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Applewhites #1
Surviving the Applewhites
Jake Semple is a scary kid. Word has it that he burned down his old school and then was kicked out of every other school in his home state. Only weeks into September, the middle school in Traybridge, North Carolina, has thrown him out, too. Now there's only one place left that will take him -- a home school run by the most outrageous, forgetful, chaotic, quarrelsome family you'll ever meet. Each and every Applewhite is an artist through and through -- except E.D., the smart, scruffy girl with a deep longing for order and predictability. E.D. and Jake, so nearly the same age, are quickly paired in the family's first experiment in "cooperative education." The two clash immediately, of course. The only thing they have in common is the determination to survive the family's eccentricities. In Stephanie S. Tolan's hilarious tale, a local production of The Sound of Music directed, stagecrafted, choreographed, and costumed by Apple-whites -- brings the family together and shows E.D. and Jake the value of the special gifts they've had all along.
216 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2002
266 people are currently reading
3358 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie S. Tolan
40 books96 followersStephanie S. Tolan's earliest memories involve books. Those that were read to her and those she read to herself, often late at night with a flashlight under the covers. She always thought there was a special magic in the little black marks on paper that could turn into whole worlds and real people. Born in Ohio and raised in Wisconsin, she wrote her first story in the fourth grade. It was thrilling to discover she could make the magic herself, and she decided then and there to be a writer.
Other ambitions came and went, but writing stayed on, and she majored in creative writing at Purdue University, then went on to a Master's Degree in English. Marriage and the sudden addition to her life of three young stepsons, and then a son, forced writing into the nooks and crannies, but she wrote poetry and plays for adults as she taught college English. In the mid-seventies, Stephanie began working in the Poets-in-the-Schools program in Pennsylvania. Her first group of students were fourth and fifth graders, and she found among them a new generation of intense readers, still using the flashlight-under-the-covers trick.
The difference, she felt, was less in the children themselves than in the fast-changing world they lived in. Her writing for children and young adults, beginning with Grandpa -- And Me in 1978, has reflected that contemporary world.
Stephanie Tolan is also well known as an advocate for extremely bright children. She co-authored the award-winning nonfiction book, Guiding the Gifted Child, and has written many articles about the challenges gifted "asynchronous" children and adults face as they find a way to fit into their world. She lectures throughout the country to audiences of parents, educators and counselors attempting to find ways to meet the children's needs. Her experiences with these "amazing, off-the-charts" young people inspired the themes of Welcome to the Ark, a powerful novel about four brilliant young misfits in a world teetering on destruction.
Stephanie Tolan currently lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband.
Other ambitions came and went, but writing stayed on, and she majored in creative writing at Purdue University, then went on to a Master's Degree in English. Marriage and the sudden addition to her life of three young stepsons, and then a son, forced writing into the nooks and crannies, but she wrote poetry and plays for adults as she taught college English. In the mid-seventies, Stephanie began working in the Poets-in-the-Schools program in Pennsylvania. Her first group of students were fourth and fifth graders, and she found among them a new generation of intense readers, still using the flashlight-under-the-covers trick.
"They brought back to me that special reading joy that most adults, even the readers among us, have lost, and I wanted to try my hand at writing for those kids, so like myself at their age and yet so different."
The difference, she felt, was less in the children themselves than in the fast-changing world they lived in. Her writing for children and young adults, beginning with Grandpa -- And Me in 1978, has reflected that contemporary world.
Stephanie Tolan is also well known as an advocate for extremely bright children. She co-authored the award-winning nonfiction book, Guiding the Gifted Child, and has written many articles about the challenges gifted "asynchronous" children and adults face as they find a way to fit into their world. She lectures throughout the country to audiences of parents, educators and counselors attempting to find ways to meet the children's needs. Her experiences with these "amazing, off-the-charts" young people inspired the themes of Welcome to the Ark, a powerful novel about four brilliant young misfits in a world teetering on destruction.
Stephanie Tolan currently lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 820 reviews
September 24, 2012
Seriously I could not have expected a less realistic representation of the metamorphosis of a teenage foster child. I wanted to shake the author and ask her why a teenage boy abandoned by both parents as well as booted out by his grandfather had no REAL issues with trust, attachment, or authority. Seriously even the best of the best kids are going to have a MUCH harder time than represented here. The thought process of Jake when thinking about his life and choices just seemed way too simplistic.
I also didn't like at all how selfish every Applewhite character was -- it seems like the philosophy of every family member was, "it's all about ME, ME, ME!" It was impressive when they came together at the end to pull the play off; but even then most of them seemed a little self-serving . . .
sigh . . .
p.s. if this sounds like the jaded ramblings of a former foster parent of a teenager coming of age, it is.
I also didn't like at all how selfish every Applewhite character was -- it seems like the philosophy of every family member was, "it's all about ME, ME, ME!" It was impressive when they came together at the end to pull the play off; but even then most of them seemed a little self-serving . . .
sigh . . .
p.s. if this sounds like the jaded ramblings of a former foster parent of a teenager coming of age, it is.
January 15, 2015
I read this in my quest to read every children's book featuring modern homeschooled characters (there are shockingly few out there). It's a fun story about a homeschooling family that takes in a rebellious boy who has been expelled from school for getting into too much trouble. The story is about how the boy relaxes into his new situation and finds the freedom to discover himself in the midst of it.
The book relies on the stereotype of homeschoolers as eccentric, artsy types, but they're not too off-the-wall for my tastes. Non-artsy talents are definitely recognized and valued through the plot of the book, which I found very important.
The story is very well-written. In particular, I was impressed by the way things that seemed upon introduction to be random colorful details--such as the angry goat, E.D.'s butterfly project, and Govindaswami--turned out to be crucial to the plot. Almost nothing here was extraneous, and it all tied together very nicely.
I do worry about Jake, the rebellious kid, though. He was sent away from home partly for his behavior but also because his parents had been sent to prison on nonviolent drug charges. He barely thought about his parents for the whole story after that. What kind of relationship does he have with them, and what will happen when they're out of prison and it's time for him to go back home? Maybe this is addressed in the sequel--which I plan to read sometime later, when my kids are old enough for this book.
The book relies on the stereotype of homeschoolers as eccentric, artsy types, but they're not too off-the-wall for my tastes. Non-artsy talents are definitely recognized and valued through the plot of the book, which I found very important.
The story is very well-written. In particular, I was impressed by the way things that seemed upon introduction to be random colorful details--such as the angry goat, E.D.'s butterfly project, and Govindaswami--turned out to be crucial to the plot. Almost nothing here was extraneous, and it all tied together very nicely.
I do worry about Jake, the rebellious kid, though. He was sent away from home partly for his behavior but also because his parents had been sent to prison on nonviolent drug charges. He barely thought about his parents for the whole story after that. What kind of relationship does he have with them, and what will happen when they're out of prison and it's time for him to go back home? Maybe this is addressed in the sequel--which I plan to read sometime later, when my kids are old enough for this book.
April 7, 2020
My goodness, reading this with my son was definitely something. Having read this as a child myself I was very happy my son decided to read it himself, but let's say he didnt get some of the references lmao, I guess you gatta be a 90s kid.
February 15, 2025
When reading a Newbery book, I generally enter into the experience with higher expectations than I have for most other books. That gold or silver medal on the cover, letting me know that the ALA Newbery committee for that year considered the novel I'm holding in my hands to be worthy of mention alongside such classics as Charlotte's Web, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Number the Stars, is perhaps the most important external sign I look for in the books that I read.
Surviving the Applewhites isn't a typical Newbery book, but it is a nice, uncomplicated story. A twelve-or-thirteen-year-old juvenile offender named Jake has bounced between several schools recently, the adults at those schools never really giving him a chance to show that he's not as bad as the official reports make him out to be, but now he has landed in a school completely different from any of the others in which he had been briefly enrolled. The homeschool "academy" run by the Applewhites is as relaxed and freeform as a legitimate school can get, with students allowed to choose their own courses of study and go about the process of learning however they wish. The Applewhites are an artistic family that doesn't much believe in the idea of limitations being set on personal creativity, and so those who attend the school (mostly the family's own children, with the exception now of Jake) are pretty much free to do whatever they want (within reason, of course).
It doesn't take long at all (actually, I was surprised it didn't take longer) for Jake to begin showing himself to be much more than the brooding delinquent that the judicial system had labeled him. The Applewhite family may be undeniably eccentric and susceptible to taking on big, crazy projects at the drop of a hat, but beneath it all is an extraordinarily close family unit (even though they may not seem very close to an outside observer), and each one of them as individuals are worth getting to know. For Jake, settling in as a temporary member of the Applewhite family means becoming like an unofficial older brother to four-year-old Destiny (a boy, despite the name), and taking over responsibility for Winston, the family dog, who apparently is under the impression that he is now Jake's pet. Being adored and admired by anyone is a totally new feeling for Jake, and maybe more than any other reason, it is the affection of Destiny and the dog that help Jake finally turn around his life.
Surviving the Applewhites is a low-pressure and comfortable sort of story, noticeably without any incidents that are likely to leave sear marks in your heart or make your blood boil. It is an interesting book, though, engagingly written and featuring a couple of characters that I really liked. However, for a year of children's literature in which Blue Eyes Better by Ruth Wallace-Brodeur, What Would Joey Do? by Jack Gantos, Loser by Jerry Spinelli and Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech were not recognized by Newbery, I can't clearly see the rationale by which Surviving the Applewhites was named a Newbery honor book. The story's appeal is easy to see, though, so it wasn't surprising when Stephanie S. Tolan released a sequel, Applewhites at Wit's End, in 2011. When readers love a story, why not go back and spend a little more time with the characters?
Surviving the Applewhites isn't a typical Newbery book, but it is a nice, uncomplicated story. A twelve-or-thirteen-year-old juvenile offender named Jake has bounced between several schools recently, the adults at those schools never really giving him a chance to show that he's not as bad as the official reports make him out to be, but now he has landed in a school completely different from any of the others in which he had been briefly enrolled. The homeschool "academy" run by the Applewhites is as relaxed and freeform as a legitimate school can get, with students allowed to choose their own courses of study and go about the process of learning however they wish. The Applewhites are an artistic family that doesn't much believe in the idea of limitations being set on personal creativity, and so those who attend the school (mostly the family's own children, with the exception now of Jake) are pretty much free to do whatever they want (within reason, of course).
It doesn't take long at all (actually, I was surprised it didn't take longer) for Jake to begin showing himself to be much more than the brooding delinquent that the judicial system had labeled him. The Applewhite family may be undeniably eccentric and susceptible to taking on big, crazy projects at the drop of a hat, but beneath it all is an extraordinarily close family unit (even though they may not seem very close to an outside observer), and each one of them as individuals are worth getting to know. For Jake, settling in as a temporary member of the Applewhite family means becoming like an unofficial older brother to four-year-old Destiny (a boy, despite the name), and taking over responsibility for Winston, the family dog, who apparently is under the impression that he is now Jake's pet. Being adored and admired by anyone is a totally new feeling for Jake, and maybe more than any other reason, it is the affection of Destiny and the dog that help Jake finally turn around his life.
Surviving the Applewhites is a low-pressure and comfortable sort of story, noticeably without any incidents that are likely to leave sear marks in your heart or make your blood boil. It is an interesting book, though, engagingly written and featuring a couple of characters that I really liked. However, for a year of children's literature in which Blue Eyes Better by Ruth Wallace-Brodeur, What Would Joey Do? by Jack Gantos, Loser by Jerry Spinelli and Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech were not recognized by Newbery, I can't clearly see the rationale by which Surviving the Applewhites was named a Newbery honor book. The story's appeal is easy to see, though, so it wasn't surprising when Stephanie S. Tolan released a sequel, Applewhites at Wit's End, in 2011. When readers love a story, why not go back and spend a little more time with the characters?
August 21, 2012
A bit over the top, but full of heart and tons of fun, this is the story of an apparently incorrigible middle-school delinquent and the artistic, eccentric family who might just bring him around. Jake Semple has been kicked out of every school in Rhode Island, and sent to North Carolina to live with his grandfather. After being expelled from yet another school, Jake finds himself taken in by the Applewhites, a sprawling family of artists with a disorganized homeschool and just one highly organized family member. E.D. feels distant from her family because she is pragmatic and not arty. She is annoyed by the presence of Jake, who by virtue of age is stuck in E.D.'s "class". The plot, such as it is, revolves around the Applewhite father's attempt to stage a multiracial community production of "The Sound of Music", and about Jake's and E.D.'s gradual transformations as they reluctantly get to know each other and, more importantly, themselves. I was not convinced of the badness of Jake, who came across as fairly mild from the start, or at least not horrible enough to conquer a whole state full of middle schools (even a small one). And E.D. was, perhaps by design, a rather colorless character for a protagonist. For those reasons I hesitated over three stars vs. four, but it's just such a big-hearted book, I had to be big-hearted too. Stephanie Tolan was born in Ohio and Surviving the Applewhites is a 2013-2014 Choose to Read Ohio selection (http://library.ohio.gov/ctro).
October 15, 2011
This book has genuinely changed my life more than once. I first read it in the fourth or fifth grade, and fell in love with E.D., who has become a more accurate portrayal of myself since then. I turned to this book whenever I was upset, or excited, or confused, and somehow, rationally or not, it always provided. I literally finished an essay about it last week, and I am now a junior in high school.
The most definitive moment when it touched my life directly was when a kid very, very similar to Jake Semple came to my school in eight grade. I was pretty inclined to believe the awful rumors about him, until he started walking home with his new girlfriend, who went the same way I did. Even though many rumors were true (he was horribly addicted to nicotine - I remember he would have to smoke as soon as leaving school grounds, but he would adjust his position in the group so that the wind blew the smoke away from the group, and repeatedly told off the idiot boys in the group about how terrible smoking was and how desperately he wanted to quit), he was a genuinely nice person most of the time. Going back to Surviving the Applewhites and reading Jake Semple again, in conjunction with the appearance of this kid, finally broke my childlike and simplistic moral value judgments. Without Jake, I don't think I would have broken that mold for a much longer time.
My copy of Surviving the Applewhites has literally every page of Chapters 6, 7, and 8 clumsily taped into the binding, and I have a feeling that in a few more years, that area will expand dramatically, because I can't picture the relevance of the Applewhites decreasing in my life, especially as I get more and more involved in theatre.
The most definitive moment when it touched my life directly was when a kid very, very similar to Jake Semple came to my school in eight grade. I was pretty inclined to believe the awful rumors about him, until he started walking home with his new girlfriend, who went the same way I did. Even though many rumors were true (he was horribly addicted to nicotine - I remember he would have to smoke as soon as leaving school grounds, but he would adjust his position in the group so that the wind blew the smoke away from the group, and repeatedly told off the idiot boys in the group about how terrible smoking was and how desperately he wanted to quit), he was a genuinely nice person most of the time. Going back to Surviving the Applewhites and reading Jake Semple again, in conjunction with the appearance of this kid, finally broke my childlike and simplistic moral value judgments. Without Jake, I don't think I would have broken that mold for a much longer time.
My copy of Surviving the Applewhites has literally every page of Chapters 6, 7, and 8 clumsily taped into the binding, and I have a feeling that in a few more years, that area will expand dramatically, because I can't picture the relevance of the Applewhites decreasing in my life, especially as I get more and more involved in theatre.
December 29, 2017
Disappointing and definitely not worthy of its Honor. The book loses its focus about halfway through and becomes a farce. The "deep" philosophical messages are shallow and laughable: "Education is an adventurous quest for the meaning of life, involving an ability to think things through." Really? That word salad is the best you could come up with? Characters are caricatures: the Indian guru, the domineering stage mother, the painfully introverted creative teen, the prima donna ballerina, the ultra-demanding author, et al. Much of the book's humor only exists because of these hackneyed characters; it's not genuinely funny. It's like an old TV sitcom, complete with canned laugh track.
When the book, which begins as a troubled-teen-forced-to-do-unschooling story (which could have been interesting enough) veers off into being a musical-theater-production-narrowly-avoids-catastrophe story, it's just entirely too predictable. The only thing the overachieving Applewhites lack is singing talent? Oh, this new kid will amazingly sing, with no prior experience. Yep. The littlest kid (ridiculously named Destiny) wants to be in the show? We can engineer an accident and a contrived jokey resolution (involving cantankerous pets on the loose) that lets him. After the mean old establishment type cancels the show, the unappreciated daughter who just doesn't fit in will save the day and everyone will come together. Cliche? Check. Trite? Check. Boring? Check.
We get Important Messages about diversity (as if no amateur production of a musical ever had a multi-racial cast) and about pulling together and how everyone is special and important in his own special way - very obvious overstated messages that are unintentionally funny because of their earnest delivery. By no means is this a subtle book. I am further disappointed to learn that there are not one, but two sequels. The writing itself is not of high quality - I think it must be the situations and topics that make people want to like the book. When you examine it closer, all the little seams show and you find it's only a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree, but pretending and aspiring to be so much more.
Robert Sean Leonard's narration is ok, but it is shocking that he evidently does not know the correct pronunciations of the words "scythe" and "aphid." There was another mispronounced word, too, that I can't recall now. Does no one listen to the reading before approving it?
When the book, which begins as a troubled-teen-forced-to-do-unschooling story (which could have been interesting enough) veers off into being a musical-theater-production-narrowly-avoids-catastrophe story, it's just entirely too predictable. The only thing the overachieving Applewhites lack is singing talent? Oh, this new kid will amazingly sing, with no prior experience. Yep. The littlest kid (ridiculously named Destiny) wants to be in the show? We can engineer an accident and a contrived jokey resolution (involving cantankerous pets on the loose) that lets him. After the mean old establishment type cancels the show, the unappreciated daughter who just doesn't fit in will save the day and everyone will come together. Cliche? Check. Trite? Check. Boring? Check.
We get Important Messages about diversity (as if no amateur production of a musical ever had a multi-racial cast) and about pulling together and how everyone is special and important in his own special way - very obvious overstated messages that are unintentionally funny because of their earnest delivery. By no means is this a subtle book. I am further disappointed to learn that there are not one, but two sequels. The writing itself is not of high quality - I think it must be the situations and topics that make people want to like the book. When you examine it closer, all the little seams show and you find it's only a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree, but pretending and aspiring to be so much more.
Robert Sean Leonard's narration is ok, but it is shocking that he evidently does not know the correct pronunciations of the words "scythe" and "aphid." There was another mispronounced word, too, that I can't recall now. Does no one listen to the reading before approving it?
January 10, 2014
I admit I have not read this book in years, but I remember it being one of my favorite books when I was younger. I still get really excited whenever I see a Great Spangled Fritillery. As a homeschooler myself, I thought the Applewhite family was a hilarious. Yes, they are all completely over the top and absurd, but I think they are better done than most characters you will find in books targeting at this same age group.
What also really appealed to me for this book is that the youngest kid, I forget his name, IS one of my brothers. I don't know how the author did it, but that kid IS my brother. Of course, my brother has yet to discover a talent in singing, but there's time yet!
I identified a lot with E.D., and actually, after reading this book, I was inspired to try doing the same thing she did with her school. I, too, live in a crazy homeschool family (NOTHING like the family in the book, but still crazy!) and this book actually really inspired me to take charge of my education and not have my school be something my mom hands to me. This book, I think, is partly responsible for where I am today and inspired the drive I apply to my schoolwork. For, as this book showed me, I can really decide what I want to do, and do well in it if I work hard enough.
If you've read the book recently and are banging your head against the wall at my inaccuracy, then I apologize. I literally have not read this book in six years. It left a deep enough impression, though, that I still remembered it clearly enough to write the above!
Read it, it's a great story and may inspire you to do a play, or categorize every butterfly in your state, or something bigger!
What also really appealed to me for this book is that the youngest kid, I forget his name, IS one of my brothers. I don't know how the author did it, but that kid IS my brother. Of course, my brother has yet to discover a talent in singing, but there's time yet!
I identified a lot with E.D., and actually, after reading this book, I was inspired to try doing the same thing she did with her school. I, too, live in a crazy homeschool family (NOTHING like the family in the book, but still crazy!) and this book actually really inspired me to take charge of my education and not have my school be something my mom hands to me. This book, I think, is partly responsible for where I am today and inspired the drive I apply to my schoolwork. For, as this book showed me, I can really decide what I want to do, and do well in it if I work hard enough.
If you've read the book recently and are banging your head against the wall at my inaccuracy, then I apologize. I literally have not read this book in six years. It left a deep enough impression, though, that I still remembered it clearly enough to write the above!
Read it, it's a great story and may inspire you to do a play, or categorize every butterfly in your state, or something bigger!
August 11, 2011
For me, this was forgettable. The characters are weirdly self-absorbed but also all amazingly come together to help put on a play at the end. The kids work unrealistically hard on their homeschooling, instead of goofing off listening to music or playing video games all day, which I think they might tend to do realistically if they had as little adult supervision as they did in this book. I liked E.D., but by the end the focus on her seemed to just drop; I missed her perspective at the end. It seemed comically silly at times (the goat running into the house, the happy guru cooking) yet it seemed to be trying to be serious not silly.
(I'm also tired of the whole "integrated" or multiethnic play idea. Why hasn't anyone decided to do "A Raisin in the Sun" with a fully diverse cast? I would have been annoyed at a cast with von Trapp children of three diffferent races. I like more verisimilitude in my drama.)
The story seemed too tame for older kids and too boring for younger kids. Although I was slightly amused by the eccentric family (and I did like the parts about the butterfly), ultimately I found this book pretty boring.
(I'm also tired of the whole "integrated" or multiethnic play idea. Why hasn't anyone decided to do "A Raisin in the Sun" with a fully diverse cast? I would have been annoyed at a cast with von Trapp children of three diffferent races. I like more verisimilitude in my drama.)
The story seemed too tame for older kids and too boring for younger kids. Although I was slightly amused by the eccentric family (and I did like the parts about the butterfly), ultimately I found this book pretty boring.
September 20, 2009
When I wasn't very far into this (60 pages or so) it already bored me. The characters were flat stereotypes and I got no sense of their interior lives, despite lots of telling-rather-than-showing on Tolan's part. Furthermore, I work with four-year-olds, and that ain't a four-year-old. Especially not one raised in a chaotic environment of adult narcissists who do not engage with the child.
Could I predict the plot? You bet. Did I care about what happens to these characters? Heck no. I don't feel there's anything to be gained by reading the book vs. the plot summary.
However, I can see how the very two-dimensionality and conformity to known stereotypes could make this an appealing read for some kids. It won't ask too much of them, and may amuse those who believe themselves (or friends) to be Bad Kids or Artsy Kids.
Could I predict the plot? You bet. Did I care about what happens to these characters? Heck no. I don't feel there's anything to be gained by reading the book vs. the plot summary.
However, I can see how the very two-dimensionality and conformity to known stereotypes could make this an appealing read for some kids. It won't ask too much of them, and may amuse those who believe themselves (or friends) to be Bad Kids or Artsy Kids.
January 27, 2018
Cute message, predictable plot, and stereotyped characters, but I still enjoyed it. Quick read for Battle of the Books at the junior high.
January 12, 2022
Very good. But I read this in 3rd grade in my book club and got, I think 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place.
March 13, 2018
I love this author. She has written at least two books that still haunt me years later (which I seriously cannot find copies of to buy and I have been hunting). I went into this thinking it didn't look quite as good as her other works. It might be written for a slightly younger audience than her other YA. This is much more middle-grade fiction.
I felt very meh about this one. I enjoyed it. It has pleasant pacing and entertaining moments. The plot doesn't grab very much though.
It relies a little too heavily on tropes for me (e.g. the bad boy who just needs to find a hobby etc.). However, I think the target audience would be more forgiving than I am and I definitely could see kids identifying with this story.
I was a little troubled by the borderline neglect being portrayed as positive. For instance, they haven't seen one of their kids in months and only assume he's still around because food disappears occasionally. They straight up ignore their four year old and leave him to wander around unsupervised. They also routinely forget to feed their kids (and themselves). You can see why I find this a little alarming.
And that's the home that's supposed to be the 'better' one for him to flourish in.
I give it 2.5 stars. Enjoyable, especially for kids, but so-so for adults. Fluff without any bite.
*******minor spoiler ahead****
I will say, I absolutely choked when he said his parents were in jail for a minor home pot grow-op. That is such an American reason to be stuck in foster care. I couldn't believe it. It shouldn't be funny, but it's so head shaking inducing I don't know what to say.
I felt very meh about this one. I enjoyed it. It has pleasant pacing and entertaining moments. The plot doesn't grab very much though.
It relies a little too heavily on tropes for me (e.g. the bad boy who just needs to find a hobby etc.). However, I think the target audience would be more forgiving than I am and I definitely could see kids identifying with this story.
I was a little troubled by the borderline neglect being portrayed as positive. For instance, they haven't seen one of their kids in months and only assume he's still around because food disappears occasionally. They straight up ignore their four year old and leave him to wander around unsupervised. They also routinely forget to feed their kids (and themselves). You can see why I find this a little alarming.
And that's the home that's supposed to be the 'better' one for him to flourish in.
I give it 2.5 stars. Enjoyable, especially for kids, but so-so for adults. Fluff without any bite.
*******minor spoiler ahead****
I will say, I absolutely choked when he said his parents were in jail for a minor home pot grow-op. That is such an American reason to be stuck in foster care. I couldn't believe it. It shouldn't be funny, but it's so head shaking inducing I don't know what to say.
April 9, 2013
Jake Stemple is considered one of the ultimate bad boys. He's been kicked out of every school he's ever attended. Then he ends up at Wit's End. Wit's End is where the Applewhite family lives. The Applewhite children are all home schooled and Jake's grandfather has decided that Jake will be joining them. Jake moves in with the Applewhites and realizes that they are all crazy artists, but he is eventually sucked in and joins the family for a massive project that will take everyone's skills.
I liked watching Jake find his place in the Applewhite family. He gets sucked in so subtly he clearly doesn't realize it at first. I also like that you get into Jake's brain as he realizes how many of the things he's doing weren't about him but were in fact about how he wanted others to perceive him.
I like the insight into E.D. as well. She is clearly the odd one out but she still plays a vital role in the family. The play could not have been pulled off without her.
I guess I've been reading too much fiction where relationships play a heavy role. I was totally expecting E.D. and Jake to end up in some kind of relationship and that never happened and it felt so much more right because of it.
There was lots of humor and lots of hard work. Destiny is a great example of that. He's a funny kid but he takes a lot of work. It was also interesting to see the amount of work that went into putting on the play.
I liked watching Jake find his place in the Applewhite family. He gets sucked in so subtly he clearly doesn't realize it at first. I also like that you get into Jake's brain as he realizes how many of the things he's doing weren't about him but were in fact about how he wanted others to perceive him.
I like the insight into E.D. as well. She is clearly the odd one out but she still plays a vital role in the family. The play could not have been pulled off without her.
I guess I've been reading too much fiction where relationships play a heavy role. I was totally expecting E.D. and Jake to end up in some kind of relationship and that never happened and it felt so much more right because of it.
There was lots of humor and lots of hard work. Destiny is a great example of that. He's a funny kid but he takes a lot of work. It was also interesting to see the amount of work that went into putting on the play.
April 29, 2009
North Carolina! woo!
I think that's what originally sparked my interest in the book.
The book was well written, though rather predictable. It was subtle where it needed to be, explicit where it worked, and well rounded in it's characters. The use of flipping between E.D.'s and Jake's perspectives was very effective with clean breaks in between. There were a few places that I hoped for more expansion and exploration and the goat's role seemed to cut itself short. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It could be said that the characters are unrealistic in their representation and the troubles of a foster child with Jake's background is severely understated. I would argue that his background is not as troubled as the opening would lead us to believe. So his parents grew and sold pot. That's hardly a hardened background. They weren't meth dealers. And it becomes increasingly obvious that his attitude is shallow. He's not quite as bad as all the schools fear that he is and when smoking and cussing fail to establish his badassery, he's left looking like the Bart Simpson of the group. Honestly, the selfish pursuits of the Applewhite family leave them almost more screwed up than he is.
I think that's what originally sparked my interest in the book.
The book was well written, though rather predictable. It was subtle where it needed to be, explicit where it worked, and well rounded in it's characters. The use of flipping between E.D.'s and Jake's perspectives was very effective with clean breaks in between. There were a few places that I hoped for more expansion and exploration and the goat's role seemed to cut itself short. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It could be said that the characters are unrealistic in their representation and the troubles of a foster child with Jake's background is severely understated. I would argue that his background is not as troubled as the opening would lead us to believe. So his parents grew and sold pot. That's hardly a hardened background. They weren't meth dealers. And it becomes increasingly obvious that his attitude is shallow. He's not quite as bad as all the schools fear that he is and when smoking and cussing fail to establish his badassery, he's left looking like the Bart Simpson of the group. Honestly, the selfish pursuits of the Applewhite family leave them almost more screwed up than he is.
April 18, 2012
This is one of my daughter's favorite names, perhaps because she goes by the same initials of the female lead. I enjoy it, it's a light read that makes me take another look at how our family chooses to homeschool. The characters are quirky and fun. I've seen criticism that Jake's family problems should leave him more "hardened" than he is, but, after some consideration, I don't think that necessarily pans out. As one reviewer noted, "His parents are in prison for selling pot, it's not like they're running a meth lab." Disregarding the political issues involved in "levels" of drugs - which this novel does not touch - I think it makes a convincing reason why Jake is more "bad" in appearance than actuality. As he states, he does most things for effect, starting when he was three and learned the power of "bad" words. When those things - such as his hair or smoking or profanity - are ignored, he has to figure out who he "really" is.
As a homeschooling mom, I won't lie - the thing I most enjoy is the homeschooling. This is a great description of unschooling, which I can't quite let myself manage, but it's great to see a family in action that can (even if they're fictional).
As a homeschooling mom, I won't lie - the thing I most enjoy is the homeschooling. This is a great description of unschooling, which I can't quite let myself manage, but it's great to see a family in action that can (even if they're fictional).
October 29, 2013
Surviving the Applewhites is possibly the driest book that I have ever read, or will read. This book is about a bad boy, Jake Semple, who was determined to remain the bad boy t every school he went to. Jake had pulled the last straw after burning down his school in the city. His social worker and grandfather sent him to the creative academy, the Applewhites homeschool. From this point on Jake and E.D., the second oldet daughter in the Applewhite family, switch off perspectives every other chapter. This book sounds interesting right? Wrong! This book is full of so many characters its hard to follow, each one is selfish in their own way, and they do their own thing. On top of the characters and small everyday problems, there is no real conflict, nor are there deep emotions. Which throws me with Jake, being a foster child, two parents in jail, with no one he knows at this new place, and new home,has no emotions, no inner thoughts. It is like reading a fostered robots diary of first world problems.
The entire book ends with the Applewhite clan producing Randolphs play in the barn.
If I had one hour, to discuss this new berry honor award book, I would say this: Jake is changing.
The entire book ends with the Applewhite clan producing Randolphs play in the barn.
If I had one hour, to discuss this new berry honor award book, I would say this: Jake is changing.
September 5, 2011
I wasn't expecting to really like this book when I started it; the thought of another troubled-teen-turned-around book annoyed me. The back cover begins by saying, "Jake Semple is a scary kid. Word has it that he burned down his old school and then was kicked out of every other school in his home state." He is then sent to be home-schooled by the Applewhite family in North Carolina, where the students (consisting only of the family and Jake) are given creative license to learn according to their own plans. This is Jake's last chance - if he is thrown out, next stop is Juvenile Hall.
But the rest of the story really doesn't revolve around Jake at all, but rather around the family's attempt to stage a production of the Sound of Music. And Jake never really shows any signs of rebellion except trying to smoke once or twice, which the family largely ignores.
I actually enjoyed the story in itself: it is well-written and the characters are fairly likeable, but I think that the marketing of a bad-boy-turned-good story is misleading.
But the rest of the story really doesn't revolve around Jake at all, but rather around the family's attempt to stage a production of the Sound of Music. And Jake never really shows any signs of rebellion except trying to smoke once or twice, which the family largely ignores.
I actually enjoyed the story in itself: it is well-written and the characters are fairly likeable, but I think that the marketing of a bad-boy-turned-good story is misleading.
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August 30, 2025So you know when you read a book and you can't stop reading it, even though it's just a kid's book, and when you finish you just sigh because it was amazing? This was one of those books.
The Applewhites, all their differences, and unique traits were all very memorable, as were the 'adopted Applewhites,' Jake, Jeremy, and later the Aunt's geru or whatever he was. (i don't remember)
Definitely a good read, even though it's meant more for middle grade.
(note, I am still reading The Watcher Key and Heaven Without Her. In fact, I am almost done with Heaven Without Her, and then I will focus solely on The Watcher Key.)
The Applewhites, all their differences, and unique traits were all very memorable, as were the 'adopted Applewhites,' Jake, Jeremy, and later the Aunt's geru or whatever he was. (i don't remember)
Definitely a good read, even though it's meant more for middle grade.
(note, I am still reading The Watcher Key and Heaven Without Her. In fact, I am almost done with Heaven Without Her, and then I will focus solely on The Watcher Key.)
February 25, 2015
Stick a juvenile delinquent into a home school run by a bunch of talented art family members and you've got a fun read. It describes a school environment that I wish I had and little bit like my kids had. I really liked this book even if it had problems. It doesn't dive to deep into any feelings that Jake might have about being abandoned, being dumped into a school of art freaks, any trouble he might have adjusting etc. etc. etc. (the list just keeps going)
But I found the premise interesting, the characters stuck with me, I wanted to keep turning the pages. I knew everything would work out in the end so there really wasn't much drama or tension. You know, there was a lot not to like about this book the more I think about it but for some reason I just really liked it.
It was a Newbery Honor book.
But whatever - go read it, I recommend it.
But I found the premise interesting, the characters stuck with me, I wanted to keep turning the pages. I knew everything would work out in the end so there really wasn't much drama or tension. You know, there was a lot not to like about this book the more I think about it but for some reason I just really liked it.
It was a Newbery Honor book.
But whatever - go read it, I recommend it.
August 10, 2021
Scribd.com English text, and translation for Portuguese + audio in English from Google Translate.
Synopsys: "The side-splittingly funny Newbery Honor Book about a rebellious boy who is sent to a home-schooling program run by one family—the creative, kooky, loud, and loving Applewhites! Jake Semple is notorious. Rumor has it he managed to get kicked out of every school in Rhode Island, and actually burned the last one down to the ground.
Only one place will take him now, and that's a home school run by the Applewhites, a chaotic and hilarious family of artists: poet Lucille, theater director Randolph, dancer Cordelia, and dreamy Destiny. The only one who doesn't fit the Applewhite mold is E.D.—a smart, sensible girl who immediately clashes with the defiant Jake. Jake thinks surviving this new school will be a breeze . . . but is he really as tough or as bad as he seems?"
Synopsys: "The side-splittingly funny Newbery Honor Book about a rebellious boy who is sent to a home-schooling program run by one family—the creative, kooky, loud, and loving Applewhites! Jake Semple is notorious. Rumor has it he managed to get kicked out of every school in Rhode Island, and actually burned the last one down to the ground.
Only one place will take him now, and that's a home school run by the Applewhites, a chaotic and hilarious family of artists: poet Lucille, theater director Randolph, dancer Cordelia, and dreamy Destiny. The only one who doesn't fit the Applewhite mold is E.D.—a smart, sensible girl who immediately clashes with the defiant Jake. Jake thinks surviving this new school will be a breeze . . . but is he really as tough or as bad as he seems?"
January 7, 2013
This a story about a juvenile deliquent boy who is sent to live with a very unusual and artistic family instead of being put into jail. In some ways, he finds it harder than actually being in jail. It's about fitting in by not fitting in and being true to yourself. There's a lot in the story about putting on a play, so if you are into drama, you would probably like this story.
August 21, 2017
I have just re-read this book. I was looking for another story to base a musical on, and this is not it, but I did find that I enjoyed the book again. It is a bit wacky and over the top, but it is good hearted and speaks to my interest in stories where kids find their way through some adolescent confusion to discover more about themselves.
August 12, 2017
Light and enjoyable. Wacky artsy family runs creative homeschool for their kids and takes on a "bad kid" from the big city. Dad tackles directing The Sound of Music for the local community theatre, everyone gets involved, including the family's only well-organized, non-artsy kid and the city boy. Easy to predict how it will all come out, but it's fun to go along for the ride.
February 13, 2011
For the genre and age group this book was written for, I'd give this a 3. I believe it had a great moral lesson; everyone is needed and everyone has their personal strengths. Cute book, but a more suitable read for my 10 year old.
March 27, 2017
This one had its moments, but, overall, it was a dud.
December 6, 2020
I strongly do not recommend this book to readers who don't like dull and predictable plots. I've read the first 5 chapters and I knew what was going to happen next. This book is one of the most boring and repetitive books I have ever read. This book is about a "bad boy" named Jake Semple who got dropped into a homeschooling program by the Applewhites. There are so many characters that it's hard to follow. Each character has their everyday problems and there isn't a big conflict throughout the story. Jake sample is a foster kid, both of his parents are in jail, and no one know about this place he is staying at. I wonder why Jake Semple, the "bad boy" has no inner thoughts and emotions.
August 31, 2023
SO cute!
I read this book for the first time in 7th grade (exactly 20 years ago - woof). I was feeling nostalgic and it’s still a great read today! I didn’t realize how formative the book would be as kid growing up in rural East Texas to then pursue a career in performance. It stuck with me all of these years, and definitely holds up!
I read this book for the first time in 7th grade (exactly 20 years ago - woof). I was feeling nostalgic and it’s still a great read today! I didn’t realize how formative the book would be as kid growing up in rural East Texas to then pursue a career in performance. It stuck with me all of these years, and definitely holds up!
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April 3, 2024About halfway done. Not sure what to think. I ache for E.D. I despise the father, Randolph. I don't know the main character, Jake, at all - why was he such a delinquent, and why does he behave himself here?
And I absolutely do not understand how anyone can live at this family compound. I get a headache and sore, tense muscles just reading about the chaos.
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Ok done. I'm not sure about the guru who advocates a passion for eating, either. He's not even a vegetarian. Maybe I'm being ignorant, but whatever I've learned about the Indian guys who teach meditation makes this guy seem different.
I did like the way the ending came together.
Not sure who to recommend this to, or what to rate it. Not my cup of tea, but surely somebody's, including at least some members of that year's Newbery committee.
And I absolutely do not understand how anyone can live at this family compound. I get a headache and sore, tense muscles just reading about the chaos.
---
Ok done. I'm not sure about the guru who advocates a passion for eating, either. He's not even a vegetarian. Maybe I'm being ignorant, but whatever I've learned about the Indian guys who teach meditation makes this guy seem different.
I did like the way the ending came together.
Not sure who to recommend this to, or what to rate it. Not my cup of tea, but surely somebody's, including at least some members of that year's Newbery committee.
August 16, 2025
it was pretty good, nothing too special. i think i prefer a bigger sprinkling of wholesome in my children’s/middle grade literature. this was fun, but not particularly thought provoking or warm and fuzzy.
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