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Somebody
At the age of fifteen, a girl who has spent most of her life moving around the country with her father and brother, filling the emptiness inside her with chocolate, remembers her real name, Sherica, and searches the Internet to learn the truth about her mother and her own past.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2009
3 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Springer
216 books2,352 followersBIO -- NANCY SPRINGER
Nancy Springer has passed the fifty-book milestone, having written that many novels for adults, young adults and children, in genres including mythic fantasy, contemporary fiction, magical realism, horror, and mystery -- although she did not realize she wrote mystery until she won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America two years in succession. DARK LIE, recently released from NAL, is her first venture into mass-market psychological suspense.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Nancy Springer moved with her family to Gettysburg, of Civil War fame, when she was thirteen. She spent the next forty-six years in Pennsylvania, raising two children (Jonathan, now 38, and Nora, 34), writing, horseback riding, fishing, and birdwatching. In 2007 she surprised her friends and herself by moving with her second husband to an isolated area of the Florida panhandle, where the birdwatching is spectacular and where, when fishing, she occasionally catches an alligator.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 28, 2011
Everyone wants to feel like they're "somebody". This book deals with how it feels like to not to have your own identity, and how important it is to find it.
Surprisingly Sherica actually remembers her name, even though her father has toted her and her brother from town to town, and you guessed it they always change their names. Along with changing their names they alter their whole entire looks. Sherica can't even remember what her real hair color is. Her older brother seems to be fine with how things are, and doesn't question why they live the way they do but she feels unsettled. She knows she is missing a mother and she wants to know why. One day she works up the courage to make a trip to the local library to find some answers. Everything she knew about her father and her life changes forever in that one day.
I loved how Sherica, who describes herself as fat, meets the nerdy Mason. I was hoping the storyline with them was explored more but I get why it wasn't. The author did a good job of keeping me interested in what Sherica would do. Would she leave or would she stay? What would she tell her brother or even mention it to her father? It was interesting to see how her father would manipulate them but genuinely love them at the same time.
The one thing that bothered me was the length of the book. Books don't always have to be long to have an impact, but I feel like the characters would have benefitted from a longer storyline. Still strong message and realized characters and I will read more from Nancy Springer.
Surprisingly Sherica actually remembers her name, even though her father has toted her and her brother from town to town, and you guessed it they always change their names. Along with changing their names they alter their whole entire looks. Sherica can't even remember what her real hair color is. Her older brother seems to be fine with how things are, and doesn't question why they live the way they do but she feels unsettled. She knows she is missing a mother and she wants to know why. One day she works up the courage to make a trip to the local library to find some answers. Everything she knew about her father and her life changes forever in that one day.
I loved how Sherica, who describes herself as fat, meets the nerdy Mason. I was hoping the storyline with them was explored more but I get why it wasn't. The author did a good job of keeping me interested in what Sherica would do. Would she leave or would she stay? What would she tell her brother or even mention it to her father? It was interesting to see how her father would manipulate them but genuinely love them at the same time.
The one thing that bothered me was the length of the book. Books don't always have to be long to have an impact, but I feel like the characters would have benefitted from a longer storyline. Still strong message and realized characters and I will read more from Nancy Springer.
November 21, 2017
this is a very fast read. a girl and her brother being raised on the run by her dad. he spoke badly of their mom, saying she left them. its been 10 yrs of moving and changing names. the girl looked up her name on the web and found her mom has been trying to find them all this time
she tried to convince her brother but he wont contact the mom so she leaves to contact the mom without getting the dad in trouble.
she calls her mom and gets on a bus to meet her.
would have liked the story to go further
she tried to convince her brother but he wont contact the mom so she leaves to contact the mom without getting the dad in trouble.
she calls her mom and gets on a bus to meet her.
would have liked the story to go further
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2009
When a proven, talented, award-winning writer like Nancy Springer has a new book out, it is wise to take notice. In her recent offering, SOMEBODY, we meet a girl who needs to be noticed, as well.
As the novel opens, we do not know the name of the main character (MC) telling her story through first person narration, and we soon discover why. There is a mystery swirling around her and her family’s need to move from two-bit town to another; and it takes a library nerd to help her get to the heart of the matter. (Don’t worry, no spoilers in this review!)
One of the main questions in this YA is, “Who am I really?” This is a question many teens ask themselves, and the main character is dealing with self-discovery on a variety of levels. Without giving any of the novel away, I can safely say her search for identity also incorporates her search for a name…one that suits her, that feels right.
This novel is perfect for younger YA readers, and its accessibility and high-interest would make it suitable for older struggling readers. Springer takes this quest for identity with a well-developed MC and an interesting cast of supporting characters. She weaves imagery throughout, but not so subtly that it’s missed by inexperienced readers. Although the book is not weighty in length and number of pages, its themes of friendship, belonging, family, self-worth and identity give it substance.
The end of the book had me crying as I watched the MC grow and make choices leading to a satisfying end. Springer has some surprises in store for her readers and doesn’t tip her hand too soon. I can’t wait to share this with my middle school students (no language, sex, or violence here) and highly recommend this for older, reluctant readers, too.
This book is available now through an indie bookstore near you or online. Published by Holiday House, Inc., Nancy Springer's SOMEBODY is a book that my students will pass around, recommend, and talk about in literature circles. (More reviews on my blog: bit.ly/sn2Rj
As the novel opens, we do not know the name of the main character (MC) telling her story through first person narration, and we soon discover why. There is a mystery swirling around her and her family’s need to move from two-bit town to another; and it takes a library nerd to help her get to the heart of the matter. (Don’t worry, no spoilers in this review!)
One of the main questions in this YA is, “Who am I really?” This is a question many teens ask themselves, and the main character is dealing with self-discovery on a variety of levels. Without giving any of the novel away, I can safely say her search for identity also incorporates her search for a name…one that suits her, that feels right.
This novel is perfect for younger YA readers, and its accessibility and high-interest would make it suitable for older struggling readers. Springer takes this quest for identity with a well-developed MC and an interesting cast of supporting characters. She weaves imagery throughout, but not so subtly that it’s missed by inexperienced readers. Although the book is not weighty in length and number of pages, its themes of friendship, belonging, family, self-worth and identity give it substance.
The end of the book had me crying as I watched the MC grow and make choices leading to a satisfying end. Springer has some surprises in store for her readers and doesn’t tip her hand too soon. I can’t wait to share this with my middle school students (no language, sex, or violence here) and highly recommend this for older, reluctant readers, too.
This book is available now through an indie bookstore near you or online. Published by Holiday House, Inc., Nancy Springer's SOMEBODY is a book that my students will pass around, recommend, and talk about in literature circles. (More reviews on my blog: bit.ly/sn2Rj
March 20, 2012
Another book with a skinny spine! I know, it sounds like I’m a lazy reader, but I really want to see how authors do when using fewer pages.
Somebody tells us about Sherica, who’s keeps moving and gets a new name with each place she and her father and brother move to. She’s 15, and is beginning to question what her father has been telling her. Is her mother really a floozy who ran out on them?
Sherica (her real name) finds out through an internet search that she’s a missing girl, and that her mother has spent the past 10 years looking for her. Now she’s caught between her father, who is determined to fatten her up, her brother, who only worries about their father winding up in jail, and her own self-worth.
When I started reading, this seemed like a fairly simple, clean (no swearing, etc.) YA—good for even a younger crowd, possibly older middle-grade. But as I continued reading, Sherica’s character struggles went deeper, and there was even some symbolism (won’t go into detail; you’ll just have to read it). And all that in 117 pages.
I give this one a 4.5, and goes on my mystery list. Somebody is a great book for a somewhat reluctant reader, or someone who just likes it when an author gets to the point. Somebody like me, I guess.
Somebody tells us about Sherica, who’s keeps moving and gets a new name with each place she and her father and brother move to. She’s 15, and is beginning to question what her father has been telling her. Is her mother really a floozy who ran out on them?
Sherica (her real name) finds out through an internet search that she’s a missing girl, and that her mother has spent the past 10 years looking for her. Now she’s caught between her father, who is determined to fatten her up, her brother, who only worries about their father winding up in jail, and her own self-worth.
When I started reading, this seemed like a fairly simple, clean (no swearing, etc.) YA—good for even a younger crowd, possibly older middle-grade. But as I continued reading, Sherica’s character struggles went deeper, and there was even some symbolism (won’t go into detail; you’ll just have to read it). And all that in 117 pages.
I give this one a 4.5, and goes on my mystery list. Somebody is a great book for a somewhat reluctant reader, or someone who just likes it when an author gets to the point. Somebody like me, I guess.
June 21, 2010
The teen protagonist is a girl whose family has changed names and locations repeatedly for almost as long as she can remember. Her dad and brother seem comfortable with it all, but Sherica (her "real" name) begins to wonder if her father is being truthful about everything.
This is a brief story, a quick read because of its brevity but also because the reader is sucked in immediately. I read it in an afternoon. Teens should really enjoy this book. I really liked the relationship between Sherica and the boy from the library.
My only complaints are that it's almost too simple and one picky point -- Sherica constantly talks about how she uses food as comfort and complains about her weight. The girl on the cover is clearly not "fat", as Sherica describes herself. both petty complaints, but enough to bring down my rating.
This is a brief story, a quick read because of its brevity but also because the reader is sucked in immediately. I read it in an afternoon. Teens should really enjoy this book. I really liked the relationship between Sherica and the boy from the library.
My only complaints are that it's almost too simple and one picky point -- Sherica constantly talks about how she uses food as comfort and complains about her weight. The girl on the cover is clearly not "fat", as Sherica describes herself. both petty complaints, but enough to bring down my rating.
October 4, 2009
With a tight and focused plot--coming in at just over 100 pages--this is a quick read about a young teen questioning her identity. Her name and her home have changed many times over the years, as she's moved with her father and brother. As she begins to question why her life is so strange, she comes to the realization that perhaps the lies about her mother aren't all true, and her life on the move may be part of a bigger deception. The author stays focused on the main character and her burgeoning self-respect, helped along by some appealing minor characters. The author leaves some ambiguity with the story lines, to keep focus only on the main character's journey from "nobody" to "somebody." I enjoyed this book!
February 23, 2009
Nancy Springer's knowledge of libraries seems strangely limited, at best, but the story is an interesting one. It is immediately clear to the reader that the girl's father is on the run from something, but what? As the story quickly unfolds, the main character is faced with difficult choices.
This one seems to have been written as a "quick read" for reluctant readers, or to give support to teen girls who have family problems. As such, I think it succeeds, but the high-speed, short-attention-span nature of the story makes it difficult to develop the characters, especially the father and brother.
This one seems to have been written as a "quick read" for reluctant readers, or to give support to teen girls who have family problems. As such, I think it succeeds, but the high-speed, short-attention-span nature of the story makes it difficult to develop the characters, especially the father and brother.
August 30, 2009
This book is about a 15 year old girl who has to move from place to place . She has a low self esteem but that doesn't stop her . The reason she moves from place to place is because her dad did not have custody of Sherica and her brother and took them anyway . Sherica doesn't find that out until later in the story with the help of her friend named Mason . Finally one day Sherica decides to find her mom , she leaves a runaway note for her brother and father . She gets her mothers phone number from a 411 operator in her older friends hardware shop . She takes a bus to Nashville and thats where Sherica meets her mother .
July 4, 2012
A great quick read for both middle and high school students. Read aloud pages 1-2 for intro.
Sherica, 15, always moving and getting a new name with each place she and her father and brother move to. She’s is beginning to question what her father has been telling her. Is her mother really a floozy who ran out on them?
Sherica (her real name) finds out through an internet search at the Public Library that she’s a missing girl, and that her mother has spent the past 10 years looking for her. Now she’s caught between her father, who is determined to fatten her up, her brother, who only worries about their father winding up in jail, and her own self-worth.
Sherica, 15, always moving and getting a new name with each place she and her father and brother move to. She’s is beginning to question what her father has been telling her. Is her mother really a floozy who ran out on them?
Sherica (her real name) finds out through an internet search at the Public Library that she’s a missing girl, and that her mother has spent the past 10 years looking for her. Now she’s caught between her father, who is determined to fatten her up, her brother, who only worries about their father winding up in jail, and her own self-worth.
April 24, 2009
This was a quick read. I finished it in one night. The story is simple: a girl and her brother and dad move a lot and keep changing names. And their dad won't let them take pictures of themselves or get on the Internet. Hmmm, something sounds fishy. Let's just say that things aren't quite right with this family, but to find out the whole story, you'll have to read the book. The writing is good and will keep you reading. Recommended for middle school and up. Girls will especially like this book.
January 6, 2011
Although the professional journals didn't like it much, I did. Sherica fills the whole in her heart from the absence of her mother with junk food, which her dad is happy to supply. He wants her to look nothing like her childhood self because he kidnapped Sherica and her brother from their mom. This is about how and if Sherica has the self-confidence to look for her mom by herself. The narration is spot-on "teen talk."
March 19, 2013
Wow very intense book. I keep thinking what happened to Marten? I am intrigued how this book progressed, I was shocked at how Sherica's dad and brother treated her, and I was even more shocked that she let them. It was a bit hard to read with the writing reflecting Sherica's very young though teenage thoughts. 4.5 stars.
October 20, 2016
I gave this four stars out of five because it made me think of the different aspects of changing identities. The fact that her father went as far as encouraging her to gain weight so that she wouldn't look like her time lapsed photos was something I had never thought of, plus there was a dog in the story which always seems to earn a star all by itself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2009
Read this in one sitting which means a couple of things, 1) it is a very short book at 117 pages, and 2) it is immediately engaging and familiar... familiar yes, like an afterschool special from 1975 with Sally Fields as 'the mom'... but nevertheless... I'd recommend.
April 4, 2009
Yep - you don't know what's not normal if you have lived it all your life. And you really don't know other people's stories as well as you may think you do. This seemed to me to be a realistic portrayal of characters.
July 9, 2009
Not a deep book, but an easy (and short!) one, and an inviting one for reluctant readers. Not intensely similar, but it still made me think of The Face on the Milk Carton. You may need to suspend belief slightly at the way events unfold and wrap up, but I would still recommend it to teens.
September 17, 2009
Will probably appeal to a lot of teens. It's a quick read and interesting enough story. Personally I would have liked a little more character development (on pretty much all of the characters), but other than that I enjoyed it.
January 1, 2010
This would be a great book to grab reluctant readers, as it's short and pretty fast moving. However, more discerning and/or experienced readers will likely find the plot to be fairly predictable and the characters to be pretty one dimensional.
May 26, 2010
When all you've known is constant relocation, what happens when you want more? Without a real name--only "fat" names--what does a teen do to realize she is somebody? A thoughtful book about being who you are...
June 19, 2012
A very fast paced book. Came into work two hours early and read the whole thing before my shift actually started. Definitely not an indepth story but a pleasant read to pass some time when a whole lot of concentration isn't needed. In genereal for what it is I really enjoyed it.
March 11, 2016
This story about child abduction is written in the child's voice. It addresses issues that adults might not think about. This is not my favorite type of story, but it is one that does push your thinking out of your comfort zone.
July 6, 2009
Kind of hated this book. It was just so implausible.
November 12, 2009
An interesting look at the life of a teen who was kidknapped by her father. Quik read for reluctant readers.
November 21, 2009
the book was a really short read and it was also a good book.
February 20, 2011
A very powerful story that shadows far too many young people.
August 22, 2014
Love this book. Wonderful, realistic, and inspiring heroine, plot, and resolution.
October 31, 2014
one of my fav books! ive been reading it over and over again since 4th grade something i would tell any of my friends to read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews