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It Happened to Nancy: By an Anonymous Teenager, A True Story from Her Diary – From the Editor of GO ASK ALICE: A Young Adult Memoir About Date Rape and AIDS
The editor of the classic GO ASK ALICE has compiled the poignant journals of a 14-year-old date-rape victim who contracted AIDS and died.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
196 people are currently reading
4779 people want to read
About the author
Beatrice Sparks
21 books1,391 followersBeatrice Sparks was an American therapist and Mormon youth counselor who was known for producing books purporting to be the 'real diaries' of troubled teenagers. The books deal with topical issues such as drug abuse, Satanism, teenage pregnancy or AIDS, and are presented as cautionary tales. Although Sparks always presented herself as merely the discoverer and editor of the diaries, records at the U.S. Copyright Office show that in fact she was listed as the sole author for all but two of them.
Sparks began working with teenagers in 1955, after attending the University of California at Los Angeles and Brigham Young University. She has worked as a music therapist at Utah State Mental Hospital and taught continuing education courses at BYU.
Critics have called the precise extent of Sparks' qualifications and experience into question. The editorial credit on some of the diaries published by Sparks identifies her as "Dr Beatrice Sparks, PhD". However, when journalist Aileen Pace Nilsen interviewed Sparks for School Library Journal in 1979, she was unable to find any confirmation of where or when Sparks earned her doctorate. Nilsen also wrote that Sparks was "vague about specifics" when asked about her counseling qualifications and professional experience.
Sparks said that her experience working with troubled adolescents made her want to produce cautionary tales that would keep other teens from falling into the same traps. Her first work, Go Ask Alice, was published under the byline 'Anonymous' in 1971.
Sparks began working with teenagers in 1955, after attending the University of California at Los Angeles and Brigham Young University. She has worked as a music therapist at Utah State Mental Hospital and taught continuing education courses at BYU.
Critics have called the precise extent of Sparks' qualifications and experience into question. The editorial credit on some of the diaries published by Sparks identifies her as "Dr Beatrice Sparks, PhD". However, when journalist Aileen Pace Nilsen interviewed Sparks for School Library Journal in 1979, she was unable to find any confirmation of where or when Sparks earned her doctorate. Nilsen also wrote that Sparks was "vague about specifics" when asked about her counseling qualifications and professional experience.
Sparks said that her experience working with troubled adolescents made her want to produce cautionary tales that would keep other teens from falling into the same traps. Her first work, Go Ask Alice, was published under the byline 'Anonymous' in 1971.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 426 reviews
July 8, 2011
Beatrice Sparks is a Fraud
Read the Controversy Section
Sparks' other book, Go Ask Alice, is also fictional
In another stunning display of sensitivity, Sparks lied about the life of a boy who committed suicide
I'm shocked to see so many good reviews for this book. The dialogue is laughable, and the AIDS facts are severely outdated. Lying to kids is the best way to lose their trust. Shame on Beatrice Sparks for profiting off these falsehoods.
Read the Controversy Section
Sparks' other book, Go Ask Alice, is also fictional
In another stunning display of sensitivity, Sparks lied about the life of a boy who committed suicide
I'm shocked to see so many good reviews for this book. The dialogue is laughable, and the AIDS facts are severely outdated. Lying to kids is the best way to lose their trust. Shame on Beatrice Sparks for profiting off these falsehoods.
May 10, 2008
This is the "diary" of Nancy, a teenager who was raped by a 24-year-old and got the HIV virus, which soon morphed into AIDS.
It's depressing (no duh) to see a 16-year-old suffer from rectal ulcers and stuff. I guess that's the reality of AIDS.
Personally, I'm a little doubtful of thinking that this is an actual diary. The "Editor" is Dr. Beatrice Sparks, who also "edited" Go Ask Alice, which I've read. I also read excerpts from some other book of hers. Point is, every diary author has the same fucking voice. It's some happy-go-lucky or cheerful chick who has something horrible happen to her, but is all like "oh I will prevail, I will not be miserable," blah blah blah. And/or they become terribly confused and act stupid.
And Nancy, if she's real, has very annoying entries. I know the girl has AIDS and everything, and I should feel sorry for her, but damn. Several times I wanted to smack this girl.
It's depressing (no duh) to see a 16-year-old suffer from rectal ulcers and stuff. I guess that's the reality of AIDS.
Personally, I'm a little doubtful of thinking that this is an actual diary. The "Editor" is Dr. Beatrice Sparks, who also "edited" Go Ask Alice, which I've read. I also read excerpts from some other book of hers. Point is, every diary author has the same fucking voice. It's some happy-go-lucky or cheerful chick who has something horrible happen to her, but is all like "oh I will prevail, I will not be miserable," blah blah blah. And/or they become terribly confused and act stupid.
And Nancy, if she's real, has very annoying entries. I know the girl has AIDS and everything, and I should feel sorry for her, but damn. Several times I wanted to smack this girl.
May 2, 2009
After I read "Go Ask Alice" and hated it, I found out that Beatrice Sparks had written (oops! I mean "edited") some other books. I decided to give the author (oops! I mean "editor") a chance to redeem herself. So I got this book from the library. I was fourteen at the time, and I was purely disgusted that another fourteen-year-old was doing such stupid things. I mean, she "fell in love" with a college guy after knowing him for about a week. Nancy gives fourteen-year-olds a bad name. If I hadn't known that this so-called "diary" was entirely fictional, I think I would have found this girl and smacked her. (Wait, can't do that...she died). I am never going to read another book by Beatrice Sparks, whom, as most people know by now, has writtem all of these diaries herself.
February 5, 2009
In it Happened to Nancy,edited by Beatice is about a young teenage girl that gets the AIDS virus after she gets raped by Collin. Collin was Nancy's EVERYTHING.But one day they were soo happy, they went too far and Nancy said NO! And she meant it. But Collin didn't listen to her. So he raped her! He said, "So you don't love me?" She said he loved me but that they weren't willing to go too far. She kept thinking in her head that he wasn't a rapist, But the truth is he was a rapist for raping her. She kept this all to herself for a very long time. She only wrote about the things that happen to her in her diary. But soon she had to say something. t started with a visit to the doctor and ended with sobs and tears.
Weeks later her pediatrician told her that she had the HIV virus and didn't know it. Although she had some symptoms it didn't show any thing that could be that bad. As time passed by she felt like she wasnt the girl like before. She lost her appetite, stopped going to school and didn't feel like doing all the things she used to. She even stopped talking to the gaggle aka her friends. Months later, police officers try to look for Collin. He is hard to find but he is very dangerous because he had recently raped another girl days later after her recent problem. Many people pitch in and try to do their best and find the rapist. Meanwhile Nancy soon starts to feel good and go back to her regular life. Everything is fine because she has erased the past and moved on to being the girl she once was .
Soon Nancy is able to live her regular life. But it will never be the same because of the HIV virus. She goes to her dads house for a while but then goes to her aunts house too. SHe enjoys it there and has fun while it lasts. She find a friends called Courage and Red Alert. They are both animals one is a cat while the other is a dog. Everything is fine until one day Red Alert dies in his sleep. R.I.P Red Alert. 3 weeks later Nancy died in her sleep. There will never be another Nancy but Nancy herself.
I conclusion, It Happened to Nancy is a book that teaches a life lesson. It shows that you should always be careful for all of your action because something little can change your life forever. I recommend this book to ANYONE that is willing to read about a life lesson and learn what can happen with certain things.
Weeks later her pediatrician told her that she had the HIV virus and didn't know it. Although she had some symptoms it didn't show any thing that could be that bad. As time passed by she felt like she wasnt the girl like before. She lost her appetite, stopped going to school and didn't feel like doing all the things she used to. She even stopped talking to the gaggle aka her friends. Months later, police officers try to look for Collin. He is hard to find but he is very dangerous because he had recently raped another girl days later after her recent problem. Many people pitch in and try to do their best and find the rapist. Meanwhile Nancy soon starts to feel good and go back to her regular life. Everything is fine because she has erased the past and moved on to being the girl she once was .
Soon Nancy is able to live her regular life. But it will never be the same because of the HIV virus. She goes to her dads house for a while but then goes to her aunts house too. SHe enjoys it there and has fun while it lasts. She find a friends called Courage and Red Alert. They are both animals one is a cat while the other is a dog. Everything is fine until one day Red Alert dies in his sleep. R.I.P Red Alert. 3 weeks later Nancy died in her sleep. There will never be another Nancy but Nancy herself.
I conclusion, It Happened to Nancy is a book that teaches a life lesson. It shows that you should always be careful for all of your action because something little can change your life forever. I recommend this book to ANYONE that is willing to read about a life lesson and learn what can happen with certain things.
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August 5, 2016Some quick googling will reveal that the "true story" designation is highly questionable. The clueless girl is painful enough to read if you think it's a true story. Reading it knowing it's fiction just makes it seem like a scare tactic infomercial that they make you watch in awkward sex ed classes. The Q&A at the end about AIDS with all caps warnings like ONCE YOU GET AIDS YOU CAN PASS IT ON TO EVERYBODY AND YOU WILL DIE don't really help either. If you really want a made-up cautionary tale about about not hanging out with older guys because they'll rape you and give you HIV and make you die, you may want to check out this book. But there are better books out there about sexual assault and/or AIDs. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson for one, or Push by Sapphire.
June 16, 2021
I'm going to try to condense this review but it's still going to be long.
1. First of all "Nancy" isn't a real person. Beatrice Sparks has 8 "diary" stories and out of those only 2 are from real teen diaries. The rest Sparks makes up in their entirety and then claims they're real.
2. Jay's journal is very slightly real. Sparks was given Alden's journal, a boy who commited suicide, and she was asked to edit it and publish it by Alden's parents. 212 diary entires were published only 21 of them were actually Alden's. Sparks also completely made up the Satanism aspect of the story. Sparks can't even muster up a little bit of respect for real teens, she defends her completely changing Alden's story.
3. Sparks claims to have a PhD over and over again. She even refers to herself as "Dr. B" in this book but she doesn't have a PhD. She claims she's qualified to write these books because she a counselor for troubled kids. There's no proof of that either and she avoids all the questions about her "experience".
4. Every other page contains racism towards Native American people.
5. She uses the r slur 3 times.
6. Claims over and over that divorce is wrong and you need to stay with the person you married no matter how bad it gets or if they cheat.
7. Claims only girls have curly or fluffy hair.
8. Claims physical abuse is okay if you do it in God's name. (Lew hurting Nancy after they almost had sex)
9. She writes, (and this isn't an exact quote because I don't know what page) "I always liked it when the wife shut up and let her husband take charge".
10.Nancy's Mom doesn't take her to the Police Station for the first while and doesn't take Nancy to the Hospital for a rape exam ever. (Let's be real, Nancy would have vaginal trauma and would need medical help).
11. Makes a statement saying that even if you're not religious Christianity just makes you feel right inside. (Sparks is Mormon)
12. Says Christian men have all the strength/willpower and lend it to women.
13.Nancy has never read "Gone with the Wind" but her Mom tells her to use Scarlett O'Hara as a coping mechanism. "Gone with the Wind" is set on a plantation and romanticizes Conderates and Slavery.
14. Nancy feels suspicious of an older man after being raped by an older man and she tells herself she isn't being safe she's being "jaded and mistrusting and negative." (Sparks thinks teens don't use commas.)
15. Nancy's Mom screams at Nancy that having suicidal thoughts is wrong rather than get her help. It's stated that Nancy had alot of suicidal thoughts even before she got HIV.
She needed a therapist before and after she got raped. She didn't get one.
16. Exact quote, "I ate like a starving African".
17.Lew doesn't like that Nancy says "anyways" and asks her to change the way she speaks so he's more comfortable even though she's not hurting anyone.
18.Sparks says non- missionary sex is disgusting
19. The one positive thing I was going to say is that Nancy would never have an abortion herself but she recognized other's right to choose. That all went out the window with, "That would be soooo hard... imagine the little baby being sucked out kicking and screaming and thrown away." I don't have enough time to explain the numbers of ways that incorrect so do some research yourself.
20. She villianizes choosing not to be a father. All parents have the right to decide if they want to raise their kid or not. She allows Dorie to choose whether or not she wants to be a Mom but the guy is an asshole for making literally the same choice?
21. Sparks says only a few people have HIV/AIDS. This book was published in 1994. In that year alone 80,691 people had HIV/AIDS and that's in the U.S. alone.
