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History Lesson for Girls
Moving with her parents to an affluent Connecticut town in the mid-1970s, thirteen-year-old Alison Glass struggles to fit into her new school in spite of her back brace and forges an unlikely friendship with a popular girl who shares Alison's love of horses. By the Pushcart Prize-winning author of The Anxiety of Everyday Objects. 30,000 first printing.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
January 27, 2015
I truly enjoyed this story. It was unique; far from the hum drum of a formulaic coming-of-age story. The nostalgia of the 70's was pitch perfect, the neurotic family fascinating, and the tension between female best friends wholly believable.
This is a great escape into a tale that is both light enough for a weekend read and intelligent enough that you won't feel you've squandered your time.
This is a great escape into a tale that is both light enough for a weekend read and intelligent enough that you won't feel you've squandered your time.
August 28, 2007
One of the reviews on this book already says "this is a good coming-of-age story for girls -- especially if you grew up in Connecticut in the mid-1970s." That is probably true. That is also the problem -- if you are not into girl coming-of-age stories, or perhaps DIDN'T grow up in CT in the 1970s, you may not get a whole lot out of this.
History Lesson for Girls is somewhat emotionally engrossing, and definitely a quick, engaging read, but I found that the really dramatic topics (parents who screw up their kids; the 1970s were a crazy time; drugs are bad, mmkay?) had been covered better elsewhere -- chiefly in Running with Scissors. I think Sheehan is a better straight-up writer than Augusten Burroughs -- in terms of plot structure and ability to string sentences together -- but that Burroughs had a better tale to tell. See also the movie The Ice Storm, and there are probably lots more examples out there of The 1970s Were Some Crazy Times, Boy Howdy. For good or ill, Sheehan is telling a story that has been told before, and the addition girl friendship as a theme is not quite enough to make this an important addition to the genre (not that I am an expert).
Digression 1: For the record, I found Running with Scissors to be good but horrifying, not hilarious as the book jackets would have you believe -- it's basically a story about child abuse. Or maybe I have no sense of humor.
Digression 2: Does anyone out there remember Mustang Wild Spirit of the West by Marguerite Henry (the author of Misty of Chincoteague)? That book also featured a young, atypical heroine who had back problems (in her case due to polio, because it was the '50s, not the '70s) and discovers horses as a route to fantasy escape from her crappy life. The horse thing rings kind of hollow in History Lesson for Girls but maybe that's because I went through a serious horse phase as a kid and know what real nerdy horse stories are like.
But back to this story in general. I guess I may not have the emotional attachment that some readers do to stories of close girl friendships in their teens, and scary coming-of-age narratives about their first smoke, first unfortunate make out session at age 14, blah blah. I didn't do those things because I was a very introverted Nerd Kid who prematurely identified strongly with adults (for better or worse). And the whole point of this book is that adults are quite alien to teens of a certain age -- especially when said adults are on drugs, having marital difficulties, and generally Not Getting It. So I guess the Average American Female Reader may find quite a lot to identify with, and this book could be pretty moving. But I found that I personally didn't have much of an emotional response, and since the book is about remembrance and personal narrative, the whole thing seemed kind of stale.
Overall: Better than chick lit (I imagine -- I've never read any except for Bridget Jones, but still kind of a girly beach read. The story, though moving in places and generally engaging, just doesn't have universal appeal.
History Lesson for Girls is somewhat emotionally engrossing, and definitely a quick, engaging read, but I found that the really dramatic topics (parents who screw up their kids; the 1970s were a crazy time; drugs are bad, mmkay?) had been covered better elsewhere -- chiefly in Running with Scissors. I think Sheehan is a better straight-up writer than Augusten Burroughs -- in terms of plot structure and ability to string sentences together -- but that Burroughs had a better tale to tell. See also the movie The Ice Storm, and there are probably lots more examples out there of The 1970s Were Some Crazy Times, Boy Howdy. For good or ill, Sheehan is telling a story that has been told before, and the addition girl friendship as a theme is not quite enough to make this an important addition to the genre (not that I am an expert).
Digression 1: For the record, I found Running with Scissors to be good but horrifying, not hilarious as the book jackets would have you believe -- it's basically a story about child abuse. Or maybe I have no sense of humor.
Digression 2: Does anyone out there remember Mustang Wild Spirit of the West by Marguerite Henry (the author of Misty of Chincoteague)? That book also featured a young, atypical heroine who had back problems (in her case due to polio, because it was the '50s, not the '70s) and discovers horses as a route to fantasy escape from her crappy life. The horse thing rings kind of hollow in History Lesson for Girls but maybe that's because I went through a serious horse phase as a kid and know what real nerdy horse stories are like.
But back to this story in general. I guess I may not have the emotional attachment that some readers do to stories of close girl friendships in their teens, and scary coming-of-age narratives about their first smoke, first unfortunate make out session at age 14, blah blah. I didn't do those things because I was a very introverted Nerd Kid who prematurely identified strongly with adults (for better or worse). And the whole point of this book is that adults are quite alien to teens of a certain age -- especially when said adults are on drugs, having marital difficulties, and generally Not Getting It. So I guess the Average American Female Reader may find quite a lot to identify with, and this book could be pretty moving. But I found that I personally didn't have much of an emotional response, and since the book is about remembrance and personal narrative, the whole thing seemed kind of stale.
Overall: Better than chick lit (I imagine -- I've never read any except for Bridget Jones, but still kind of a girly beach read. The story, though moving in places and generally engaging, just doesn't have universal appeal.
October 21, 2008
When I was growing up, I had to go to a special doctor an hour away from my hometown each year - or maybe twice a year, I can't remember - for checkups because one of a slight curvature in my spine, or "mild scoliosis", that the doctors feared would become more pronounced as I got older. Consequently, I was often cautioned to be careful when I was playing, with the threat being that I could end up in a back brace.
This threat was always kind of vague. My parents made it sound really awful, and I suppose they had to do that to keep me from attempting to do a cartwheel (not allowed when you have mild scoliosis!), but in my mind it wasn't a big deal. (Little did they know I was a chicken who was too scared of falling over anyway.) I just imagined a back brace to be like a big piece of elastic, kind of like those pull-on braces athletes wear on their knees or wrists sometimes.
This is all a very long way of saying that I found this book fascinating because it involves a pre-teen girl who actually DID have to wear the not-so-dreaded back brace. And you know what? It sounds like wearing a brace really sucks.
That's not all the book is about, though. It's a lovely tale that could be categorized as much as an exploration of female friendship as it could a coming-of-age story, and I enjoyed it immensely.
This threat was always kind of vague. My parents made it sound really awful, and I suppose they had to do that to keep me from attempting to do a cartwheel (not allowed when you have mild scoliosis!), but in my mind it wasn't a big deal. (Little did they know I was a chicken who was too scared of falling over anyway.) I just imagined a back brace to be like a big piece of elastic, kind of like those pull-on braces athletes wear on their knees or wrists sometimes.
This is all a very long way of saying that I found this book fascinating because it involves a pre-teen girl who actually DID have to wear the not-so-dreaded back brace. And you know what? It sounds like wearing a brace really sucks.
That's not all the book is about, though. It's a lovely tale that could be categorized as much as an exploration of female friendship as it could a coming-of-age story, and I enjoyed it immensely.
April 9, 2011
I pretty much love all coming-of-age stories, especially when they are set in a time period in which I did not grow up. It’s as if I have some kind of nostalgia for eras I didn’t truly experience. History Lesson for Girls takes place in the 1970s, & the author truly captures what it would have been like to grow up in suburbia with pot-smoking, hippie guru parents or “nerdy” academic ones. There’s such a fabulous contrast between the households of the two main characters. This novel perfectly captures the growing friendship of popular girl Kate & her awkward sidekick, Alison. As they go on pony rides through the back roads of their neighborhood or sneak smoke breaks at school, Kate & Alison bond in ways that only junior high girls can. Even though the plot isn’t too heavy, the author unravels the story in such a way that I didn’t want it to end. This one ranks high up there with two of my coming-of-age favorites, The Virgin Suicides & Little Miss Strange. Loved it!
June 14, 2011
I loved this book and couldn't put it down despite the troubling dreams it gave me. I suspect some of this story is autobiographical which would explain how very real and genuine the voice of the narrator is. It's a terrific coming-of-age book for anyone who felt different or struggled to fit in during middle school years. I loved the writing and will look for more by this author.
September 7, 2013
Quirkiest characters of my summer - I loved them. Deeply crazy families in whole new ways. Great flashbacks to the United States Bicentennial so I suppose this is really my era.
Great writing throughout, sprinkled with gems:
"By the time we made it back to the kitchen, smoke was billowing from the oven: another platter of hors d'ouevres destroyed by circumstance."
Great writing throughout, sprinkled with gems:
"By the time we made it back to the kitchen, smoke was billowing from the oven: another platter of hors d'ouevres destroyed by circumstance."
February 3, 2025
"History Lesson for Girls" by Aurelie Sheehan is a coming-of-age novel that delves into the complexities of adolescence, friendship, and the struggle for identity. Set in the 1970s, the story follows Alison Glass, a young girl who moves to a new town and faces the challenges of fitting in while dealing with a severe case of scoliosis
One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of female friendships and the impact they have on personal growth. Alison's relationship with her new friend, Kate, is central to the story. Through their bond, Sheehan explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the search for acceptance. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing their own set of struggles and triumphs to the story. Alison's journey is intriguing as she navigates the physical and emotional challenges due to her scoliosis, highlighting the resilience and strength required to overcome struggles.
Sheehan's writing is very smooth providing a deep emotional connection that stays with the reader after the book is finished. The novel's pacing is steady, allowing for a thorough exploration of the character's inner lives and the dynamics of their relationships. "History Lesson for Girls" is not just a story about growing up; it's a reflection on the human experience, the pain of change, and the beauty of finding one's place in the world. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted, emotionally rich narrative. That's why I give this book 4 stars.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of female friendships and the impact they have on personal growth. Alison's relationship with her new friend, Kate, is central to the story. Through their bond, Sheehan explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the search for acceptance. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing their own set of struggles and triumphs to the story. Alison's journey is intriguing as she navigates the physical and emotional challenges due to her scoliosis, highlighting the resilience and strength required to overcome struggles.
Sheehan's writing is very smooth providing a deep emotional connection that stays with the reader after the book is finished. The novel's pacing is steady, allowing for a thorough exploration of the character's inner lives and the dynamics of their relationships. "History Lesson for Girls" is not just a story about growing up; it's a reflection on the human experience, the pain of change, and the beauty of finding one's place in the world. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted, emotionally rich narrative. That's why I give this book 4 stars.
April 13, 2024
I felt so sorry for Allison to have to wear such an unweildly brace for her scoliosis. I'm glad the treatment has improved for this condition since the 70s. I'm glad that she found a friend in Kate when she moved to her new town and school, and that they had horse riding in common. Frankly, Kate's parents were awful with all the drugs they were doing and how abusive her father could be to her. I cannot believe her father shot her horse. For the ending, it leaves you wondering if Kate's death was an accident or a suicide. Very sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2020
This book had a very promising beginning but I really don’t know what happened. I simply couldn’t bring myself to give a full 3 stars (if 2.5 was available, I would have done that)... I simply didn’t like the story or the way it was written. Maybe if I had been raised with a horse in the Northeast in the 70’s, I would have enjoyed it more.
January 10, 2022
I should have loved this story. I enjoy coming-of-age stories, and I was obsessed with horses at this age. But it just didn't grab me. I don't know that there's anything wrong with it. Maybe I'm just too old to be reading it. But I had to push myself through the back half.
February 23, 2021
This book fractured my heart and I will never be the same.
March 30, 2023
Awful.
March 31, 2012
I'd been looking forward to reading this book for awhile, largely because of its setting. History Lesson for Girls takes place in Weston, Connecticut, during the 1975-76 school year, when Alison Glass and Kate Hamilton are in the eighth grade. Alison's family moved to Weston from Norwalk, just a couple of towns away, during the summer, for the schools. My family lived in Norwalk at that time, too; I was in the sixth grade during that year leading up to our nation's Bicentennial. Weston is one of the prosperous, historically-rich small towns that dot Fairfield County; Norwalk is a medium-sized city. Despite the similarities in locale and age, the lives of these characters are far different from mine at that time; they're more like a tamer version of The Ice Storm.
"History" factors in here in a couple of ways. The town of Weston is also about to celebrate its bicentennial, and the town is planning a jubilee; the eighth-grade history class has been assigned a year-long related project to go on display at the event. Personal and cultural history are more central to the story, though, as Alison looks back on that year as an adult.
It was a year during which Alison felt out of place, not just in the ways that many young teen girls do, but because of her new-girl-in-town status and because of the back brace that she can only take off when riding her horse. Kate has grown up in Weston and seems secure in her status, but she and Alison bond over their shared love of horses, and before long, they have one of those tightly-bonded youthful friendships that seems not to need anyone else. They do seem to need each other, though, since neither has a very reliable family. Alison's would-be bohemian parents are quietly unhappy, fragile, and worried about their daughter's medical condition. Kate's father has gotten rich off the 1970's absorption with self-actualization, self-improvement, and self, period (there's a reason that it's called the "Me Decade"), and the Hamilton home - where parents openly smoke pot and snort cocaine, the son has his own drug stash, and the kids come and go as they please - is chaotic and decadent.
All of this makes for an interesting, well-told story and a pretty fast read, but I think I may have been expecting something different, and I was ultimately disappointed. What I had hoped would sound and feel familiar to me really didn't - such are the dangers of nostalgia - and yet here really wasn't anything unexpected here. I generally like first-person narration, but at times it can be frustrating, since it (quite reasonably) means that other characters may not be as well-developed as the central one, and I would have liked some perspective from viewpoints other than Alison's.
"History" factors in here in a couple of ways. The town of Weston is also about to celebrate its bicentennial, and the town is planning a jubilee; the eighth-grade history class has been assigned a year-long related project to go on display at the event. Personal and cultural history are more central to the story, though, as Alison looks back on that year as an adult.
It was a year during which Alison felt out of place, not just in the ways that many young teen girls do, but because of her new-girl-in-town status and because of the back brace that she can only take off when riding her horse. Kate has grown up in Weston and seems secure in her status, but she and Alison bond over their shared love of horses, and before long, they have one of those tightly-bonded youthful friendships that seems not to need anyone else. They do seem to need each other, though, since neither has a very reliable family. Alison's would-be bohemian parents are quietly unhappy, fragile, and worried about their daughter's medical condition. Kate's father has gotten rich off the 1970's absorption with self-actualization, self-improvement, and self, period (there's a reason that it's called the "Me Decade"), and the Hamilton home - where parents openly smoke pot and snort cocaine, the son has his own drug stash, and the kids come and go as they please - is chaotic and decadent.
All of this makes for an interesting, well-told story and a pretty fast read, but I think I may have been expecting something different, and I was ultimately disappointed. What I had hoped would sound and feel familiar to me really didn't - such are the dangers of nostalgia - and yet here really wasn't anything unexpected here. I generally like first-person narration, but at times it can be frustrating, since it (quite reasonably) means that other characters may not be as well-developed as the central one, and I would have liked some perspective from viewpoints other than Alison's.
January 3, 2010
Sometimes I think I should work as an editor. I see so often how authors don't leave enough bread crumbs for us to follow to their huge denouement. They think they're building this wonderful rise into a crashing crescendo, but fail to understand how to build it successfully. History Lesson for Girls is just one of those books.
A perfect example of this is the horses--the two main characters (I even forget their names now) are young girls who supposedly want to run away together some day to open a place for horses, yet all the talk of horses, their relationships with horses, is practically a P.S. in the story. The horses get less time than the narrator's ongoing battle with scoliosis, yet we're meant to believe that when the other girl's father shoots her horse that it's the pinnacle of his asshole behavior. Her horse was mentioned maybe 2 times--while I found it morally outrageous as an animal person, from a plot perspective he may as well have tossed out her childhood teddy bear. The author failed to establish the intense affection between the girls and the horses, and the psychological benefit they gained from the freedom of such a big animal: one to take off her brace and feel normal and powerful, while the other to escape from a horrible household. Because that premise, which would have worked quite well, was never established I couldn't believe in the tragedy of the horses ending.
Maybe Sheehan will get a better editor who will tell her to flesh out her stories better .... but right now, I would not recommend this book.
A perfect example of this is the horses--the two main characters (I even forget their names now) are young girls who supposedly want to run away together some day to open a place for horses, yet all the talk of horses, their relationships with horses, is practically a P.S. in the story. The horses get less time than the narrator's ongoing battle with scoliosis, yet we're meant to believe that when the other girl's father shoots her horse that it's the pinnacle of his asshole behavior. Her horse was mentioned maybe 2 times--while I found it morally outrageous as an animal person, from a plot perspective he may as well have tossed out her childhood teddy bear. The author failed to establish the intense affection between the girls and the horses, and the psychological benefit they gained from the freedom of such a big animal: one to take off her brace and feel normal and powerful, while the other to escape from a horrible household. Because that premise, which would have worked quite well, was never established I couldn't believe in the tragedy of the horses ending.
Maybe Sheehan will get a better editor who will tell her to flesh out her stories better .... but right now, I would not recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2014
However, this book was not well structured. I never understood what the "History Lesson" was supposed to be. Furthermore, Alison says in the beginning of the book that Kate "saved" her life. But I never saw Kate as anything but a pretty destructive, selfish force. She really seemed wrapped up in her own turmoil and did not look very far outside herself. I could never connect with her. Actually, I could never connect with ANY of the characters. They all seemed either really spineless or incredibly self-absorbed. The only character I liked was the deaf, Irish grandmother. Alison was whiny; Kate was superficial; Chris Glass was weak and ineffectual at everything; Clare Glass was pretty selfish and blind; as for Tut and Shana Hamilton they were such bad people that they came off as really fake. I didn't feel sympathy for anyone!
The whole ending was rushed and never tied anything up--I was left confused and wondering "what was the point of all this?" Expressive language aside, this book was sloppy storytelling and I was disappointed.
The whole ending was rushed and never tied anything up--I was left confused and wondering "what was the point of all this?" Expressive language aside, this book was sloppy storytelling and I was disappointed.
September 21, 2014
Overall this book was a really great read. It reminded me very much of the coming-of-age tales I used to read loads of in my early 20s, but it also very much reminded me of books I read as a pre-teen and teenager as well, especially because of the horse theme, not that it's all about that. Far from it! It's actually a lot darker than that. I think the only reason I can't give it 5 stars as it doesn't leave me with that 'wow, this book changed my life' or stayed-with-me feeling, but it certainly wasn't a waste of time to read! In fact, it was quite hard to put down at times, but light enough too to pick up and put down often, which of course is my usual fashion of reading these days with two young children! Anyway, would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys stories about girls growing up in America.
January 25, 2023
In some ways I hated this book, in some ways I liked it, and in some ways I felt nothing at all towards it.
I don’t really dabble in coming of age stories too much, but I picked this one up because I myself was an 8th grader in a scoliosis brace, and I feel it’s a realm that often isn’t explored. The 1970s setting was interesting. It had a lot of turmoil that felt a little hard to connect to, perhaps because my life has really only been plagued by internal problems, not external ones. But then, a story must have plot.
I felt the way about this story that I felt watching Almost Famous—like it was good but maybe I just didn’t quite get it, but I really would’ve liked to....but then, something also touched me deeply, somewhere in there. It did make me cry—like, gasping, full sobs. But then, I’m emotional.
I don’t really dabble in coming of age stories too much, but I picked this one up because I myself was an 8th grader in a scoliosis brace, and I feel it’s a realm that often isn’t explored. The 1970s setting was interesting. It had a lot of turmoil that felt a little hard to connect to, perhaps because my life has really only been plagued by internal problems, not external ones. But then, a story must have plot.
I felt the way about this story that I felt watching Almost Famous—like it was good but maybe I just didn’t quite get it, but I really would’ve liked to....but then, something also touched me deeply, somewhere in there. It did make me cry—like, gasping, full sobs. But then, I’m emotional.
July 3, 2009
Oh yes ladies - book club has finally arrived :)
Book club went really well with this book - it was far more tragic than I had anticipated (the book, not the club), but was a cool look at how a friendship changes.
It was super cool because they were growing up in Connecticut (like me) and there were lots of things in there that brought me right back to growing up up there. Tigerlilies being everywhere was one of those things, but there were many many.
I wasn't sure about the girl's story interlaced throughout the novel, and if it served some sort of other purpose or was supposed to make us look deeper into the actual novel, but I didn't find any connection there.
Pretty good book, quick read.
Book club went really well with this book - it was far more tragic than I had anticipated (the book, not the club), but was a cool look at how a friendship changes.
It was super cool because they were growing up in Connecticut (like me) and there were lots of things in there that brought me right back to growing up up there. Tigerlilies being everywhere was one of those things, but there were many many.
I wasn't sure about the girl's story interlaced throughout the novel, and if it served some sort of other purpose or was supposed to make us look deeper into the actual novel, but I didn't find any connection there.
Pretty good book, quick read.
January 2, 2009
Things I liked about this book:
1) I liked the realistic (and searing) way adolescent meanness was depicted; I think this is the first book in a LONG time that has made me remember what it was like to be in middle school and how mean people could be. (Including, of course *cringe* me.)
2) I liked how it was set in the 70s, and how it made me think about how different (or not) it would have been to grow up then instead of the early 90s.
3) I liked the crazy parents. Mine are so boring and normal, there was no drama like this.
4) I liked the scolosis story. I think most teenagers feel like there's something "wrong" with them, physically or not, and I thought this book used the scolosis to explore this more obviously.
1) I liked the realistic (and searing) way adolescent meanness was depicted; I think this is the first book in a LONG time that has made me remember what it was like to be in middle school and how mean people could be. (Including, of course *cringe* me.)
2) I liked how it was set in the 70s, and how it made me think about how different (or not) it would have been to grow up then instead of the early 90s.
3) I liked the crazy parents. Mine are so boring and normal, there was no drama like this.
4) I liked the scolosis story. I think most teenagers feel like there's something "wrong" with them, physically or not, and I thought this book used the scolosis to explore this more obviously.
August 4, 2011
The nostalgic look at the 1970's was very entertaining and pleasant to read. However, the book definitely didn't keep me reading because of the quality of the writing- it proved to be a very easy read with a "bathtub novel" kind of feel.
I despised the parents of both Alison and Kate- I mean, I don't think you're supposed to like them (the author personified them with the easy parenting style of the 70's for a reason), but I had trouble trucking through some of the more frustrating parts of the novel.
Overall, the book didn't really inspire me. I loved the 1970's references and the perfect set-up and descriptions of a small town in Connecticut, but I would recommend the novel only to the most specific niche of reader.
I despised the parents of both Alison and Kate- I mean, I don't think you're supposed to like them (the author personified them with the easy parenting style of the 70's for a reason), but I had trouble trucking through some of the more frustrating parts of the novel.
Overall, the book didn't really inspire me. I loved the 1970's references and the perfect set-up and descriptions of a small town in Connecticut, but I would recommend the novel only to the most specific niche of reader.
May 3, 2009
Bleh. I found this book to be dreadful. I kept waiting for it to get better, but it never did.
Allison is a young girl who has debilitating scoliosis that requires her to wear an ugly brace. Her hippie parents move her to a ritzy town in Connecticut where she is constantly tormented by her peers. She winds up meeting Kate, a girl who has decent social standing. Together, they become best friends who plan to open a horse riding school together in the future. That's really it. Kate's parents are crazy, there is open '70's drug use, and there is some tragedy. But I found it really boring and not worth finishing.
Allison is a young girl who has debilitating scoliosis that requires her to wear an ugly brace. Her hippie parents move her to a ritzy town in Connecticut where she is constantly tormented by her peers. She winds up meeting Kate, a girl who has decent social standing. Together, they become best friends who plan to open a horse riding school together in the future. That's really it. Kate's parents are crazy, there is open '70's drug use, and there is some tragedy. But I found it really boring and not worth finishing.
April 18, 2009
This was a pretty good book. I will definitely look for more by this author, as I enjoyed her writing. At first the format was a bit confusing, the way the chapters were preceded by small sections of a second story, the book that the characters were writing. The ending was sad, but it was foreshadowed throughout, and you know that things turn out okay for the main character, so it's not as shocking or disturbing. I think the character development was fairly weak, and there were parts that left me wanting a bit more detail or explanation. But overall it was a good read, I wanted to reach the end, and I could picture the main character as a real person.
December 10, 2007
It was ok. I wish we could do half stars, I'd have given it 2.5.
I picked this book up b/c the main character has scoliosis and wears a brace for part of the book - something I thought I could relate to since I have scoliosis and wore a brace in high school as well. And the story was interesting, well-written and I generally liked it, but I wasn't very enthralled. It was one of those books where after I read it, I just wondered where the author came up with the idea? There are some crazy characters though, and I definitely felt for the secondary character, Kate, at times.
I picked this book up b/c the main character has scoliosis and wears a brace for part of the book - something I thought I could relate to since I have scoliosis and wore a brace in high school as well. And the story was interesting, well-written and I generally liked it, but I wasn't very enthralled. It was one of those books where after I read it, I just wondered where the author came up with the idea? There are some crazy characters though, and I definitely felt for the secondary character, Kate, at times.
July 15, 2008
Bleh! Was this really the 70's? I don't remember it this way and am starting to think that I lived in this safe, sane bubble when I read stories like this or see promo's on TV for shows about "swingers" in the 70's. Sorry folk, I find it very hard to picture this as the true 70's except for a small (and I mean really small) group of folks in the US.
The writing was good technically but the story didn't have a plot to bring me in, quite predictable actually, and left me feeling depleted at the end.
Some language and definatley NOT something I'd let my 13 yo read - ever.
The writing was good technically but the story didn't have a plot to bring me in, quite predictable actually, and left me feeling depleted at the end.
Some language and definatley NOT something I'd let my 13 yo read - ever.
October 23, 2011
Def described the "angst" of growing up, and also captured the thought that friendships change over time...how you will be totally connected to someone for a period of time, but then circumstances change and the connection is broken. And holy cow, talk about dysfunction! This book made me feel like a very good parent. ;)
Overall, this book was too traumatic for me (drugs, affairs, crazy abusive father)...but it did hold my attention and keep me awake while I read it. I liked it, but wouldn't necessarily recommend it.
Overall, this book was too traumatic for me (drugs, affairs, crazy abusive father)...but it did hold my attention and keep me awake while I read it. I liked it, but wouldn't necessarily recommend it.
July 28, 2014
Excellent book which I think I'm correctly placing in Young Adult but a brilliant book for young girls nonetheless. I picked it up in a used book store in Burlington VT and figured the title is History Lessons for Girls...hey, that must be a young adult title. Not necessarily but I would easily give this book to a student for an independent read. The characters communicate through the experiences of youth and not the mediums of youth so it's much more genuine and I believe the any one could pick this book up, laugh cry and have a good read.
June 24, 2008
I connected on some level with this book. It was easy and quick to read, it's simplicity captured me. I felt the friendship was portrayed honestly, the era and all it's strange conflicts, how parents ultimately play their adult games at the expense of their children, and how moments in are lives are there forever, sometimes revisited tenderly, sometimes as in a nightmare. It was worth the time spent reading.
May 4, 2009
I enjoyed this book, maybe because I use to ride horses as a child and I can appreciate the pecularity and the undesribable power a horse has. I understand the fear or the excitment teenage girls have that seems to be perminently painted on their faces. The tradegy of a divorce is an aspect of the American Family that more than half of my genration, myself included can relate to.We all have our heroine!!!
September 2, 2008
This book was about 2 girls in CT during the humorous and tragic 70s. They are writing a fictional history of a girl in 1776 in preparation for their town Jubilee to celebrate the bicentennial. It was an interesting book written by one of the girls as an adult looking back. I don't know if I loved the story so much as I loved the writing style. Lots of cussing and drug use. This is a great author, though.
August 3, 2011
I read History Lesson For Girls this summer. I remember being interested about the book as I read it, but now that some time has passed I can't remember a great deal about it. That tells me that it was a good book, but not particularly memorable. As I recall the characters where interesting, and the plot kept me reading. The parallel plot was a little confusing at first, but then you understood what it was. What I don't understand is the pupose of the parallel story.
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