No Place for Me

by Barthe DeClements

Copper Jones is shuttled back and forth between her relatives while her mother is drying out in a rehabilitation center; but when she is sent to live with her Aunt Maggie, who is a witch, she learns that even seventh graders have some power.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorites from childhood. I think I've checked it out of the library at least 5 times before I received my own copy. I still go back every once and awhile to re-read it. It's such an accurate and honest account of a 12 year old girl being bounced around from one group of insufferable relatives to the next until she lands with a down-to-earth, kind, yet unconventional wiccan aunt. I love this book. I know its probably out of print, but why isn't it more popular, like some of Barthe DeClements' other YA books like "The Fourth Grade Wizards" or "Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade?"

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books affect us so much that they become a part of us. This was one of those books for me. As a child, I related to Copper and her life, and through her experiences, I learned that bad things happen to good people for no reason, and there's often nothing I can do about it. I learned the strength and power that comes with telling the truth, and I learned the importance of respect--respect for others and respect for self. I learned that I don't have the power to control or change others, but I do have the power to control my actions and my re-actions to other's behavior. I haven't read this book in years, but after a particularly turbulent week, I found myself in need of comfort and guidance. I found it, again, in the pages of DeClements' book.

[Ruth E. R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might be a good book for we Generation Xers who grew up in the 1980s to read with our preteen offspring.

The characters were likeable and credible, which is a trademark quality of this author. It is also possible to learn some true values from the book, towards being confident, trying new things, being flexible with frustrating things you have no control over and making the best of it, not jumping to conclusions about others (superficially judging) but reflecting on who they really are, and respecting others despite their differences. A lesson in healthy relationships that you'll find here is that people are both good and bad. Looking for admirable role models or mentors outside of your immediate family is fine, but you will always have to face that nobody's perfect. I hope kids have opportunities to find such people within their communities.

The book also promotes a post-Christian indoctrination agenda, particularly the New Age Movement making its heavy influence on youth back 1987. Pluralism in its heyday. That is, "your truth may not be someone else's truth and that's okay and good, as long as you are kind people. There is no truth greater than yourself." But whose truth is it "to be kind"? And what is "kind"? A funny reference to Star Wars shows the author's careful analysis of these subjects. Nowadays, I believe we call this "moralistic therapeutic deism."

I believe parents should read every book their child reads and include this as a discussion point. I do not believe in banning any books. I think many kids would enjoy this story and would not necessarily hone in on just the occult parts. Stories from the 1980s offered more true-to-life characters and situations, which seems to increasingly fade from 21st century intermediate student options.

[Melliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story as far as it went: A 12-yo girl who is set adrift to be handed off to one relative after another while her mom is in rehab eventually ends up with her father's sister, who is a "witch" (we would say practicing Wiccan these days, probably). But just as the story was getting good and heading towards some enlightenment and resolution for the girl, the book abruptly ends. I actually checked to see if my copy had had pages torn out or something. No one else in the reviews here has mentioned the weird way the story just seems to stop in the middle of things. ???

[Mawgojzeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for pre-teen readers, boys and girls. When my son was eleven years, he loved the book despite himself. Read this excerpt:

I didn't exactly mean to say what I said next. It just came out of me. "I don't know what you need a new car for," I said. "Can't you just use your broom?"

"Copper Jones!" Aunt Judith drew back from me in horror.

Aunt Margo didn't even flinch.

[Allison]

Omg I read this book in seventh grade when my mom was extremely sick and I have never been able to stop thinking about this book even though I could barely remember any details… finally found it today (I read it with a different cover) and am very interested in finding a copy to reread!

[Pandora · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a okey book. For me a problem with the book is that it does take a long time for Cooper to end up witn the right Aunt.

[Mary Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

After 18 years, I finally got a chance to reread this treasure from my junior high days. I wouldn't exactly call it a heart-warming tale but it was the story I remembered.

[Hippiemouse420]

This book was absolutely depressing. I never read it as a child, but from an adult's point-of-view, I just kept mentally screaming at the adults in the story, "She's TWELVE YEARS OLD!"

[Damica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and engaging read. Always wanted to know what was going to happen next and there were parts that did tug at my emotions. Cool characters and mix of personalities. Only took a day to read; quick story with only 18 chapters.
would recommend and would read again

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book.

[Josephine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Scholastic after-school special, but interesting contrast between the three families with whom our protagonist stays.