I Never Asked You to Understand Me: A Novel

by Barthe DeClements

Didi's world is shattered when her mother dies. Her grades plummet, and soon she finds herself at Cooperation High -- the school for "dropouts and druggies." There, she meets Larry, out on parole; TJ the gorgeous stoner; and Stacy. Stacy's got a figure that makes guys notice, and an intense fear that keeps them away. Didi wants to help -- but once Stacy's secret is out, who can the two of them turn to?

Genres: Young Adult, Teen, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not one of Barthe DeClements’ best books. A lot of it is unrealistic and just plain bad.

What teacher (even in an alternative school) would casually ask a student if that’s how he pays for his drugs like he’s talking about the weather?

Why would a pretty “straight” student just randomly pop a pill a student who she sees as a druggie gives her, doesn't ask any questions, and act like it's nothing because she’s a little tired? (She's only embarrassed later in the day when a new student tells one of her favorite teachers "get this druggie away from me." Apparently, she was visibly "speeding" - this book was written long before meth.)

What female “friend” would casually ask another girl almost immediately after she reveals her father raped her, “how was it?” like she just revealed she slept with her boyfriend for the first time? That really killed this book for me.

What kind of father would let a bad housekeeper/pseudo cook and her crazy bratty daughter take over the house, running his biological daughter out of town? Especially after his wife/his daughter’s mom just died? And apparently the father wasn’t even attracted to this bossy housekeeper, as he refused a hug from her.

Elsie, Jenny, Jack, and Craddoc (from many other books like “How Do You Lose Those Ninth Grade Blues?” and “Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Grade” show up so briefly the attempt to please loyal readers is pretty much laughable. You see nothing but their names, really.

I could go on and on about how this book was a waste of my money ($5 on EBay) and time (maybe two hours?), but I won’t. "I Never Asked You to Understand Me" was so bad and unrealistic I have to wonder if Barthe DeClements used a ghostwriter for this one, as it’s more of a Sweet Valley High on drugs tone than her other books. It's honestly cheesier than a horrible 1980s after-school special.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book when I was young. It was the first novel that I ever read cover to cover in one sitting. I don't remember much of the storyline anymore, but I do remember relating very much to the characters, and thinking it was one of the best books I had read at the time.

[Candice Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Elizabeth Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The students are in an alternative school, so it is probably realistic, but I wouldn't want any child to think that the way these kids drink and do drugs is okay. There is very little in it that suggests their behavior is wrong. One of the girls has to deal with her father raping her and abusing her mother. Eventually, she is able to get help.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a teen!