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Gem & Dixie
“A story that broke my heart and put it back together again. You won’t want to let Gem and Dixie go.” —Sarah Dessen, New York Times bestselling author of Saint Anything
From renowned author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr comes a deep, nuanced, and gorgeously written story about the complex relationship between two sisters from a broken home.
Gem has never known what it is to have security. She’s never known an adult she can truly rely on. But the one constant in her life has been Dixie. Gem grew up taking care of her sister when no one else not their mother, whose issues make it hard for her to keep food on the table, and definitely not their father, whose intermittent presence is the only thing worse than his frequent absence. Even as Gem and Dixie have grown apart, they’ve always had each other.
When their dad returns home for the first time in years and tries to insert himself back into their lives, Gem finds herself with an unexpected three days with Dixie—on their own in Seattle and beyond. But this short trip soon becomes something more, as Gem discovers that that to save herself, she may have to sever the one bond she’s tried so hard to keep.
From renowned author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr comes a deep, nuanced, and gorgeously written story about the complex relationship between two sisters from a broken home.
Gem has never known what it is to have security. She’s never known an adult she can truly rely on. But the one constant in her life has been Dixie. Gem grew up taking care of her sister when no one else not their mother, whose issues make it hard for her to keep food on the table, and definitely not their father, whose intermittent presence is the only thing worse than his frequent absence. Even as Gem and Dixie have grown apart, they’ve always had each other.
When their dad returns home for the first time in years and tries to insert himself back into their lives, Gem finds herself with an unexpected three days with Dixie—on their own in Seattle and beyond. But this short trip soon becomes something more, as Gem discovers that that to save herself, she may have to sever the one bond she’s tried so hard to keep.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2017
93 people are currently reading
5021 people want to read
About the author
Sara Zarr
19 books1,295 followersSara Zarr is the acclaimed author of ten books, most recently Goodbye from Nowhere, and Courageous Creativity: Advice and Encouragement for the Creative Life--a book on creativity for the young and young-at-heart. She’s a National Book Award finalist and two-time Utah Book Award winner, and is the host and producer of the This Creative Life podcast. Her first book, Story of a Girl, was made into a 2017 television movie directed by Kyra Sedgwick. She lives with her husband and cat, Mr. Donut, in CA and UT.
How I use goodreads: To log books I read in a year, books I want to read, and books by authors who were on my podcast, This Creative Life. (Those also turn up on my read shelf though I haven't necessarily read them!) I don't use the rating system but I will jot some notes about the books if I remember!
How I use goodreads: To log books I read in a year, books I want to read, and books by authors who were on my podcast, This Creative Life. (Those also turn up on my read shelf though I haven't necessarily read them!) I don't use the rating system but I will jot some notes about the books if I remember!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 411 reviews
December 28, 2016
Two sisters -
Gem 17....Dixie 14
The sisters didn't have a charming - faithful mother -or a strong benevolent father.
Adria is a mother who self medicates.
Russell, their father - into other women- had been gone for years - but then comes back. Russell brought back with him a backpack filled with cash.
With unrelenting poor living conditions--Gem 'especially' felt the burdens being the older sister from so much neglect and abandonment. She also remembers more... and is most suspicious of her father and his 'cash' when he returns.
Gem is a buffer - in ways for Dixie. They grew up in the same household- but felt things differently- and were different in personalities. However - they each must find ways to survive and cope.
Dixie tends to act older than she is - is more outgoing- flirtatious-and is aware of her beauty. Gem is more a loner. She is also often in her school counselors office - seeking advice.
In time... Gem convinces Dixie that they should split....leave their parents - leave their Seattle home - take their father's cash and just leave.
Survival only gets harder on the sisters adventure. These two sisters know each other and where they each came from better than anyone else in the world....
but they don't hold onto to each other as if they are all that matters.
They were taught 'disconnect'......and in time that's what begins to happen to them: they disconnect.
There were some very realistic situations in the ways each sister responded to their mother. Dixie, the youngest got along with her mother --she wished for peace between her mom & Gem.
However... Gem carried the heavier baggage of knowledge of things that just were not right. The conflicts between the sisters - were in part - 'because' of there different ways of relating to their mother.
I thought of my older sister Gail. Gail is 5.5 years older than me. She was almost 10 when our father died. I followed her around like a favorite stuffed bunny whenever possible after our dad died. I loved everything about her...but she often bolted herself. She was angry at our mother's behavior... for leaving me home alone at night at 5.... and for not being a more 'cozy' type of mother. My sister was angry at my mom for not taking me to the doctor when I was sick. ( and I turned out to be very sick in 8th grade).... My sister was mad at 'me' for defending mom - and not her. For not cooking...for lists of things. I was just sad that everyone was leaving -or dying.
By age 15... my sister was almost never home. Our relationship suffered for many years. She was angry at me because I wasn't angry at our mother 'with' her. I didn't want to be angry at my mom. I figured I already loss a dad - and my sister was running away. I was hoping for 'somebody'.... even false hope was better than nothing. BUT ... years later - I fully understood things which my sister was dealing with - trying to be the adult - and getting no agreement or validation. It must have been the most lonely experience.
A few years after my marriage-- my sister and I began to 'returned' to each other. The day our mother died... [11 years ago]....my sister and I re-built our relationship. I held onto my sister - like a lifeline. I wanted my relationship with her more than ever.
She still was never able to forgive our mom... but she understands why I held on 'wanting' a mother - even if most would say she was unfit.
My sister and I ARE very close today. I treasure her more than life itself.
This book had 'many' of those same 'older/younger' sister elements I experienced ---
It's not an award Pulitzer Prize book - but for the 'sisters' of the world - it has elements in here which I think many will relate to. NOT PERFECT ... There are better written books- but--- I liked it for what it was!
This is a Young Adult book - heartfelt- tender. The resilience of Gem and Dixie is moving.
3.5
Thank You HarperCollins and Sara Zarr
Gem 17....Dixie 14
The sisters didn't have a charming - faithful mother -or a strong benevolent father.
Adria is a mother who self medicates.
Russell, their father - into other women- had been gone for years - but then comes back. Russell brought back with him a backpack filled with cash.
With unrelenting poor living conditions--Gem 'especially' felt the burdens being the older sister from so much neglect and abandonment. She also remembers more... and is most suspicious of her father and his 'cash' when he returns.
Gem is a buffer - in ways for Dixie. They grew up in the same household- but felt things differently- and were different in personalities. However - they each must find ways to survive and cope.
Dixie tends to act older than she is - is more outgoing- flirtatious-and is aware of her beauty. Gem is more a loner. She is also often in her school counselors office - seeking advice.
In time... Gem convinces Dixie that they should split....leave their parents - leave their Seattle home - take their father's cash and just leave.
Survival only gets harder on the sisters adventure. These two sisters know each other and where they each came from better than anyone else in the world....
but they don't hold onto to each other as if they are all that matters.
They were taught 'disconnect'......and in time that's what begins to happen to them: they disconnect.
There were some very realistic situations in the ways each sister responded to their mother. Dixie, the youngest got along with her mother --she wished for peace between her mom & Gem.
However... Gem carried the heavier baggage of knowledge of things that just were not right. The conflicts between the sisters - were in part - 'because' of there different ways of relating to their mother.
I thought of my older sister Gail. Gail is 5.5 years older than me. She was almost 10 when our father died. I followed her around like a favorite stuffed bunny whenever possible after our dad died. I loved everything about her...but she often bolted herself. She was angry at our mother's behavior... for leaving me home alone at night at 5.... and for not being a more 'cozy' type of mother. My sister was angry at my mom for not taking me to the doctor when I was sick. ( and I turned out to be very sick in 8th grade).... My sister was mad at 'me' for defending mom - and not her. For not cooking...for lists of things. I was just sad that everyone was leaving -or dying.
By age 15... my sister was almost never home. Our relationship suffered for many years. She was angry at me because I wasn't angry at our mother 'with' her. I didn't want to be angry at my mom. I figured I already loss a dad - and my sister was running away. I was hoping for 'somebody'.... even false hope was better than nothing. BUT ... years later - I fully understood things which my sister was dealing with - trying to be the adult - and getting no agreement or validation. It must have been the most lonely experience.
A few years after my marriage-- my sister and I began to 'returned' to each other. The day our mother died... [11 years ago]....my sister and I re-built our relationship. I held onto my sister - like a lifeline. I wanted my relationship with her more than ever.
She still was never able to forgive our mom... but she understands why I held on 'wanting' a mother - even if most would say she was unfit.
My sister and I ARE very close today. I treasure her more than life itself.
This book had 'many' of those same 'older/younger' sister elements I experienced ---
It's not an award Pulitzer Prize book - but for the 'sisters' of the world - it has elements in here which I think many will relate to. NOT PERFECT ... There are better written books- but--- I liked it for what it was!
This is a Young Adult book - heartfelt- tender. The resilience of Gem and Dixie is moving.
3.5
Thank You HarperCollins and Sara Zarr
January 23, 2018
full review posted
If I had judged this book based on the first few chapters, I would have instantly gave it 5 stars. Legit one of the greatest, most realistic contemporaries beginning I’ve read.and then I reached the halfway mark and it all went downhill but shhhh, im trying not to think about that
Pros
- The first half of this book was absolutely incredible to me. Not only the amazingly realistic portrayal of neglect but also the characters were real as hell
- Take this quote for instance:
^MEMEMEMEMEMEMMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMMEME
- Let’s address the neglect part.
- So gem and dixie are sisters who have grown apart with age. Ever since their father left and their mother had to provide for them, they’ve been struggling in so many aspects, mainly finances i.e. there is NEVER food in their house and we see gem struggle with this right from the beginning
- BUT WHAT’S AMAZING ABOUT THAT YOU ASK
- Their mom isn’t portrayed as a demon, monster, evil witch lady who hates their existence and purposely starves them and is totally unrealistic. NO. there are moments when she is so tender and caring for them and jokes around with her daughters that will momentarily see through her neglect and that just MAKES IT SO MUCH MORE REAL
- I love three dimensional characters and that’s exactly what we got.
- Humans aren’t one cut, good or bad, and seeing that in fiction makes me so fjdafhkafhkas
- We also got to see these kind of tendencies with their father tho it was easier to see through
- Moving on, there was no romance, which isn’t really a pro or con for me,I don’t mind either way but I found it quite refreshing to see in YA
- The sisterly relationship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- The ending was realistic and positive and im very pleased with it
Cons
- So, after the second half mark, the book kinda went all over the place (in my honest opinion)
- Where the first half was very structured and easy to follow through, the second half left me feeling like ‘whats the point this book is serving anymore?’
- That’s never a good thing
- It just felt really disorganized and messy and unnecessary like I get the characters had to take certain actions but why’d it have to be so….monotone??
- Also a lot of the decisions they made were strange and irrational, which is expected from teenagers but it just felt like it didn’t belong to the first half of the book ;-;
- It just wasn’t a memorable book for me
In conclusion, dis a good book.
“Everything that happened. It was only because we wanted our parents to be better, to know how to take care of us.”
3 stars!!
If I had judged this book based on the first few chapters, I would have instantly gave it 5 stars. Legit one of the greatest, most realistic contemporaries beginning I’ve read.
Pros
- The first half of this book was absolutely incredible to me. Not only the amazingly realistic portrayal of neglect but also the characters were real as hell
- Take this quote for instance:
Sometimes, at our appointments, I’d tell him a lot, and it felt good in the moment, finally saying the things I’d had stuck in my head all that week. But then I’d be in bed those nights, and a smothering kind of panic would settle on me that I’d said too much. Like I’d given away something I needed and couldn’t get back.
^MEMEMEMEMEMEMMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMMEME
- Let’s address the neglect part.
- So gem and dixie are sisters who have grown apart with age. Ever since their father left and their mother had to provide for them, they’ve been struggling in so many aspects, mainly finances i.e. there is NEVER food in their house and we see gem struggle with this right from the beginning
- BUT WHAT’S AMAZING ABOUT THAT YOU ASK
- Their mom isn’t portrayed as a demon, monster, evil witch lady who hates their existence and purposely starves them and is totally unrealistic. NO. there are moments when she is so tender and caring for them and jokes around with her daughters that will momentarily see through her neglect and that just MAKES IT SO MUCH MORE REAL
- I love three dimensional characters and that’s exactly what we got.
- Humans aren’t one cut, good or bad, and seeing that in fiction makes me so fjdafhkafhkas
- We also got to see these kind of tendencies with their father tho it was easier to see through
- Moving on, there was no romance, which isn’t really a pro or con for me,
- The sisterly relationship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- The ending was realistic and positive and im very pleased with it
Cons
- So, after the second half mark, the book kinda went all over the place (in my honest opinion)
- Where the first half was very structured and easy to follow through, the second half left me feeling like ‘whats the point this book is serving anymore?’
- That’s never a good thing
- It just felt really disorganized and messy and unnecessary like I get the characters had to take certain actions but why’d it have to be so….monotone??
- Also a lot of the decisions they made were strange and irrational, which is expected from teenagers but it just felt like it didn’t belong to the first half of the book ;-;
- It just wasn’t a memorable book for me
In conclusion, dis a good book.
“Everything that happened. It was only because we wanted our parents to be better, to know how to take care of us.”
3 stars!!
March 23, 2017
I just can't decide if I liked this novel or not. There were parts in it that made my heart ache for Gem and her feelings of abandonment and neglect. Zarr had painted a family with a very specific, tragic dysfunction, and it affected me greatly to witness it. But then, there were long parts of the story that felt flat and underwritten and rambling, when Gem sounded not 17 but 10. Do all Zarr's books have this too-simple language? I've read them all, but I can't remember being bothered by this simplicity before. There is just something about Gem & Dixie that didn't work for me and I am failing to pinpoint what it is on my own.
January 28, 2021
Not her best work, for me, having read all of her novels but it was good all the same.
Gem & Dixie has the same emotional tone with Sara Zarr's other novels.
Which I like.
Which always gets me.
No wonder I consider her one of my favourite authors.
Gem & Dixie is about the complex relationship between two sisters from a broken home. It is about Gem, in particular, as she steps up for her family amidst her jealousy for Dixie, her personal problems and her issues with her parents. It shouldn't be like that but Gem has no choice.
It is a well-written novel that shows how strong and mature Gem was and also shows the opposite. Her uncertainty and indecisiveness. Her petty actions and impulsiveness.
More importantly so, I loved how realistic this novel feels from the setup to emotional stress it brings. I think it shows and even captures one of the possibilities of how life goes in a broken home, in a broken family.
Gem & Dixie has the same emotional tone with Sara Zarr's other novels.
Which I like.
Which always gets me.
No wonder I consider her one of my favourite authors.
Gem & Dixie is about the complex relationship between two sisters from a broken home. It is about Gem, in particular, as she steps up for her family amidst her jealousy for Dixie, her personal problems and her issues with her parents. It shouldn't be like that but Gem has no choice.
It is a well-written novel that shows how strong and mature Gem was and also shows the opposite. Her uncertainty and indecisiveness. Her petty actions and impulsiveness.
More importantly so, I loved how realistic this novel feels from the setup to emotional stress it brings. I think it shows and even captures one of the possibilities of how life goes in a broken home, in a broken family.
May 24, 2017
I've read a lot of books with this narrative, and it didn't really do anything new or outstanding for me. The characters felt real and were well developed, it had some solid quotes, good messages, but it fell apart a little by the end and overall there was nothing overly impressive or memorable about this.
This book comes out in April- an early copy was provided by the publisher.
This book comes out in April- an early copy was provided by the publisher.
March 29, 2017
(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was a contemporary story about two sisters, and their less-than-perfect home life.
Gem was an okay character, and I felt quite sorry for her when she was hungry and had no food to eat and no money to buy food with. I did find her plans a little lacking at times though, and it seemed a little foolish to splash out on doughnuts when she could have made the money last her longer.
The storyline in this was about Gem and her sister Dixie, and their life with their mother who wasn’t very reliable. We had their father turn up unexpectedly, and try to insert himself back into their lives, and a big bag of cash that he brought with him which we never really got an answer as to where it came from. I expected this book to be more about the relationship between Gem and Dixie though, and they didn’t really support each other that much at all. In fact, Dixie was actually quite unpleasant towards Gem at times, and poor Gem got the short end of the stick time and time again.
The ending to this was okay, although again it wasn’t what I was expecting. I also thought there would be more repercussions about the money as well.
6.5 out of 10
“Everything that happened. It was only because we wanted our parents to be better, to know how to take care of us.”
This was a contemporary story about two sisters, and their less-than-perfect home life.
Gem was an okay character, and I felt quite sorry for her when she was hungry and had no food to eat and no money to buy food with. I did find her plans a little lacking at times though, and it seemed a little foolish to splash out on doughnuts when she could have made the money last her longer.
The storyline in this was about Gem and her sister Dixie, and their life with their mother who wasn’t very reliable. We had their father turn up unexpectedly, and try to insert himself back into their lives, and a big bag of cash that he brought with him which we never really got an answer as to where it came from. I expected this book to be more about the relationship between Gem and Dixie though, and they didn’t really support each other that much at all. In fact, Dixie was actually quite unpleasant towards Gem at times, and poor Gem got the short end of the stick time and time again.
The ending to this was okay, although again it wasn’t what I was expecting. I also thought there would be more repercussions about the money as well.
6.5 out of 10
June 1, 2017
Fine but forgettable tbh.
May 2, 2017
Every new book by Sara Zarr I think, It's not possible, but this one was EVEN BETTER than the last one! So guess what? GEM & DIXIE was even better than the last one!
How does she keep doing it? Is it . . . a secret voodoo ritual? Do I even want to know? Nah. I will approve any black magic that continues to bring me books like these.
Also, every time she has tackled a topic that could be too sad, or too embarrassing, or simply too raw to make the book enjoyable. Like abuse, teen pregnancy, abduction, addiction, loss of faith, loss of family, loss of reputation. But, although she pulls no punches, and her books are incredibly naked and heartfelt, I've never thought, Whoa, she crossed a line! Or, I really hate this!
No, I love it. I laugh. I cry. I see myself and others that I know and love in her characters. She brings about understanding. She makes you see and feel what these lives are like, she makes you walk in these shoes that you never thought you would care about. In short, Sara has an amazing gift, and the fact that she is sharing that gift with the world is an amazing thing.
GEM & DIXIE is about sisters, and it's about childhood, and well, not having a childhood.
When is a kid considered "at risk?" When does the school qualify them as "in danger?" How bad do things have to be? What if you're not abused, what if you're not homeless, but you've just had enough? You're just close enough to poverty, you're just close enough to not having food, that you try and pretend things are okay, and the adults around you pretend it too? How long can a teen girl go, being the only one in the family keeping it all together, before she cracks? What are the actual duties of a big sister, and how much of herself does she need to sacrifice?
This is a beautiful, fascinating look at these questions. I'm a little sister. I went to the book launch with my big sister. Our childhood looked nothing like the one in the book, yet I can see so much of myself in both these girls. This is a gorgeous, honest book, and one that I am pleased to tell you, also contains a great deal of hope.
Read this. Read it now. Then, if you haven't, go pick up literally any other Sara Zarr book. You're welcome.
How does she keep doing it? Is it . . . a secret voodoo ritual? Do I even want to know? Nah. I will approve any black magic that continues to bring me books like these.
Also, every time she has tackled a topic that could be too sad, or too embarrassing, or simply too raw to make the book enjoyable. Like abuse, teen pregnancy, abduction, addiction, loss of faith, loss of family, loss of reputation. But, although she pulls no punches, and her books are incredibly naked and heartfelt, I've never thought, Whoa, she crossed a line! Or, I really hate this!
No, I love it. I laugh. I cry. I see myself and others that I know and love in her characters. She brings about understanding. She makes you see and feel what these lives are like, she makes you walk in these shoes that you never thought you would care about. In short, Sara has an amazing gift, and the fact that she is sharing that gift with the world is an amazing thing.
GEM & DIXIE is about sisters, and it's about childhood, and well, not having a childhood.
When is a kid considered "at risk?" When does the school qualify them as "in danger?" How bad do things have to be? What if you're not abused, what if you're not homeless, but you've just had enough? You're just close enough to poverty, you're just close enough to not having food, that you try and pretend things are okay, and the adults around you pretend it too? How long can a teen girl go, being the only one in the family keeping it all together, before she cracks? What are the actual duties of a big sister, and how much of herself does she need to sacrifice?
This is a beautiful, fascinating look at these questions. I'm a little sister. I went to the book launch with my big sister. Our childhood looked nothing like the one in the book, yet I can see so much of myself in both these girls. This is a gorgeous, honest book, and one that I am pleased to tell you, also contains a great deal of hope.
Read this. Read it now. Then, if you haven't, go pick up literally any other Sara Zarr book. You're welcome.
April 18, 2017
This was alright...I think I was just hoping for a more gritty tale. From the premise, I thought the story had a lot of potential but was severely underwhelmed after finishing. I've never read any of Zarr's previous works but the prose is just so simple, it feels completely wrong for the "hard-hitting" story trying to take place here. For a book under 300 pages it took me longer than usual to complete; to be honest, I was annoyed at some points where "showing not telling" became blatant & lost interest. If the goal was to create a "deep, meaningful look between the complexities of sisters", GEM & DIXIE fell short. It's unfortunate because there was a lot more that could have been done with the storyline, but the simplicity of the writing got in the way so much it eventually overshadowed the entirety of the novel.
The relationship between Gem & Dixie didn't bother me. In fact I had no problem with either sister & liked how hard Zarr worked to make their different personalities noticeable. I believe it's worth noting when an author takes the time to create opposite characteristics because it's too often MCs become interchangeable with each other. Having a younger sister myself, I could relate with Gem's burden of taking care of Dixie & feeling like she's responsible for everything. So in this aspect the sister dynamic really worked. I could also feel anger towards their parents & empathy for the girls. All of this could have turned into something more, if I hadn't been so off put by the writing style.
The pacing for the book also felt disjointed. There were many times I'd have to reread a sentence because the setting would suddenly change. I was hoping this would be a continuous flow for me, especially since it's such a short book, but it stopped & started for me too many times. As stated I lost interest multiple times but finished because I didn't find anything in terms of plot insulting/just wanted to see how it'd end. The last 15% of this comes to a rapid conclusion & I wish more time was spent with Gem trying to come to terms with herself. I also wish the interaction between the sisters was more "final" per se, but life rarely offers satisfiable conclusions.
GEM & DIXIE just wasn't for me, but I can see it being enjoyable for those who have sisters or just like a good sibling tale in general. Although I was really surprised at Zarr's writing (it seemed like this was geared for the younger YA audience minus the multiple profanities), if you're already familiar with her style I don't think there will be anything unexpected. This is an important story to tell- I just wish I had enjoyed it more.
The relationship between Gem & Dixie didn't bother me. In fact I had no problem with either sister & liked how hard Zarr worked to make their different personalities noticeable. I believe it's worth noting when an author takes the time to create opposite characteristics because it's too often MCs become interchangeable with each other. Having a younger sister myself, I could relate with Gem's burden of taking care of Dixie & feeling like she's responsible for everything. So in this aspect the sister dynamic really worked. I could also feel anger towards their parents & empathy for the girls. All of this could have turned into something more, if I hadn't been so off put by the writing style.
The pacing for the book also felt disjointed. There were many times I'd have to reread a sentence because the setting would suddenly change. I was hoping this would be a continuous flow for me, especially since it's such a short book, but it stopped & started for me too many times. As stated I lost interest multiple times but finished because I didn't find anything in terms of plot insulting/just wanted to see how it'd end. The last 15% of this comes to a rapid conclusion & I wish more time was spent with Gem trying to come to terms with herself. I also wish the interaction between the sisters was more "final" per se, but life rarely offers satisfiable conclusions.
GEM & DIXIE just wasn't for me, but I can see it being enjoyable for those who have sisters or just like a good sibling tale in general. Although I was really surprised at Zarr's writing (it seemed like this was geared for the younger YA audience minus the multiple profanities), if you're already familiar with her style I don't think there will be anything unexpected. This is an important story to tell- I just wish I had enjoyed it more.
January 11, 2018
WHHHAAAT???!!!?! A sad book with a bittersweet ending that doesn't involve a love interest??!!?! Someone healing and moving on in life without having to have a relationship?!!?!
My single, damaged ass is HERE FOR THIS.
My single, damaged ass is HERE FOR THIS.
gimme-already
August 20, 2016i am sure about the waterfall this book is going to cause my eyes.
May 26, 2017
Quick review for a quick read. Another emotional and engaging read from Sara Zarr. "Gem and Dixie" is a story of sisters as well as knowing when to let go and grow. I enjoyed the journey, though the story had more compelling points in certain turns than others. It got a little muddled in the middle trying to march itself towards the ending, but still pulled at my heartstrings for showcasing the relationship between the characters.
Gem is four years older than Dixie and has been tasked as the responsible figure in a complicated household. Gem and Dixie's father is often absent from their lives, and usually when he returns, it's never for good reasons. Their mother can barely keep food on the table and while she's present in their lives keeps her own distance from taking on responsibility due to a number of vices. Gem has always tried to help and protect her younger sister, but even as they've grown older, their relationship has become more distant, with Dixie wanting to hold on to memories they used to have while Gem is ready for something more, something better.
The two have a rather unique opportunity to get away when their father returns to their lives, leaving a questionable amount of money of undetermined source under the bed. Gem asks Dixie to get away for a short time - just to "let loose". But their journey from that point is a series of encounters that have the girls meeting mishaps and discovering each other in a way they hadn't had opportunities to do before. I think the first half of the novel had me in its compelling portrait of the girls' broken home, while the latter part had some moments of emotional connectivity, but the pacing and grip loosened a bit up until closer to the end when the girls have to face the reality of their situation and Gem has to make a decision for herself rather than for the inclusion of her and her sister. In the end, it's a solid read - probably not my personal favorite from the author, but well included among her potent stories in contemporary YA and dealing with difficult issues.
Wonderful audio narration by Julia Whelan as well.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
Gem is four years older than Dixie and has been tasked as the responsible figure in a complicated household. Gem and Dixie's father is often absent from their lives, and usually when he returns, it's never for good reasons. Their mother can barely keep food on the table and while she's present in their lives keeps her own distance from taking on responsibility due to a number of vices. Gem has always tried to help and protect her younger sister, but even as they've grown older, their relationship has become more distant, with Dixie wanting to hold on to memories they used to have while Gem is ready for something more, something better.
The two have a rather unique opportunity to get away when their father returns to their lives, leaving a questionable amount of money of undetermined source under the bed. Gem asks Dixie to get away for a short time - just to "let loose". But their journey from that point is a series of encounters that have the girls meeting mishaps and discovering each other in a way they hadn't had opportunities to do before. I think the first half of the novel had me in its compelling portrait of the girls' broken home, while the latter part had some moments of emotional connectivity, but the pacing and grip loosened a bit up until closer to the end when the girls have to face the reality of their situation and Gem has to make a decision for herself rather than for the inclusion of her and her sister. In the end, it's a solid read - probably not my personal favorite from the author, but well included among her potent stories in contemporary YA and dealing with difficult issues.
Wonderful audio narration by Julia Whelan as well.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
June 6, 2017
GRADE: B
3.5 stars
Gem takes care of younger sister Dixie, as she has all their lives. Gem is more responsible than both their parents combined, their dad gone and their mom barely remembers to stay sober or buy groceries. When their dad returns with a backpack of money the girls take off, but for Gem to be truly free, she may have to leave Dixie behind.
GEM AND DIXIE made me feel sad and hopeful and everything in between. Gem is a complex, easily rootable character, carrying more than her fair share on her shoulders. Parentified from a young age, she never stops looking out for Dixie, even as Dixie becomes a teenager and treats Gem poorly. Dixie, a survivor, learned how to get what she needed through manipulation. I felt for her, but wished she appreciated Gem more and treated her older sister better. Sadly, I've worked with parents like theirs and known kids like GEM AND DIXIE.
Sarah Zarr has a pleasant writing style and paced the story well. The ending was the weakest part of GEM AND DIXIE and left me feeling meh. It wasn't horrible, but fizzled and didn't live up to the rest of the story.
3.5 stars
Gem takes care of younger sister Dixie, as she has all their lives. Gem is more responsible than both their parents combined, their dad gone and their mom barely remembers to stay sober or buy groceries. When their dad returns with a backpack of money the girls take off, but for Gem to be truly free, she may have to leave Dixie behind.
GEM AND DIXIE made me feel sad and hopeful and everything in between. Gem is a complex, easily rootable character, carrying more than her fair share on her shoulders. Parentified from a young age, she never stops looking out for Dixie, even as Dixie becomes a teenager and treats Gem poorly. Dixie, a survivor, learned how to get what she needed through manipulation. I felt for her, but wished she appreciated Gem more and treated her older sister better. Sadly, I've worked with parents like theirs and known kids like GEM AND DIXIE.
Sarah Zarr has a pleasant writing style and paced the story well. The ending was the weakest part of GEM AND DIXIE and left me feeling meh. It wasn't horrible, but fizzled and didn't live up to the rest of the story.
October 29, 2016
What a depressing book. I made the wrong choice to read this bright and early. There were moments when I wanted to stop reading and never think of this book ever again mostly because of the way Gem and Dixie were living. If you don't like to read about poverty and neglectful parents don't bother with G&D but if you love Sara Zarr's work, just like I do, then you know what to do.
July 13, 2017
I really like Sara Zarr's style. I haven't read all her books, but I like that she moves around to different topics in her books, and she captures emotional strain soooo well. I felt all the heartbreak and hopelessness of Gem's situation, especially in her last discussion with the high school therapist (oh my gosh, the tears!). Tragic, but also beautiful and poignant.
August 17, 2017
This story hurt my heart. I felt so much for Gem. I wanted to give her a hug, I wanted to sit and talk to her, I wanted to do so much for her. This hit me in the feels. Damn you for making me feel, Sara.
Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...
Holy crow my heart hurt with this story. I knew it was about sisters but this felt deeper and more powerful than just that.
Short recap: Gem and her sister, Dixie, have not had an easy life. Their father left when they were young and their mother all but gave up on them. Gem does the best she can to take care of herself and Dixie, even if that means doing what is not right.
From the very start, I was cheering for Gem. This girl had been dealt a crappy hand by the universe. Her mother is practically worthless and blames Gem for everything. Dixie, the youngest daughter, could do no wrong. Gem is the one fighting, working, and sacrificing to keep the family together. Their dad left years ago for the next million dollar idea and easy girlfriend, leaving behind the family he shattered. How can I not have my heart tore to shreds after a premise like that? Gem was such a strong character and I adored that. She pulled herself up by her bootstraps and did what needed to be done, even when she didn’t want to. She felt responsible for keeping what was left of her family together. She was constantly met with a disapproving mother and sister that thought she was overreacting. As for Dixie, I did not like her. She walked around oblivious to their reality. Dixie always thought her dad would come home and everything would go back to the way things were. She was living in a fantasy and it wore on my nerves. I wanted to slap her so hard. She was a bitch to Gem every chance she got and always took her mother’s side. She even bought her mother pain pills from kids at school so she could get high. What daughter does that?! The girl had a subscription to her issues. Their parents (I use this term loosely) were just as bad. Mom was in denial and blamed Gem for everything, whereas Dixie could do no wrong. Their dad comes back but only talks to Dixie because he is a con artist and knows how to pick his victims.
The plot of the story was a pretty good one. I was intrigued by the idea of their deadbeat dad leaving a backpack with thousands of dollars in cash under Gem’s bed. Gem wants to take the money and run but Dixie, being the brain dead twat that she is, wants to tell her parents. Are you mental, Dixie?! What a stupid idea. They should have just made a run while they could. Instead, Gem treats Dixie to a night away from home. They go to a hotel, order room service, watch movies, and just have fun. The entire time Dixie has a massive guilt complex and keeps wanting to “check in” to let her mom know she’s okay. Traitor. Idiot. Judas. She was the weakest point of this entire story. Everything she did went against what Gem was doing. It felt like she was pulling the entire story down with her, “*sobs* I just want things to go back to the way they used to be! *sobs*” bullshit. That got old fast. I kept wanting and hoping that Gem would drop her sister like a bad habit and move on. Did she? … I won’t ruin the surprise for you. But when you read this, or if you have already, come back and talk to me. We’ll trade frustrations. The ending did feel a bit rushed. The last 15% of the book was a whirlwind as Zarr tried to wrap everything up. I’m not the biggest fan of when authors do this.
I will leave you with this: this was a heartbreaking story and a hard reality for the way some families live. I believe this story needed to be told. There was a harsh realism to the struggle of kids today trying to find money for one meal a day thanks to less than interested parent(s). The reality that sometimes one meal a day is all kids will get. Or that they are forced to grow up far too quickly in order to save themselves. This story will kick you right in the feels so don’t go into this thinking it is a feel good story. I do hope people will give this a chance because it is a heck of a powerful reality check.
Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...
Holy crow my heart hurt with this story. I knew it was about sisters but this felt deeper and more powerful than just that.
Short recap: Gem and her sister, Dixie, have not had an easy life. Their father left when they were young and their mother all but gave up on them. Gem does the best she can to take care of herself and Dixie, even if that means doing what is not right.
From the very start, I was cheering for Gem. This girl had been dealt a crappy hand by the universe. Her mother is practically worthless and blames Gem for everything. Dixie, the youngest daughter, could do no wrong. Gem is the one fighting, working, and sacrificing to keep the family together. Their dad left years ago for the next million dollar idea and easy girlfriend, leaving behind the family he shattered. How can I not have my heart tore to shreds after a premise like that? Gem was such a strong character and I adored that. She pulled herself up by her bootstraps and did what needed to be done, even when she didn’t want to. She felt responsible for keeping what was left of her family together. She was constantly met with a disapproving mother and sister that thought she was overreacting. As for Dixie, I did not like her. She walked around oblivious to their reality. Dixie always thought her dad would come home and everything would go back to the way things were. She was living in a fantasy and it wore on my nerves. I wanted to slap her so hard. She was a bitch to Gem every chance she got and always took her mother’s side. She even bought her mother pain pills from kids at school so she could get high. What daughter does that?! The girl had a subscription to her issues. Their parents (I use this term loosely) were just as bad. Mom was in denial and blamed Gem for everything, whereas Dixie could do no wrong. Their dad comes back but only talks to Dixie because he is a con artist and knows how to pick his victims.
The plot of the story was a pretty good one. I was intrigued by the idea of their deadbeat dad leaving a backpack with thousands of dollars in cash under Gem’s bed. Gem wants to take the money and run but Dixie, being the brain dead twat that she is, wants to tell her parents. Are you mental, Dixie?! What a stupid idea. They should have just made a run while they could. Instead, Gem treats Dixie to a night away from home. They go to a hotel, order room service, watch movies, and just have fun. The entire time Dixie has a massive guilt complex and keeps wanting to “check in” to let her mom know she’s okay. Traitor. Idiot. Judas. She was the weakest point of this entire story. Everything she did went against what Gem was doing. It felt like she was pulling the entire story down with her, “*sobs* I just want things to go back to the way they used to be! *sobs*” bullshit. That got old fast. I kept wanting and hoping that Gem would drop her sister like a bad habit and move on. Did she? … I won’t ruin the surprise for you. But when you read this, or if you have already, come back and talk to me. We’ll trade frustrations. The ending did feel a bit rushed. The last 15% of the book was a whirlwind as Zarr tried to wrap everything up. I’m not the biggest fan of when authors do this.
I will leave you with this: this was a heartbreaking story and a hard reality for the way some families live. I believe this story needed to be told. There was a harsh realism to the struggle of kids today trying to find money for one meal a day thanks to less than interested parent(s). The reality that sometimes one meal a day is all kids will get. Or that they are forced to grow up far too quickly in order to save themselves. This story will kick you right in the feels so don’t go into this thinking it is a feel good story. I do hope people will give this a chance because it is a heck of a powerful reality check.
September 11, 2018
3.5 stars-Gem and Dixie is an excellent realistic contemporary fiction tale of two sisters who grow up in poverty in Seattle area. The characters are well-drawn and the narrator likable, but flawed. Gem and Dixie True are raised by neglectful using parents, and then later by just their mother. The reason I gave this book 3.5 vs. 4 stars was the plausibility factor of the sudden influx of money- I just found it incredibly difficult to believe, especially in a story as beautifully real in terms of common obstacles facing kids in America today, their sudden, though likely dirty, riches seemed like a cheap way to highlight the differences between the lives of the main characters and their peers and provide an easy plot point to be exploited. Beyond that, I was invested in these characters from the very beginning of the novel, and it reminded me much of a modern day Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voight- I believe a ton of kids and teenagers would really enjoy this one. So 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars- probably my favorite Sara Zarr book so far.
April 5, 2017
For as long as Gem can remember, she's been taking care of her little sister, Dixie. Their dad is mostly out of the picture; their mom works a lot and has drug and alcohol problems. When Gem gets a chance to escape, she has to decide if she'll be able to tale Dixie with her (or if Dixie would even want to go).
I loved this book. It's a hard read (no, Gem's life isn't AWFUL but she still has responsibilities teenagers shouldn't have and it's also pretty horrible that people act like her life is fine because she's not being abused) but there's also so much hope in it.
I love Sara Zarr's books because they have these incredibly real characters and the books are intense and amazing.
Highly recommended.
I loved this book. It's a hard read (no, Gem's life isn't AWFUL but she still has responsibilities teenagers shouldn't have and it's also pretty horrible that people act like her life is fine because she's not being abused) but there's also so much hope in it.
I love Sara Zarr's books because they have these incredibly real characters and the books are intense and amazing.
Highly recommended.
May 19, 2017
This was an okay read. The sisters didn't seem like they were a good fit. I'm different from my sister but never this awkward. I wasn't exactly happy with the decision that Gem made at the end but I've never been in that situation so who am I to judge. The good thing about this book was that it wasn't very long.
December 19, 2018
Gem & Dixie is my first experience with Sara Zarr, and I’m pretty sure this is absolutely the worst place I could have started. Either that or I should immediately donate the Zarr backlist books I own, because I did not enjoy this book at all. Gem & Dixie is one of those novels I just don’t get, because it is one hundred percent not fun.
If I hadn’t been listening to the audiobook, I would most assuredly not have gotten through Gem & Dixie. Whelan’s narration gives Gem the illusion of a personality. Even so, Gem has no sense of humor. That’s not just me saying that; Gem comments on it a couple of times throughout the book. Gem doesn’t care about anything but money, food, and her sister Dixie, and she’s iffy on Dixie because her little sister has been such a shit lately.
Obviously I knew going in that Gem & Dixie wouldn’t be a happy book, but I thought that there would at least be sister feels. Nope. Gem and Dixie mostly don’t seem to like each other, and Dixie will throw Gem under the bus at any point if she thinks it’s to her advantage. I’d feel bad for Gem about that except that in her “happy” ending, she leaves Dixie with their mom because that’s what Dixie wanted. Just because Dixie wants to remain with their drug-addicted mother (who forces Dixie to get drugs for her) doesn’t mean that’s the right decision.
Gem & Dixie is pure tragedy porn. Basically the only reason I can come up with for why someone would want to read something so persistently miserable is schadenfreude. At one point, Gem accidentally throws away seven thousand dollars, and she doesn’t realize for hours so it’s too late to go back and get the money. Considering that Gem has a one-track mind about money and food, I find this fairly unbelievable, for one thing. For another, there’s absolutely no plot relevance to this. It’s solely to make Gem’s life even more shitty.
While people do realistically live such miserable lives, it doesn’t work when written as this constant unrelenting awfulness. As a narrative, Gem & Dixie is flat. Gem is always unhappy, even at the end when she’s marginally happy. There are no real highs or lows. This is one of those books where things are always so bad that I eventually lose my ability to take it seriously and started laughing when new bad shit happened. Obviously some readers don’t react this way since so many books like this exist, but I cannot do it.
If you’re into books that are unrelentingly depressing, barely have a plot, lack character development, and are generally quite boring, Gem & Dixie is the ideal book for you!
If I hadn’t been listening to the audiobook, I would most assuredly not have gotten through Gem & Dixie. Whelan’s narration gives Gem the illusion of a personality. Even so, Gem has no sense of humor. That’s not just me saying that; Gem comments on it a couple of times throughout the book. Gem doesn’t care about anything but money, food, and her sister Dixie, and she’s iffy on Dixie because her little sister has been such a shit lately.
Obviously I knew going in that Gem & Dixie wouldn’t be a happy book, but I thought that there would at least be sister feels. Nope. Gem and Dixie mostly don’t seem to like each other, and Dixie will throw Gem under the bus at any point if she thinks it’s to her advantage. I’d feel bad for Gem about that except that in her “happy” ending, she leaves Dixie with their mom because that’s what Dixie wanted. Just because Dixie wants to remain with their drug-addicted mother (who forces Dixie to get drugs for her) doesn’t mean that’s the right decision.
Gem & Dixie is pure tragedy porn. Basically the only reason I can come up with for why someone would want to read something so persistently miserable is schadenfreude. At one point, Gem accidentally throws away seven thousand dollars, and she doesn’t realize for hours so it’s too late to go back and get the money. Considering that Gem has a one-track mind about money and food, I find this fairly unbelievable, for one thing. For another, there’s absolutely no plot relevance to this. It’s solely to make Gem’s life even more shitty.
While people do realistically live such miserable lives, it doesn’t work when written as this constant unrelenting awfulness. As a narrative, Gem & Dixie is flat. Gem is always unhappy, even at the end when she’s marginally happy. There are no real highs or lows. This is one of those books where things are always so bad that I eventually lose my ability to take it seriously and started laughing when new bad shit happened. Obviously some readers don’t react this way since so many books like this exist, but I cannot do it.
If you’re into books that are unrelentingly depressing, barely have a plot, lack character development, and are generally quite boring, Gem & Dixie is the ideal book for you!
April 9, 2017
I would actually give this 3.5/5 stars.
I can't really say that I enjoyed this book. It's pretty sad and heavy and while it ends well, I didn't really feel good while reading it. However, I thought the ending was very realistic and I think this book is really important.
This book deals with something that isn't often covered in YA books: class issues and poverty. I feel like this book needs to be read because it makes those problems really clear and I think it's a topic that people need to read about and understand. This book made me sad, but I kind of think that's the point.
I really liked Gem as a character and I felt so bad for her. I felt like she really got mistreated by people, especially her family, and I'm still not sure why as she seemed like a nice person, just a little shy, lonely, and that she just wanted people to like her and she wanted to be there for others.
I hated Gem's family though. They treated her like garbage and basically just used her. Her parents were emotionally abusive and her sister was just a major jerk. The focus of the story was on them, so the rest of the characters weren't very fleshed out, except for Gem's psychologist at school, who was basically the only other character I really liked. He was a good person and a good psychologist and it was very obvious that he cared for Gem and wanted to make sure she was okay. But he wasn't perfect and I liked that.
Overall, I don't really think I enjoyed this book, but I do think that it needs to be read and more books like this need to be covered in YA because it's a super important topic.
Content warnings: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, emotional abuse
I can't really say that I enjoyed this book. It's pretty sad and heavy and while it ends well, I didn't really feel good while reading it. However, I thought the ending was very realistic and I think this book is really important.
This book deals with something that isn't often covered in YA books: class issues and poverty. I feel like this book needs to be read because it makes those problems really clear and I think it's a topic that people need to read about and understand. This book made me sad, but I kind of think that's the point.
I really liked Gem as a character and I felt so bad for her. I felt like she really got mistreated by people, especially her family, and I'm still not sure why as she seemed like a nice person, just a little shy, lonely, and that she just wanted people to like her and she wanted to be there for others.
I hated Gem's family though. They treated her like garbage and basically just used her. Her parents were emotionally abusive and her sister was just a major jerk. The focus of the story was on them, so the rest of the characters weren't very fleshed out, except for Gem's psychologist at school, who was basically the only other character I really liked. He was a good person and a good psychologist and it was very obvious that he cared for Gem and wanted to make sure she was okay. But he wasn't perfect and I liked that.
Overall, I don't really think I enjoyed this book, but I do think that it needs to be read and more books like this need to be covered in YA because it's a super important topic.
Content warnings: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, emotional abuse
October 23, 2016
For a shorter book it seems like the pacing is a bit off and the narrative a little disjointed. You've got Gem and Dixie living in a dysfunctional house with a disinterested (yet interested) mother who treats her daughters very differently as well as the daughters obviously experiencing their situation differently as well. There's Gem's continued connection with an interested guidance counselor and her stories to him, however veiled, so that she can vent her frustrations-- when she wants to and the scenes of Gem trying to make it in the world and trying to take care of her sister, including many scenes in their apartment.
But then there's the "escape" and Gem's life and there never seemed to be a smooth transition and then it was just done. It is deep and personal and lovely for the exploration of the relationship between these two girls as well as their parents' treatment of them, but there's just something a bit off. Still definitely worth reading and sharing for it's introspective elements and the story of these two girls.
But then there's the "escape" and Gem's life and there never seemed to be a smooth transition and then it was just done. It is deep and personal and lovely for the exploration of the relationship between these two girls as well as their parents' treatment of them, but there's just something a bit off. Still definitely worth reading and sharing for it's introspective elements and the story of these two girls.
April 12, 2017
Check out this and other reviews on my young adult book blog, Here's to Happy Endings!
Gem & Dixie is a wonderful book about the power of sisterhood and what it means to take care of those who are closest to you, even if that isn't always the easiest thing in the world.
Gem has been taking care of Dixie for as long as she can remember - her parents have never been there for them, and in fact, they split up years ago, leaving their mother to care for them, although she doesn't do a very good job of it. Gem has always looked out for her younger sister, taking care of her, feeding her, making sure she does well in school - while their father is out there somewhere chasing his dreams and their mother struggles with jobs, drinking, and drug use.
It's been hard for the both of them, especially as they grew up and Gem found herself alone - while her mother was sometimes coherent enough to take care of Dixie and befriend her, and Dixie has even recently gotten a letter from their father, while Gem seems to be ignored more often than not. Even at school, Dixie is the pretty one with friends, while Gem tends to be more of a loner, borrowing money for lunch so she can eat, because there isn't any food at home for them.
One day, when their father comes back, he buys them groceries and tries to give their mother money to help take care of them, but she won't take it - and she even throws all of the food away, even though she can't afford to buy them any more. Before their mother kicks him out of the apartment, he hides a bag full of money under their bed - more money than either of them have ever seen before. Trying not to think about where the money might have come from, Gem forms a plan - what if they were take that money and leave? Surely they could make a better life for themselves. Gem and Dixie check into a fancy hotel and try to figure out how they can make their plan work.
When things don't go as planned, and their father becomes frantic wanting to know where the money has gone, Gem and Dixie are faced with either carrying out their plan or going home to face what they already know - disappointment, struggle, and a lonely world where their parents seem to forget that they exist.
I've read a ton of books about kids and teens who have struggles at home, and not too many of them have stood out to me the way that Gem & Dixie has. It's the first book that I've picked up by Sara Zarr, and it won't be my last - that's for sure! As an author, Ms. Zarr has plenty of talent and knows how to draw in readers, making the book one to get lost in and remember.
This hauntingly emotional novel is told from Gem's point of view, and gives readers a glimpse into their lives as they struggle for the simplest things, such as finding money to buy food for lunch. There are several flashbacks from when they were small kids, and some from before their dad left them - back when they felt there might still be some potential for them to be a happy family. Reading about the struggles of Gem and her sister is really difficult because it makes you realize that there are a lot of kids out there who are actually struggling in this way.
Watching a parent struggle with drug and alcohol abuse is never easy, especially when they are the only parent and they have children who rely on them for care and the fulfillment of basic needs, such as food and a place to stay. Gem and Dixie's mom struggles from addiction, and as the story progresses, she even starts to ask Dixie to get her drugs from people in her school. The ugly reality of this is that it really is an issue for some kids to have to deal with these sorts of things on their own, and then when you throw an addicted parent into the mix, it becomes even more heart wrenching.
And that's exactly what this book was, in so many ways - heart wrenching. Reading this tore me apart inside, but at the same time, the bond that Gem and Dixie shared from years of only having each other was the kind of bond that can mend a broken heart. I'm not going to lie - Dixie could be mean as anything to Gem, but deep down, you could tell that she really loved her older sister. Gem, on the other hand, tried her hardest to care for Dixie since the two of them were young children, and even as teenagers she does nothing but look out for Dixie to make sure she is well taken care of.
If you're looking for an emotional read with the beauty of sisterhood, this is a really great one to pick up. The characters are full of personality (and sass, in Dixie's case), and it portrays a situation that a lot of kids have to face, making it really hit close to home.
Note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Gem & Dixie is a wonderful book about the power of sisterhood and what it means to take care of those who are closest to you, even if that isn't always the easiest thing in the world.
Gem has been taking care of Dixie for as long as she can remember - her parents have never been there for them, and in fact, they split up years ago, leaving their mother to care for them, although she doesn't do a very good job of it. Gem has always looked out for her younger sister, taking care of her, feeding her, making sure she does well in school - while their father is out there somewhere chasing his dreams and their mother struggles with jobs, drinking, and drug use.
"She used to need me to take care of her, and I liked doing it. I liked doing it because, then, I thought I was the one who could. Even though nobody was taking care of me."
It's been hard for the both of them, especially as they grew up and Gem found herself alone - while her mother was sometimes coherent enough to take care of Dixie and befriend her, and Dixie has even recently gotten a letter from their father, while Gem seems to be ignored more often than not. Even at school, Dixie is the pretty one with friends, while Gem tends to be more of a loner, borrowing money for lunch so she can eat, because there isn't any food at home for them.
One day, when their father comes back, he buys them groceries and tries to give their mother money to help take care of them, but she won't take it - and she even throws all of the food away, even though she can't afford to buy them any more. Before their mother kicks him out of the apartment, he hides a bag full of money under their bed - more money than either of them have ever seen before. Trying not to think about where the money might have come from, Gem forms a plan - what if they were take that money and leave? Surely they could make a better life for themselves. Gem and Dixie check into a fancy hotel and try to figure out how they can make their plan work.
"I wondered if she'd ever forgive me for this whole mess. Everything that happened, it was only because we wanted our parents to be better, to know how to take care of us. We could at least try to forgive ourselves for wanting that."
When things don't go as planned, and their father becomes frantic wanting to know where the money has gone, Gem and Dixie are faced with either carrying out their plan or going home to face what they already know - disappointment, struggle, and a lonely world where their parents seem to forget that they exist.
I've read a ton of books about kids and teens who have struggles at home, and not too many of them have stood out to me the way that Gem & Dixie has. It's the first book that I've picked up by Sara Zarr, and it won't be my last - that's for sure! As an author, Ms. Zarr has plenty of talent and knows how to draw in readers, making the book one to get lost in and remember.
This hauntingly emotional novel is told from Gem's point of view, and gives readers a glimpse into their lives as they struggle for the simplest things, such as finding money to buy food for lunch. There are several flashbacks from when they were small kids, and some from before their dad left them - back when they felt there might still be some potential for them to be a happy family. Reading about the struggles of Gem and her sister is really difficult because it makes you realize that there are a lot of kids out there who are actually struggling in this way.
Watching a parent struggle with drug and alcohol abuse is never easy, especially when they are the only parent and they have children who rely on them for care and the fulfillment of basic needs, such as food and a place to stay. Gem and Dixie's mom struggles from addiction, and as the story progresses, she even starts to ask Dixie to get her drugs from people in her school. The ugly reality of this is that it really is an issue for some kids to have to deal with these sorts of things on their own, and then when you throw an addicted parent into the mix, it becomes even more heart wrenching.
And that's exactly what this book was, in so many ways - heart wrenching. Reading this tore me apart inside, but at the same time, the bond that Gem and Dixie shared from years of only having each other was the kind of bond that can mend a broken heart. I'm not going to lie - Dixie could be mean as anything to Gem, but deep down, you could tell that she really loved her older sister. Gem, on the other hand, tried her hardest to care for Dixie since the two of them were young children, and even as teenagers she does nothing but look out for Dixie to make sure she is well taken care of.
If you're looking for an emotional read with the beauty of sisterhood, this is a really great one to pick up. The characters are full of personality (and sass, in Dixie's case), and it portrays a situation that a lot of kids have to face, making it really hit close to home.
Note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
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October 21, 2016I thought Zarr did an excellent job showing a family in crisis and the ways that sisters can experience the same household in such dramatically different ways. Some excellent exploration of lower class life.
But what happened at the end confused me a lot. The pacing is off, the voice changes, and the depth and nuance in the first 3/4 of the book completely fell apart.
But what happened at the end confused me a lot. The pacing is off, the voice changes, and the depth and nuance in the first 3/4 of the book completely fell apart.
July 31, 2019
This heart wrenching story of sisterhood and self-discovery is beautiful and relatable and surprising and painful. I felt like Gem and Dixie were real live people I could wrap my arms around or take to coffee. And even in their darkest hour, these girls felt complex and lovable, and I was always rooting for them.
December 7, 2019
Gem has never found herself able to rely on anyone. The adults in her life have been in and out, leaving her to be the adult and take care of her sister. Her sister, Dixie, is the true constant in her life. When their father comes back and tries to get into their lives, Gem finds herself out with Dixie all alone. Things soon get complicated when Gem realizes what must be done.
This is a story about one sisters love for another and how strong that bond can be. Gem has had to be the mother. She figures out how she and Dixie are going to survive. Their mother works and is consistently unreliable as she is rarely sober. Their dad comes back claiming he is sober and shows up with a lot of cash. When they find this cash, they go on the run.
I was hoping this story would really be about two sisters and showcase their strong bond. While the story was about two sisters, they didn't have a strong bond. Gem & Dixie showcased how a dysfunctional family can affect children differently. Gem had to be the one that grew up and become the responsible one while Dixie on the other hand tries to be the friend and at school she's outgoing, flirtatious while Gem is the opposite. This story showcased their two very different coping mechanisms that caused the two siblings to clash.
Gem & Dixie felt like a very realistic story. Each sister dealt with their neglect in their own way and the ending was wonderful to me as it showcased how important it is to do what is important for your own health. It also showed that what may be right for you may not be right for someone else.
All that said, this was a good book, but not one that is going to stick with me for a long time.
This is a story about one sisters love for another and how strong that bond can be. Gem has had to be the mother. She figures out how she and Dixie are going to survive. Their mother works and is consistently unreliable as she is rarely sober. Their dad comes back claiming he is sober and shows up with a lot of cash. When they find this cash, they go on the run.
I was hoping this story would really be about two sisters and showcase their strong bond. While the story was about two sisters, they didn't have a strong bond. Gem & Dixie showcased how a dysfunctional family can affect children differently. Gem had to be the one that grew up and become the responsible one while Dixie on the other hand tries to be the friend and at school she's outgoing, flirtatious while Gem is the opposite. This story showcased their two very different coping mechanisms that caused the two siblings to clash.
Gem & Dixie felt like a very realistic story. Each sister dealt with their neglect in their own way and the ending was wonderful to me as it showcased how important it is to do what is important for your own health. It also showed that what may be right for you may not be right for someone else.
All that said, this was a good book, but not one that is going to stick with me for a long time.
July 26, 2017
3.5.
So this is a tale of a whole family that's fucked in the head. Like literally everyone in this family had issues. I thought this book was okay. But it was just that. Okay.
I'm honestly kind if disappointed in this story. I thought a lot more would happen than all the stuff that actually happened. I mean the girls took the money, and then they left. And they hung around for a couple days. It was rather anticlimactic. I also disliked how the ending was. tied up in a happy little bow at the end. As if stuff works that way. Things went amazing for Gem and they pretty much ignored the neglect and mental trauma she endured.
And Dixie and her mom went back to living together. And they seemed perfectly happy and fine....without Gem. I thought that was the shittiest of all.
I also hated Dixie as a character. She was supposed to be 14. However, one second shes a drug dealer, wild child who gets for her mother, and the next she's a whiny crybaby. Through the whole book she treated her sister like shit for no reason, and she didn't even see any of the shit home life or anything. She just kept living in her fantasy world seeing what she wanted and ignoring everything else.
I also thought thus would be about sisters finding each other and getting along. But they fought and argued the whole book. And not much was resolved. Except at the end. They were besties at the end. IDK how the hell that happened.
So this is a tale of a whole family that's fucked in the head. Like literally everyone in this family had issues. I thought this book was okay. But it was just that. Okay.
I'm honestly kind if disappointed in this story. I thought a lot more would happen than all the stuff that actually happened. I mean the girls took the money, and then they left. And they hung around for a couple days. It was rather anticlimactic. I also disliked how the ending was. tied up in a happy little bow at the end. As if stuff works that way. Things went amazing for Gem and they pretty much ignored the neglect and mental trauma she endured.
And Dixie and her mom went back to living together. And they seemed perfectly happy and fine....without Gem. I thought that was the shittiest of all.
I also hated Dixie as a character. She was supposed to be 14. However, one second shes a drug dealer, wild child who gets for her mother, and the next she's a whiny crybaby. Through the whole book she treated her sister like shit for no reason, and she didn't even see any of the shit home life or anything. She just kept living in her fantasy world seeing what she wanted and ignoring everything else.
I also thought thus would be about sisters finding each other and getting along. But they fought and argued the whole book. And not much was resolved. Except at the end. They were besties at the end. IDK how the hell that happened.
March 31, 2020
I wanted to love this because I really do quite like Sara Zarr, but it wasn't the book for me. I feel weird reviewing it even because the main reason was just that I didn't like the story. The characters were well crafted, the setting incredible, Zarr's writing style great as always, but it literally just came down to the story.
The teenage main character finds a bag of money and takes it with her sister, then they proceed to have a variety of adventures. (It's done in a much more realistic way than it sounds, but that's the general gist.) That whole premise just makes me really uncomfortable. There's a whole worry throughout the book that they'll lose the money or get taken advantage of, and that rubbed my anxiety the wrong way. My fault for going into a book without reading literally a single word of description.
I did enjoy quite a few of the other aspects of the story, though. Zarr has a wonderful way of crafting these really quiet, down to earth stories about people who feel real, and the reader just gets to experience their lives. A lot of the book focuses on Gem's home situation and how she's neglected. I really enjoyed Gem as a character.
I don't have too much to say on this one. I think if you like low key contemporaries that sound like this, it might be worthwhile. There's nothing I felt that was poorly done, it just wasn't for me.
The teenage main character finds a bag of money and takes it with her sister, then they proceed to have a variety of adventures. (It's done in a much more realistic way than it sounds, but that's the general gist.) That whole premise just makes me really uncomfortable. There's a whole worry throughout the book that they'll lose the money or get taken advantage of, and that rubbed my anxiety the wrong way. My fault for going into a book without reading literally a single word of description.
I did enjoy quite a few of the other aspects of the story, though. Zarr has a wonderful way of crafting these really quiet, down to earth stories about people who feel real, and the reader just gets to experience their lives. A lot of the book focuses on Gem's home situation and how she's neglected. I really enjoyed Gem as a character.
I don't have too much to say on this one. I think if you like low key contemporaries that sound like this, it might be worthwhile. There's nothing I felt that was poorly done, it just wasn't for me.
November 5, 2017
Gem & Dixie is a great story about two sisters who live with their unstable mother. One day they had both parents then the next minute the father walks out on them never to look back. So the sisters stay close as Gem takes care of her younger sister Dixie. But make no mistake Dixie is young but she is smart as a whip and does things that her older sister does not like.
One day their father is out of the picture and next thing they know he calls them and tells them he is coming back. At first Gem is weary about her fathers return while Dixie is so excited to have her father back. But once their father comes back all hell breaks lose. Dixie and Gem find a bag of money under their bed so they take it and run away.
When their father realizes the bag is gone he is pissed off and wants the girls to bring the money back. As the girls go on their road trip they discover things about their dad as well as themselves.
One day their father is out of the picture and next thing they know he calls them and tells them he is coming back. At first Gem is weary about her fathers return while Dixie is so excited to have her father back. But once their father comes back all hell breaks lose. Dixie and Gem find a bag of money under their bed so they take it and run away.
When their father realizes the bag is gone he is pissed off and wants the girls to bring the money back. As the girls go on their road trip they discover things about their dad as well as themselves.
July 21, 2017
Can I give all three of my stars to Mr. Bergstrom and Mrs. Murphy? Cause they deserved all the stars.
I'm just going to come right out and say that I think the money sub-plot didn't do anything good for this book. Yes, I understand that it comprised the bulk of the conflict, however my rule-following neurotic-mom self just cannot get behind such pointless (not to mention completely illegal) hijinks when a perfectly acceptable solution to Gem's problem was staring her right in the face from pretty much the beginning of the story.
I would have much rather seen Zarr spend her time fleshing out the last chapter of the book rather than spending 2/3 of it doing something that was ultimately pointless.
And that's all I have to say about that.
I'm just going to come right out and say that I think the money sub-plot didn't do anything good for this book. Yes, I understand that it comprised the bulk of the conflict, however my rule-following neurotic-mom self just cannot get behind such pointless (not to mention completely illegal) hijinks when a perfectly acceptable solution to Gem's problem was staring her right in the face from pretty much the beginning of the story.
I would have much rather seen Zarr spend her time fleshing out the last chapter of the book rather than spending 2/3 of it doing something that was ultimately pointless.
And that's all I have to say about that.
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