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This Is Me From Now On
In This Is Me From Now On , Evie’s new friend Francesca thinks life is dull unless you go after and say whatever you want. Evie can’t always tell if she’s horrified or fascinated by everything Francesca convinces her to do, but she ultimately comes to understand friendship on a whole new level.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 5, 2010
Okay, so full-disclosure--Barbara writes for the same imprint (and so publisher) as I do. Still...I loved this book. I totally ID-ed with Evie (except, um, she had more friends than I did), and Francesca was like the Pippie Longstocking of the '10s. Barbara (the author, no duh) had several great, intense story lines going that I didn't know which to obsess about the most.
Okay, actually, I did: Francesca. Utterly unique! I loved her voice, could picture her perfectly and was just *dying* to know what her story was. Barbara reveals all but with perfect pace and lots of action and finesse. She is never heavy-handed in showing her character's true inner selves and why they are the way they are. She's created a wonderful character in Francesca that I definitely want to know more about (she could, in fact, have an entire book....Hey, it's just a thought).
Loved it and hope everyone else does too!
Okay, actually, I did: Francesca. Utterly unique! I loved her voice, could picture her perfectly and was just *dying* to know what her story was. Barbara reveals all but with perfect pace and lots of action and finesse. She is never heavy-handed in showing her character's true inner selves and why they are the way they are. She's created a wonderful character in Francesca that I definitely want to know more about (she could, in fact, have an entire book....Hey, it's just a thought).
Loved it and hope everyone else does too!
April 8, 2012
This is what Evie's new friend Francesca tells her, and soon enough, Evie's life has had something more like an earthquake. Francesca thinks life is dull unless you go after everything you want and say everything on your mind all the time--and sometimes that includes giving other people a little behind the scenes help to give t
June 19, 2015
So good that I finished it in one sitting!
October 13, 2018
This is me from now on by Barbara Dee is such a great story. It is hilarious and it is full of friendship. Evie' s new friend named Francesca is wild, funny and especially crazy. Evie wants a change of friends but her friends Nisha and Lily don't trust Francesca. I recommend this book to all the people who like friendship and cute stories. This is me from now on is a friendship roller coaster because Evie gets mad at her friends and then they are happy again.
March 11, 2010
In almost everyone's life there's that one person, the one who changes you for better or worse. They aren't always someone you love or even hate. Sometimes they aren't even someone you talk to, but someone who you've seen from afar. They manage to change the tilt of the world just slightly, it seems, and before you know it your attitude about everything is different. This is was Francesca becomes for Evie and in Evie's case she finds the truest friend she could have ever hoped for.
This Is Me From Now On is one of those books that I fell into and didn't get up from until the very last page. In the beginning pages of the book I couldn't help but feel that the writing actually reminded me of what I read in When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (who, as many of you know, won the Newbery Award this year). It was wonderful. There was an immediate connection with each of the characters, but most of all Evie and Francesca. Barbara Dee is definitely an author to watch for and enjoy.
As for the story itself, I loved it. As I mentioned it reminded me a lot of When You Reach Me with a bit of The Babysitters Club thrown in. Evie's new neighbor and now 'friend', Francesca, is something of an anomaly. Her clothes are odd, her behavior is sporadic at best and she doesn't seem to have a care in the world with the exception of being consumed with love and fate. Evie, on the other hand, has grown up under the spotlight of her honor-roll straight A older sister and is expected to do just as well. So, needless to say, when she is partnered with Francesca for an important school project it's not the optimal scenario she was hoping for.
Through a series of silly and sometimes laughable situations Evie and Francesca begin to understand each other. Their friendship, though sometimes unconventional, becomes something they both cherish and for completely different reasons.
I absolutely adored this book. It's perfect for middle grade readers all the way through adults because I believe there are valuable lessons to be learned and it's also a really fun read. Sometimes we all can get stuck in a rut, with our heads to focused on a specific outcome and it's nice to have a 'Francesca' by our side to occasionally change our perspective. And then, there are those of us with our heads continually in the clouds who sometimes need a little nudge from the 'Evie's' in our lives. Sometimes we do need a little jolt and this book is exactly that, a little jolt and an enjoyable one at that. I highly recommend this book and encourage everyone in need of their own 'jolt' to pick it up!
This Is Me From Now On is one of those books that I fell into and didn't get up from until the very last page. In the beginning pages of the book I couldn't help but feel that the writing actually reminded me of what I read in When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (who, as many of you know, won the Newbery Award this year). It was wonderful. There was an immediate connection with each of the characters, but most of all Evie and Francesca. Barbara Dee is definitely an author to watch for and enjoy.
As for the story itself, I loved it. As I mentioned it reminded me a lot of When You Reach Me with a bit of The Babysitters Club thrown in. Evie's new neighbor and now 'friend', Francesca, is something of an anomaly. Her clothes are odd, her behavior is sporadic at best and she doesn't seem to have a care in the world with the exception of being consumed with love and fate. Evie, on the other hand, has grown up under the spotlight of her honor-roll straight A older sister and is expected to do just as well. So, needless to say, when she is partnered with Francesca for an important school project it's not the optimal scenario she was hoping for.
Through a series of silly and sometimes laughable situations Evie and Francesca begin to understand each other. Their friendship, though sometimes unconventional, becomes something they both cherish and for completely different reasons.
I absolutely adored this book. It's perfect for middle grade readers all the way through adults because I believe there are valuable lessons to be learned and it's also a really fun read. Sometimes we all can get stuck in a rut, with our heads to focused on a specific outcome and it's nice to have a 'Francesca' by our side to occasionally change our perspective. And then, there are those of us with our heads continually in the clouds who sometimes need a little nudge from the 'Evie's' in our lives. Sometimes we do need a little jolt and this book is exactly that, a little jolt and an enjoyable one at that. I highly recommend this book and encourage everyone in need of their own 'jolt' to pick it up!
October 19, 2017
This was actually a surprising and hilarious book. It's good if you like realistic fiction.
May 25, 2021
I loved this book from beginning to end. Every character was fantastic to me and I finished this wishing there was a sequel or a whole series about these characters. I'm so glad I picked this up.
Recommended reading. If you choose to read this, I hope you have fun doing so. :)
Recommended reading. If you choose to read this, I hope you have fun doing so. :)
May 25, 2017
Sure this book was entertaining but ultimately it didn't do anything for me. Nisha and Lily were kind of mean to Evie and Francesca was nice. Idk but this book was just kind of weird so.....
January 18, 2018
This book felt really real. It was super funny.
November 2, 2020
Great book! I really liked the main character!! (:
July 16, 2021
All the while reading this book, I kept thinking - okay, then what? It didn’t have an ending, or maybe I didn’t realise it was the ending.
February 5, 2024
An easy read. Story that heavily focusing on teenagers’ friendship, conforming the rules or just live your youths at its fullest. Simplistic!
2 🌟
2 🌟
April 24, 2010
The more I read from Barbara Dee, the more I realize how much I love her books. Her latest novel THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON is no exception. THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON is a story about Evie, a middle grade girl who becomes friends with the new girl, Francesca. Francesca is pretty much the opposite of Evie -- she's brave, aggressive, and even a little bit interfering, and Evie's life turns upside-down as a result of their new friendship.
Francesca is exactly what Evie needs at this point in her life because her friends keep telling her that she is a rut. When Francesca enters the picture, everything begins to change for Evie. Evie not only questions some of the outrageous things that Francesca does (and some of the things that Francesca makes her do!), but she also begins to really examine who she is and who she wants to be. She also begins to really explore what friendship is all about. THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON truly is a special story about a young girl discovering herself!
Ms. Dee has also written JUST ANOTHER DAY IN MY INSANELY REAL LIFE and SOLVING ZOE. Both Booking Daughter and I enjoyed these books a great deal. In fact, I personally hand-sold quite a few copies of SOLVING ZOE at our elementary school's book fair. I think one of the reasons that Ms. Dee's books are so good is because the characters and their feelings are so real. She manages to touch on so much of what I remember from being a tween -- insecurities, additional responsibility, friends, boys, school, etc. And I think today's kids can really relate to her stories and their messages.
Another wonderful thing about THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON is the amount of humor that Ms. Dee incorporated into this book. It truly is a funny and often times laugh out loud book. I love how Ms. Dee managed to write a story with unique characters that's also fun to read. But on top of that, she also includes such valuable messages about self-discovery and friendship. As a mother, I can't recommend her books enough.
I also think THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON would make a great pick for mother-daughter book clubs (or even an after-school book club for girls!) THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON introduces a lot of issues that tweens deal with on a regular basis. Reading this book together with your daughter might allow both of you to learn more about each other. Some of the topics in THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON include learning about yourself and who you want to be, self-esteem issues, making new friends and keeping old ones, discovering boys, and figuring out how to "read" other people. There is also a reading guide available.
If you aren't familiar with Barbara Dee's middle grade books yet, then you are really missing out! They are the perfect blend of memorable characters, interesting storyline, humor and valuable life lessons.
Francesca is exactly what Evie needs at this point in her life because her friends keep telling her that she is a rut. When Francesca enters the picture, everything begins to change for Evie. Evie not only questions some of the outrageous things that Francesca does (and some of the things that Francesca makes her do!), but she also begins to really examine who she is and who she wants to be. She also begins to really explore what friendship is all about. THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON truly is a special story about a young girl discovering herself!
Ms. Dee has also written JUST ANOTHER DAY IN MY INSANELY REAL LIFE and SOLVING ZOE. Both Booking Daughter and I enjoyed these books a great deal. In fact, I personally hand-sold quite a few copies of SOLVING ZOE at our elementary school's book fair. I think one of the reasons that Ms. Dee's books are so good is because the characters and their feelings are so real. She manages to touch on so much of what I remember from being a tween -- insecurities, additional responsibility, friends, boys, school, etc. And I think today's kids can really relate to her stories and their messages.
Another wonderful thing about THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON is the amount of humor that Ms. Dee incorporated into this book. It truly is a funny and often times laugh out loud book. I love how Ms. Dee managed to write a story with unique characters that's also fun to read. But on top of that, she also includes such valuable messages about self-discovery and friendship. As a mother, I can't recommend her books enough.
I also think THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON would make a great pick for mother-daughter book clubs (or even an after-school book club for girls!) THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON introduces a lot of issues that tweens deal with on a regular basis. Reading this book together with your daughter might allow both of you to learn more about each other. Some of the topics in THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON include learning about yourself and who you want to be, self-esteem issues, making new friends and keeping old ones, discovering boys, and figuring out how to "read" other people. There is also a reading guide available.
If you aren't familiar with Barbara Dee's middle grade books yet, then you are really missing out! They are the perfect blend of memorable characters, interesting storyline, humor and valuable life lessons.
June 26, 2010
When it comes to tween books and me it's usually a hit or a miss simply because I'm above the intended age for these reads. Thankfully, This is Me From Now On was one huge hit, in my opinion; a book that not only provided interesting, fully developed characters and funny moments but substance as well, one mix I can never never get enough of.
From the first page of This is Me From Now On the reader is thrown into the life of Evie a few days before her big start into the world of middle school. Evie is nervous enough about it as it is, but with the add of snippy little fights with her two best friends, something that's never occurred between them before, and the new unusual girl named Francesca who allows manages to embarrass Evie when she's around, she's even more so.
Evie is ultimately someone that I think everyone can see a bit of themselves in when they started seventh grade no matter how long ago, since she's nervous, having a difficult time with the harder curriculum, is beginning to see her friends aren't as nice as they appear, and peer pressure is as noticeable as ever in her life. In all, basically stuff that everyone deals with no matter what the age. I found Evie to be likable and someone I rooted for, even though she was a bit of a 'mean' girl to Francesca at times. Plus, I really enjoyed the way she grew to understand that you should never judge people before you know them thoroughly. And talking about Francesca, I ADORED that girl! She was hilarious, wise beyond her years, and just a good soul. Also, her schemes always managed to put a huge smile on my face because they were so out there yet believable and funny at the same time.
The plot of this was compellable, since Barbara always managed to put a new spin to different aspects, such as Evie and her crush's relationship to Francesca's crazy family life to the romance Francesca and Evie tried to create between two teachers, that made you curious to see what would occur next. Barbara's writing was also compellable, something that when mixed with the plot could easily be read in a couple hours. Also, I have to mention that I really liked the fact that she never dumbed down her use of words, even though her audience for this is on the young side.
In all, This is Me From Now On is a book that I can't help but suggest you give a chance to, since it's just an all around fabulous novel; one that I'm sure you'll enjoy just as much as I did! And Barbara Dee? I can't wait to to read more by her, especially if she writes a book about Francesca.
Grade: A-
From the first page of This is Me From Now On the reader is thrown into the life of Evie a few days before her big start into the world of middle school. Evie is nervous enough about it as it is, but with the add of snippy little fights with her two best friends, something that's never occurred between them before, and the new unusual girl named Francesca who allows manages to embarrass Evie when she's around, she's even more so.
Evie is ultimately someone that I think everyone can see a bit of themselves in when they started seventh grade no matter how long ago, since she's nervous, having a difficult time with the harder curriculum, is beginning to see her friends aren't as nice as they appear, and peer pressure is as noticeable as ever in her life. In all, basically stuff that everyone deals with no matter what the age. I found Evie to be likable and someone I rooted for, even though she was a bit of a 'mean' girl to Francesca at times. Plus, I really enjoyed the way she grew to understand that you should never judge people before you know them thoroughly. And talking about Francesca, I ADORED that girl! She was hilarious, wise beyond her years, and just a good soul. Also, her schemes always managed to put a huge smile on my face because they were so out there yet believable and funny at the same time.
The plot of this was compellable, since Barbara always managed to put a new spin to different aspects, such as Evie and her crush's relationship to Francesca's crazy family life to the romance Francesca and Evie tried to create between two teachers, that made you curious to see what would occur next. Barbara's writing was also compellable, something that when mixed with the plot could easily be read in a couple hours. Also, I have to mention that I really liked the fact that she never dumbed down her use of words, even though her audience for this is on the young side.
In all, This is Me From Now On is a book that I can't help but suggest you give a chance to, since it's just an all around fabulous novel; one that I'm sure you'll enjoy just as much as I did! And Barbara Dee? I can't wait to to read more by her, especially if she writes a book about Francesca.
Grade: A-
May 13, 2010
A sort of synopsis of This is me from now on
Evie and her two best friends, Nisha and Lily, are happy with their lives and friendship until the day Evie gets a new neighbor, Francesca. Francesca is different, she is not like the other girls Evie knows, she both dresses and acts differently. When Evie is forced to work with Francesca on a school project it's a life changing experience.
The girls suddenly has this brilliant idea, they're doing a project on the side, matchmaking for their teacher. It is so obvious who the lady is in love with, the woman just needs a few pushes in the right direction. Everyone needs a bit of happiness and needs to feel loved, right? What harm can they possibly do?
Nisha and Lily doesn't like that Evie spends so much time with the new girl and the three of them have a fall out. On top of every thing that's going on in Evie's life her big crush asks her out on a date.
My thoughts:
This is me from now on is a sweet and funny story and I bet tween girls would love it. The book reminded me of the time when I was the same age as the main character, Evie. I loved reading the book and remembering things from the time when I was younger, it was great fun.
I think most girls can relate to some of the issues Barbara Dee writes about, such as dealing with jealousy when you feel like your best friend is drifting away and bonds with another girl. You get scared, hurt and insecure which in some cases will result in anger(even when you're not really angry).
Evie is a sensible girl, perhaps a bit to sensible? When she meets Francesca it's like she got a vitamin shot. It changes Evie view on what she wants and she learns to be more true to herself as a person. Sometimes we need to take some chances and get our butt out of our comfort zone.
Francesca lives with her aunt and the family quarrels about where she's best of staying. Her parents have almost abandoned her, the just visit when they feel like it. It just broke my heart, no wonder she is so obsessed with making everyone she likes happy.
The one thing I would have liked to be explored a bit further in the novel was Francesca and her life. Perhaps there is room for a sequel?
This is me from now on is recommended for tween girls or adult girls like me who likes to remember those days ;) It is a light read that I bet young girls would devour on a warm summer day.
The cover:
Gives me all the right associations, summer, friends and fun.
Evie and her two best friends, Nisha and Lily, are happy with their lives and friendship until the day Evie gets a new neighbor, Francesca. Francesca is different, she is not like the other girls Evie knows, she both dresses and acts differently. When Evie is forced to work with Francesca on a school project it's a life changing experience.
The girls suddenly has this brilliant idea, they're doing a project on the side, matchmaking for their teacher. It is so obvious who the lady is in love with, the woman just needs a few pushes in the right direction. Everyone needs a bit of happiness and needs to feel loved, right? What harm can they possibly do?
Nisha and Lily doesn't like that Evie spends so much time with the new girl and the three of them have a fall out. On top of every thing that's going on in Evie's life her big crush asks her out on a date.
My thoughts:
This is me from now on is a sweet and funny story and I bet tween girls would love it. The book reminded me of the time when I was the same age as the main character, Evie. I loved reading the book and remembering things from the time when I was younger, it was great fun.
I think most girls can relate to some of the issues Barbara Dee writes about, such as dealing with jealousy when you feel like your best friend is drifting away and bonds with another girl. You get scared, hurt and insecure which in some cases will result in anger(even when you're not really angry).
Evie is a sensible girl, perhaps a bit to sensible? When she meets Francesca it's like she got a vitamin shot. It changes Evie view on what she wants and she learns to be more true to herself as a person. Sometimes we need to take some chances and get our butt out of our comfort zone.
Francesca lives with her aunt and the family quarrels about where she's best of staying. Her parents have almost abandoned her, the just visit when they feel like it. It just broke my heart, no wonder she is so obsessed with making everyone she likes happy.
The one thing I would have liked to be explored a bit further in the novel was Francesca and her life. Perhaps there is room for a sequel?
This is me from now on is recommended for tween girls or adult girls like me who likes to remember those days ;) It is a light read that I bet young girls would devour on a warm summer day.
The cover:
Gives me all the right associations, summer, friends and fun.
November 20, 2015
Pages: 272
Publishers Summary:
Sometimes your life just needs a little jolt.
This is what Evie's new friend Francesca tells her, and soon enough, Evie's life has had something more like an earthquake. Francesca thinks life is dull unless you go after everything you want and say everything on your mind all the time--and sometimes that includes giving other people a little behind the scenes help to give them what she thinks they want.
Evie can't always tell if she's horrified or fascinated by everything Francesca convinces her to do, but ultimately, she comes to see friendship--and life--in a whole new light.
My Summary:
Evie has had the same two best friends, the same favorite ice cream flavor, same crush, the same well...everything all of her life. Nevertheless she's pretty happy with it that way, anyway there is nothing there to disturb her comfy life...until Francesca. Francesca is Evie's new neighbor, so in the interests of being polite Evie's mom makes her walk the new girl to the first day of school. Evie doesn't like Francesca, she dresses completely crazy, she runs through others people's lawn sprinklers, and is flat out wild. But, when they get stuck with each other for a history project, they're forced to spend time with each other, like it or not. As they are forced to hang out, Evie starts to realize maybe Francesca isn't so bad. She's funny, wild in a good way, and not afraid of what others think of her. Unfortunately, Evie's two BFFs are seriously offended by Evie's new friendship. Evie doesn't know what to do about their irrational irritation except ignore it. Will Evie and Francesca survive the situations they create together? Will Evie ever make up with her BFFs? Does her crush really like her? And will Francesca turn out to to be a trustworthy friend or a legitimate liar?
My Review:
I enjoyed this book to a fair extent. It was a fun, funny, and slighly easy read. There was no violence. Nothing inappropriate other than the fact that some 7th graders go on group date, which isn't even really a date. There is some mild language though. They used God's name in vain uncountable times and there may have a been a "freaking" or two. Other than that this book was really good.
Like this review? go to http://nerdybookthoughts.blogspot.com/ for more
Publishers Summary:
Sometimes your life just needs a little jolt.
This is what Evie's new friend Francesca tells her, and soon enough, Evie's life has had something more like an earthquake. Francesca thinks life is dull unless you go after everything you want and say everything on your mind all the time--and sometimes that includes giving other people a little behind the scenes help to give them what she thinks they want.
Evie can't always tell if she's horrified or fascinated by everything Francesca convinces her to do, but ultimately, she comes to see friendship--and life--in a whole new light.
My Summary:
Evie has had the same two best friends, the same favorite ice cream flavor, same crush, the same well...everything all of her life. Nevertheless she's pretty happy with it that way, anyway there is nothing there to disturb her comfy life...until Francesca. Francesca is Evie's new neighbor, so in the interests of being polite Evie's mom makes her walk the new girl to the first day of school. Evie doesn't like Francesca, she dresses completely crazy, she runs through others people's lawn sprinklers, and is flat out wild. But, when they get stuck with each other for a history project, they're forced to spend time with each other, like it or not. As they are forced to hang out, Evie starts to realize maybe Francesca isn't so bad. She's funny, wild in a good way, and not afraid of what others think of her. Unfortunately, Evie's two BFFs are seriously offended by Evie's new friendship. Evie doesn't know what to do about their irrational irritation except ignore it. Will Evie and Francesca survive the situations they create together? Will Evie ever make up with her BFFs? Does her crush really like her? And will Francesca turn out to to be a trustworthy friend or a legitimate liar?
My Review:
I enjoyed this book to a fair extent. It was a fun, funny, and slighly easy read. There was no violence. Nothing inappropriate other than the fact that some 7th graders go on group date, which isn't even really a date. There is some mild language though. They used God's name in vain uncountable times and there may have a been a "freaking" or two. Other than that this book was really good.
Like this review? go to http://nerdybookthoughts.blogspot.com/ for more
May 23, 2010
I loved this book from beginning to end. It's a light, enjoyable read, with excellent characters and a plot that I'm sure will resonate with a lot of middle grade students.
Friendship is the order of the day in This Is Me From Now On. They're torn apart, reconciled, and newly appreciated. Middle school (and high school) are murky waters when it comes to relationships, and things can easily change at the drop of a hat. BFFs are forgotten about when a boy shows up, new friends take the place of old friends, and cliques mix and match like their lives depend on it. This is all explored in This Is Me From Now On, with Dee's writing giving the impression she may have experienced it for herself.
Dee's dialogue is authentic, without any annoying exaggerated teen speak. She doesn't constantly talk in numbers and abbreviated words, and it makes the characters that much more realistic. The plot is engaging, and I read through the book with no breaks, as it's written in a compelling style that really is hard to put down.
Evie, Nisha and Lily are such a cool group of girls, and even though they have their problems and disagreements, they're always there for each other. When new girl Francesca moves to the area, things are epically shaken up, and what follows is a story worthy of a teen movie. I can just see it now: a popular teen starlet playing Evie, and Taylor Lautner playing boy interest Zane... but anyway, that's beside the point.
This one is aimed at a slightly younger teen audience, and because of that it is a little predictable. I actually guessed what would happen, which is very unusual for me! It will in no way change your life, but it's one fun read. I'll be checking out more by this author, and I urge you guys to as well. If you know anyone in seventh grade, point them in Barbara Dee's direction.
4.5/5
Friendship is the order of the day in This Is Me From Now On. They're torn apart, reconciled, and newly appreciated. Middle school (and high school) are murky waters when it comes to relationships, and things can easily change at the drop of a hat. BFFs are forgotten about when a boy shows up, new friends take the place of old friends, and cliques mix and match like their lives depend on it. This is all explored in This Is Me From Now On, with Dee's writing giving the impression she may have experienced it for herself.
Dee's dialogue is authentic, without any annoying exaggerated teen speak. She doesn't constantly talk in numbers and abbreviated words, and it makes the characters that much more realistic. The plot is engaging, and I read through the book with no breaks, as it's written in a compelling style that really is hard to put down.
Evie, Nisha and Lily are such a cool group of girls, and even though they have their problems and disagreements, they're always there for each other. When new girl Francesca moves to the area, things are epically shaken up, and what follows is a story worthy of a teen movie. I can just see it now: a popular teen starlet playing Evie, and Taylor Lautner playing boy interest Zane... but anyway, that's beside the point.
This one is aimed at a slightly younger teen audience, and because of that it is a little predictable. I actually guessed what would happen, which is very unusual for me! It will in no way change your life, but it's one fun read. I'll be checking out more by this author, and I urge you guys to as well. If you know anyone in seventh grade, point them in Barbara Dee's direction.
4.5/5
June 10, 2010
Evie’s new neighbor Francesca is a free spirit who wears wild clothes, always seems to be upbeat, and has her own ideas about the importance of homework. First thrown together by Evie’s mom and Francesca’s aunt, the two of them soon bond over a school project and a little matchmaking. But Evie’s long time friends feel she’s abandoned them; they don’t trust Francesca and they want Evie back just like she was.
This is Me from Now On by Barbara Dee is a snapshot of Evie’s life at the start of seventh grade. She’s no longer happy with the status quo, and in fact, one of her teacher’s says it appears she needs to break out of the rut she was in the year before.
But Evie finds that making changes can be confusing. How much of her own free spirit can she tap into without going further than she’s comfortable with? How can she let her best friends know she wants to be on more equal footing with them without seeming as though she’s rejecting them outright? How can she get the attention of a boy she likes and go out with him when her parents don’t think she’s ready to date?
This is Me from Now On takes on a this confusing pre-teen time of life and turns into a witty, charming story focuses on the possibilities of reinventing yourself. Evie learns how to keep what she’s always liked about herself while learning to take a few more chances and open up to new experiences. In the process she learns a lot about herself and a lot about her friends. Check out Dee’s discussion questions on her website http://www.barbaradeebooks.com/me.html for ideas about what to talk about when you read this book. I highly recommend it for mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 9 to 13.
This is Me from Now On by Barbara Dee is a snapshot of Evie’s life at the start of seventh grade. She’s no longer happy with the status quo, and in fact, one of her teacher’s says it appears she needs to break out of the rut she was in the year before.
But Evie finds that making changes can be confusing. How much of her own free spirit can she tap into without going further than she’s comfortable with? How can she let her best friends know she wants to be on more equal footing with them without seeming as though she’s rejecting them outright? How can she get the attention of a boy she likes and go out with him when her parents don’t think she’s ready to date?
This is Me from Now On takes on a this confusing pre-teen time of life and turns into a witty, charming story focuses on the possibilities of reinventing yourself. Evie learns how to keep what she’s always liked about herself while learning to take a few more chances and open up to new experiences. In the process she learns a lot about herself and a lot about her friends. Check out Dee’s discussion questions on her website http://www.barbaradeebooks.com/me.html for ideas about what to talk about when you read this book. I highly recommend it for mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 9 to 13.
March 3, 2024
Evie is a sweet, kind, normal 7th grade girl....translation (according to Francesca, her new neighbor): BORING! Francesa is eccentric, quirky, and sometimes just plain weird. But Evie is finding her more and more intriguing. As Francesa and Evie's friendship develops, Evie finds herself doing increasingly more questionable things, like trying to set up two of her teachers by sending them fake notes and gifts from each other, and slacking off on homework assignments that she needs to complete. But when the tables are turned, and Evie is on the receiving end of Francesca's "help", their friendship, and Evie's values, are put to the test.
I don't read a lot of Middle Grade books, but this one looked cute, and the wonderfully sweet author, Barbara Dee, sent it to me, so I thought I'd read it and do a review. What I didn't expect was to enjoy this book so much! I found myself transported back in time, to the days of Middle School, and relating so much to the Main Character, Evie. Like Evie, I had a rebellious friend who wasn't afraid to "cross the line" from time to time, and I found myself having to make tough choices. I also just really loved Evie's character. She is a strong, intelligent, girl, and she made me laugh throughout the entire book. I thought it was really well written, not too young and kiddish, and not too mature, just the right mixture of fun, excitement, and friendship!
I think this is a great book for Middle Schoolers, but I don't think you have to be in Middle School to enjoy it. I was highly entertained!
~Andye
I don't read a lot of Middle Grade books, but this one looked cute, and the wonderfully sweet author, Barbara Dee, sent it to me, so I thought I'd read it and do a review. What I didn't expect was to enjoy this book so much! I found myself transported back in time, to the days of Middle School, and relating so much to the Main Character, Evie. Like Evie, I had a rebellious friend who wasn't afraid to "cross the line" from time to time, and I found myself having to make tough choices. I also just really loved Evie's character. She is a strong, intelligent, girl, and she made me laugh throughout the entire book. I thought it was really well written, not too young and kiddish, and not too mature, just the right mixture of fun, excitement, and friendship!
I think this is a great book for Middle Schoolers, but I don't think you have to be in Middle School to enjoy it. I was highly entertained!
~Andye
May 12, 2010
This Is Me From Now On was a great book. It is a middle grade title but I am 18 and had no trouble getting into the story. In fact, I got into it more than I have some other YA books. It was realistic, fun, and full of fantastic characters.
Evie is tired of her boring life but she doesn't realize it until Francesca moves in next door. Francesca is everything that Evie is not and at first she can't stand her. Of course things change and Evie begins to become friends with her. The only problem is that her two best friends, Nisha and Lily, can't seem to handle that.
Evie was a hugely realistic character. She was just starting seventh grade and she wanted to change herself. I think everybody goes through that at some point and it made me really like her. Francesca was crazy but she was exactly what Evie needed. She added fun to both Evie's life and the book. She got on my nerves some but I pretty much liked her. Nisha was my biggest problem. She just didn't seem like a good friend until the end of the book. But i do know how friendships are so I can kind of understand that.
I wasn't so sure about the plot at first but I was never bored. It was fun and funny. I couldn't help laughing at some of Evie and Francesca's antics. They were crazy but totally believable of two seventh grade girls. =]
Overall, This Is Me From Now On is the perfect light read and just in time for summer. If you are looking for something fun and quick this is a book for you!
Evie is tired of her boring life but she doesn't realize it until Francesca moves in next door. Francesca is everything that Evie is not and at first she can't stand her. Of course things change and Evie begins to become friends with her. The only problem is that her two best friends, Nisha and Lily, can't seem to handle that.
Evie was a hugely realistic character. She was just starting seventh grade and she wanted to change herself. I think everybody goes through that at some point and it made me really like her. Francesca was crazy but she was exactly what Evie needed. She added fun to both Evie's life and the book. She got on my nerves some but I pretty much liked her. Nisha was my biggest problem. She just didn't seem like a good friend until the end of the book. But i do know how friendships are so I can kind of understand that.
I wasn't so sure about the plot at first but I was never bored. It was fun and funny. I couldn't help laughing at some of Evie and Francesca's antics. They were crazy but totally believable of two seventh grade girls. =]
Overall, This Is Me From Now On is the perfect light read and just in time for summer. If you are looking for something fun and quick this is a book for you!
July 22, 2010
Why I read this: It looked like a really cute story that would appeal to a lot of the girls in 4th and 5th grade at my school.
Plot: When Francesca moves in, Evie's life is turned upside down. Francesca is beautiful, weird, and has some issues with lying and deception. No matter what she does though, Evie can't avoid her new neighbor and finds herself becoming friends with Francesca. But their friendship is pulling Evie's life in a different direction than she's used to and she's not sure if that is good or bad. This book really delved into the issue of friendship and what it truly means.
Characters: Evie's your average middle school girl. She has a good life, two best friends, and a safe routine of how she runs her life. Her new neighbor disrupts it, but she starts to figure out that maybe that is what she needed all along.
Francesca is a big personality character. She wears a crazy combination of clothes that somehow ends up fashionable and she tells the most interesting stories. You can tell she's a good person, even if she can't quite express it in the right way.
Relatability: I think any girl can relate to this book, whether for the friendship, the boy crush, or just finding who you really are inside.
Cover Commentary: Definitely screams "girl book!" as some of my students may say. Can see a lot of my 4th and 5th grade girls picking this one up.
Plot: When Francesca moves in, Evie's life is turned upside down. Francesca is beautiful, weird, and has some issues with lying and deception. No matter what she does though, Evie can't avoid her new neighbor and finds herself becoming friends with Francesca. But their friendship is pulling Evie's life in a different direction than she's used to and she's not sure if that is good or bad. This book really delved into the issue of friendship and what it truly means.
Characters: Evie's your average middle school girl. She has a good life, two best friends, and a safe routine of how she runs her life. Her new neighbor disrupts it, but she starts to figure out that maybe that is what she needed all along.
Francesca is a big personality character. She wears a crazy combination of clothes that somehow ends up fashionable and she tells the most interesting stories. You can tell she's a good person, even if she can't quite express it in the right way.
Relatability: I think any girl can relate to this book, whether for the friendship, the boy crush, or just finding who you really are inside.
Cover Commentary: Definitely screams "girl book!" as some of my students may say. Can see a lot of my 4th and 5th grade girls picking this one up.
March 9, 2011
REVIEW
Opposites attract. Evie was a Plain Jane seventh grader. Francesca was Evie’s quirky new neighbor. What ended up happening when these two joined forces was anything but boring.
Boring Evie’s world turned upside down when she started to hang out with weird Francesca. Her two best friends, Nisha and Lily, did not understand and were not at all supportive. I think Barbara Dee did a fantastic job of capturing true middle school emotions as the girls dealt with the situation. For a middle school girl, best friends are EVERYTHING, and anything that disrupts that bond can be catastrophic.
Don’t think it was all serious though. There was plenty of humor in the mix. I had to laugh at Evie and Francesca trying to fix up their teachers. Oh, and Francesca’s totally crazy personality made for lots of funny situations.
Evie learns that you shouldn’t judge people based on their appearance and she also realizes that it’s okay to loosen up a bit. This would be a fun read for a tween or young teen book club. I enjoyed every bit of it.
RATING
4 Plot
4 Characters
4 Attention Grabbing
4 Girlie Meter
4 Ending
20 TOTAL
4 STARS
Review available on Reading Vacation blog. http://tinyurl.com/27uqfpp
Opposites attract. Evie was a Plain Jane seventh grader. Francesca was Evie’s quirky new neighbor. What ended up happening when these two joined forces was anything but boring.
Boring Evie’s world turned upside down when she started to hang out with weird Francesca. Her two best friends, Nisha and Lily, did not understand and were not at all supportive. I think Barbara Dee did a fantastic job of capturing true middle school emotions as the girls dealt with the situation. For a middle school girl, best friends are EVERYTHING, and anything that disrupts that bond can be catastrophic.
Don’t think it was all serious though. There was plenty of humor in the mix. I had to laugh at Evie and Francesca trying to fix up their teachers. Oh, and Francesca’s totally crazy personality made for lots of funny situations.
Evie learns that you shouldn’t judge people based on their appearance and she also realizes that it’s okay to loosen up a bit. This would be a fun read for a tween or young teen book club. I enjoyed every bit of it.
RATING
4 Plot
4 Characters
4 Attention Grabbing
4 Girlie Meter
4 Ending
20 TOTAL
4 STARS
Review available on Reading Vacation blog. http://tinyurl.com/27uqfpp
August 5, 2016
Firstly, many thanks to Barbara Dee for sending me a copy of this book for review. This Is Me From Now on has a target audience that is a tad bit younger (ages 9 - 13) than most of the books I usually review, but I was interested in the premise and gladly accepted the opportunity to share this book with all of you.
My first thought upon finishing this book was that I could have seen myself reading it when I was in middle school. It's generally a light-hearted read that is the perfect little escape from real-life into a world that almost could be yours. The storyline is cute, if a bit predictable--but since we have probably all been in similar situations with a new girl moving to town, I suppose that is to be expected. And who hasn't wanted to reinvent themselves the way Evie was so desperate to? I know I used to feel that way as a pre-teen and teen, and even to this day sometimes find myself thinking about a new me. In the end, Evie learn a lot about herself and her friends and we read all about it in a charming story that provides a lot of laughs.
I highly recommend this book for all the tweens out there. The characters are very well-drawn and I would be surprised if others weren't as blown away by Francesca as I was. She was certainly a hoot and a bit over the top, but Evie and her friends were a tad more realistic. All-in-all an enjoyable read!
My first thought upon finishing this book was that I could have seen myself reading it when I was in middle school. It's generally a light-hearted read that is the perfect little escape from real-life into a world that almost could be yours. The storyline is cute, if a bit predictable--but since we have probably all been in similar situations with a new girl moving to town, I suppose that is to be expected. And who hasn't wanted to reinvent themselves the way Evie was so desperate to? I know I used to feel that way as a pre-teen and teen, and even to this day sometimes find myself thinking about a new me. In the end, Evie learn a lot about herself and her friends and we read all about it in a charming story that provides a lot of laughs.
I highly recommend this book for all the tweens out there. The characters are very well-drawn and I would be surprised if others weren't as blown away by Francesca as I was. She was certainly a hoot and a bit over the top, but Evie and her friends were a tad more realistic. All-in-all an enjoyable read!
September 14, 2012
Haley Nakamura
September 11, 2012
Book Review
ISBN 978-1-9414-5
$5.99 US/$7.99 CAN
This Is Me
by: Barbara Dee
“Sometimes your life just needs a little jolt.” That’s what Francesca told me once, and she was right. I mean, she was wrong about everything, but she was right about that.
At first, Evie doesn’t know what to think of her new neighbor. Francesca’s wild, funny and different from other people. She only follows rules she makes up herself and she doesn’t listen to anyone else.. Evie’s two best friends think Francesca’s weird and abnormal, but to Evie it doesn’t matter anymore. Everything is so boring. She just wants a change. If you’re with Francesca, anything can happen. But this time, when Evie finds out a teacher’s secret, she wonders have I gone too far?
I think that this is a good book for middle school girls especially. Some things that happen in the book can happen in real life like conflicts between friends. An example of this is when Evie has a fight with her two best friends about how weird Francesca is and they start to grow apart. Later on they apologize. This book is a good example of being in middle school, growing up, and friendship. I would recommend this to people who like reading about people just like them.
-Haley Nakamura
Aladdin Mix Simon and Schuster, New York
September 11, 2012
Book Review
ISBN 978-1-9414-5
$5.99 US/$7.99 CAN
This Is Me
by: Barbara Dee
“Sometimes your life just needs a little jolt.” That’s what Francesca told me once, and she was right. I mean, she was wrong about everything, but she was right about that.
At first, Evie doesn’t know what to think of her new neighbor. Francesca’s wild, funny and different from other people. She only follows rules she makes up herself and she doesn’t listen to anyone else.. Evie’s two best friends think Francesca’s weird and abnormal, but to Evie it doesn’t matter anymore. Everything is so boring. She just wants a change. If you’re with Francesca, anything can happen. But this time, when Evie finds out a teacher’s secret, she wonders have I gone too far?
I think that this is a good book for middle school girls especially. Some things that happen in the book can happen in real life like conflicts between friends. An example of this is when Evie has a fight with her two best friends about how weird Francesca is and they start to grow apart. Later on they apologize. This book is a good example of being in middle school, growing up, and friendship. I would recommend this to people who like reading about people just like them.
-Haley Nakamura
Aladdin Mix Simon and Schuster, New York
April 28, 2015
I loved this! It is a really sweet and fun read that tweens and teens would really enjoy.
Barbara Dee is a great writer and I found myself easily immersed in the story. Evie and Francesca are wonderful characters - I loved how real they felt. Evie comes across as really sweet and kind, very witty with her observations. I enjoyed her journey - about friendships and discovering who you are and who you want to be. I absolutely adored Francesca. I loved her individuality and although she is slightly ...er...economical with the truth I do think she has people's best interests at heart. I thought she was really good for Evie, bringing her out of her shell and really seeing her for who she is rather than who she wanted her to be, and I thought Evie was good for Francesca too. She is a stable influence in her life that could have otherwise be lacking.
The plot is simple but really enjoyable. It's more about the characters and how they grow, and about the friendships you have when you are still discovering who you are. It brought back memories of my friendships at that age, and of the boys I really liked . I'd loved to catch up with Evie and Francesca at a later date and see how they are getting on, but in the meantime I plan to track down some more of Barbara Dee's work!
Barbara Dee is a great writer and I found myself easily immersed in the story. Evie and Francesca are wonderful characters - I loved how real they felt. Evie comes across as really sweet and kind, very witty with her observations. I enjoyed her journey - about friendships and discovering who you are and who you want to be. I absolutely adored Francesca. I loved her individuality and although she is slightly ...er...economical with the truth I do think she has people's best interests at heart. I thought she was really good for Evie, bringing her out of her shell and really seeing her for who she is rather than who she wanted her to be, and I thought Evie was good for Francesca too. She is a stable influence in her life that could have otherwise be lacking.
The plot is simple but really enjoyable. It's more about the characters and how they grow, and about the friendships you have when you are still discovering who you are. It brought back memories of my friendships at that age, and of the boys I really liked . I'd loved to catch up with Evie and Francesca at a later date and see how they are getting on, but in the meantime I plan to track down some more of Barbara Dee's work!
October 6, 2010
Evie's a six grader at Blanton Middle. Her Best friends Nisha and lily spent their summer together reading magazines and taking quiz's from them. But Evie's life needed a little jolt. Her sister Grace who she calls a school-alcoholic is always studying she already has a toter for her S.A.T's. Evie's neighbor Samantha Pattison had her niece Francesca Pattison move in with her. She was a outgoing odd person with an odd choose in clothing. Evie gets her self into a pickle with her best friends and two of her teachers. Her teacher Stephanie Peirce ruins her first day of school by assigning them an attic project where you could only work with one person which forced Evie to be partners with the last person she wanted to be with Francesca Pattison. Thats were everything went wrong.
This book teaches you something about friendships and that people change for a reason. This book takes time to get interesting which made it so much better. I enjoyed this book because it was intriguing and I felt like I was in Evie's position like I was her. Will the fight between her, Lily and Nisha be over or will Evie and Francesca become best friends and Evie forgets all about them? Read to find out the answer!
This book teaches you something about friendships and that people change for a reason. This book takes time to get interesting which made it so much better. I enjoyed this book because it was intriguing and I felt like I was in Evie's position like I was her. Will the fight between her, Lily and Nisha be over or will Evie and Francesca become best friends and Evie forgets all about them? Read to find out the answer!
May 4, 2010
I thought this one was an excellent middle grade novel. (also know as tween fiction) It really caught the dramatics of 7Th grade girls and I think Barbara did an excellent job of catching the pre-teen feeling of "OMG! My world is falling apart!" As adults we sometimes think that these problems aren't important but we tend to forget what it was like at that age.
The cast of characters was excellent, as the author managed to show of so many types of personalities within this group of kids. The personal struggle that the main character, Evie, faces as she is trying to find her place in the world are very true to life.
I think tweens and teens will enjoy this one because they'll be able to relate; probably pick out friends in real life who are like the characters in this book also. As an adult, I saw so many issues of growing up included in this book. Self-esteem, being yourself while trying to fit in, and accepting the consequences of the choices you make are just a few of the things that Barbara blends seamlessly into the story.
Overall...Excellent! I hope you'll pick this up for your tween or one in your life.
The cast of characters was excellent, as the author managed to show of so many types of personalities within this group of kids. The personal struggle that the main character, Evie, faces as she is trying to find her place in the world are very true to life.
I think tweens and teens will enjoy this one because they'll be able to relate; probably pick out friends in real life who are like the characters in this book also. As an adult, I saw so many issues of growing up included in this book. Self-esteem, being yourself while trying to fit in, and accepting the consequences of the choices you make are just a few of the things that Barbara blends seamlessly into the story.
Overall...Excellent! I hope you'll pick this up for your tween or one in your life.
July 13, 2010
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
This book is so perfectly tween! It's such a cute read and it a ton of fun. Francesca is a great character and I love how the author keeps the reader guessing about Francesca all along. We, like Evie, are never really sure what to think about her which makes reading about her that much more fun.
The back of the book makes it seem like this is a story about two girls playing matchmaker, but that's more a side plot. This Is Me From Now On is more a story about tween girls, friendships, and how things can change as you get older. There's also a touch of a "be who you are" theme, which I think is always great for tweens to read.
My only complaint is that I felt like the story never really new what it wanted to be, so it jumped around a little. Was it a story about matchmaking? Was it a book about friendship? These two storylines come together, but it felt a little jostled at times.
But tween girls will love it. Francesca reminded me somewhat of a younger Stargirl (from Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli) Give this one to tween readers who enjoy realistic fiction and don't be surprised if they have it finished in one sitting.
This book is so perfectly tween! It's such a cute read and it a ton of fun. Francesca is a great character and I love how the author keeps the reader guessing about Francesca all along. We, like Evie, are never really sure what to think about her which makes reading about her that much more fun.
The back of the book makes it seem like this is a story about two girls playing matchmaker, but that's more a side plot. This Is Me From Now On is more a story about tween girls, friendships, and how things can change as you get older. There's also a touch of a "be who you are" theme, which I think is always great for tweens to read.
My only complaint is that I felt like the story never really new what it wanted to be, so it jumped around a little. Was it a story about matchmaking? Was it a book about friendship? These two storylines come together, but it felt a little jostled at times.
But tween girls will love it. Francesca reminded me somewhat of a younger Stargirl (from Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli) Give this one to tween readers who enjoy realistic fiction and don't be surprised if they have it finished in one sitting.
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
I am a fan of Barbara Dee. She always writes a very good story.
This time the story centers on Evie, a seventh grader. She is a part of a trio of friends and has gotten into a rut.
In walks Francesca. She is a little strange. She has moved in with her aunt, who lives next-door to Evie. The adults throw Francesca and Evie together, and even though she is odd, Evie feels sorry for her and the two start to have adventures.
Her two other friends feel threatened and stop talking to Evie. Through many mishaps and misunderstandings, Evie learns a lot more about what it is to be a friend.
I love Barbara Dee's writing. The characterizations are amazing. Francesca is well-written and she is very interesting. She has a backstory which is sad and makes you understand why she is doing the things she does. Evie's two other friends are silly but very realistic. I teach fifth grade and the fights girls have are very real but most of the time very silly.
I loved THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON, and thanks to Barbara Dee for another great book!
I am a fan of Barbara Dee. She always writes a very good story.
This time the story centers on Evie, a seventh grader. She is a part of a trio of friends and has gotten into a rut.
In walks Francesca. She is a little strange. She has moved in with her aunt, who lives next-door to Evie. The adults throw Francesca and Evie together, and even though she is odd, Evie feels sorry for her and the two start to have adventures.
Her two other friends feel threatened and stop talking to Evie. Through many mishaps and misunderstandings, Evie learns a lot more about what it is to be a friend.
I love Barbara Dee's writing. The characterizations are amazing. Francesca is well-written and she is very interesting. She has a backstory which is sad and makes you understand why she is doing the things she does. Evie's two other friends are silly but very realistic. I teach fifth grade and the fights girls have are very real but most of the time very silly.
I loved THIS IS ME FROM NOW ON, and thanks to Barbara Dee for another great book!
July 21, 2010
Cute fun book. Reminds me very much of my middle school days, full of friends, boys, gossip, fights, and school work. Barbara Dee nails this book spot on for the middle schoolers.
What did I love: the characters, how true to life they were. Francesca wanted a friend and wanted to fit in while retaining individuality. Her life had it's problems but she didn't focus on them. Evie, wanted a change and Francesca offered it, but she didn't want to leave her old friends behind either. As Francesca and Evie break out into their project and snooping into teachers' lives and learning more about each other, they also learn about themselves. There were some great lessons in this book for tweens, some I wish I had learned myself when I was that age.
A fun quick read, great for tweens and early teens, though as an adult I enjoyed it as well. It's cute, adorable and thought-provoking without being heavy or too cutesy. Just an all-around good read.
What did I love: the characters, how true to life they were. Francesca wanted a friend and wanted to fit in while retaining individuality. Her life had it's problems but she didn't focus on them. Evie, wanted a change and Francesca offered it, but she didn't want to leave her old friends behind either. As Francesca and Evie break out into their project and snooping into teachers' lives and learning more about each other, they also learn about themselves. There were some great lessons in this book for tweens, some I wish I had learned myself when I was that age.
A fun quick read, great for tweens and early teens, though as an adult I enjoyed it as well. It's cute, adorable and thought-provoking without being heavy or too cutesy. Just an all-around good read.
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