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Amalee #1
Amalee
This sparkling fiction debut from singer-songwriter Dar Williams introduces an endearing new character to middle-grade literature.
Amalee's world is all out of order. She's used to chaos, because of the frequent presence of her father's bantering, bickering group of fun friends. But when Amalee's dad becomes seriously ill, the chaos takes new forms -- and the ways of coping come from some very unexpected places.
With clear-eyed, tender, funny prose, Dar Williams gives us a child's-eye view of a world under pressure, with everyone rising to the occasion in his or her own unique way. Both moving and wise, this marks the debut of a major middle-grade talent.
Amalee's world is all out of order. She's used to chaos, because of the frequent presence of her father's bantering, bickering group of fun friends. But when Amalee's dad becomes seriously ill, the chaos takes new forms -- and the ways of coping come from some very unexpected places.
With clear-eyed, tender, funny prose, Dar Williams gives us a child's-eye view of a world under pressure, with everyone rising to the occasion in his or her own unique way. Both moving and wise, this marks the debut of a major middle-grade talent.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
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November 7, 2018I loved it! I definitely recommend people to read it.
August 22, 2009
Yet another book that I read the first ~50 pages of last fall and then moved on. After some good experiences this week of steaming through other books on my "haven't read the whole thing yet" list, just tonight I decided to pull this one out and read a few pages before I went to bed.
Next thing I know, it's 1:30am and I'm done with the book, wiping a few tears from my cheeks.
It is my belief that Dar Williams has mostly written a story about the journey of her inner child. The life circumstances might be different, but the emotional truth in the story seems to echo the journey I've caught wind of in her real life. The reading level of this book may be middle-schoolish, but as with her songwriting, there are nuggets of wisdom, explained simply, sprinkled throughout.
The story is also dotted with cute "Dar-isms," wry references you would expect to hear her use in concerts to explain the story behind a song. For example, in this book we get a random sidebar where people are talking about going up to Woodstock, NY to check out a really great candle store. Classic Dar.
If I had my cynical hat on I would have been less swayed by the overwhelmingly feel-good ending, the fact that the stakes of the main conflict never really seem that high (at least to an adult reader), and whether the language of the book and the main character were realistic. Instead of reading this book while looking through my liberal arts degree though, instead I chose to go back to sixth grade myself and just see where the book took me.
What really excites me about this series (there is now a second book, "Lights, Camera, Amalee") is that Amalee discovers theater toward the end of this book, and presumably there will be a lot of that in the second. Dar was a professional stage manager early in her career, reflected in keen observations about being backstage during a show.
Next thing I know, it's 1:30am and I'm done with the book, wiping a few tears from my cheeks.
It is my belief that Dar Williams has mostly written a story about the journey of her inner child. The life circumstances might be different, but the emotional truth in the story seems to echo the journey I've caught wind of in her real life. The reading level of this book may be middle-schoolish, but as with her songwriting, there are nuggets of wisdom, explained simply, sprinkled throughout.
The story is also dotted with cute "Dar-isms," wry references you would expect to hear her use in concerts to explain the story behind a song. For example, in this book we get a random sidebar where people are talking about going up to Woodstock, NY to check out a really great candle store. Classic Dar.
If I had my cynical hat on I would have been less swayed by the overwhelmingly feel-good ending, the fact that the stakes of the main conflict never really seem that high (at least to an adult reader), and whether the language of the book and the main character were realistic. Instead of reading this book while looking through my liberal arts degree though, instead I chose to go back to sixth grade myself and just see where the book took me.
What really excites me about this series (there is now a second book, "Lights, Camera, Amalee") is that Amalee discovers theater toward the end of this book, and presumably there will be a lot of that in the second. Dar was a professional stage manager early in her career, reflected in keen observations about being backstage during a show.
November 19, 2021
This is the first book in this series by Dar Williams, about a young girl being raised by her widower father and his friends. Middle school is hard and Amalee isn't even sure she's the same person she used to be...and her father is seriously ill. Everyone concentrates on her dad while trying to cope with their own problems...and Amalee is trying hard to solve her problems herself. Eventually everything is sorted out in a most satisfyingly - and realistic - way. Dar Williams is a mmulti-talented person!
September 24, 2021
This book was very good and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The book related to my life tremendously and it was easier for me to understand the main character, Amalee, perception on how her life is going as a 12 year old.
April 29, 2023
I love Dar Williams as a singer/songwriter, and when I gave her as a birthday buddy to a student and found she'd written some MG books, I hoped... but couldn't get through more than a few pages. (The student tried a few and agreed.)
July 20, 2024
A middle-school aged girl was brought up by her dad with the help of a group of his quirky friends. When he becomes ill his friends step in to help. Amalee has to adjust her typical teenage resentments and come to terms with the challenges she is facing.
June 12, 2017
Amalee's father gets sick and his friends rally around them both
February 13, 2026
It was ok. It was short and an easy read. A good story.
April 19, 2014
What I really liked about this book was that it contained a complicated child protagonist and an unusual family situation--a single dad who had a whole group of dedicated lifelong friends. I REALLY appreciate seeing a support system for adult people that involves their friends and doesn't depend on romantic partnerships as the cornerstone of all important relationships in people's lives. I also did like seeing that Amalee herself was struggling with what she thought of as becoming a mean kid to survive, socially. I remember being in school and being pressured to be cruel, to be exclusive, to harass and hurt others in order to gain the approval of the people I cared about, and that certainly wasn't the kind of person I wanted to be. I liked that Williams sympathetically portrayed a child in this situation.
But I didn't much care for the storytelling--it felt odd and uneven, sometimes like the character was talking to me directly and sometimes more like she was just living and letting me observe, and there was a pervasive feeling like something other than the characters was driving the story. Amalee has popular but cruel friends whom she doesn't really like, Amalee gets distracted by home problems, Amalee finds a friend who's authentic, Amalee has figured out friendship. Or Amalee has a frenemy who tries to guilt her into hanging out, Amalee explodes at her when she says something horrible and cruel, Amalee is about to suffer terrible punishment over the results of her lashing out, Amalee is rescued by a caring adult and everyone says I'm sorry. Or Amalee's dad's friend is sad that he is stuck in a frustrating job and always talks about opening his restaurant, then sad friend cooks a lot for Amalee's family during the course of the story, then sad friend wraps up the story by opening his own restaurant (and all the other friends have had some integral part in making it happen while showcasing their own unique talents). It felt . . . disconnected and full of a few too many threads, all of which resolved too neatly.
The dialogue was also frequently a bit unbelievable, though not glaringly so.
I wasn't particularly interested in what would become of anyone, either, so I wasn't very engaged as I read. It was just kind of an okay book that I didn't dislike but didn't enjoy very much either.
But I didn't much care for the storytelling--it felt odd and uneven, sometimes like the character was talking to me directly and sometimes more like she was just living and letting me observe, and there was a pervasive feeling like something other than the characters was driving the story. Amalee has popular but cruel friends whom she doesn't really like, Amalee gets distracted by home problems, Amalee finds a friend who's authentic, Amalee has figured out friendship. Or Amalee has a frenemy who tries to guilt her into hanging out, Amalee explodes at her when she says something horrible and cruel, Amalee is about to suffer terrible punishment over the results of her lashing out, Amalee is rescued by a caring adult and everyone says I'm sorry. Or Amalee's dad's friend is sad that he is stuck in a frustrating job and always talks about opening his restaurant, then sad friend cooks a lot for Amalee's family during the course of the story, then sad friend wraps up the story by opening his own restaurant (and all the other friends have had some integral part in making it happen while showcasing their own unique talents). It felt . . . disconnected and full of a few too many threads, all of which resolved too neatly.
The dialogue was also frequently a bit unbelievable, though not glaringly so.
