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My Mother Got Married
In this sequel to Don't Make Me Smile , Charlie Hickle's life has become a three-ring circus. Why did his mom have to get remarried anyway? He wants things back the way they used to be—right now!
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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About the author
Barbara Park
380 books1,085 followersBarbara Lynne Park was an American author of children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 19, 2015
دربارهی مسائل غمانگیز و یا چیزهای ناراحتکننده با بچّههایمان حرف نمیزنیم و بعد وقتی مرگی، طلاقی، تصادفی، چیزی اتفاق میافتد کاسهی چه کنم میگیریم به دست که حالا چی بگوییم و چهجوری بگوییم و خودمان که گیج میشویم هیچ، بچّهی طفلکی را هم گیجتر میکنیم. چاره چیست؟ فکر میکنم بهتر است دربارهی بخشهای ناجورِ زندگی هم با بچّههایمان حرف بزنیم و آگاهیِ کافی بدهیم تا بازیِ روزگار نتواند غافلگیرشان کند. میپرسید چگونه؟ خُب، طبیعیست که شما نمیتوانید یک روز صبح تصمیم بگیرید که بنشینید کنار تختِ بچّهتان و منتظر باشید تا وقتی از خواب بیدار شد برایش بگویید مثلاً طلاق چیست یا چرا آدمها میمیرند یا سرطان میگیرند و یا دیوانه میشوند. پیشنهادِ من این است که با ادبیاتِ داستانی این فرصت را به بچّه بدهید تا موقعیّتهای مختلف و شرایطِ گوناگون زندگی را تجربه و تصوّر کند. این روبهرویی به کودک و نوجوان میآموزد رنجها و دشواریهای متفاوتی در زندگی وجود دارد که ممکن است آدم را به ناراحتی و افسردگی یا خشم و خشونت بکشاند، ولی این احساسات دائمی نیست و همیشه برای خلاصی از هر سختی راهحلی معقول و مفید وجود دارد که مسکّن است و زندگی آدم را دوباره به آرامش و آسایش میرساند.
«از من نخواهید لبخند بزنم» و «ازدواج مادرم و بدبختیهای دیگر» روایتی شاد، بامزه و متفاوت از یک رویداد ناراحتکننده است به اسم طلاق که خُب، گاهی اتفاق میافتد و باعث جدایی پدر و مادر و سرگردانیِ بچّه میشود. خانم پارک در این دو کتاب ماجرای پسرکی به نام چارلی را تعریف میکند که پدر و مادرش از هم جدا شدهاند و در پی این اتفاق، زندگیاش پُر شده از مسائل و درگیرهای تازه.
به نظر من، بچّههای ده تا پانزده ساله از خواندنِ این داستان لذّت ببرند. چرا؟ بهخاطر راویِ شوخ و شنگِ مثلاً عصبانیِ داستان، لحنِ صمیمیِ نویسنده و حرفزدن از احساساتِ پنهانِ نوجوانان. ضمناً، آنها جواب خیلی از سؤالهایشان را در این دو کتاب پیدا خواهند کرد. مثل چی؟ مثلاً اینکه چرا بعضی از پدرها و مادرها از هم جدا میشوند بی اینکه سابقهی بحث و دعوا داشته باشند؛ چه اتفاقی میافتد که زن و مردی، که قبلاً عاشق بودهاند، دیگر به ادامهی زندگی با هم علاقه ندارند؛ مشاور کیست و چه کمکی به آدم میکند؛ چرا بعضی از پدرها و مادرهایی که طلاق گرفتهاند دوباره ازدواج میکنند و ... سؤالهایی از این دست.
«از من نخواهید لبخند بزنم» و «ازدواج مادرم و بدبختیهای دیگر» روایتی شاد، بامزه و متفاوت از یک رویداد ناراحتکننده است به اسم طلاق که خُب، گاهی اتفاق میافتد و باعث جدایی پدر و مادر و سرگردانیِ بچّه میشود. خانم پارک در این دو کتاب ماجرای پسرکی به نام چارلی را تعریف میکند که پدر و مادرش از هم جدا شدهاند و در پی این اتفاق، زندگیاش پُر شده از مسائل و درگیرهای تازه.
به نظر من، بچّههای ده تا پانزده ساله از خواندنِ این داستان لذّت ببرند. چرا؟ بهخاطر راویِ شوخ و شنگِ مثلاً عصبانیِ داستان، لحنِ صمیمیِ نویسنده و حرفزدن از احساساتِ پنهانِ نوجوانان. ضمناً، آنها جواب خیلی از سؤالهایشان را در این دو کتاب پیدا خواهند کرد. مثل چی؟ مثلاً اینکه چرا بعضی از پدرها و مادرها از هم جدا میشوند بی اینکه سابقهی بحث و دعوا داشته باشند؛ چه اتفاقی میافتد که زن و مردی، که قبلاً عاشق بودهاند، دیگر به ادامهی زندگی با هم علاقه ندارند؛ مشاور کیست و چه کمکی به آدم میکند؛ چرا بعضی از پدرها و مادرهایی که طلاق گرفتهاند دوباره ازدواج میکنند و ... سؤالهایی از این دست.
July 21, 2021
عالی عالی
باربارا پارک جوری داستان مینویسه که واقعا احساس میکنی یک نوجوان داره داستان تعریف می کنه و از احساسات خودش میگه
باربارا پارک جوری داستان مینویسه که واقعا احساس میکنی یک نوجوان داره داستان تعریف می کنه و از احساسات خودش میگه
June 10, 2019
یه کتاب خوب عالی!
برای کسایی که با ازدواج مادرشون مشکل دارن و همه ی اونایی که هیچ مشکلی ندارن و سایر افراد کتاب خوبیه :)
برای کسایی که با ازدواج مادرشون مشکل دارن و همه ی اونایی که هیچ مشکلی ندارن و سایر افراد کتاب خوبیه :)
June 17, 2009
Here're some amusing quotes from My Mother Got Married (And Other Disasters) by Barbara Park.
(1) "Oh wow!" screeched Lydia, making this tiny high-pitched squeal that only girls and dolphins can make. "Oh, Janet, let me see!"
(2) Sharing is not normal. If you don't believe me, just look at any National Geographic special. Name one lion who spends an entire day killing a zebra and then calls his friend over and says, "Here, Leo. I just spent 10 hrs chasing this zebra all over Africa. Help yourself."
Face it. The only time lions like to share is when they're already finished eating. And to me, that's not sharing. That's full.
(3) When you think about it, the telephone and the toilet are a lot alike. You might not use them that often, but when you need them, you need them.
Barbara Park is hilarious! Hil-ar-ious! Since my publishing house is working on a biography about her, I've also read the prequel to this book, Don't Make Me Smile and Mick Harte Was Here. I loved them too! She's also a really nice person.
(1) "Oh wow!" screeched Lydia, making this tiny high-pitched squeal that only girls and dolphins can make. "Oh, Janet, let me see!"
(2) Sharing is not normal. If you don't believe me, just look at any National Geographic special. Name one lion who spends an entire day killing a zebra and then calls his friend over and says, "Here, Leo. I just spent 10 hrs chasing this zebra all over Africa. Help yourself."
Face it. The only time lions like to share is when they're already finished eating. And to me, that's not sharing. That's full.
(3) When you think about it, the telephone and the toilet are a lot alike. You might not use them that often, but when you need them, you need them.
Barbara Park is hilarious! Hil-ar-ious! Since my publishing house is working on a biography about her, I've also read the prequel to this book, Don't Make Me Smile and Mick Harte Was Here. I loved them too! She's also a really nice person.
April 9, 2009
I was expecting a lot from this book after liking "The Kid in the Red Jacket" SO much, and my high expectations were blown through the roof. The deep, resounding feeling that is flawlessly sewn into the pages of this book touched me down to my marrow. That, in addition to the fact that every few pages or so seemed to find a HUGE laugh (or two, or three!) that had me in tears of laughter. I really cannot see how Barbara Park could have possibly made this story any better; it is one of the very best books that I have EVER read. An astounding, breathtaking achievement.
October 3, 2008
I LOVED this book!
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November 5, 2015Good book about the disasters in charlies life and how he had to adapt to became a part of the family.
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December 4, 2015Title: My Mother Got Married (and other disasters)
Author: Barbara Park
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Theme(s): New Relationships, Divorce, Transitions
Opening line/sentence: “MY PARENTS are divorced. There’s no way to make it sound nice.”
Brief Book Summary: This book is the sequel to Park’s, Don’t Make Me Smile, which is about his parents getting a divorce. This chapter book focuses on his mother’s new relationship with a man named, Ben. Charlie, the main character, is disgusted and uncomfortable with Ben being around so frequently. He has a lot of questions in his head that he wants to ask his mother, but decides to keep quiet instead. Ben becomes more prevalent in their lives, along with his two children. One night when they are over for dinner, Ben proposes to Charlie’s mom. Charlie immediately leaves the room and calls his father to pick him up. His dad is equally shocked, but explains to Charlie that things like this happen. Charlie is not satisfied with his dad’s comments and goes back to his mom’s house. Ben and his two children move in, and his son Thomas has to move into Charlie’s room. Thomas is a small child and brings all of his toys into Charlie’s room. Charlie is bitter from the start because now he is crammed in a small space with a small child who greatly annoys him. Often, Charlie went on the roof when he was angry, and one day Thomas followed him. Thomas lost his balance and Charlie did not think to grab his hand as he fell. Thomas broke his arm and lied to Ben and Charlie’s mom that he fell outside. He did not want to tattle on Charlie because he so dearly wanted to be liked as his brother. In the end, Charlie tells the truth to Ben and they reminisce over old photographs of Charlie’s mom and dad. Ben explains how they both have pasts, but he is willing to start a future with Charlie and his mom. Their relationship slowly comes together at the end, and Charlie seems willing to continue building relationships with the new members of his family.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
This refreshing book about parents' remarriage picks up where Park's Don't Make Me Smile left off. It is already difficult for Charlie, 11, to accept his parents' divorce, but then his mother starts dating Ben Russo, one of those guys ``you see in commercials walking through the woods swinging an ax and eating acorns and wild berries.'' Ben's wife died five years ago, forcing him to raise their two children alone, but that doesn't mean Charlie ``automatically has to like him.'' When Charlie's mother and Ben marry and the Russos move into Charlie's house, life becomes disastrous. Thomas, five, follows Charlie everywhere; Ben's daughter Lydia monopolizes the bathroom and the phone; Ben doesn't seem to like Charlie; and his mother has no time for him anymore. Charlie's honesty and sensitivity is as hilarious as it is touching; his reflections are unique and his realizations are meaningful. This book is a delight for all readers, but will be especially appreciated by those in Charlie's situation. Ages 9-12. (Apr . )
(PUBLISHER: Knopf (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1989.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: KIRKUS REVIEW
A year after his parents' divorce (Don't Make Me Smile, 1981), Charlie Hickle has another shock: his mother marries Ben, a quiet man who is ""as different from my dad as you can get,"" a widower with two children who seem to take over Charlie's house. Thomas, five, is delighted to share Charlie's small room, his worship of his new stepbrother making him a real pest; teen-age Lydia is always on the phone--except when she's locked in the only bathroom. Meanwhile, Charlie, a self-centered only child who is used to his mother's full attention, has a predictably tough time adjusting and spends most of the book sulking, feeling sorry for himself, or being rude; only after he is inadvertently responsible for Thomas falling from the roof does he take a hard look at himself and start to meet his nice new family half way. Nothing extraordinary here, but Charlie's narration is an engagingly deft blend of humor and honest self-appraisal. Having thrown a tantrum when his mother offers her new mother-in-law his bed for the night, he observes, ""I don't usually explode like that in front of strangers. Normally I save the worst behavior for those I love."" He also realizes that the bickering that follows his withdrawal from his new siblings is a step in the right direction. Not deep, then, but right on target; kids who love Superfudge will love this too.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Along with both reviews, I found Charlie’s humor to be the driving force in what kept me interested in this book. This book shows the real emotions kids go through when their parents get divorced and start to create new families. Sometimes kids lash out, and other times they stay quiet. This chapter book shows various situations where Charlie reacts in different manners to express the emotion he is feeling. Throughout the book, the reader can understand how Charlie feels as a once only child to now a kid who has two stepsiblings.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Charlie’s sarcasm throughout the book was humorous and insightful into what his silence really meant. Many times when Charlie wanted to talk to his mom about her relationship with Ben, he became quiet and went off to his room. However, the Charlie’s internal thoughts show the reader Charlie’s true feelings that he does not want to express vocally to his mother. The day Ben proposes to Charlie’s mother, he loses it and lets all of his emotions out. Instantly after, he calls his dad to pick him up. His internal thoughts and sarcasm help the reader follow his character development as his feelings begin to turn into words.
Consideration of Instructional Application: The teacher could ask his/her students to act as if they were Charlie. Instead of bottling their emotions up, the teacher would ask the students to write a letter to Charlie’s mom explaining how he felt about Ben and his kids moving into their lives. Through this activity, the students would be able to practice letter writing and the importance of getting your thoughts and feelings onto paper. Their letters could then be shared with the class, so the students could see their peers’ interpretations of Charlie’s emotions throughout the story.
Author: Barbara Park
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Theme(s): New Relationships, Divorce, Transitions
Opening line/sentence: “MY PARENTS are divorced. There’s no way to make it sound nice.”
Brief Book Summary: This book is the sequel to Park’s, Don’t Make Me Smile, which is about his parents getting a divorce. This chapter book focuses on his mother’s new relationship with a man named, Ben. Charlie, the main character, is disgusted and uncomfortable with Ben being around so frequently. He has a lot of questions in his head that he wants to ask his mother, but decides to keep quiet instead. Ben becomes more prevalent in their lives, along with his two children. One night when they are over for dinner, Ben proposes to Charlie’s mom. Charlie immediately leaves the room and calls his father to pick him up. His dad is equally shocked, but explains to Charlie that things like this happen. Charlie is not satisfied with his dad’s comments and goes back to his mom’s house. Ben and his two children move in, and his son Thomas has to move into Charlie’s room. Thomas is a small child and brings all of his toys into Charlie’s room. Charlie is bitter from the start because now he is crammed in a small space with a small child who greatly annoys him. Often, Charlie went on the roof when he was angry, and one day Thomas followed him. Thomas lost his balance and Charlie did not think to grab his hand as he fell. Thomas broke his arm and lied to Ben and Charlie’s mom that he fell outside. He did not want to tattle on Charlie because he so dearly wanted to be liked as his brother. In the end, Charlie tells the truth to Ben and they reminisce over old photographs of Charlie’s mom and dad. Ben explains how they both have pasts, but he is willing to start a future with Charlie and his mom. Their relationship slowly comes together at the end, and Charlie seems willing to continue building relationships with the new members of his family.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
This refreshing book about parents' remarriage picks up where Park's Don't Make Me Smile left off. It is already difficult for Charlie, 11, to accept his parents' divorce, but then his mother starts dating Ben Russo, one of those guys ``you see in commercials walking through the woods swinging an ax and eating acorns and wild berries.'' Ben's wife died five years ago, forcing him to raise their two children alone, but that doesn't mean Charlie ``automatically has to like him.'' When Charlie's mother and Ben marry and the Russos move into Charlie's house, life becomes disastrous. Thomas, five, follows Charlie everywhere; Ben's daughter Lydia monopolizes the bathroom and the phone; Ben doesn't seem to like Charlie; and his mother has no time for him anymore. Charlie's honesty and sensitivity is as hilarious as it is touching; his reflections are unique and his realizations are meaningful. This book is a delight for all readers, but will be especially appreciated by those in Charlie's situation. Ages 9-12. (Apr . )
(PUBLISHER: Knopf (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1989.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: KIRKUS REVIEW
A year after his parents' divorce (Don't Make Me Smile, 1981), Charlie Hickle has another shock: his mother marries Ben, a quiet man who is ""as different from my dad as you can get,"" a widower with two children who seem to take over Charlie's house. Thomas, five, is delighted to share Charlie's small room, his worship of his new stepbrother making him a real pest; teen-age Lydia is always on the phone--except when she's locked in the only bathroom. Meanwhile, Charlie, a self-centered only child who is used to his mother's full attention, has a predictably tough time adjusting and spends most of the book sulking, feeling sorry for himself, or being rude; only after he is inadvertently responsible for Thomas falling from the roof does he take a hard look at himself and start to meet his nice new family half way. Nothing extraordinary here, but Charlie's narration is an engagingly deft blend of humor and honest self-appraisal. Having thrown a tantrum when his mother offers her new mother-in-law his bed for the night, he observes, ""I don't usually explode like that in front of strangers. Normally I save the worst behavior for those I love."" He also realizes that the bickering that follows his withdrawal from his new siblings is a step in the right direction. Not deep, then, but right on target; kids who love Superfudge will love this too.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Along with both reviews, I found Charlie’s humor to be the driving force in what kept me interested in this book. This book shows the real emotions kids go through when their parents get divorced and start to create new families. Sometimes kids lash out, and other times they stay quiet. This chapter book shows various situations where Charlie reacts in different manners to express the emotion he is feeling. Throughout the book, the reader can understand how Charlie feels as a once only child to now a kid who has two stepsiblings.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Charlie’s sarcasm throughout the book was humorous and insightful into what his silence really meant. Many times when Charlie wanted to talk to his mom about her relationship with Ben, he became quiet and went off to his room. However, the Charlie’s internal thoughts show the reader Charlie’s true feelings that he does not want to express vocally to his mother. The day Ben proposes to Charlie’s mother, he loses it and lets all of his emotions out. Instantly after, he calls his dad to pick him up. His internal thoughts and sarcasm help the reader follow his character development as his feelings begin to turn into words.
Consideration of Instructional Application: The teacher could ask his/her students to act as if they were Charlie. Instead of bottling their emotions up, the teacher would ask the students to write a letter to Charlie’s mom explaining how he felt about Ben and his kids moving into their lives. Through this activity, the students would be able to practice letter writing and the importance of getting your thoughts and feelings onto paper. Their letters could then be shared with the class, so the students could see their peers’ interpretations of Charlie’s emotions throughout the story.
May 30, 2023
My Mother Got Married (and other disasters) is the sequel to Barbara Park's children's book Don't Make Me Smile. The first book has Charlie dealing with the divorce of his parents. In this sequel, Charlie is dealing with his mother's remarriage and becoming a blended family. This sequel is wonderful. Park writes Charlie with honesty and humor. It's the kind of book I wish I had written. I was laughing quite a few times throughout the novel. It tackles the new guy, his children, the death of a parent, jealousy, etc. I know that Parks is known for her Junie B. Jones series, but her other books deserve to be recognized. I think I enjoyed this book more than the first. Hoping to read more from Park over the summer. Highly recommend it for children dealing with divorced parents or stepparents/ siblings. My rating - 5/5
September 2, 2025
Some charming details not seen in other books on the theme. But (fortunately) dated - the kinds of problems today's kids encounter do not include not knowing what 'joint custody' means, for example.
Mom is handling this terribly, and nobody is handling it well. I don't understand why the book opens with the boy admitting he got professional help to deal with the divorce, and then apparently everybody forgot the value of therapy. This family definitely needs it.
"They say that time fixes everything but it doesn't.... Time can't change what already happened. It can only help you accept it a little easier, that's all."
Mom is handling this terribly, and nobody is handling it well. I don't understand why the book opens with the boy admitting he got professional help to deal with the divorce, and then apparently everybody forgot the value of therapy. This family definitely needs it.
"They say that time fixes everything but it doesn't.... Time can't change what already happened. It can only help you accept it a little easier, that's all."
January 6, 2017
Just as she did with Don't Make Me Smile, Barbara Park brings Charlie back for a hilarious sequel staying true to his sarcastic and sensitive self. I read this one before Don't Make Me Smile and still loved it; doesn't spoil anything from the first book.
September 28, 2019
A fun book with good lessons for parents and children of divorce.
December 29, 2021
Cute book! Three 10 year olds really liked it.
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April 29, 2014My Mother Got Married was an extremely different book for the time that it was written. I think it was rather progressive, but probably very beneficial to some children at the time. The idea of two families merging to become one and blend together is a hard concept for children to relate to or feel like people understand what they are going through. This story would be a strong recommendation if I ever had a student whose parents were getting remarried because I think it helps give someone a connecting point. Whether they are the annoying younger sibling who constantly rags on everyone or the older sibling who feels over crowded, there is a connection for everyone in this story.
It all starts with Charles's mom getting remarried and he now has this new pesky younger step sibling, Thomas. Thomas is only 5 years old and wants to do everything with Charles. Charles is easily aggravated by all of Thomas's antics on top of the fact that he feels like his parents have betrayed him. In the end of the story Charles runs away out of rage and when he comes home he climbs on the roof to enjoy the weather and get some peace. Thomas finds him on the room and attempts to climb out there with him. He ends up falling off the roof due to Charles not lending him a supportive hand. Charles feels immense guilt about Thomas's stumble and broken collar bone and feels even worse when he finds out that Thomas did not rat him out to his parents. This is a defining moment and turning point in their relationship.
It all starts with Charles's mom getting remarried and he now has this new pesky younger step sibling, Thomas. Thomas is only 5 years old and wants to do everything with Charles. Charles is easily aggravated by all of Thomas's antics on top of the fact that he feels like his parents have betrayed him. In the end of the story Charles runs away out of rage and when he comes home he climbs on the roof to enjoy the weather and get some peace. Thomas finds him on the room and attempts to climb out there with him. He ends up falling off the roof due to Charles not lending him a supportive hand. Charles feels immense guilt about Thomas's stumble and broken collar bone and feels even worse when he finds out that Thomas did not rat him out to his parents. This is a defining moment and turning point in their relationship.
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May 12, 2016I feel that the author is trying to write as if she were a child considering that the story is from a child’s point of view. It works really well because even though is the author is an adult woman I can hear the voice of a young boy speaking to me as I read. This connection makes it really engaging and relatable, even in the first few pages. For example the young boy talks about how he was not spying on his mother and he is finding it difficult to explain that he just happened to be up on the roof, they happened to be holding hands and he happened to see them. This is how I feel many times. Because of this I could relate to and enjoy the book unlike any other book and when I was reading the pages I felt that comfortable warmth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2015
Read this book for the first time in 4th grade, and remember laughing out loud. Over an over. It may have been the first book that I read on my own to really make me do that, and every few years I go back and read it again. Park writes detailed and hysterical characters that feel REAL. It's one of the best young reader novels out there and I hope 4th graders everywhere are still discovering what written wit looks like, thanks to Barbara Park.
December 7, 2014
This book is about a little boy, Charlie Hickle's, and how his mom got re-married. He is trying to deal with a new dad and stepbrothers and stepsisters. Often times when these situation happen to kids they do not know what to do. They don't want to share their things or their room. This book can be helpful if students or children are put into this situation and how to handle it.
November 26, 2012
11-year-old Charlie Hickle adjusts to a new family and living arrangement after his mother remarries a man with a teen daughter and 5-year-old son. This is a very honest chapter book about blended families, with a welcome touch of humor.
December 8, 2013
The main character is 11, but so young sounding. I think this could be read aloud to 4th graders and appreciated.
Park is such an effortless writing , and I love her honest voice, even if it does sound the same across all her books (about diff characters of all diff ages....)
Park is such an effortless writing , and I love her honest voice, even if it does sound the same across all her books (about diff characters of all diff ages....)
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June 4, 2009JEAR3-Par
May 20, 2010
I thought the author did a good job of describing the frustration of having everything change and no one to listen to you.
December 26, 2010
I really liked this book. It was funny and it was just fun to read.
May 14, 2016
The sequel wasn't quite as funny as the first book but following Charlie's journey into blended family-ness was still heartwarming.
April 14, 2021
gateway :'^)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews