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Hershey Herself
I walk up the back steps and then stand there, waiting for the goosebumps on my arms to go away. They don't. I almost don't go in. But then I think of Baby Ella. And Mom. I push open the door....
When twelve-year-old Hershey must run away with her mother to a women's shelter, she wonders how, among other things, she'll compete in the town talent show with her best friend, Phoebe; who will take care of her cat, Augustus Gloop; and if she'll survive being on a new bus route with her sworn enemy.
When twelve-year-old Hershey must run away with her mother to a women's shelter, she wonders how, among other things, she'll compete in the town talent show with her best friend, Phoebe; who will take care of her cat, Augustus Gloop; and if she'll survive being on a new bus route with her sworn enemy.
330 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2008
5 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Cecilia Galante
23 books170 followersCecilia Galante is the author of several middle grade, young adult and adult novels. She also teaches 8th grade English at Wyoming Seminary Prep School, and teaches creative writing in the MFA program at Wilkes University.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 10, 2012
Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com
Twelve-year-old Hershey lives with her mom, baby sister Ella, and her mother's boyfriend, Slade. Ever since Slade moved in with them, things have gone downhill for Hershey. First, it was just little things like the Job List, but it soon progressed into him being verbally abusive, until he became so mad that he threw a glass and almost blinded Hershey. But that's still not enough to convince Hershey's mom to leave him permanently.
Hershey finally comes up with a plan to make her mom leave him but it goes all wrong. Slade doesn't just yell and throw something, he hits Hershey's mom and threatens Hershey herself.
Hershey's mom makes the decision to run away with Hershey and Ella and go to a battered woman's shelter. Once in the shelter, Hershey finds her worries shifting from practicing for the talent show with her best friend to staying away from Slade and worrying about Augustus Gloop. She also finds herself making unexpected friends with the other women in the shelter and, with their help, she discovers a hidden talent that may just help her win the talent show.
Never before have I read a tween book that can use humor and make the reader laugh while dealing with such a tough topic, but Cecilia Galante does just that. The characters, the plot, and the setting are all very realistic to the point where you can feel yourself being pulled into the story. It's written in a way that everyone, whether they're ten, fourteen, or fifty-two, can relate and enjoy. If there's any book that should be required reading for seventh or eighth grade, it's this book.
Twelve-year-old Hershey lives with her mom, baby sister Ella, and her mother's boyfriend, Slade. Ever since Slade moved in with them, things have gone downhill for Hershey. First, it was just little things like the Job List, but it soon progressed into him being verbally abusive, until he became so mad that he threw a glass and almost blinded Hershey. But that's still not enough to convince Hershey's mom to leave him permanently.
Hershey finally comes up with a plan to make her mom leave him but it goes all wrong. Slade doesn't just yell and throw something, he hits Hershey's mom and threatens Hershey herself.
Hershey's mom makes the decision to run away with Hershey and Ella and go to a battered woman's shelter. Once in the shelter, Hershey finds her worries shifting from practicing for the talent show with her best friend to staying away from Slade and worrying about Augustus Gloop. She also finds herself making unexpected friends with the other women in the shelter and, with their help, she discovers a hidden talent that may just help her win the talent show.
Never before have I read a tween book that can use humor and make the reader laugh while dealing with such a tough topic, but Cecilia Galante does just that. The characters, the plot, and the setting are all very realistic to the point where you can feel yourself being pulled into the story. It's written in a way that everyone, whether they're ten, fourteen, or fifty-two, can relate and enjoy. If there's any book that should be required reading for seventh or eighth grade, it's this book.
February 22, 2009
This book is about a girl with problems. She is over-weight, her eye is messed up (caused by her mothers bad choice in men), she barely has any friends, and now her mom, her little sister, and her have to go to a battered womens shelter. I really like this book and I would probably read it again.
July 25, 2008
Gr 6-9 Twelve-year-old Hershey Hollenback is having a rough time. Her mother has left her abusive boyfriend and now Hershey, her Mother, and baby sister Ella, are living in a battered women’s shelter. On the way to the shelter Hershey begs her best friend Phoebe to take care of her cat, Augustus Gloop, because the shelter doesn’t allow pets. Hershey is frightened and stressed out about the new living situation, not the least of which is her feelings of guilt for the current situation. On the first night she meets strange Lupe, a Columbian woman living in the basement closet who plays the piano. Hershey is fascinated by the piano and begs Lupe to teach her to play. Meanwhile, Hershey battles with a school bully on the bus and in the lunchroom and her friendship with Phoebe starts to deteriorate when they cancel their plans to perform together in the town talent show. But Hershey has her own plan now. She’s going to enter the talent show alone and play the piano. Hershey is counting on winning the $1000 first prize so she can give the money to her mom so they can start a new life. Through her friendships with Phoebe and Lupe, Hershey learns the power of love and believing in one’s self. Hershey finds the courage to stand up and make people notice her. In a true voice, Hershey tells a story of personal struggle and ultimate triumph. Young readers will enjoy Hershey’s wit and humor, as well as identify with her conflicting feelings about family and friends. Bethany A. Lafferty – Las Vegas Clark County Library District
July 10, 2008
Because I really enjoyed Patron Saint of Butterflies by this author, I couldn't wait to read this book also!
12 y.o. Hershey lives with her mom, baby sister, and her mom's abusive boyfriend. To cope, Hershey overeats. She also keeps a journal, and she makes a plan to drive the neat freak boyfriend crazy. She doesn't want him to get mad enough to hurt anybody, like the time a few years ago when he threw a glass and nearly blinded Hershey in one eye. She just wants her mom to realize that she's living with someone impossible.
Hershey's plan works so well that the violence escalates, and she, her mom, and sister go to live in a women's shelter. Hershey continues to write, practices for the talent show with her best friend, and along the way learns a talent of her own.
Based on the author's own experiences as an adult living in a shelter, the book is well-written and deals authentically with the topic of domestic abuse and the difficulties in breaking the cycle of abuse.
The language is not as beautiful as in Patron Saint..., nor are the characters quite as fully developed. But I'd still recommend this book to readers of problem novels and stories of self-discovery.
12 y.o. Hershey lives with her mom, baby sister, and her mom's abusive boyfriend. To cope, Hershey overeats. She also keeps a journal, and she makes a plan to drive the neat freak boyfriend crazy. She doesn't want him to get mad enough to hurt anybody, like the time a few years ago when he threw a glass and nearly blinded Hershey in one eye. She just wants her mom to realize that she's living with someone impossible.
Hershey's plan works so well that the violence escalates, and she, her mom, and sister go to live in a women's shelter. Hershey continues to write, practices for the talent show with her best friend, and along the way learns a talent of her own.
Based on the author's own experiences as an adult living in a shelter, the book is well-written and deals authentically with the topic of domestic abuse and the difficulties in breaking the cycle of abuse.
The language is not as beautiful as in Patron Saint..., nor are the characters quite as fully developed. But I'd still recommend this book to readers of problem novels and stories of self-discovery.
February 7, 2009
Galante writes with empathy and deep respect about the lives of her characters. In this book thirteen-year old Daisy flees with her mother and baby sister, Ella, to a Women’s shelter. Even though nothing is familiar and Daisy is embarrassed she is also relieved. Now she doesn’t have to listen to her mother’s boyfriend Slade belittle her or her mother. She no longer needs to eat as an escape and discovers that she loves playing the piano. In the shelter Daisy’s mom discovers things about herself including strength she did not know she had.
Galante provides a realistic portrait of a family under stress and a spirited, loveable young teen. Her writing is engaging. Daisy’s story is realistic; not everything works out well but Daisy is able to move on with her life. Highly recommended.
Galante provides a realistic portrait of a family under stress and a spirited, loveable young teen. Her writing is engaging. Daisy’s story is realistic; not everything works out well but Daisy is able to move on with her life. Highly recommended.
July 20, 2010
It's one of those obscure books you just randomly pick up, thinking it's worth a try, and then you love it. This book was really good, especially considering I'd never even heard of it. To me, it was quite a surprise; I guess I didn't know what to expect. The book was touching, emotional, and people can really relate to Hershey.
To me, this book also proves something quite big: There are many, many, many, many well written books that you've never even heard of- simply for the reason that they just didn't do too well commercially. This was one. So my advice is keep your eyes open for different authors- they just might surprise you!
To me, this book also proves something quite big: There are many, many, many, many well written books that you've never even heard of- simply for the reason that they just didn't do too well commercially. This was one. So my advice is keep your eyes open for different authors- they just might surprise you!
March 19, 2009
Hershey is a stupid name.
July 20, 2011
Great book
August 13, 2022
This book was difficult to read (due to the subject matter of the abusive boyfriend and Hershey's insecurity about herself and her relationships)--but it was also the type of book you hate to put down. In other words, I loved it. I'm decades over the age of being the target audience (grade school and maybe lower high school, I assume)--but I don't care. This is a Very Good Book, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Five Stars.
February 17, 2021
I´ve read this book twice and loved it each time.
Highly reccomend
TW FOR BOOK:Mentions of abuse
Age rating:10+
Highly reccomend
TW FOR BOOK:Mentions of abuse
Age rating:10+
March 8, 2021
3,5 Luźna, ale mi się podobała. Nawet coś wywołało we mnie jednak emocje
November 7, 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ 4.35
i love children’s books about darker, more intense topics. i loved hershey, she was a very lovable character and my heart really broke for her. i feel like more children’s books should tackle these tough topics. because some children really need a book like this.
i love children’s books about darker, more intense topics. i loved hershey, she was a very lovable character and my heart really broke for her. i feel like more children’s books should tackle these tough topics. because some children really need a book like this.
January 10, 2026
a nice book and message, ending was a little ??? but i love it so it's ok
November 28, 2012
I just finished reading the book Hershey Herself by:Cecilia Galante. I thought this book was a good book, but it wasn't one of my favorites, but I would still read this book again! It was a combination of mystery and realistic fiction all in one. I would recommend this book to any girl that likes mystery books. Now I will tell you what this story is mainly about.
This book is about a 14 year old girl that is upset because of her mom's new boyfriend Slade West. Slade is a real neat freak and gets mad when things don't stay clean. He once threw a glass at the wall and a piece of it went right into Hershey's eye. Hershey was reported to the hospital right away. She had to have surgery on her eye and until this day she still can't see that well out of her bad eye. Sure enough Hershey's mom went back to Slade and Hershey wanted nothing to do with him. Hershey decided to come up with a get rid of Slade plan her best friend Phobe helped. Some of Hershey's hobbies are writing in notebooks, she got her first one when she was in the hospital when the glass flew in her eye. She also likes to hang out with Agustus Gloop (her cat) and her best friend Phobee. (that she met in 6th grade and has been her best friend ever since)
One day Slade left the house because he was mad for some unknown reason when he came back home the house was a HUGE mess, he got so mad that it got violent. He hit Hershey's mom and punched her lip. Hershey her baby sister Ella and her mom went to a women's shelter and got a protection order against Slade. Hershey's mom has been known to going back to Slade no matter what he has done. Will she go back this time? There's a lot more I could tell you about this book but all I am going to say is things at the shelter don't go to well and Hershey makes a new friend, but soon has to say goodbye.
I thought this book was great and I think you will to so read the book to find out if Hershey's mom will go back to Slade and if they will ever land back on their feet.
This book is about a 14 year old girl that is upset because of her mom's new boyfriend Slade West. Slade is a real neat freak and gets mad when things don't stay clean. He once threw a glass at the wall and a piece of it went right into Hershey's eye. Hershey was reported to the hospital right away. She had to have surgery on her eye and until this day she still can't see that well out of her bad eye. Sure enough Hershey's mom went back to Slade and Hershey wanted nothing to do with him. Hershey decided to come up with a get rid of Slade plan her best friend Phobe helped. Some of Hershey's hobbies are writing in notebooks, she got her first one when she was in the hospital when the glass flew in her eye. She also likes to hang out with Agustus Gloop (her cat) and her best friend Phobee. (that she met in 6th grade and has been her best friend ever since)
One day Slade left the house because he was mad for some unknown reason when he came back home the house was a HUGE mess, he got so mad that it got violent. He hit Hershey's mom and punched her lip. Hershey her baby sister Ella and her mom went to a women's shelter and got a protection order against Slade. Hershey's mom has been known to going back to Slade no matter what he has done. Will she go back this time? There's a lot more I could tell you about this book but all I am going to say is things at the shelter don't go to well and Hershey makes a new friend, but soon has to say goodbye.
I thought this book was great and I think you will to so read the book to find out if Hershey's mom will go back to Slade and if they will ever land back on their feet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2009
This is an amazing young adult book dealing with issues of domestic violence, surviving middle school, friendship, and self esteem. Hershey is such a likable character, and so very real. Although I've never been in a situation like Hershey's, I felt myself really relating to her on many levels- especially the self confidence issues. Hershey Herself follows 13 year old Hershey Hollenback through a dark few weeks of her 8th grade year. It is a reminder that life can be tough, even for kids, and that difficult choices have their rewards. This book caused me to reach for the tissues- and long for a bag of Cheetos! It is definitely one I want for my classroom bookshelf.
October 9, 2011
Where do I start? You can relate to the main character, this book is full of climaxes (in other words, really exciting events), and you feel super delighted after reading this book. I read this book only once and I got a tingly inside afterwards. I'd reccomend this book for everyone LITERALLY. I asked my dad to buy me this book for my birthday last year but turns out......he couldn't find it. I went to my local library to check it out again but turns out.......it was already checked out GRRRRRRRRR..........I wanna read that darn good book again
August 26, 2013
this book taught me to be grateful for the life I have because others are in worse conditions. I taught me about how some peoples' lives feel like Hell. I would always complain about how my life was so boring and annoying, but this girl lives a life that was Hell. Hershey Herself taught me to be thankful that I live a decent life and that I don't get abused. It taught me to lobe my family and to never ever take them for granted.
November 5, 2011
I recommend kids with ages 11-13 to read this book. It not your typical, "Once upon a time.." book. It's a book that will widen our realizations with things about life.
I can somehow relate my own life with this. Especially with the protagonist. I can imagine myself in her shoes! Haha!
I can somehow relate my own life with this. Especially with the protagonist. I can imagine myself in her shoes! Haha!
January 27, 2013
Just by looking at the cover, I thought it won't be as good as it is.. but when I started reading it, I spent the whole day flipping the pages. I just LOVED it. And I found myself crying on the last few pages of this.. :)
January 20, 2015
I own this book and I've read it like a looooong time ago. I bought it because it's purple and because HERSHEY!!!!! I think this really touched me but I don't remember much anymore. Still, this was a part of my childhood haha
November 28, 2008
**On website, reviewabook123.blogspot.com**
April 4, 2011
This was a Amazing Book, I couldn't put it down.
July 20, 2011
Kinda sad, but really good
Want to read
July 2, 2012 Pg 1 of 330
Want to read
March 27, 2008Released May 2008
June 15, 2013
This book is really motivating and engaging
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews