Looking for Cassandra Jane

Second Chances #5

by Melody Carlson

Written in first-person, memoir style, this is the heart-touching story of Cass Maxwell, a girl struggling to find her identity during the turbulent sixties and seventies. Forced to make her own way from childhood, Cass's strength of spirit lifts her above her circumstances as God calls her to a life of hope and freedom.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Adult

358 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2002

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I have never read this author before, but the story she wrote kept me very interested. There are so many things that Cassandra deals with in her life (abuse, death, drugs, cults, religion). There are times you feel sad for her, times you are routing for her & times you just want to shake some sense into her. I think this book would make a great movie if it was done right.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting into this book for about the first third. From then on, I didn't want to put it down. The writing style is fairly simple, and the story isn't fancy, but it is a good tale of perseverance and strength.

I have a history of attending a church in which people were a little TOO involved in my relationship with God. It wasn't a cult, thank goodness, but I related to Cass' confusion about Sky's role in her spirituality. It was good for me to watch her work out that process in her head and figure out how to seek God on His terms, not on someone else's.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heavy book of topics that is easy to read.

A young woman deals with an abusive past and stumbles into a cult. The story follows her through the stages of her life. You can't help but root for her while simultaneously wanting to shake some sense into her skull.

Heavy topics the book hits on: child abuse, death, Christianity to cult beliefs, anxiety, rape, drug addiction (use and selling), alcoholism, adoption/foster care, child loss, and a brief mention of suicide.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally got my hands on a copy of this one thanks to a used book store! It was a really interesting read, from the Jesus culture of the time period to a girl's growing into maturity. While it is a work of fiction and somewhat extreme, I imagine many believers can see parts of their story in the life of Cassandra.

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Cass as she grows up with no mother and an alcoholic father. Cass grasps for stability and someone to trust in her life and falls into a cult along the way. This story shows how even one person who really cares can make a huge difference in our lives and stresses the importance of forgiveness. An excellent book!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem! I can't find it anywhere besides my bookshelf... couldn't order any for the bookstore! It is about a girl growing up in the 60's with multiple barriers and limited adult support.

[Hannah Brenneman]

Hahahahaha! All I can say is this book is seriously messed up!!!!! As much as I love melody carson, this book is really weird!!!

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I wish everyone would read! It's full of topics that are hard to think about but are happening to people now. Teens in the foster system, feeling unloved and discarded. Falling prey to "religious " fanatics that give them a place to belong. Pressure to have sex and use drugs. Child abuse, alcoholism, and drug abuse.

The characters are relatable and easy to like. My heart became instantly connected to Cassandra. She's someone who's been abused and discarded her whole life. She tries to rise above and be better but instead falls prey to another type of abuse.
Joey is amazing! He's overcome so much in his life, and he strives to achieve his dream.

I like the theme of second chances! Everyone in the book had a choice to better themselves. I like that the author points to God as the one who can heal broken hearts and relationships!

This is a definite must read!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the start of this book. The pain, loneliness and inadequacy Cass feels about her life and childhood is so real, I felt like she was real. I connected with her character on a deep level. I also love the fact that Melody shows the way an upbringing like that will have you grasping for any crumbs of belonging and affection you can get. And also lead you to make some terrible decisions. Cass is a character you deeply relate to and constantly root for. But the end of the story was lazy. The events on the farm are brushed over and minimized once she leaves and the conclusion is just thrown together. Obviously I'm glad she got a happy ending but it almost took away from the integrity of the story. And how raw and honest Melodys writing was in the beginning. Still a really great book but I wish the ending had been better thought out.

[Deborah Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough book, almost considered dnf’ing but got through it very fast. She handled tough subjects with grace and honesty. The cult bit was tough but truly eye opening and a bit unnerving to see how things can begin but change towards the end. So glad the ending pulled through lol bit stressful there.

[Gina Shupp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, there was a lot of action, and what this young girl went through.

[Molly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the BEST books I have ever read. It took me one day to read this book, I could not put it down.

[Amy Roelant]

Interesting LP new but written in past and before Jesus revolution yet same themes. Wrapped up a littlte too quickly.

[Kayleigh Huneycutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Hard to put down. Different from a lot of the books I've read. 📚

[PottWab Regional Library]

E

[Enyonam Dzide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally surprised by this story. I was unsure how I'd progress with a faith based story. Although it wasn't heavy on the religious imagery, it spoke to what was important and Christianity and faith.

I enjoyed the story and couldn't put it down once I was a third trough the book. A really entertaining read, with insights on life.

[Bookishlyinclinded · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strangely written and hard to get into

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

No doubt about it, this was a quick read. I don't know though if I would recommend it to anyone though. Cassandra Jane grows up with a heinously abusive father and a neglectful aunt. Her life is pretty crappy, and she gets the bad breaks all the way around. Whenever she has someone to love who loves her, they are separated permanently. Eventually she finds Jesus, but he comes in the form of a cult leader named Sky, whose madness grows more extreme, and people start to die. Cassandra's journey towards God continues, but the overall story is more sensational than sentimental.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more like a 3.5 almost a four. An engaging story of one woman's faith journey through a lot of adverse situations beginning with the death of her mother and growing up with an alcoholic and abusive father. Highlights a good and faithful God, who is always near, and the power of faithful friends as well.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

My leave favorite of Melody Carlson's books.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, this wasn't my favorite book ever. It was very long and kinda sad.

[Fartun Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me kinda wish i lived in the 70's.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Melody Carlson book.

[melb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had few interesting parts for me. Aside from the bit about cults and Cass and Joey's romance, this book was way too much about "finding Jesus" for me.

[Ashli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Maisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was OKAY

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fictional account of a step by step plunge into a cult in the sixties.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not get in to this one! Will be in back in the library slot in the morning...

[Bria]

one of my favorites

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly amazing book. One that haunts you for years after.