Just for You to Know

by Cheryl Harness

As her family noisily slurps root beers at a drive-in stop, Carmen longs to be invisible -- especially when Clark and Larry shout out the news about Mama. Can it get any worse than this? Carmen imagines she's been kidnapped -- how else did she wind up as one of the Cathcarts. . . . At almost thirteen she's the oldest, with five noisy little brothers, a dreamy mom, and a sometimes reckless dad. When she's a famous artist, she'll get away from them all! This wonderfully honest and bighearted first novel mirrors life. Carmen Cathcart becomes a friend as, with a voice that is deeply moving yet often funny, she shares the importance of holding on to your dreams and what it means to be a family.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Childrens

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Author and illustrator. Worked variously as a student teacher, waitress, short-order cook, portrait artist, and needlework designer. Greeting-card artist for Hallmark Cards and Current. Presenter at schools.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen is the oldest & only girl in a family of 5 brothers. Her restless dad says they're moving(again)to a new town, new job. Carman finds out her mother is pregnant again! But when Carmna's family settles in Independance, MO they discover wonderful neighbors and a new best friend. Aunt Bev lives in town. Finally the new baby arrives and it is the beginning of tragic circumstances which challenge her family and Carman's dream of drawing.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO SAD! :(
I would recommend it, but it is so sad its terrifing. :(((

[Linda Gammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author this summer at a writers' conference and asked her to sign my copy. She said, "So you're the person who bought my book." I don't know why this book didn't sell better. It received good reviews and is a good story, well told. The author is now selling it, self-republished (is that a word?) in paperback on her website.

[Julia Concepcion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really good. Yes, it is kinda sad but it is also very creative and artistic. It's kinda hard to get used to the setting of 1963 but it just takes time. I guess it's only the case for me since I read a lot of present-day setting books. I suggest it to middle schoolers and up. That is all.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story about a young girl dealing with her loud, large family and the changes that happen once moving to a new home. I really did love and could relate to Carmen as being the oldest child in a family. I be would encourage others to read this story as it was funny, sad and heart warming.

[Jane Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by a local author. Takes place in 1963 in Independence MO. Not only is this very well-written, it's funny and sharp and painful and sad... I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

[10-11 Estrella · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was good! for real!
it has real life problems people go through there lifes
i made me cry!
it was just so emotial i would give it 10 stars but theres only 5 here so yeah! hah:)

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this book! I thought about reading it twice in a row, it was SOOOO good!

[Kay Stew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book!

[California Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a perfect book and I totally loved it. I thought that there was a very important lesson in this book and that lesson is no matter who you are you should be proud of yourself.

[Charlee Alsup · Rating 5 out of 5]

i absolutely LOVED this book!!! i cried so many times throughout it, but it also made me laugh like crazy... it is totally my favorite book of my childhood.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO SO SO SO SO GOOD!!!

[Kailey Tyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

bring tissues

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

a large family moves to a new town with a baby on the way. told from the tween daughter's perspective a series of tragic situations follow. the writer has the voice and location accurate, it just lumbers and is very sad.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was awesome

[Bailey Adamczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was awesome. Definitely 5 star ratings.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a sweet story of a girl and her family as they come to grips with the loss of a loved one. I enjoyed the characterization and the tone of the story. I'd recommend this book, but it's not one of my favorites.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, characters i could connect with. a family must cope with the loss of their mother and the gain of a brand new baby #7. Their fear, sorrow, doubts, coping, etc. was believable and how the neighbors and friends respond to the family keeps the story interesting.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good. But I cried alot because it was hard for Carmen and I felt bad. Her moms prego and then dies.): and they have to take care of the baby. It's not a bad thing but that's hard with no mom.):

[Kare-Bear Sharres · Rating 4 out of 5]

it really tells you what you might need to know to start a life like life.

[Cws]

JAR4-Har

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in book club.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an amazing book & i cried so hard when i got 2 the really sad part

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good... certainly good for my middle school students.

[Alora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pretty sad. It's about this girl who has five brothers and her mother dies while having a baby. You should really read this book....i finished this book today and it was awesome...

[Charisma · Rating 5 out of 5]

good but also borring

[Ceanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad

[Leah Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great book about life and struggles.