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Snap
. "Children will come away thinking they have heard something quite profound about love, fear, and hope for the future."
- Booklist (starred review)
Eddie Beckey makes lists for just about everything and everyone in her life. And for matters of real importance, she wears (and snaps) an array of colored rubber bands on her wrist. Unfortunately, the world is not always so orderly and knowable. No list can help her cope with what's happening to her best friend, Sally - or change the course of things for Sally's grandmother, whom Eddie has grown to love and depend on as well. With subtlety and insight, novelist Alison McGhee tells the story of a young girl's first encounter with grief, and of the enduring power of friendship.
- Booklist (starred review)
Eddie Beckey makes lists for just about everything and everyone in her life. And for matters of real importance, she wears (and snaps) an array of colored rubber bands on her wrist. Unfortunately, the world is not always so orderly and knowable. No list can help her cope with what's happening to her best friend, Sally - or change the course of things for Sally's grandmother, whom Eddie has grown to love and depend on as well. With subtlety and insight, novelist Alison McGhee tells the story of a young girl's first encounter with grief, and of the enduring power of friendship.
2 pages, Audiobook
First published March 8, 2004
21 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Alison McGhee
54 books402 followersAlison McGhee writes novels, picture books, poems, and essays for all ages, including the just-published THE OPPOSITE OF FATE, a novel, and the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller SOMEDAY, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She lives in Minneapolis and California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 24, 2014
Have not read this yet, good reviews call it a wonderful writing and a slim quick read about friendship, grief, depression...compared to Kate DiCamillo...
Now I have read this and would generally agree with these statements.
Eddie (Edwina !?)and Sally (now it's the summer before 7th grade) have been best friends since the first day of second grade. Eddie is a list maker, habit checker, worrier. Her fond hope is to control life's unpredictables with lists and plans. This is mildly annoying to Sally, and when Sally's life truly spins out of control she really cannot cope with Eddie's attempts to tame the universe. Willie, who has cared for Sally all her life, because Sally's mom, a really nice person, just hasn't been able to, is now deathly ill and everything the girls have depended upon will change. This is their time to step up and be friends and be brave in an uncertain world.
Now I have read this and would generally agree with these statements.
Eddie (Edwina !?)and Sally (now it's the summer before 7th grade) have been best friends since the first day of second grade. Eddie is a list maker, habit checker, worrier. Her fond hope is to control life's unpredictables with lists and plans. This is mildly annoying to Sally, and when Sally's life truly spins out of control she really cannot cope with Eddie's attempts to tame the universe. Willie, who has cared for Sally all her life, because Sally's mom, a really nice person, just hasn't been able to, is now deathly ill and everything the girls have depended upon will change. This is their time to step up and be friends and be brave in an uncertain world.
August 23, 2017
I read the book for work, and found it very touching. The narrative was not a straight forward A to B, and I wonder if it was too subtle or all over the place for its intended audience? I enjoyed it though. And, with all the heart the story has - in addition to a relatable and likeable main character - kids will enjoy it too. I highly recommend this book for children experiencing grief, sadness, or anxiety. Eddie's feelings are taken seriously and she's given coping mechanisms kids could use in their own lives.
Eddie's 'present' is a week or two during the summer between grade six and grade seven, when she learns that her friend's grandmother is sick and dying. Most of the story is told through flashbacks to her younger self: seven years old - the 'age of reason' as Willie says... the first day of grade two... the time her father took her to the Diner... her Sunday's with Sally... We get a great picture of Eddie and Sally's friendship, and how much Eddie admires Sally and her grandmother.
There are lots of stories about living with grief, but most often they're told from the perspective of the person most affected. Instead, this story is told from a secondary griever's POV - Eddie - as she works through her own feelings while also finding herself lost in how to help/support her friend who's grandmother (and primary guardian) is dying. With events filtered through Eddie, I think we're eased into the story without being too triggering (as it might be if we had Sally's POV straight on).
My main criticism of the book would be to question the writer/editor's grammatical choices. Maybe they're emulating the syntax of an eleven year old... but sometimes it just feels odd.
Eddie's 'present' is a week or two during the summer between grade six and grade seven, when she learns that her friend's grandmother is sick and dying. Most of the story is told through flashbacks to her younger self: seven years old - the 'age of reason' as Willie says... the first day of grade two... the time her father took her to the Diner... her Sunday's with Sally... We get a great picture of Eddie and Sally's friendship, and how much Eddie admires Sally and her grandmother.
There are lots of stories about living with grief, but most often they're told from the perspective of the person most affected. Instead, this story is told from a secondary griever's POV - Eddie - as she works through her own feelings while also finding herself lost in how to help/support her friend who's grandmother (and primary guardian) is dying. With events filtered through Eddie, I think we're eased into the story without being too triggering (as it might be if we had Sally's POV straight on).
My main criticism of the book would be to question the writer/editor's grammatical choices. Maybe they're emulating the syntax of an eleven year old... but sometimes it just feels odd.
June 18, 2013
SYNOPSIS:
Eddie Beckey loves to make lists about anything. Her best friend Sally doesn't like list because she believes lists make life predictable. Eddie also wears 6 different colored rubber bands around her wrist which she snaps whenever the event that each band represent occurs. One day Eddie finds out something about her best friends life that will change her life forever and Eddie begins to wonder if their friendship can still survive.
REVIEW:
The story was scattered and all over the place. In one scene Eddie is in a bus with her best friend then all of a sudden she is 7 years old and learning about the "age of wisdom". It was a little to disorganized for my liking. Not only that but all the conflicts, issues, and questions that appear throughout the novel are never answered or solved. All throughout the book Eddie makes lists of things that are unnecessary and unimportant to the story like a list of her best friends hair ornaments, what they ordered for breakfast and the prices of each item, how to braid a braid. Not to mention Eddie was completely unrealistic, what 12 year old thinks about the vast endlessness of space, what the purpose of living was? It was completely ridiculous!!!
RECOMMENDED TO AND AGE RATING:
I don't recommend this book to anyone. For the age rating, it's meant to be a childrens novel but there are words that I believe maybe quite challenging for children so I suggest 10 and over.
IF YOU LOVED "SNAP", YOU'LL LIKE:
"Perfect" By: Natasha Friend
Eddie Beckey loves to make lists about anything. Her best friend Sally doesn't like list because she believes lists make life predictable. Eddie also wears 6 different colored rubber bands around her wrist which she snaps whenever the event that each band represent occurs. One day Eddie finds out something about her best friends life that will change her life forever and Eddie begins to wonder if their friendship can still survive.
REVIEW:
The story was scattered and all over the place. In one scene Eddie is in a bus with her best friend then all of a sudden she is 7 years old and learning about the "age of wisdom". It was a little to disorganized for my liking. Not only that but all the conflicts, issues, and questions that appear throughout the novel are never answered or solved. All throughout the book Eddie makes lists of things that are unnecessary and unimportant to the story like a list of her best friends hair ornaments, what they ordered for breakfast and the prices of each item, how to braid a braid. Not to mention Eddie was completely unrealistic, what 12 year old thinks about the vast endlessness of space, what the purpose of living was? It was completely ridiculous!!!
RECOMMENDED TO AND AGE RATING:
I don't recommend this book to anyone. For the age rating, it's meant to be a childrens novel but there are words that I believe maybe quite challenging for children so I suggest 10 and over.
IF YOU LOVED "SNAP", YOU'LL LIKE:
"Perfect" By: Natasha Friend
January 31, 2014
It's hard for me to judge Snap because it's a meant for a younger audience than most of the stuff I read; I'd say it's suitable for an older elementary reader. McGhee's writing is nice, though, and I enjoyed the story. I might have enjoyed it more than I normally would have because I knew Rabbit loved it. Whatever the reason, I thought it was a sweet story.
The cover image and title made me think it would be about self-harm but it's not; the bracelets are main character Eddie's way of trying to break bad habits. Snap centers around Eddie and her BFF Sally; Sally lives with her (awesome) grandmother Willie and their home is a big part of Eddie's day-to-day life. The meat of the story is Eddie's struggle to understand Sally's changes in behavior when Willie becomes ill. Eddie feels helpless and doesn't know how to help Sally.
Coming to grips with things beyond your control, learning that sometimes all you can do is be there -- Snap covers these things without being preachy. It's a quiet book that was worth a quick read. Definitely not the worst book a 10-year-old could ask you to read.
(three-and-a-half stars)
The cover image and title made me think it would be about self-harm but it's not; the bracelets are main character Eddie's way of trying to break bad habits. Snap centers around Eddie and her BFF Sally; Sally lives with her (awesome) grandmother Willie and their home is a big part of Eddie's day-to-day life. The meat of the story is Eddie's struggle to understand Sally's changes in behavior when Willie becomes ill. Eddie feels helpless and doesn't know how to help Sally.
Coming to grips with things beyond your control, learning that sometimes all you can do is be there -- Snap covers these things without being preachy. It's a quiet book that was worth a quick read. Definitely not the worst book a 10-year-old could ask you to read.
(three-and-a-half stars)
January 2, 2020
The heroine of this piece is Eddie, an 11-year-old girl who has passed sixth and is going into seventh. Her favorite thing to do is write lists. She writes lists about just about everything in an effort to show control of her life. The problem is that Eddie is not naturally organized or neat. She feels that she has many bad habits. Eddie wears rubber bands around her wrist and snaps them to try and change behaviors she doesn’t like, (tipping back in chairs, keeping food in her cheeks, being afraid, etc.)
Eddie’s best friend is Sally. Sally has always lived with her grandmother Willie because her mother Jill had her when she was fifteen and doesn’t talk. When Sally finds out her beloved grandmother is going to die, her world is turned on its ear and so is Sally. Eddie learns that lists can only go so far, and how to be there for her friend. I love the symbolism here of Sally’s grandmother always doing her hair, then no one does her hair (though her mother tries) and then Eddie braids her hair, giving up her rubber bands to keep it in place.
Eddie’s best friend is Sally. Sally has always lived with her grandmother Willie because her mother Jill had her when she was fifteen and doesn’t talk. When Sally finds out her beloved grandmother is going to die, her world is turned on its ear and so is Sally. Eddie learns that lists can only go so far, and how to be there for her friend. I love the symbolism here of Sally’s grandmother always doing her hair, then no one does her hair (though her mother tries) and then Eddie braids her hair, giving up her rubber bands to keep it in place.
August 17, 2009
This is definitely a book to be savored and reread. Each of the characters is memorable in her own right and the interaction between them is depicted with great poignancy. Although this is a novel about death and dying and loss, it is primarily a novel about friendship and relationships. The writing is beautiful and this is a story that will remain very much with you long after you close the book.
January 21, 2009
This is a quiet, quirky book about friendship and caring. Rubber band bracelets, a mom who doesn't talk, a hovel and a true friendship make for a nice read. Reminded me of Kate DiCamillo a bit. I really enjoyed it.
September 7, 2008
this book was really simple and thats why i liked it. but i think the story could have been written better than it was. it almost made me cry.
July 24, 2018
Oh the ending. This book seemed more a tween book. About 12 maybe, although I guess that fits somewhere into young adult. It’s a short read and touches upon that all-important best friend and accepting the death of a loved one when you’re young. But this book is a bit of a cliffhanger because I wanted to get more of the story. Why was Sally saying she wasn’t in the same 2nd grade class as Eddie? That she didn’t know of any hedgehog and especially not the one that brought them together? Does her Mom step up and be her mom? As an adult, I can fill in those blanks, but I don’t see someone younger doing that. Good group book for younger teens that gives opportunity for discussion. I just wish there was more of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2023
Actually started this book 2years ago… but just now finished
Only takes a couple hours to read-so that tells you its not that interesting.
U couldn’t quite figure out what the author was trying to say with 2 eleven year old girls and their lives in NY near the Adirondacks.
At one point near the end the MC asks “why was I in this world?”
What? Us that really her musings as an 11year old?
Eddie sees her Sally’s mom all the time working in town, but the mom, Jill doesn’t live with Sally and grandma Willie? I don’t get it. Was hoping there would be some sort of wrap up to end this short book but there wasn’t.
Wanted to like this Minnesota author, but I’ve now read several of her books and I just don’t cluck with her style.
Only takes a couple hours to read-so that tells you its not that interesting.
U couldn’t quite figure out what the author was trying to say with 2 eleven year old girls and their lives in NY near the Adirondacks.
At one point near the end the MC asks “why was I in this world?”
What? Us that really her musings as an 11year old?
Eddie sees her Sally’s mom all the time working in town, but the mom, Jill doesn’t live with Sally and grandma Willie? I don’t get it. Was hoping there would be some sort of wrap up to end this short book but there wasn’t.
Wanted to like this Minnesota author, but I’ve now read several of her books and I just don’t cluck with her style.
December 21, 2017
I liked this book it was an easy read but made you think..... Although easy to read this book didn't have a traditional layout a beginning middle or end instead it followed the inner mind of a girl called Eddie. About relationships and grief, and how the world around us is changing.
After all was said and done this book left me with questions what happened to willie? What happens with Sally's hair, and what happened when the girls grew up ?
Over all a good book I just wish there was more of it !
After all was said and done this book left me with questions what happened to willie? What happens with Sally's hair, and what happened when the girls grew up ?
Over all a good book I just wish there was more of it !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2018
I read this whole book, and I still can't make sense of it.
Spoilers: Eddie likes to make lists, and she is best friends with Sally. She keeps 7 rubberbands on her wrist to train herself away from perceived bad habits. (what WAS the point of the special purple one?)
Sally's Grandma, Willie, is sick and won't be able to care for her much longer. What will happen to her next?
I do not recommend this book.
Spoilers: Eddie likes to make lists, and she is best friends with Sally. She keeps 7 rubberbands on her wrist to train herself away from perceived bad habits. (what WAS the point of the special purple one?)
Sally's Grandma, Willie, is sick and won't be able to care for her much longer. What will happen to her next?
I do not recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2022
3.5
TW: mentions of past youth pregnancy, trauma, grief, fatal disease
A small and simple story about change and how we all handle grief differently. While nothing much happens, it reflects just how slowly our lives can, but inevitable do, change, and how we handle it.
TW: mentions of past youth pregnancy, trauma, grief, fatal disease
A small and simple story about change and how we all handle grief differently. While nothing much happens, it reflects just how slowly our lives can, but inevitable do, change, and how we handle it.
October 4, 2017
I personally loved this book! I read it over the time span of three days, I think the author did a wonderful job of capturing what they wanted to capture.
April 19, 2018
Great short little story about dealing with changes in life and how one tries to grow from each change.
May 5, 2019
I personally did not enjoy this book because it felt like it kept repeating the same thing over and over again.
February 21, 2024
The ending is so good
November 25, 2025
I first read this book in primary school and it has stuck with me for over 20 years now. A short and powerful little book that most certainly helped to kickstart a lifelong love of reading.
December 1, 2016
3.5
Simple, yet touching
Simple, yet touching
January 19, 2011
Snap By: Alison McGhee is a Middle Grade book about two best friends who are trying to deal with many different issues over one summer. It's sad and sweet and a bit touching, yet their story show how two different young girls deal with their own trying times. One draws into herself and holds everything in while the other uses snapping a rainbow of rubber bands on her wrist to help deal. Finding this book realistic in this day and age was sadly easy. What each character is dealing with could be affecting any young girl or boy.
In the end I wish this book would have been a bit longer and maybe even delve a bit deeper into the issues of both girls. I can understand why this didn’t happen; and can see this book being geared more toward a middle grade audience, so the context, writing and language fit.
All in all, while this book brought on thoughts of just how many young people are out there in the world dealing with issues sometimes much bigger then themselves, I wanted to feel more invested in these two girls and their friendship. I do believe a younger reading audience would find much to relate to within each of the characters – letting them know they are far from alone with many issues they might be facing. Enjoy.
For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - A Life Bound By Books
In the end I wish this book would have been a bit longer and maybe even delve a bit deeper into the issues of both girls. I can understand why this didn’t happen; and can see this book being geared more toward a middle grade audience, so the context, writing and language fit.
All in all, while this book brought on thoughts of just how many young people are out there in the world dealing with issues sometimes much bigger then themselves, I wanted to feel more invested in these two girls and their friendship. I do believe a younger reading audience would find much to relate to within each of the characters – letting them know they are far from alone with many issues they might be facing. Enjoy.
For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - A Life Bound By Books
January 3, 2011
12-5-10
I'm on page 80 of Snap. At this point of the book its getting very interesting, and there are a lot of things to observe. When Jill, Sally's mom talked for the first time to Eddie, Eddie was very surprised she thought Jill didnt talk AT ALL.
12-15-10
My connection from the book to my life is that all of my teachers I have had always told me not to tip back in my chairs. And in Snap Sally's grandmother always tells the girls never to do that.
12-19-10
I'm on page 122 of Snap. My connection from the book to my life is that Eddie's purple wrist band is for when she forgets to wear her glasses. And in my life I always get mad at myself if i forget to wear my retainer.
1-2-11
I just finished the book Snap..and I loved it! It had a very realistic ending. Which is great in my opinion because I hate endings that wouldn't actually happen! This book taught me many lessons and I would suggest it to everyone! I'm so glad I picked this book as my free reading book!
I'm on page 80 of Snap. At this point of the book its getting very interesting, and there are a lot of things to observe. When Jill, Sally's mom talked for the first time to Eddie, Eddie was very surprised she thought Jill didnt talk AT ALL.
12-15-10
My connection from the book to my life is that all of my teachers I have had always told me not to tip back in my chairs. And in Snap Sally's grandmother always tells the girls never to do that.
12-19-10
I'm on page 122 of Snap. My connection from the book to my life is that Eddie's purple wrist band is for when she forgets to wear her glasses. And in my life I always get mad at myself if i forget to wear my retainer.
1-2-11
I just finished the book Snap..and I loved it! It had a very realistic ending. Which is great in my opinion because I hate endings that wouldn't actually happen! This book taught me many lessons and I would suggest it to everyone! I'm so glad I picked this book as my free reading book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2010
This book took less time to read than a novel-in-verse would, yet it has a similar sort of poetic style (sort of), which I would expect from a book written by an accomplished adult author. (The same was true for McGhee's YA book "All Rivers Flow to the Sea," but I found that book less engaging.) You can see clearly in only 128 pages why Eddie and Sally were best friends and get a clear understanding of their every emotion. It is a sad book, but not a remarkably devastating one. It probably isn't a remarkable book by most people's standards of whatever constitutes one, aside from the way it is written which is rather beautiful, but don't hold that against it. It's still a pretty good and moving tale of friendship, fear, and hope. Pretty deep for a kid's book, too.
Read
January 5, 2011TCL call number: J McGhee
no rating
Edwina "Eddie" Beckey is 11 years old and has just finished 6th grade. Eddie loves to make lists -- lists about almost anything. Her lists are witty and always leave a hint towards another part of her life -- or her best friend Sally's life. Eddie and Sally do everything together throughout a summer as their friendship is tested for strengh and trust.
The title comes from the colored rubber bands that Eddie wears around her wrist, and you have to read to the end of the book to find out the significance of the purple band that she periodically "snaps."
Alison McGhee has written en excellent, quick read for 5th-7th graders. You really get attached to all the characters and feel for the girls as they deal with life's challenges.
no rating
Edwina "Eddie" Beckey is 11 years old and has just finished 6th grade. Eddie loves to make lists -- lists about almost anything. Her lists are witty and always leave a hint towards another part of her life -- or her best friend Sally's life. Eddie and Sally do everything together throughout a summer as their friendship is tested for strengh and trust.
The title comes from the colored rubber bands that Eddie wears around her wrist, and you have to read to the end of the book to find out the significance of the purple band that she periodically "snaps."
Alison McGhee has written en excellent, quick read for 5th-7th graders. You really get attached to all the characters and feel for the girls as they deal with life's challenges.
June 4, 2011
a very YA book. very short too, i could have read in one day if i wanted to, but it wasn't that good. so it took me two days. eddie (real name is edwina but her mother never calls her by her nickname) is a 6th going on 7th grader and her best friend sally lives with her grandmother. sally's grandmother is dying and sally has a hard time dealing with it.
the reason the book is called snap is because eddie wears six rubber bands of all different colors on her wrist and she snaps them when she does something of a bad habit.
i am horrible with messages, which is why, tho i love reading, i never did extremely well in english. who knows what this book was trying to convey. i know there is a message there, i just don't care enough to figure out what it is.
grade: C-
the reason the book is called snap is because eddie wears six rubber bands of all different colors on her wrist and she snaps them when she does something of a bad habit.
i am horrible with messages, which is why, tho i love reading, i never did extremely well in english. who knows what this book was trying to convey. i know there is a message there, i just don't care enough to figure out what it is.
grade: C-
July 26, 2011
Edwina's (Eddie's) best friend is Sally. Eddie remembers exactly when they met - the 1st day of 2nd grade.
Eddie makes lists, Sally is a star with the School Rope Power team; they enjoy camping near their home - the foothills of the Adirondacks. There's a lot of laughing going on, but one day that stops, and Eddie realizes she hasn't seen Sally's grandmother walking for a while. Sally lives with her grandmother - she's the type of woman everyone would love to have as their guardian.
In the book Eddie mentions riding the carousel at Saratoga. (I took my son to that carousel when we lived in Clifton Park, NY - I worked at Quad Graphics in Saratoga. Any readers out there with a beloved periwinkle car?)
Eddie makes lists, Sally is a star with the School Rope Power team; they enjoy camping near their home - the foothills of the Adirondacks. There's a lot of laughing going on, but one day that stops, and Eddie realizes she hasn't seen Sally's grandmother walking for a while. Sally lives with her grandmother - she's the type of woman everyone would love to have as their guardian.
In the book Eddie mentions riding the carousel at Saratoga. (I took my son to that carousel when we lived in Clifton Park, NY - I worked at Quad Graphics in Saratoga. Any readers out there with a beloved periwinkle car?)
August 4, 2008
Snap is about an eleven almost twelve year old girl named Eddie. eddie loves to make lists but nothing else in her life is organized but the lists. this book tells the story of eddie and her best friend sally. sally has lived with her grandmother all her lfe because her mother had her at a very young age. now sally's grandmother is dying and sally seems very confused. everytime eddie reminds her of one of their special moments sally tells her none of it ever happened. now sally wont even eat one of her favorite foods.. chocolate covered sprinkle doughnuts! this novel tells the story of two friends and how one must now help the other with their depression i guess you would say.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2011
I have now read everything Alison McGhee has written, save her children's and pictures books. She is definately a favorite author of mine. Snap is one of her two young adult novels. What I love most about her writing is the authenticity she brings to her young narrator's voices. I find that many author's aren't able to capture a child's voice, and the funny way children have of looking at the world. I love that she acknowledges that children are wondering about big questions and struggling to answer them as much as adults are, just with less life experience, and that she grapples with whether that abbreviated experience is always a limitation, or not.
October 31, 2011
This books shows that you should not get obsessed with something and then do that all the time and hurt yourself.If you like books that people get obsessed with something and harms themselves while doing something that could really hurt them.Both girls and if boys could read this book it will teach them why they should not get overly obsessed with something and harm yourself by doing that. In this book i learned that being so addicted to something that can get in the way of a friendship is obviously a bad habit. She like's to make list's of everything and anything. When she realizes when her friend's grandma dies.
July 27, 2012
This book is written in such a way that it flows and can be interpreted in different ways, but still portrays the same message. Self harm is becoming such a big issue in our society that people are still ashamed to talk about in fear of being judged. This book expresses that self harm can occur in other forms, not just cutting, and that people have a knack of doing quirky things that are effective and memorable.
McGhee has a sensible approach to the topic and breaks her plot easily for people to comprehend and interpret, leaving some creativity for our minds to take control over.
McGhee has a sensible approach to the topic and breaks her plot easily for people to comprehend and interpret, leaving some creativity for our minds to take control over.
May 30, 2012
This was one of those books that I think girls would be drawn to, but after reading it I'd be surprised if a lot of students finish it. It struck me that the main character was very obviously written by a person who doesn't really remember what it's like to be 12-ish. I wasn't surprised to find a bookmark stuck in the book about 15 pages in... Sure sign that the last student didn't finish reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews