuse - whether the reader is a survivor, a friend or family member of a survivor, etc., the book sticks with you.
This book is written very simply but deals with a very explicit and often complicated topic to talk about. This gives the book a chance to be read by students of various ages with multiple reading levels and capabilities. Also serves as a possible way to introduce the topic of sexual abuse to students who may need to reach out or discuss this, especially if they are uncomfortable or worried about the repercussions.
Cathartic read, especially for anyone who has been a part of an environment of abuse - whether the reader is a survivor, a friend or family member of a survivor, etc., the book sticks with you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2012
I would rate this book as good. The whole book was interesting and it gave a very important message to the readers. The book relates to a girl sacrificed to make the right decision in order for her best friend to be safe and to keep their friendship good. It takes place in a town called Rubberville and shows the different emotions of the character in a way that you can feel them. Overall I was happy I read it all and understood the topic, but also I knew what was happening in the story since most of the time i get lost in books.
April 21, 2014
I picked up this book after a 7th grader tried to check it out, I decided to read it to determine what age level it is appropriate for - definitely not 7th grade, I marked it at 9th and up. it is kind of a sad story of how best to be a friend - telling the truth about something horrible and maybe losing a friend, or keeping the secret knowing that it is hurting your friend. a good lesson for kids dealing with some harsh realities.
February 23, 2010
I just kept hoping this book would get better, but it never did. It was a totally contrived plot (stepfather and sexual abuse) made worse by a main character who was supposed to be 15 yet the writing made her seem like she was 10. The only reason why it got 2 stars instead of 1 was because there were some well-crafted passages.
Want to read
August 23, 2010**Pre-Reading Notes**:
Haven't read it yet, but I have to say, as a native of Racine, Wisconsin (where the book is set)--the *neighborhood* is known as "Rubberville." The city itself isn't called Rubberville. And Racine isn't exactly a "small town" or in the middle of nowhere--it's right between Milwaukee and Chicago. Just wanted to clear that up.
Haven't read it yet, but I have to say, as a native of Racine, Wisconsin (where the book is set)--the *neighborhood* is known as "Rubberville." The city itself isn't called Rubberville. And Racine isn't exactly a "small town" or in the middle of nowhere--it's right between Milwaukee and Chicago. Just wanted to clear that up.
June 13, 2011
"Jagged" is what comes in my head to describe Where People Like Us Live. Parts of the book flowed and grabbed me, while others bumped along and left me unimpressed. A persistent teen reader could enjoy this book and appreciate those less choppy areas. I am, however, looking forward to more from this writer as she has great potential in the YA market.
September 16, 2009
Libby is tired of moving everytime things don't work out with her dad's job. Now her family has just moved to Racine, Wisconsin, and she meets Angie the girl across the street. She learns a disturbing secret about her new friend that could ruin the friendship forever.
Want to read
May 7, 2008Released May 14, 2008
February 15, 2009
I didn't like this book either.
December 29, 2009
i liked it until the end, then i saw it was one of those books that was supposed to teach you something, and i'm all for that, but it went from a good solid plot, to like, ethical dilema
July 20, 2012
Weird and creepy and gross. Just because your details don't use explicit words doesn't mean they don't paint explicit pictures. It's been over a year and I am still haunted by the "secret."
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews