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If This Were a Story
“An imaginative debut.” — Booklist
“Hannah’s growth is organic and well earned.” — Publishers Weekly
In the tradition of Crenshaw and The Thing About Jellyfish , ten-year-old Hannah copes with the bullies at school and troubles at home through the power of stories in this sweet and sincere debut.
Tenacious. That means strong-willed. My mother calls me that.
I wish I felt the same way.
If this were a story, I would discover I was a direct descendent of a famous soldier who won countless battles and protected hundreds of people. This resilience running through my veins wouldn’t be damaged by the notes; it would fight off bullies and prevent my parents from yelling at each other.
But this is not a story. This is real life. My life as ten-year-old Hannah Geller, who is the only girl in fifth grade to have little red bumps on her face, is unable to let the sad thoughts escape her mind, and leaves heads-up pennies wherever she can to spread good luck.
And who also finds magic in the most unlikely of places.
“Hannah’s growth is organic and well earned.” — Publishers Weekly
In the tradition of Crenshaw and The Thing About Jellyfish , ten-year-old Hannah copes with the bullies at school and troubles at home through the power of stories in this sweet and sincere debut.
Tenacious. That means strong-willed. My mother calls me that.
I wish I felt the same way.
If this were a story, I would discover I was a direct descendent of a famous soldier who won countless battles and protected hundreds of people. This resilience running through my veins wouldn’t be damaged by the notes; it would fight off bullies and prevent my parents from yelling at each other.
But this is not a story. This is real life. My life as ten-year-old Hannah Geller, who is the only girl in fifth grade to have little red bumps on her face, is unable to let the sad thoughts escape her mind, and leaves heads-up pennies wherever she can to spread good luck.
And who also finds magic in the most unlikely of places.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2018
22 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
June 16, 2022
In aceasta carte intalnim gandurile unei fetite din clasa a 5-a care se simte coplesita de certurile parintilor, ajungand sa fie hartuita de aceasta situatie. Psihologul scolii prezent zilnic (nu ca in scolile noastre unde un psiholog trebuie sa acopere cel putin 3 institutii separate, si atunci cum sa acopere nevoile copiilor?) incearca sa o ajute pe Hannah impreuna cu intreg personalul clasei.
August 1, 2018
I'm not sure what I think about this book. The central character, Hannah, is certainly likable; sweet and earnest. Author Beth Turley does a good job of describing the sometimes tumultuous feelings sensitive children have, particularly in regards to the ever changing dynamics of peer relationships. Hannah often escapes into a fantasy world, imagining inanimate objects come to life. She explores her feelings via dialogue with these objects and imagines their responses. In the meantime, Hannah has repeated sessions with the school counselor discussing the bullying at school and her home life. The general mood of the book is sad. And therein lies the problem. Whilst this is a well written novel, I am afraid many of the book's target audience would simply find it too depressing. Furthermore, it might be confusing trying to differentiate actual events from the imagined interactions with inanimate objects. Although that may be the point, because Hannah herself sometimes has trouble distinguishing real from imaginary, I'm not sure that will be evident to young readers.
I do think this book might be a valuable read for teachers, parents, and counselors but I don't know they will come across it or think to pick up a book aimed at children aged 9 -12. Which really is a shame because Turley definitely has writing chops and I always like to champion debut authors.
I do think this book might be a valuable read for teachers, parents, and counselors but I don't know they will come across it or think to pick up a book aimed at children aged 9 -12. Which really is a shame because Turley definitely has writing chops and I always like to champion debut authors.
September 2, 2020
This book's take on issues faced by children is quite interesting. Not what I was expecting, but interesting still.
When I started reading, I kept relating my younger self to Hannah until I reached a part where I started doubting her and then I couldn't relate to her anymore.
Children notice more than we can ever know, they remember the bad things most vividly, and they build them cradles and nurse them into adulthood. Some get blocked and pushed to the back of one's mind, but some survive tne effort to lock them.
I know because I used to notice things and keep them stashed away in my memory to ponder over them later. Unlike Hannah, however, there were no attempts to grab my parents attention and the problems were laid out openly, everyone knew about them. That's on my relating to Hannah.
Anyhow, the story took a weird turn near the end and instead of exploring bullying, we were led into a possibly even darker crevice.
I didn't like the councelor much, she felt like a police investigator and her questions and attempts to "pry open" children didn't really seem to me as successful.
#A_book_with_leaves_on_the_cover
When I started reading, I kept relating my younger self to Hannah until I reached a part where I started doubting her and then I couldn't relate to her anymore.
Children notice more than we can ever know, they remember the bad things most vividly, and they build them cradles and nurse them into adulthood. Some get blocked and pushed to the back of one's mind, but some survive tne effort to lock them.
I know because I used to notice things and keep them stashed away in my memory to ponder over them later. Unlike Hannah, however, there were no attempts to grab my parents attention and the problems were laid out openly, everyone knew about them. That's on my relating to Hannah.
Anyhow, the story took a weird turn near the end and instead of exploring bullying, we were led into a possibly even darker crevice.
I didn't like the councelor much, she felt like a police investigator and her questions and attempts to "pry open" children didn't really seem to me as successful.
#A_book_with_leaves_on_the_cover
January 6, 2025
3,5⭐️/5⭐️
September 30, 2018
Hannah is a sad little girl. She has one questionable friend, one good friend, and one imaginary friend, but she is not a friend to herself. I couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong with her. Was she too gifted/introspective/analytical/sensitive/sad for the world? Was it Riley? Her parents? Everything? Was it vague on purpose? At any rate, the overall tone of the book was sad. It felt heavy to read, heavy to be Hannah.
The line "If this were a story" was repeated throughout the book, whenever Hannah wished her life could be different. Hannah imagined alternate events that included elements of fantasy. Inanimate objects spoke to her, blurring the line between her stories and her real life.
The "if this were a story" line was also used by Hannah to analyze the structure of the story of her life using Freytag's Pyramid. For example, she said, "If this were a story, this would be the inciting incident," or the turning point, or the emotional point of the book. I know Hannah is supposed to be gifted, but this was too "meta" for me.
On a positive note, it was a quick read, there were a few sweet moments, and the ending was hopeful. Also, I love when school personnel are portrayed in a positive way in books, so I appreciated the patience, kindness, and understanding shown by Hannah's guidance counselor.
The line "If this were a story" was repeated throughout the book, whenever Hannah wished her life could be different. Hannah imagined alternate events that included elements of fantasy. Inanimate objects spoke to her, blurring the line between her stories and her real life.
The "if this were a story" line was also used by Hannah to analyze the structure of the story of her life using Freytag's Pyramid. For example, she said, "If this were a story, this would be the inciting incident," or the turning point, or the emotional point of the book. I know Hannah is supposed to be gifted, but this was too "meta" for me.
On a positive note, it was a quick read, there were a few sweet moments, and the ending was hopeful. Also, I love when school personnel are portrayed in a positive way in books, so I appreciated the patience, kindness, and understanding shown by Hannah's guidance counselor.
April 13, 2019
Cleverly written. Sneaks up on you!
July 13, 2020
I beautiful fast paced heartfelt book. I could visualize the story within my head, and I could see myself in the pages of this book. I believe this is Beth's first book. For a first time author, she did absolutely wonderful!
September 3, 2018
Loved this one!
Adding it to my list of awesome 2018 books.
https://www.mrcolbysharp.com/2018/
Adding it to my list of awesome 2018 books.
https://www.mrcolbysharp.com/2018/
August 25, 2018
In the book, If This Were a Story Beth Turley shares about a ten year old girl named Hannah. Hannah is your typical fifth grade girl who attends school and keeps a reflective outlook on her day to day life. Written in short subject based chapters that could be easily read one at a time or several in one sitting based on the time the reader had. I believe these subjects are relevant to the fourth or fifth grade student: bullying, friendships, recess happenings, and family life at home.
One of the repetitive subject chapters are notes from visits of Hannah and her classmates have with their counselor. I think these are realistic issues that could be discussed between a student and a counselor or other trusted adult.
In addition, there is a story inside the story between the relationship of Hannah and her eighth grade pen pal Ashley. This consistent communication between the girls, assists with the main issues within the plot and assists Hannah with processing her thoughts.
From the publisher: Tenacious. That means strong-willed. My mother calls me that. I wish I felt the same way. If this were a story, I would discover I was a direct descendent of a famous soldier who won countless battles and protected hundreds of people. This resilience running through my veins wouldn’t be damaged by the notes; it would fight off bullies and prevent my parents from yelling at each other. But this is not a story. This is real life. My life as ten-year-old Hannah Geller, who is the only girl in fifth grade to have little red bumps on her face, is unable to let the sad thoughts escape her mind, and leaves heads-up pennies wherever she can to spread good luck. And who also finds magic in the most unlikely of places.
Beth Turley is a graduate of the MFA in creative and professional writing program at Western Connecticut State University. She lives in southeastern Connecticut and teaches writing as an adjunct. If This Were a Story is her first novel. I received an Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster in exchange for my honest review. Book release of If This Were a Story, tomorrow August 28, 2018.
One of the repetitive subject chapters are notes from visits of Hannah and her classmates have with their counselor. I think these are realistic issues that could be discussed between a student and a counselor or other trusted adult.
In addition, there is a story inside the story between the relationship of Hannah and her eighth grade pen pal Ashley. This consistent communication between the girls, assists with the main issues within the plot and assists Hannah with processing her thoughts.
From the publisher: Tenacious. That means strong-willed. My mother calls me that. I wish I felt the same way. If this were a story, I would discover I was a direct descendent of a famous soldier who won countless battles and protected hundreds of people. This resilience running through my veins wouldn’t be damaged by the notes; it would fight off bullies and prevent my parents from yelling at each other. But this is not a story. This is real life. My life as ten-year-old Hannah Geller, who is the only girl in fifth grade to have little red bumps on her face, is unable to let the sad thoughts escape her mind, and leaves heads-up pennies wherever she can to spread good luck. And who also finds magic in the most unlikely of places.
Beth Turley is a graduate of the MFA in creative and professional writing program at Western Connecticut State University. She lives in southeastern Connecticut and teaches writing as an adjunct. If This Were a Story is her first novel. I received an Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster in exchange for my honest review. Book release of If This Were a Story, tomorrow August 28, 2018.
October 7, 2020
This book tore me to pieces ngl.
I think a part of us always wants to think that our life is a story at times - maybe it's because we're going through a hard time and we cannot fathom that it could be real life, or maybe it's because something so good is happening in our life and we simply don't want the chapter to end. whatever the reason, if this were a story is a beautiful book about trying to understand your emotions and feelings and trying to figure out just how to do life when no one is listening to you.
This book is about being okay with not being okay, it's about finding yourself, it's about recognizing that life is TOUGH sometimes, and it's about the importance of speaking up and allowing others to help you.
It's easy to just say "well, if this were a story, then this is how the outcome would be." But what about real life? How do you deal with real life when you're constantly hoping it's a story - that was the problem with hannah. She was so busy simply wishing it all away and looking at it all from the outside, but if she had been vulnerable and opened up, then maybe it all could've been prevented- but then again, we wouldn't have a story would we?
I think a part of us always wants to think that our life is a story at times - maybe it's because we're going through a hard time and we cannot fathom that it could be real life, or maybe it's because something so good is happening in our life and we simply don't want the chapter to end. whatever the reason, if this were a story is a beautiful book about trying to understand your emotions and feelings and trying to figure out just how to do life when no one is listening to you.
This book is about being okay with not being okay, it's about finding yourself, it's about recognizing that life is TOUGH sometimes, and it's about the importance of speaking up and allowing others to help you.
It's easy to just say "well, if this were a story, then this is how the outcome would be." But what about real life? How do you deal with real life when you're constantly hoping it's a story - that was the problem with hannah. She was so busy simply wishing it all away and looking at it all from the outside, but if she had been vulnerable and opened up, then maybe it all could've been prevented- but then again, we wouldn't have a story would we?
September 26, 2020
Daca aceasta ar fi o poveste ne prezinta o poveste de actualitate si anume hartuirea copiilor la varsta frageda.
Aici o regasim pe Hannah fetita de 10 anisori din clasa a 5a care este cea mai buna la ortografie.
Relatia ei cu parintii nu este una din cele mai stralucite fiind zilnic martora certurilor dintre acestia.
Cum se schimba viata lui Hannah cand primeste un bilet "nimeni nu este prieten cu Hannah".
Mi.a placut enorm puterea acestui suflet fraged de a tine piept hartuirilor refugiindu.se in magie, puterea cu care depaseste cele mai grele obstacole, aratandu.se neafectata de niste bilete.
Aici o regasim pe Hannah fetita de 10 anisori din clasa a 5a care este cea mai buna la ortografie.
Relatia ei cu parintii nu este una din cele mai stralucite fiind zilnic martora certurilor dintre acestia.
Cum se schimba viata lui Hannah cand primeste un bilet "nimeni nu este prieten cu Hannah".
Mi.a placut enorm puterea acestui suflet fraged de a tine piept hartuirilor refugiindu.se in magie, puterea cu care depaseste cele mai grele obstacole, aratandu.se neafectata de niste bilete.
May 20, 2022
I liked most of this book, however, I felt the ending was unrealistic.
November 16, 2020
It was a solid 4 until the end...I don't know. I am struggling with this one. Maybe a 3.5 rounded down.
July 15, 2022
When your 10-year-old daughter asks you to read her new second-favorite book, (because I don’t think anything will top Tuck Everlasting for many years to come), you have to read it.
I never know what to expect when reading my daughter’s books. They’re all cute, but some, like this one, are truly powerful. This is definitely much more impactful than any of the kid’s books I read at her age.
In my opinion, the author successfully managed to take the difficulties of that pre-teen period and make them approachable and just a little lighter.
Don’t be fooled! This book is sad. But it’s sad with a purpose.
I thought it was beautifully done. And more importantly, my daughter loved it. She said that even though she couldn’t relate to all of the main character’s problems, she still felt seen and less alone.
I never know what to expect when reading my daughter’s books. They’re all cute, but some, like this one, are truly powerful. This is definitely much more impactful than any of the kid’s books I read at her age.
In my opinion, the author successfully managed to take the difficulties of that pre-teen period and make them approachable and just a little lighter.
Don’t be fooled! This book is sad. But it’s sad with a purpose.
I thought it was beautifully done. And more importantly, my daughter loved it. She said that even though she couldn’t relate to all of the main character’s problems, she still felt seen and less alone.
July 18, 2021
#DacăAceastaArFiOPoveste
#BethTurley
Bullyingul doare, deschide răni ce se cicatrizează greu sau niciodată, trezește frici și monștri în sufletele gingașe ale copiilor. Iar copilul, tot ce are nevoie e să se simtă acceptat și iubit.
Cum se răsfrânge o ceartă asupra unui copil? Ce se intâmplă în lumea sa atunci când e hărțuit la școală prin bilețele deranjante? Valuri inimaginabile de tristețe și furie, ce se propagă în sufletul unei ființe delicate. Simplitatea și puritatea interioară a unei fetițe mult prea fragede pentru a-și controla emoțiile, pentru a discerne între real și ireal (poveste).
#BethTurley
Bullyingul doare, deschide răni ce se cicatrizează greu sau niciodată, trezește frici și monștri în sufletele gingașe ale copiilor. Iar copilul, tot ce are nevoie e să se simtă acceptat și iubit.
Cum se răsfrânge o ceartă asupra unui copil? Ce se intâmplă în lumea sa atunci când e hărțuit la școală prin bilețele deranjante? Valuri inimaginabile de tristețe și furie, ce se propagă în sufletul unei ființe delicate. Simplitatea și puritatea interioară a unei fetițe mult prea fragede pentru a-și controla emoțiile, pentru a discerne între real și ireal (poveste).
September 20, 2020
M-a bucurat această carte. Am empatizat cu personajul principal, l-am înțeles, apoi l-am blamat, apoi l-am felicitat. E vorba despre o fetiță de doar 10 ani, dar cu care cititorul se înțelege atât de bine, indiferent de vârsta lui. Și asta pentru că Hannah este mult mai matură decât copiii de vârsta ei. Tocmai asta m-a făcut să spun că "Dacă aceasta ar fi o poveste" nu este tocmai o carte pentru copii.
Mai multe despre carte și despre părerea mea, aici: https://youtu.be/U4G6Ne5w3P4
Mai multe despre carte și despre părerea mea, aici: https://youtu.be/U4G6Ne5w3P4
November 17, 2020
It was a spectacular book!! Bravo!
September 2, 2018
It is beautifully written, covers important topics, it's timely, relatable, and I actually think it's destined to become a classic. As I was reading this, I found myself analyzing the story, the text. I loved the way it was written with so many layers and so much meaning in each character and each paragraph. Maybe that's why I can see it as a classic - I can totally see kids studying it in school.
Hannah is dealing with bullies - both named and anonymous - and her parents won't stop fighting at home. Oh, and inanimate objects around her, like her stuffed Elephant Ambrose, have come to life and are talking to her - Ambrose actually narrates parts of the story. (I've heard ITWAS compared to Crenshaw and The Thing About Jellyfish, but I haven't read either, so take that for what it's worth). It's a really sweet and beautifully crafted novel about the power of a story and an ultimately pretty strong little girl. Hannah's character is one that will really resonate with kids, regardless of their experience. I'd say this is a must-have for any middle grader's shelf.
Hannah is dealing with bullies - both named and anonymous - and her parents won't stop fighting at home. Oh, and inanimate objects around her, like her stuffed Elephant Ambrose, have come to life and are talking to her - Ambrose actually narrates parts of the story. (I've heard ITWAS compared to Crenshaw and The Thing About Jellyfish, but I haven't read either, so take that for what it's worth). It's a really sweet and beautifully crafted novel about the power of a story and an ultimately pretty strong little girl. Hannah's character is one that will really resonate with kids, regardless of their experience. I'd say this is a must-have for any middle grader's shelf.
March 30, 2019
“We only see what people want us to see. We are all unreliable narrators.”
The truth is, we’re not coin collectors. We’re secret coin droppers.
“We lined up outside the ride. There was a sign hanging on the white fence. Pregnant women should not ride; people with heart conditions should not ride.
I thought, who doesn’t have a problem with their heart?”
“I feel like I’m in a story.”
He is a serious delight.
“I like to think that when I’m a hundred, I might be able to breathe in deeply and remember who I am right now.”
I have done enough.
“If you knew all the stories behind all the
people on the boardwalk, you’d see that
nothing was what it looked like.”
“The first drops of snow fall from the sky above, and the air smells like new beginnings.”
The truth is, we’re not coin collectors. We’re secret coin droppers.
“We lined up outside the ride. There was a sign hanging on the white fence. Pregnant women should not ride; people with heart conditions should not ride.
I thought, who doesn’t have a problem with their heart?”
“I feel like I’m in a story.”
He is a serious delight.
“I like to think that when I’m a hundred, I might be able to breathe in deeply and remember who I am right now.”
I have done enough.
“If you knew all the stories behind all the
people on the boardwalk, you’d see that
nothing was what it looked like.”
“The first drops of snow fall from the sky above, and the air smells like new beginnings.”
July 24, 2023
"Dacă aceasta ar fi o poveste", roman scris de Beth Turley, este o lecție despre impactul violenței domestice asupra copiilor, despre bullying, dar și despre prietenie.
Hannah Geller este o fetiță de 10 ani (ce se confruntă cu problemele hormonale specifice vârstei), în clasa a V-a, care iubește cuvintele și le știe importanța, fiind, în același timp, fascinată de ortografie.
Se confruntă atât în mediul școlar, cât și în cel familiar, cu o multitudine de provocări pe care nu știe să le gestioneze, ceea ce îi provoacă nesiguranță, teamă și durere.
La școală primește bilețele prin care e anunțată că nimeni nu și-ar dori să fie prieten cu ea, acasă - atmosfera e tensionată, atitudinea tatălui este imprevizibilă, iar mama simte că pășește pe coji de ouă.
Obiectele din jurul ei prind viață și îi vorbesc, în special după ce relațiile de prietenie de la școală dispar pe măsură ce tensiunea din familie crește. Apelează, prin urmare, la fantezie pentru a face față realității.
Romanul este scris la persoana I, din perspectiva Hannei, unele capitole sunt din perspectiva elefănțelului de pluș Ambrose - jucărie primită de la tatăl său după o ceartă violentă cu mama, iar altele sunt notele consilierului școlar.
‼️ De asemenea, este expusă o lecție despre bullying, prezentată la clasă. Este o carte EXTREM de utilă copiilor, dar mai ales, adulților, cadrelor didactice și consilierilor școlari, pentru că subliniază importanța unui mediu echilibrat, optim pentru dezvoltarea armonioasă a copiilor.
Până la urmă, cine i-a trimis Hannei bilețele?
✒️"Eleva: Acum n-o să mă mai iubească. Acum nimeni n-o să mă mai iubească.
Consiliera: Nu e adevărat. Întotdeauna vei însemna mai mult decât greșelile pe care le faci. Asta va trece."
✒️"Dacă sunteți îngrijorați din cauza mea, nu vă mai certați între voi. Voiam Să nu vă mai certați. Ați ajuns să nu mai vorbiți unul cu altul. Doar să țipați."
Hannah Geller este o fetiță de 10 ani (ce se confruntă cu problemele hormonale specifice vârstei), în clasa a V-a, care iubește cuvintele și le știe importanța, fiind, în același timp, fascinată de ortografie.
Se confruntă atât în mediul școlar, cât și în cel familiar, cu o multitudine de provocări pe care nu știe să le gestioneze, ceea ce îi provoacă nesiguranță, teamă și durere.
La școală primește bilețele prin care e anunțată că nimeni nu și-ar dori să fie prieten cu ea, acasă - atmosfera e tensionată, atitudinea tatălui este imprevizibilă, iar mama simte că pășește pe coji de ouă.
Obiectele din jurul ei prind viață și îi vorbesc, în special după ce relațiile de prietenie de la școală dispar pe măsură ce tensiunea din familie crește. Apelează, prin urmare, la fantezie pentru a face față realității.
Romanul este scris la persoana I, din perspectiva Hannei, unele capitole sunt din perspectiva elefănțelului de pluș Ambrose - jucărie primită de la tatăl său după o ceartă violentă cu mama, iar altele sunt notele consilierului școlar.
‼️ De asemenea, este expusă o lecție despre bullying, prezentată la clasă. Este o carte EXTREM de utilă copiilor, dar mai ales, adulților, cadrelor didactice și consilierilor școlari, pentru că subliniază importanța unui mediu echilibrat, optim pentru dezvoltarea armonioasă a copiilor.
Până la urmă, cine i-a trimis Hannei bilețele?
✒️"Eleva: Acum n-o să mă mai iubească. Acum nimeni n-o să mă mai iubească.
Consiliera: Nu e adevărat. Întotdeauna vei însemna mai mult decât greșelile pe care le faci. Asta va trece."
✒️"Dacă sunteți îngrijorați din cauza mea, nu vă mai certați între voi. Voiam Să nu vă mai certați. Ați ajuns să nu mai vorbiți unul cu altul. Doar să țipați."
April 26, 2025
This was a beautiful, intense story about a little girl dealing with some big problems.
When fifth grade spelling whiz Hannah Geller finds a note on her classroom floor claiming no one likes her, things grow chaotic. The school makes finding her bully a top priority, trying time and time again to emphasize to the students the dangers of bullying.
But these notes might not be the worst thing she's trying to cope with. As the story progresses, we learn there may be some problems at home as well, and Hannah's life has been hard since before the notes started showing up.
I really appreciated that Turley didn't shy away from dark topics just because her audience was young children. She talked about bullying, parental fighting, hitting, school lockdowns and the fear associated with them, mental health, and she did so gracefully and with a profound emotional intelligence, diving into these deeper subjects without crossing the boundary of what is appropriate for children.
She proved that children are not only impacted by these experiences, but also capable of being introduced to them in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way.
The adults in this book were dedicated to helping their students, asking questions and searching for answers when it would have been easier simply to shrug it off. They knew a student was hurting and made it their mission to help them. When I was a child, I was being hurt by an adult in my life, and instead of asking where my "behavioral issues" were coming from, teachers wrote me off as a problem child.
I often wonder how much suffering I may have been spared if someone just asked, Why?
So it meant a lot to me to see a children's story where the adults didn't just bury their heads in the sand and walk away.
When fifth grade spelling whiz Hannah Geller finds a note on her classroom floor claiming no one likes her, things grow chaotic. The school makes finding her bully a top priority, trying time and time again to emphasize to the students the dangers of bullying.
But these notes might not be the worst thing she's trying to cope with. As the story progresses, we learn there may be some problems at home as well, and Hannah's life has been hard since before the notes started showing up.
I really appreciated that Turley didn't shy away from dark topics just because her audience was young children. She talked about bullying, parental fighting, hitting, school lockdowns and the fear associated with them, mental health, and she did so gracefully and with a profound emotional intelligence, diving into these deeper subjects without crossing the boundary of what is appropriate for children.
She proved that children are not only impacted by these experiences, but also capable of being introduced to them in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way.
The adults in this book were dedicated to helping their students, asking questions and searching for answers when it would have been easier simply to shrug it off. They knew a student was hurting and made it their mission to help them. When I was a child, I was being hurt by an adult in my life, and instead of asking where my "behavioral issues" were coming from, teachers wrote me off as a problem child.
I often wonder how much suffering I may have been spared if someone just asked, Why?
So it meant a lot to me to see a children's story where the adults didn't just bury their heads in the sand and walk away.
September 28, 2018
If This Were a Story follows word- and story-loving Hannah Geller through the first leg of her fifth-grade year as she grapples with a tumultuous home life and anonymously written notes at school stating that “nobody [likes her].”
Unfortunately, throughout the novel, author Beth Turley exploits multiple tropes: Hannah’s best friend Courtney serves as her far more stereotypically feminine, and thus, far less empathetic foil. Ryan is Hannah’s Black/brown best friend who, despite having unemployed parents and tattered shoes, is, inexplicably, all smiles all the time. Kimmy is the unhygienic, too-big-for-her-age class bully who lives in a trailer with her grandmother after her mother’s death.
In a novel whose purpose is to tackle the difficulties of dealing with family conflict and bullying as a child, it seems odd to follow a character for whom the world freezes upon the revelation of two (albeit, cruel) notes. The crusade to reveal the notes’ author is spearheaded by her parents, teacher, school counselor, and, eventually, a local police officer. Like many of her peers, Hannah is subjected to bullying. However, Hannah has something her classmates don’t: a dedicated team of concerned, authoritative figures who will not rest until they see justice done by her. (At one point, Hannah notes that Ryan is subjected to different treatment for his brownness; I couldn’t help but wonder whether a cop had ever been brought in to chastise the students in his defense.)
The advent of #MeToo was harshly criticized for its amplification of exceptional white girls and women. In 2018 and beyond, then, how relatable is a children’s novel about an intellectually gifted white girl—whose excellence is buttressed by surrounding marginalized characters, no less—to youth who don’t fit Hannah's profile?
For ages 8-12.
Unfortunately, throughout the novel, author Beth Turley exploits multiple tropes: Hannah’s best friend Courtney serves as her far more stereotypically feminine, and thus, far less empathetic foil. Ryan is Hannah’s Black/brown best friend who, despite having unemployed parents and tattered shoes, is, inexplicably, all smiles all the time. Kimmy is the unhygienic, too-big-for-her-age class bully who lives in a trailer with her grandmother after her mother’s death.
In a novel whose purpose is to tackle the difficulties of dealing with family conflict and bullying as a child, it seems odd to follow a character for whom the world freezes upon the revelation of two (albeit, cruel) notes. The crusade to reveal the notes’ author is spearheaded by her parents, teacher, school counselor, and, eventually, a local police officer. Like many of her peers, Hannah is subjected to bullying. However, Hannah has something her classmates don’t: a dedicated team of concerned, authoritative figures who will not rest until they see justice done by her. (At one point, Hannah notes that Ryan is subjected to different treatment for his brownness; I couldn’t help but wonder whether a cop had ever been brought in to chastise the students in his defense.)
The advent of #MeToo was harshly criticized for its amplification of exceptional white girls and women. In 2018 and beyond, then, how relatable is a children’s novel about an intellectually gifted white girl—whose excellence is buttressed by surrounding marginalized characters, no less—to youth who don’t fit Hannah's profile?
For ages 8-12.
September 3, 2018
"I wish I were in a story. Then I could rewrite things to end the way I want them to and erase all the bad parts."**
Hannah is a very unusual girl. She loves words, but she has a hard time talking to others about her troubles. "It's easier to store words up like emergency supplies than open my mouth and use them." Even her meetings with Ms. Meghan, the school counselor, don’t seem to get her to talk much. She does, however, have conversations with Ambrose, her stuffed elephant, who seems to understand Hannah better than her friends. In addition, the world seems to have plenty of advice for Hannah, as well. "If I listen hard enough, the world speaks to me.
The trouble begins when Hannah finds a note on the classroom floor that says Nobody likes Hannah. Who would write such a hurtful note? Is it Kimmy? Kimmy seems to emit hate rays toward most of her classmates and is often seen as a bully. Or is it Courtney, who has been acting strangely lately? She’s one of Hannah’s friends, but sometimes isn’t that nice to Hannah. "When her mean side comes out, I don't feel lucky at all." Luckily, her other friend, Ryan, is far more faithful.
Mrs. Bloom, classroom teacher, and Ms. Meghan jump into action, trying to find who wrote the note as well as creating activities to curb the bullying. But despite their efforts, a second note appears that says Why would anyone be friends with Hannah? But no matter what they try or who they involve (parents and even a police officer), the notewriter does not emerge.
The only human Hannah seems to be able to talk to about all this is her 8th grade pen pal, Ashley. It seems safer to write about it, than to talk about it. And as Hannah continues to observe the world around her, trying to find answers, she notices that "Everyone's hurting from something."
Such an interesting story about a very complex, highly intelligent girl. Her insight and empathy toward others is special as she tries to understand the perspectives of others and why they act the way they do. "Maybe Violet Beauregarde had a hard time at school. Maybe Mike Teavee's dad was never home. We only see what people want us to see. We are all unreliable narrators." The gradual release of information about Hannah through the counselor’s session notes, her letters to Ashley and her conversations with Ambrose slowly build to total picture of Hannah that she is not ready to admit herself. I also love to voice of Ryan, who is a true friend whose not afraid to tell it like it is. “That’s messed up. You don���t get to put someone down to make yourself feel better.” Great writing. A definite addition to my school library.
**Quotes taken from an Advanced Reader Copy
Hannah is a very unusual girl. She loves words, but she has a hard time talking to others about her troubles. "It's easier to store words up like emergency supplies than open my mouth and use them." Even her meetings with Ms. Meghan, the school counselor, don’t seem to get her to talk much. She does, however, have conversations with Ambrose, her stuffed elephant, who seems to understand Hannah better than her friends. In addition, the world seems to have plenty of advice for Hannah, as well. "If I listen hard enough, the world speaks to me.
The trouble begins when Hannah finds a note on the classroom floor that says Nobody likes Hannah. Who would write such a hurtful note? Is it Kimmy? Kimmy seems to emit hate rays toward most of her classmates and is often seen as a bully. Or is it Courtney, who has been acting strangely lately? She’s one of Hannah’s friends, but sometimes isn’t that nice to Hannah. "When her mean side comes out, I don't feel lucky at all." Luckily, her other friend, Ryan, is far more faithful.
Mrs. Bloom, classroom teacher, and Ms. Meghan jump into action, trying to find who wrote the note as well as creating activities to curb the bullying. But despite their efforts, a second note appears that says Why would anyone be friends with Hannah? But no matter what they try or who they involve (parents and even a police officer), the notewriter does not emerge.
The only human Hannah seems to be able to talk to about all this is her 8th grade pen pal, Ashley. It seems safer to write about it, than to talk about it. And as Hannah continues to observe the world around her, trying to find answers, she notices that "Everyone's hurting from something."
Such an interesting story about a very complex, highly intelligent girl. Her insight and empathy toward others is special as she tries to understand the perspectives of others and why they act the way they do. "Maybe Violet Beauregarde had a hard time at school. Maybe Mike Teavee's dad was never home. We only see what people want us to see. We are all unreliable narrators." The gradual release of information about Hannah through the counselor’s session notes, her letters to Ashley and her conversations with Ambrose slowly build to total picture of Hannah that she is not ready to admit herself. I also love to voice of Ryan, who is a true friend whose not afraid to tell it like it is. “That’s messed up. You don���t get to put someone down to make yourself feel better.” Great writing. A definite addition to my school library.
**Quotes taken from an Advanced Reader Copy
April 5, 2022
Let me begin with a word of caution. Turley's book "If This Were a Story" is not for all but is a story that must be read by all parents to their middle-grade tweens. This book can be labelled as "dark" or "hope" depending on how you read and what you take from it.
If you think about it, what Hannah (the main character of the story) is going through is not something exceptional. I wouldn't say there's truly "bullying" that the kids in her surrounding are going through. These are normal fears and inhibitions that everybody goes through. Maybe more now than we had experienced in our times. Whether we like it or not, at all juncture/ages, people do talk mean things when we fail or make mistakes. It is for us to know that "we are more than mistakes we make". Not everything is to be instilled so deep that you lose yourself. There's Ambrose in all of us but what's most important, we must trust someone and express our deepest emotions before they suck us for good.
Cons - Hannah's character was very well established in the first few pages. Hence the line "if this were a story" was not so necessary on practically every page. Felt a bit dragged
This story needs to be read. But would reiterate, given the Indian context and culture - instead of handing the book to kids someone must read it to them. It's beautiful how they will learn a thing or two & how you will learn a thing or two about them in the process :)
If you think about it, what Hannah (the main character of the story) is going through is not something exceptional. I wouldn't say there's truly "bullying" that the kids in her surrounding are going through. These are normal fears and inhibitions that everybody goes through. Maybe more now than we had experienced in our times. Whether we like it or not, at all juncture/ages, people do talk mean things when we fail or make mistakes. It is for us to know that "we are more than mistakes we make". Not everything is to be instilled so deep that you lose yourself. There's Ambrose in all of us but what's most important, we must trust someone and express our deepest emotions before they suck us for good.
Cons - Hannah's character was very well established in the first few pages. Hence the line "if this were a story" was not so necessary on practically every page. Felt a bit dragged
This story needs to be read. But would reiterate, given the Indian context and culture - instead of handing the book to kids someone must read it to them. It's beautiful how they will learn a thing or two & how you will learn a thing or two about them in the process :)
March 17, 2019
Hannah is a ten year old girl who is gifted with a vibrant imagination, a natural disposition for introspection, and advanced vocabulary for her age. When she discovers an upsetting anonymous note written by a bully, it sparks a classroom-wide investigation over who wrote it, why they wrote it, and what can be done about it.
As Hannah is on the cusp of growing up and entering the next stage of her life, her introspection leads her to inner conflict and turmoil as she reflects on past and present hurts and ways to deal with them - sometimes her imagination is able to help her, and sometimes it hinders her.
The chapters themselves feel disjointed, leaping from one thing to the next, but this is very much how Hannah's thought process works. This book in its nature can be quite sad. It's not a very uplifting story, at least not until around the last five chapters of the book. It does take a look at why someone may be hurting to the point where they may hurt others, or even themselves. No one is entirely presented as a villain by the end, or a good person...all the characters simply resemble humanity as it is, with the potential to grow, change, and have hope.
As Hannah is on the cusp of growing up and entering the next stage of her life, her introspection leads her to inner conflict and turmoil as she reflects on past and present hurts and ways to deal with them - sometimes her imagination is able to help her, and sometimes it hinders her.
The chapters themselves feel disjointed, leaping from one thing to the next, but this is very much how Hannah's thought process works. This book in its nature can be quite sad. It's not a very uplifting story, at least not until around the last five chapters of the book. It does take a look at why someone may be hurting to the point where they may hurt others, or even themselves. No one is entirely presented as a villain by the end, or a good person...all the characters simply resemble humanity as it is, with the potential to grow, change, and have hope.
March 25, 2021
Dacă aceasta ar fi o poveste...
m-aş duce înapoi în timp şi aş fura manuscrisul lui Beth Turley.
Sau aş proceda cum scria personajul principal, referindu-se la Julieta lui Romeo:
” Într-o cămăruţă întunecoasă, având numai o lanternă şi o pană de scris, aş schimba sfârşitul Julietei. Julieta ar decide, nu să moară pentru iubirea ei, ci să devină arhitectă, sau actriţă, sau scriitoare, cu puterea de a-şi alcătui propriile poveşti”.
Cutremuratoare. Revelatoare. (Carte).
****
Pe linia investigaţiilor şi vieţii de şcoală, Hannah ( autoarea) m-a făcut să conştientizez cât de bulversante pot fi problemele adulţilor pentru un copil. Mi-am regasit si copilaria din comunism ( la varsta aceea, clasa a 5-a a mea) care era plina de bulling si abuzuri ale profesorilor. Se plica bătaia în scoală, la greu, fără remuscari!
Am retrăit, citind, şi propriile mele traume.
Am analizat şi potenţialul uriaş de a înţelege cum să administrez un caz asemănător pe viitor, ca părinte.
Am inteles mai multe, dar pastrez secretul!
Si as paria ca si voi, daca cititi cartea, va regasiti in Hannah!
Am scris mai multe, aici!
https://fantasyromanesc.blogspot.com/...
m-aş duce înapoi în timp şi aş fura manuscrisul lui Beth Turley.
Sau aş proceda cum scria personajul principal, referindu-se la Julieta lui Romeo:
” Într-o cămăruţă întunecoasă, având numai o lanternă şi o pană de scris, aş schimba sfârşitul Julietei. Julieta ar decide, nu să moară pentru iubirea ei, ci să devină arhitectă, sau actriţă, sau scriitoare, cu puterea de a-şi alcătui propriile poveşti”.
Cutremuratoare. Revelatoare. (Carte).
****
Pe linia investigaţiilor şi vieţii de şcoală, Hannah ( autoarea) m-a făcut să conştientizez cât de bulversante pot fi problemele adulţilor pentru un copil. Mi-am regasit si copilaria din comunism ( la varsta aceea, clasa a 5-a a mea) care era plina de bulling si abuzuri ale profesorilor. Se plica bătaia în scoală, la greu, fără remuscari!
Am retrăit, citind, şi propriile mele traume.
Am analizat şi potenţialul uriaş de a înţelege cum să administrez un caz asemănător pe viitor, ca părinte.
Am inteles mai multe, dar pastrez secretul!
Si as paria ca si voi, daca cititi cartea, va regasiti in Hannah!
Am scris mai multe, aici!
https://fantasyromanesc.blogspot.com/...
April 5, 2019
If This Were a Story by Beth Turley, 249 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2018. $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Ten-year-old Hannah finds a note on her classroom floor saying that no one wants to be friends with her. This draws new people into her circle - a concerned counselor and a misunderstood bully, and highlights some the very complicated stresses she is under - parents who fight, friends who manipulate. Told in first person, Hannah often references what direction a classical story structure would go, and then departs from it in her own story.
I have to acknowledge how much I disliked the ending in which everything gets wrapped up perfectly. But, other than that, I think this book addresses some very tender topics in a delicate and interesting way. The writing was beautiful and the characters were layered and relatable.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Ten-year-old Hannah finds a note on her classroom floor saying that no one wants to be friends with her. This draws new people into her circle - a concerned counselor and a misunderstood bully, and highlights some the very complicated stresses she is under - parents who fight, friends who manipulate. Told in first person, Hannah often references what direction a classical story structure would go, and then departs from it in her own story.
I have to acknowledge how much I disliked the ending in which everything gets wrapped up perfectly. But, other than that, I think this book addresses some very tender topics in a delicate and interesting way. The writing was beautiful and the characters were layered and relatable.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
March 29, 2021
Although an overall enjoyable read, I can't say I would recommend this to my children. I found it unexpectedly creepy for the protagonist to hear voices, particularly of her favorite stuffed animal, speaking to her. I also don't believe the character realized that she was the perpetrator of the harmful notes until the end of the book, which is also when she realizes the voices come from inside of her own mind. In my mind, it seemed evident that this girl has emotional struggles that have manifested in mental illness, and every adult in this book fails her. Not only do her parents fail her, but the school counselor only recommends that she keep reading a particular book to help her process her feelings. Eventually the girl is suspended, which is a reality for far too many students who could be better served with proper support plans. Clearly she needed help, but instead she got punished. The same also goes for the character of Kimmy. Overall the characters were likeable and believable, but the reactions of the adults in the book left more to be desired. Sadly I think this happens far too much in real life as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2019
This is a must read for every middle-schooler, every parent of a middle-schooler, every teacher of a middle-schooler.... you get the idea. The tension is palpable; the characters are real. Well crafted and beautiful language make this a wonderful classroom read. The only device I found disconcerting and distracting was Hannah's consistent "If this were a story..." diversion. It became cumbersome after a time or four.
Maybe it counts as truth if it's the way I wish I felt. (50)
My life is becoming a one-way police mirror. As hard as I try to see what lies ahead, the glass stays dark. All I can see is my shadowy reflection." (96)
...how hard it is to forget the past when it's always right there just waiting for you to grab it. (138)
Maybe it counts as truth if it's the way I wish I felt. (50)
My life is becoming a one-way police mirror. As hard as I try to see what lies ahead, the glass stays dark. All I can see is my shadowy reflection." (96)
...how hard it is to forget the past when it's always right there just waiting for you to grab it. (138)
April 9, 2020
A nice story about dealing with bullying and trauma. I have always had trouble remembering this title, but it comes from the main character who, when finding herself in a situation, imagines what would happen if this event were a part of a story.
I found the bullying reactions from the school to be very unrealistic (at least in my experience of teaching in an urban setting). The bullying event takes place and there are class meetings about it, the parents are notified, a police officer comes in, several of the characters go to an in school counselor, who is able to see the kids right then. I would think that students reading this would find it all very "fairy tale". I hope that there are places that are able to take bullying this seriously.
I found the bullying reactions from the school to be very unrealistic (at least in my experience of teaching in an urban setting). The bullying event takes place and there are class meetings about it, the parents are notified, a police officer comes in, several of the characters go to an in school counselor, who is able to see the kids right then. I would think that students reading this would find it all very "fairy tale". I hope that there are places that are able to take bullying this seriously.
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