Plenty Porter

by Brandon Noonan

A lyrical coming-of-age novel, in the tradition of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

When Plenty Porter was born, she didn't have a name. Her parents had gone through all their favorites with the others. The doctor asked, "Think you'll have another?" Her mother kept her answer to herself. Her father said, "No, eleven is plenty."

I am Plenty Porter. I am plenty.

The daughter of poor share-croppers in rural Illinois, Plenty Porter is the youngest of eleven children. In their cramped, old farmhouse, with thirteen mouths needing to be fed, Plenty feels as though she is "one too many." But when she develops a special friendship with a boy named Ed-the son of a wealthy landowner-together they come to terms with what it means to be on the outside, and how the word "family" is truly defined.

A stunning debut by screenwriter Brandon Noonan, PLENTY PORTER is an evocative and poignant coming-of-age novel. Rich in texture, and masterfully crafted, PLENTY PORTER introduces a timeless heroine with an unforgettable voice.

Genres: Young Adult, Mental Illness, Historical Fiction, Family

240 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend wrote this book, and I loved it. No really, if I didn't, I would never even mention it. I was reading it and thinking, Wow, my friend wrote this? Cool. I really liked the story of Plenty and her family and the troubles they end up in.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never expect much from "young adult" or "teen" fiction but fluff. This well-crafted novel was not long, and I read it in one sitting. But the writing was powerful, and the ending (while not unexpected for me) was also powerful.

Plenty Porter deals with being the youngest of a large family. She struggles to understand her place in the family as well as herself and in her world. She manages to stumble into her parents' and sibling's secrets, worries, and lives in bits and pieces without ever quite fully forming a whole. Through her eyes we also catch peeks into these other people crowded into the home and into the town.

Bit by bit, just like Plenty, we come to be aware of what lies beneath these people and how Plenty will handle it and the new knowledge.

For instance, when the teacher slaps her in school, it comes as a shock. Plenty wants to go home crying when her brother finds her and wants to go right to the teacher and demand an explanation. They arrive to see their father leaving a tearful teacher who called him. Then we come to find it happened because she's upset over the death of her soldier brother and lost control. At the funeral Plenty tells her teacher that "it didn't hurt at all." Plenty has forgiven her and sees beyond her own initial pain into the greater pain of her teacher.

It is another teacher that takes the class walking to learn about maps after a school yard fight Plenty gets into with some girls who shun her low status and call her names. Infuriated, the teacher tells them, "You girls can't see anything but yourselves." With the map lesson she shows them how petty and small they are being. The girls hang back in the walk, waiting for Plenty to catch up. It's implied that the girls arrive at some kind of truce, perhaps even a fledgling friendship.

In this way, across a series of small vignettes Plenty begins connecting the dots -- how her life and her family's life is interwoven into the small town. And she also begins to connect the dots to what exactly is ailing her sister Marcie.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this coming-of-age story. Set in rural Illinois, in the 1950s, the author does a good job capturing the hard realities of Plenty's life: the youngest of eleven, a sharecropping family of very little means, a sister in trouble and in need, and just being an awkward 12-year-old. Despite all these difficulties, Plenty's story is not depressing or maudlin. The writing might be a touch affected, but in my opinion forgivably so.

[Sassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely amazing! I loved the surprises that just popped up in the story randomly, either pleasing you or making you angry. The mystery and crazy twists intertwined throughout keep you hooked. You won't want to put this book down. It was intriguing from beginning to end. I fell in love with the characters, especially Plenty and her spunky personality and fighting spirit. This perfect girl matches this perfect story. I loved it. All of it.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out simple and easy and interesting. A young 13 year old girl, #11 out of 11 children and she's finding her way in life and in her family and reaching out to others to improve their lives as well and then there's this huge twist towards the end of the book that I did not expect. I liked it very much.

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so torn about this book. It was depressing yet hopeful. I did love the main character, but loving her is also what made it so hard to read because she is so young and has to learn life the hard way.The ending is really great but all the way through is pretty sad. I thought it was very creatively written and I enjoyed that aspect of it. Some of the imagery was really well done.

[Amber Carrier · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is so terribly written that i had major problems getting past the first 10 pages. i absolutely loath this book. i read it completly thru hoping that it would gain my attention but sadly it did not.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is in my children's dept. but I'm thinking on moving it to YA. There's some pretty intense themes in this book: suicide, mental illness and attempted and actual murder. Lots and lots and lots of stream of consciousness.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by my cousin and indirectly is about my mother and her brothers and sisters growing up.

[yargray Gray]

one of my very very favorite books i have read to this day. it is written very well, and the plot was fantastic, including many important themes throughout it.

[Jobie]

This book takes place in my home town and is written by my great-grandmother's brother's grandson! My great grandma "Nanny" was a Noonan (the author's last name). Can't wait to read......

[Isabel C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, reminded me of " To Kill a Mocking Bird".