I wasn't particularly interested in what would become of anyone, either, so I wasn't very engaged as I read. It was just kind of an okay book that I didn't dislike but didn't enjoy very much either.
May 15, 2009
3.75-4 stars.
I was very intrigued that Dar Williams, a songstress favorite from my, "chick with guitar" days had written tween fiction, and what a treat it was.
Amalee is a young girl who fancies herself one of a group of children. The other children are actually physical adults who as close friends of her father helped to raise her since her mother left them when Amalee was an infant and died in an accident a few years later.
While Amalee becomes exasperated by this group from time to time. John is an unhappy waiter who is always claiming he is actually a chef and will quit his job to open a restaurant. Caroline likes talking about herself... a lot. Joyce is a 40 year old therapist who wants a boyfriend and a baby. Phyllis is her dad's friend since grade school who works at her new middle school. Then there is David Emerly, Amalee's father, a professor.
When David falls gravely ill the big goofy kids must grow up and support Amalee through this trying time. While the illness of her father is bad enough Amalee finds her transition to 6th grade less than smooth.
"6th grade is meaner, even I am meaner" She states with brutal honesty. When this backfires, Amalee opts to shut herself off from her peers.
While Amalee discovers the difference between friends and frienemies, she also discovers that the other adults in her life are all quite extraordinary in one way or another, and so is she.
I won't give too much a way but this is a nice read for any tween who wants non fluffy realistic fiction about a girl.
I was very intrigued that Dar Williams, a songstress favorite from my, "chick with guitar" days had written tween fiction, and what a treat it was.
Amalee is a young girl who fancies herself one of a group of children. The other children are actually physical adults who as close friends of her father helped to raise her since her mother left them when Amalee was an infant and died in an accident a few years later.
While Amalee becomes exasperated by this group from time to time. John is an unhappy waiter who is always claiming he is actually a chef and will quit his job to open a restaurant. Caroline likes talking about herself... a lot. Joyce is a 40 year old therapist who wants a boyfriend and a baby. Phyllis is her dad's friend since grade school who works at her new middle school. Then there is David Emerly, Amalee's father, a professor.
When David falls gravely ill the big goofy kids must grow up and support Amalee through this trying time. While the illness of her father is bad enough Amalee finds her transition to 6th grade less than smooth.
"6th grade is meaner, even I am meaner" She states with brutal honesty. When this backfires, Amalee opts to shut herself off from her peers.
While Amalee discovers the difference between friends and frienemies, she also discovers that the other adults in her life are all quite extraordinary in one way or another, and so is she.
I won't give too much a way but this is a nice read for any tween who wants non fluffy realistic fiction about a girl.
December 3, 2009
Mary Parker surprised me with this book, and it was fantastic. And you could totally tell it had Dar Williams' spirit without it being overwhelming. About a child living mainly in a grownup world, with wacky grownups, and feeling out of place in the world of children, and out of place everywhere... and getting a little angry and sad about it.
And how everyone's a little messed up, but everyone is also interesting and cool, and it is ok because we love each other and keep trying. The therapist friend who can't stop crying is one of my faves.
Amalee herself is great, a girl who doesn't stick to either girly or tomboy-y standard practice. She's a little angry and quiet and smart. She's just starting to realize this at 11 and it made a lot of sense to me! And the obvious parallels between middle school and adult life are great. It reads good to me, I wonder how it would read to a precocious pre-teen.
Fave quotes. Very Dar-y.
"Relax, Amalee. Some things are a mystery. Isn't that wonderful?"
"We all want to impress people, you know. And when we find people we don't have to impress, you know what we call them? We call them friends."
We will push on into that mystery... and they're waiting just the same with their flashlights and their semaphores, and I act like I have faith and like that faith never ends...Yep.
And how everyone's a little messed up, but everyone is also interesting and cool, and it is ok because we love each other and keep trying. The therapist friend who can't stop crying is one of my faves.
Amalee herself is great, a girl who doesn't stick to either girly or tomboy-y standard practice. She's a little angry and quiet and smart. She's just starting to realize this at 11 and it made a lot of sense to me! And the obvious parallels between middle school and adult life are great. It reads good to me, I wonder how it would read to a precocious pre-teen.
Fave quotes. Very Dar-y.
"Relax, Amalee. Some things are a mystery. Isn't that wonderful?"
"We all want to impress people, you know. And when we find people we don't have to impress, you know what we call them? We call them friends."
We will push on into that mystery... and they're waiting just the same with their flashlights and their semaphores, and I act like I have faith and like that faith never ends...Yep.
October 22, 2014
Amalee is being raised by her single dad, and she's having some issues at school because she's learning to be meaner, so when her dad falls ill and her support system evaporates, it's her dad's special friends who come to the rescue. These friends have been rather annoying to Amalee for much of her life, but they are basically family by now, and she watches them transform and support her father and herself through art, cooking, and other therapeutic ministrations. Amalee learns to forge her own authentic friendships, and as her dad eases back into life after his long illness, Amalee's own life is in a different and better place.
I felt like this novel lacked a solid trajectory. It felt more like a collection of things that happened to Amalee and it was not really character-driven, though I did like some of the characters who populated it. The real delight was in seeing a group of adult friends who were not romantic partners showing off their dedication and commitment to one another. We need more representations of functional friendships that don't revolve around husband/wife couples, and more single dads who aren't depicted as abusive or deadbeats.
I felt like this novel lacked a solid trajectory. It felt more like a collection of things that happened to Amalee and it was not really character-driven, though I did like some of the characters who populated it. The real delight was in seeing a group of adult friends who were not romantic partners showing off their dedication and commitment to one another. We need more representations of functional friendships that don't revolve around husband/wife couples, and more single dads who aren't depicted as abusive or deadbeats.
April 13, 2015
I think I've maybe heard one song by Dar Williams, so my choosing this book for one of my student groups had nothing to do with her ability in that genre.
That said, this book was terrible and I would not choose it again. None of the characters felt real, not even Amalee, the main character. The concept was intriguing, a group of college friends who are essentially family, a family of one's choosing. But the thing is, Amalee doesn't even like any of them besides her dad. Or does she? Maybe deep down she does, but she's just become such a mean girl, even she doesn't know (sense the sarcasm - Williams belabors the point again and again that Amalee 'changed' and was not 'mean' like Hally and whatever the other one's name was. Seriously, so boring I've begun blocking out characters.) I get that she's a kid and 'knowing' yourself in 6th grade is tough, but that's not how it was presented. It was sloppy writing, poorly constructed characters, and really a waste of our time. Even the student reading it did not enjoy it, so we will definitely not be reading the sequel.
Also, the long sub-title was annoying and unnecessary.
That said, this book was terrible and I would not choose it again. None of the characters felt real, not even Amalee, the main character. The concept was intriguing, a group of college friends who are essentially family, a family of one's choosing. But the thing is, Amalee doesn't even like any of them besides her dad. Or does she? Maybe deep down she does, but she's just become such a mean girl, even she doesn't know (sense the sarcasm - Williams belabors the point again and again that Amalee 'changed' and was not 'mean' like Hally and whatever the other one's name was. Seriously, so boring I've begun blocking out characters.) I get that she's a kid and 'knowing' yourself in 6th grade is tough, but that's not how it was presented. It was sloppy writing, poorly constructed characters, and really a waste of our time. Even the student reading it did not enjoy it, so we will definitely not be reading the sequel.
Also, the long sub-title was annoying and unnecessary.
April 17, 2015
This book was amazing because of the main character- Amalee.
The story is told through the mind of an 11 year old. Instead of being a giggly, cheerful 11 year old, Amalee is a reserved, hurt child. In school, she is the smartest girl in class and one of the bullies in school. I loved Amalee because she corresponds with my personality. Though it seems a bit fictitious that an 11 year old can be so private and honest, I loved it. In fact, I loved Amalee so much that when Amalee was being teased in school for pushing that chick and when Amalee finally opened up about why she pushed her, I started tearing up a bit.
I don't understand why it's bad to be honest even if it hurts others feelings but that's just the author's viewpoints.
All in all, I loved this book. I loved Amalee. I wish I could read more books with characters similar to Amalee because I'm sick of all the bubbly characters.
The story is told through the mind of an 11 year old. Instead of being a giggly, cheerful 11 year old, Amalee is a reserved, hurt child. In school, she is the smartest girl in class and one of the bullies in school. I loved Amalee because she corresponds with my personality. Though it seems a bit fictitious that an 11 year old can be so private and honest, I loved it. In fact, I loved Amalee so much that when Amalee was being teased in school for pushing that chick and when Amalee finally opened up about why she pushed her, I started tearing up a bit.
I don't understand why it's bad to be honest even if it hurts others feelings but that's just the author's viewpoints.
All in all, I loved this book. I loved Amalee. I wish I could read more books with characters similar to Amalee because I'm sick of all the bubbly characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2015
Really good middle grade fiction is pretty hard to come by, which makes a gem like Amalee even more noteworthy.
The characters are terrific - flawed, but likeable, with more nuance than is usually thought necessary for this age range. Amalee in particular is a great character - quirky without being bratty; precocious without being sassy; flawed without being a brat. She's a remarkably well-realized unreliable narrator who's constantly down on herself without being self-pitying.
It's a great representation of a non-traditional family that I don't think I've ever seen in a children's book before, as well.
I also appreciated the complete lack of a romantic subplot for any character. I'll be keeping this one in mind to recommend to parents of kids around the 9-1d age range.
The characters are terrific - flawed, but likeable, with more nuance than is usually thought necessary for this age range. Amalee in particular is a great character - quirky without being bratty; precocious without being sassy; flawed without being a brat. She's a remarkably well-realized unreliable narrator who's constantly down on herself without being self-pitying.
It's a great representation of a non-traditional family that I don't think I've ever seen in a children's book before, as well.
I also appreciated the complete lack of a romantic subplot for any character. I'll be keeping this one in mind to recommend to parents of kids around the 9-1d age range.
July 23, 2014
Like a lot of the over-ten crowd who read this book, I picked it up because I'm a fan of Dar Williams' songwriting, which is always clever and gentle and tells a story. Amalee is and does these things too, but in a slightly less awe-inspiring format. This is a novel about an eleven-year-old's relationships to adults in general, and to her father's gaggle of hippie-ish friends in particular. I enjoyed it, but I also kind of understand why so many YA books dispense with the adults at the outset. About two thirds of the way through, Williams added subtle touches of magical realism to illustrate the power of love in caring for a sick person. That was fun.
August 15, 2014
I actually got this book when I was about six or seven I think,but I didn't really read it until I was maybe eight or so. Growing up, I was a big fan of Dar Williams, having grown up on her music.
I got the book during our family's then traditional trip to a folk festival in upstate New York, and she performed there. Afterwards, there was a signing. I still remember my parents bringing me up to the table, I can't remember if I had the book or the cd, but I remember how shy and starstruck I was, and I remember her signing it. I still have the book, and I still love it, if only for the nostalgia.
I got the book during our family's then traditional trip to a folk festival in upstate New York, and she performed there. Afterwards, there was a signing. I still remember my parents bringing me up to the table, I can't remember if I had the book or the cd, but I remember how shy and starstruck I was, and I remember her signing it. I still have the book, and I still love it, if only for the nostalgia.
December 24, 2010
I liked a lot of this--the dynamics of friends not really being nice to her, criticizing her. And a bossy girl being mean to her re: her dad's illness, and her lashing out, and the consequences of that. Finding new friends who are actually nice. And confronting her dad about his illness,being up front. Realizing that her dad's friends are not as big losers as she thought--all this is good and well done. BUT the extended hypnosis scene was weird, with her experiencing her dad's imagination? Did not fit the realistic, down-to-earth tone of the rest of the book. And I got the friends mixed up.
January 21, 2009
Amalee is exactly the kind of book young preteen and teenage girls should be reading. The characterization of the heroine is wonderful and despite the fact that I haven't been that age for a decade I could still remember clearly having the same thoughts and feelings about life. Amalee is a realistic portrayal of a young girl discovering who she is and a great reminder that even us adults don't have everything together at all times either.
August 2, 2011
Dear Dar,
Please stick to writing songs. There were definitely moments in this book where I remembered what a cruel world 6th grade is, but the (all) of the (numerous) adult characters did not feel like adults. And the dialogue was forced. And Amalee spends forever explaining her life at the beginning. Your best songs are clever, witty, or thought provoking, but none of those adjective describe this book.
Please stick to writing songs. There were definitely moments in this book where I remembered what a cruel world 6th grade is, but the (all) of the (numerous) adult characters did not feel like adults. And the dialogue was forced. And Amalee spends forever explaining her life at the beginning. Your best songs are clever, witty, or thought provoking, but none of those adjective describe this book.
September 16, 2007
Williams is better known as a singer/songwriter than as an author, but she's begun very well. Amalee is an engaging 11-year-old girl who is trying to find herself among a crowd of sixth-graders, not to mention her dad's family-like web of dear friends. And then her dad gets sick, and the book really takes wing.
May 16, 2008
This is the first of a series (I think) of young adult fiction by Dar Williams. I'm a huge fan of Dar the singer/songwriter, so was hugely curious to read her writing and was not at all disappointed. A great read with, of course, a wonderful postitive message. Give it to any pre-teen bookworms on your list.
April 27, 2009
Middle school is an awkward time for nearly everyone, but it becomes even more chaotic and confusing for Amalee when her father becomes seriously ill and she must rely on his quirky friends to help her through the turmoil. No one seems willing to discuss the fears and frustrations swirling through Amalee's mind. Or are they?
July 16, 2010
I really disliked this book, but I'm pretty sure that was because it hit way to close to home with how a kid feels when it seems like everyone hates her. I'm giving it 3 stars, because evoking strong feelings and memories in me 6 years after I read it (an experience that only took like 2 hours) surely means it's well written?
March 6, 2011
Oh my goodness! What a great book! Dar Williams is one of my favorite singers and when I found this book in the library at my school, I was really excited and finished the book in about 3 days! This book is about a girls who's mom has died and dad has just gotten very sick. I won't give too much away!
July 23, 2011
I have had this one for a while waiting for Kassie to get in a place to read it. The main character is an 11 year-old girl, but there are no animals. She seems to be enjoying it. There are some interesting perspectives and the girl's father is very sick as the main plot complication and we have a little of that to deal with, so the the lens of fiction is a good conversation starter.
June 20, 2012
A young girl copes with her single father's serious illness and troubles at school with the help of her father's close-knit group of friends. Though it is really quite a positive book, Williams captured the dynamics of middle-school meannesses so exquisitely that I felt as gloomy as if I were back there! A great first book. B.
August 8, 2016
Amalee is a girl who is struggling with her feelings about herself and the other kids at school. When her dad gets sick her dad's friends help him and help Amalee. It was an interesting story, but it felt very flat and depressing to me. However, I imagine that some kids could relate to Amalee's feelings about herself and her dad's sickness.
June 14, 2019
Amalee has a unigue family situation- it's really just hher and her dad plus a few of his good friends. She is use to having a crazy life. But life is changing when her father get sick and his friends are even more of a presence. Between navigating school, friends and her father's sickness, she realizes what family actually is. Great read.
June 5, 2008
Dar Williams is one of my favourite singers, so naturally I was intrigued that she'd written a book. It's not a massive tome, and it's nothing groundbreaking, but it's still interesting and fun to read.
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