22. She encourages flushing tampons down the toilet.
23. She says an "A-" doesn't count as an "A"
24.She says adults don't mind taking care of babies endlessly and never getting any sleep. Don't lie to people about how hard parenthood is. Every parent of a baby wishes they could get a nap right now. Don't romantize sleep deprivation.
25. She says all teenage boys are bad with exceptions. Give people a chance, Sparks.
26.The cab driver fought harder to get Nancy to a rape center than her Mom ever did.
27.Uses "schizo" twice. This isn't a slur but it harms people with Schizophrenia and shouldn't be used as an insult.
28. Uses "multiple personalities" as an insult. Same as above but with D.I.D. rather than Schizophrenia.
29. "Life is heaven" "LIFE IS ENDLESS DARKNESS AND I WANT TO KILL MYSELF" Repeat that about 100 times and you have the whole book. Make sure to throw in the word Sacred about 200 times!
30. Aunt Thelma refuses to let Nancy's painting be even slightly different than hers because you're not allowed to paint in your own style.
31. Sparks wrote that Dr. S loved and missed Nancy and wanted to be more than a doctor to her. This somehow isn't seen as creepy.
32.Random words are italized.
33. Sparks says everyone who has sex is immoral AND a whore except for Dorie and Nancy. They're "exceptions". Maybe no one is a whore and it's just your internalized misogyny Sparks.
34. Everytime Nancy had a problem she ran away or lied. Every single time.
35. The time who raped Nancy never got in any trouble.
This book is from 1994 it's information on HIV/AIDs isn't accurate anymore. Go research.
1. First of all "Nancy" isn't a real person. Beatrice Sparks has 8 "diary" stories and out of those only 2 are from real teen diaries. The rest Sparks makes up in their entirety and then claims they're real.
2. Jay's journal is very slightly real. Sparks was given Alden's journal, a boy who commited suicide, and she was asked to edit it and publish it by Alden's parents. 212 diary entires were published only 21 of them were actually Alden's. Sparks also completely made up the Satanism aspect of the story. Sparks can't even muster up a little bit of respect for real teens, she defends her completely changing Alden's story.
3. Sparks claims to have a PhD over and over again. She even refers to herself as "Dr. B" in this book but she doesn't have a PhD. She claims she's qualified to write these books because she a counselor for troubled kids. There's no proof of that either and she avoids all the questions about her "experience".
4. Every other page contains racism towards Native American people.
5. She uses the r slur 3 times.
6. Claims over and over that divorce is wrong and you need to stay with the person you married no matter how bad it gets or if they cheat.
7. Claims only girls have curly or fluffy hair.
8. Claims physical abuse is okay if you do it in God's name. (Lew hurting Nancy after they almost had sex)
9. She writes, (and this isn't an exact quote because I don't know what page) "I always liked it when the wife shut up and let her husband take charge".
10.Nancy's Mom doesn't take her to the Police Station for the first while and doesn't take Nancy to the Hospital for a rape exam ever. (Let's be real, Nancy would have vaginal trauma and would need medical help).
11. Makes a statement saying that even if you're not religious Christianity just makes you feel right inside. (Sparks is Mormon)
12. Says Christian men have all the strength/willpower and lend it to women.
13.Nancy has never read "Gone with the Wind" but her Mom tells her to use Scarlett O'Hara as a coping mechanism. "Gone with the Wind" is set on a plantation and romanticizes Conderates and Slavery.
14. Nancy feels suspicious of an older man after being raped by an older man and she tells herself she isn't being safe she's being "jaded and mistrusting and negative." (Sparks thinks teens don't use commas.)
15. Nancy's Mom screams at Nancy that having suicidal thoughts is wrong rather than get her help. It's stated that Nancy had alot of suicidal thoughts even before she got HIV.
She needed a therapist before and after she got raped. She didn't get one.
16. Exact quote, "I ate like a starving African".
17.Lew doesn't like that Nancy says "anyways" and asks her to change the way she speaks so he's more comfortable even though she's not hurting anyone.
18.Sparks says non- missionary sex is disgusting
19. The one positive thing I was going to say is that Nancy would never have an abortion herself but she recognized other's right to choose. That all went out the window with, "That would be soooo hard... imagine the little baby being sucked out kicking and screaming and thrown away." I don't have enough time to explain the numbers of ways that incorrect so do some research yourself.
20. She villianizes choosing not to be a father. All parents have the right to decide if they want to raise their kid or not. She allows Dorie to choose whether or not she wants to be a Mom but the guy is an asshole for making literally the same choice?
21. Sparks says only a few people have HIV/AIDS. This book was published in 1994. In that year alone 80,691 people had HIV/AIDS and that's in the U.S. alone.
22. She encourages flushing tampons down the toilet.
23. She says an "A-" doesn't count as an "A"
24.She says adults don't mind taking care of babies endlessly and never getting any sleep. Don't lie to people about how hard parenthood is. Every parent of a baby wishes they could get a nap right now. Don't romantize sleep deprivation.
25. She says all teenage boys are bad with exceptions. Give people a chance, Sparks.
26.The cab driver fought harder to get Nancy to a rape center than her Mom ever did.
27.Uses "schizo" twice. This isn't a slur but it harms people with Schizophrenia and shouldn't be used as an insult.
28. Uses "multiple personalities" as an insult. Same as above but with D.I.D. rather than Schizophrenia.
29. "Life is heaven" "LIFE IS ENDLESS DARKNESS AND I WANT TO KILL MYSELF" Repeat that about 100 times and you have the whole book. Make sure to throw in the word Sacred about 200 times!
30. Aunt Thelma refuses to let Nancy's painting be even slightly different than hers because you're not allowed to paint in your own style.
31. Sparks wrote that Dr. S loved and missed Nancy and wanted to be more than a doctor to her. This somehow isn't seen as creepy.
32.Random words are italized.
33. Sparks says everyone who has sex is immoral AND a whore except for Dorie and Nancy. They're "exceptions". Maybe no one is a whore and it's just your internalized misogyny Sparks.
34. Everytime Nancy had a problem she ran away or lied. Every single time.
35. The time who raped Nancy never got in any trouble.
This book is from 1994 it's information on HIV/AIDs isn't accurate anymore. Go research.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2014
Easily the wost book I have ever read in my life.
Let it be said now that I am a true believer in good tragic, yet poetic novels. Unfortunately, this book is only tragic.
I truly understand the tragedy of the situation, its utterly awful for a 14 year old, or really anyone for that matter, to go through the pain and suffering of having the HIV/AIDS virus, not to mention the physiological damage that was a result of her sexual assault.
I am very aware that there are people like 'Nancy' out there, I know adults prey on children, I know these children can be left with serious physical and psychological issues as a result of these occurrences.
However, I am having a really hard time believing Nancy. She is an innocent and believable 14 year old, however she does not seem to mature at all until she is about 16.5 and even then the change is marginal.
I understand that everyone is different, but for Nancy to not change her writing style at at all across the span of 2 years (and lets face it, there is a very large difference between a 14 and a 16 year old) I am feeling as though Beatrice Sparks is just playing everyone for fools. I really feel as though the author of the book, whether it be Nancy or someone else, was trying too hard to make her appear innocent as though it would make the situation more heart breaking.
Nancy is pleasant enough however her repetition of words such as 'soon' and 'love' are getting a little old (for example, "My mother is really wonderful, I love love love her!!!") as well as referring to anything good as 'mag' and 'magnif.'
I really wanted to love this book and feel as though I have gotten something large and life changing out of it but I really don't.
The main character gets on my nerves and seems faux or forced.
These 'true AIDS facts' could quite possibly be conveyed much clearer and eloquently in a total work of fiction than out of this '14 year olds true diary that she wrote when she was dying that happened to be published by Beatrice Sparks who seems to have a knack for publishing teenagers private thoughts to the world in the form of their diary that she managed to get her hands on.'
Perhaps I am being overly cynical I just really wish that all of these reviews had been more honest. This is a tragic story, however it is badly written and poorly executed. My deepest apologies to 'Nancy' if she did in fact exist, as well as to all my respect to those who have fought their incurable illnesses over the years.
However, I do not feel as though this book lives up to what it says its aim is, according to synopsizes and blurbs etc I have read the aim of this book is to "present true AIDS facts in hope to save someone else like Nancy from having the same awful fate."
You cannot save someone else from AIDS by telling them how awful it is, you save people from AIDS by increasing public education and awareness about safe sex practices as well as making products like condoms more easily available to teenagers or people with low incomes such as in developing nations, which are statistically the demographics with a higher likelihood of contracting the virus in the first place.
As well as that you can prevent more 'Nancys' from falling victims to 'Collins' by sitting down with your children and talking to them about stranger danger, as cliche as that sounds. By building a relationship of trust with our young people and they will be more likely to talk to someone when they meet a 'Collin' and not feel as though no one will understand so they have to keep it a secret.
I am not saying that if you talk to your kid and have condoms on hand that they will be safe, but this book doesn't seem to actually talk about how we can prevent it from happening, more just how tragic it is when it does happen.
I have not read the whole book, so I apologize if at the end it all works out and they start talking about the important stuff that they said that they would address, I just feel as though people felt so much like they had to be respectful to Nancy, that they were not honest with what the book actually is, which is a young girls depressing diary about her slow demise due to the AIDS virus that she contracted whilst being date raped by a man that she naively trusted.
(Update: I finished the book. I wish I hadn't.)
Let it be said now that I am a true believer in good tragic, yet poetic novels. Unfortunately, this book is only tragic.
I truly understand the tragedy of the situation, its utterly awful for a 14 year old, or really anyone for that matter, to go through the pain and suffering of having the HIV/AIDS virus, not to mention the physiological damage that was a result of her sexual assault.
I am very aware that there are people like 'Nancy' out there, I know adults prey on children, I know these children can be left with serious physical and psychological issues as a result of these occurrences.
However, I am having a really hard time believing Nancy. She is an innocent and believable 14 year old, however she does not seem to mature at all until she is about 16.5 and even then the change is marginal.
I understand that everyone is different, but for Nancy to not change her writing style at at all across the span of 2 years (and lets face it, there is a very large difference between a 14 and a 16 year old) I am feeling as though Beatrice Sparks is just playing everyone for fools. I really feel as though the author of the book, whether it be Nancy or someone else, was trying too hard to make her appear innocent as though it would make the situation more heart breaking.
Nancy is pleasant enough however her repetition of words such as 'soon' and 'love' are getting a little old (for example, "My mother is really wonderful, I love love love her!!!") as well as referring to anything good as 'mag' and 'magnif.'
I really wanted to love this book and feel as though I have gotten something large and life changing out of it but I really don't.
The main character gets on my nerves and seems faux or forced.
These 'true AIDS facts' could quite possibly be conveyed much clearer and eloquently in a total work of fiction than out of this '14 year olds true diary that she wrote when she was dying that happened to be published by Beatrice Sparks who seems to have a knack for publishing teenagers private thoughts to the world in the form of their diary that she managed to get her hands on.'
Perhaps I am being overly cynical I just really wish that all of these reviews had been more honest. This is a tragic story, however it is badly written and poorly executed. My deepest apologies to 'Nancy' if she did in fact exist, as well as to all my respect to those who have fought their incurable illnesses over the years.
However, I do not feel as though this book lives up to what it says its aim is, according to synopsizes and blurbs etc I have read the aim of this book is to "present true AIDS facts in hope to save someone else like Nancy from having the same awful fate."
You cannot save someone else from AIDS by telling them how awful it is, you save people from AIDS by increasing public education and awareness about safe sex practices as well as making products like condoms more easily available to teenagers or people with low incomes such as in developing nations, which are statistically the demographics with a higher likelihood of contracting the virus in the first place.
As well as that you can prevent more 'Nancys' from falling victims to 'Collins' by sitting down with your children and talking to them about stranger danger, as cliche as that sounds. By building a relationship of trust with our young people and they will be more likely to talk to someone when they meet a 'Collin' and not feel as though no one will understand so they have to keep it a secret.
I am not saying that if you talk to your kid and have condoms on hand that they will be safe, but this book doesn't seem to actually talk about how we can prevent it from happening, more just how tragic it is when it does happen.
I have not read the whole book, so I apologize if at the end it all works out and they start talking about the important stuff that they said that they would address, I just feel as though people felt so much like they had to be respectful to Nancy, that they were not honest with what the book actually is, which is a young girls depressing diary about her slow demise due to the AIDS virus that she contracted whilst being date raped by a man that she naively trusted.
(Update: I finished the book. I wish I hadn't.)
February 7, 2008
This book is a book that i have really enjoyed reading throughout this time. This book is a real life story of a girl named Nancy. The names and the places in the story changes due to the victims parents. She is a girl who thought that she had found love at the age of 14. She dates a 24 year old named Colin and they have a lot of fun and like every couple they spend a lot of time together with each other. All those moments made her think that this was the perfect guy and that they were meant for each other forever. Nancy actually thought that she found true love but she was wrong after all. What she didn't know was that he lied to her about his life the whole time and she didn't even figure that out. It was really frustrating for her afterwards. But meanwhile she thought that they were still good he has sex with her without a condom (rape). And guess what?! She gets infected with HIV and later on AIDS. He leaves her and now shes left with nothing from him but this virus that will kill her for the rest of her life. In this diary she lets out her feelings and just tells out all these unfortunate events that are happening to her while she is still alive. But eventually this virus had gotten the best of her and she died because of this guy that she thought she loved.
I think that this book is a really sad book. She pours out her feelings and tells her life story for others in this world to understand that this world is not trustworthy and true love cannot be found so easily. She didn't know that he was using her for sex and behind all his secrets within lies the fact that he has AIDS. She lives the rest of her remaining time in life with AIDS and waits till that day to come. I feel really bad for her because she didn't even know. She was young and in love and she didn't see what he really wanted from her and his desires from her. She dies for this guy that wasn't even worth it and he was a pedophile for sure. She wants to warn the world that the only person you could trust is yourself.
I think that this book is a really sad book. She pours out her feelings and tells her life story for others in this world to understand that this world is not trustworthy and true love cannot be found so easily. She didn't know that he was using her for sex and behind all his secrets within lies the fact that he has AIDS. She lives the rest of her remaining time in life with AIDS and waits till that day to come. I feel really bad for her because she didn't even know. She was young and in love and she didn't see what he really wanted from her and his desires from her. She dies for this guy that wasn't even worth it and he was a pedophile for sure. She wants to warn the world that the only person you could trust is yourself.
March 17, 2023
I am finally done with this book. After I had read that it might not be a true story, I stopped reading because I was dissapointed. Still I have finished. It was an okay book, but dont know if I would remember it a year later.
December 3, 2014
I honestly really enjoyed reading this book: "It Happened to Nancy." I think in my opinion this book is hard to put down. This book taught me things about aids that I would have never known. This book is about a young girl who meets a young man at this concert and ever since she began to get closer this man, that she had met over night. The young man is named Collin, who raped her and leaves her. Later on Nancy finds out she has the HIV virus. She has to learn to live with this virus, and it isn't easy for her.
February 24, 2015
1 of 5 stars
When a 24 year old man, pretending to be younger, seduces 14 year old Nancy, she thinks she's in love. Then he rapes her and infects her with the HIV virus. She chronicles her journey in her diary.
WHAT HAPPENED TO NANCY is an ok read, it held my interest. The reason I'm giving the book only 1 star is primarily because of the outdated HIV/AIDS info. It would be bad enough in an adult novel, but in a YA book it's inexcusable.
Reasons I don't recommend:
-Clever marketing has convinced some readers that this novel is a true diary. It reads like every other "diary" written/edited by Beatrice Sparks. You can check out Snopes for more info and links. http://www.snopes.com/language/litera...
-WHAT HAPPENED TO NANCY is dated with old information about HIV and AIDS. Very dangerous to give teenagers false information.
-Repetitive diary entries.
-Presents too rosy picture of HIV. Every person who learns she has AIDS is perfectly fine and supportive, including her boyfriend, although a few people look at her differently. At the time this book was written, mid to late 90s as this is a re-print, people just weren't enlightened or kind, although we had progressed beyond the way Ryan White was treated.
When a 24 year old man, pretending to be younger, seduces 14 year old Nancy, she thinks she's in love. Then he rapes her and infects her with the HIV virus. She chronicles her journey in her diary.
WHAT HAPPENED TO NANCY is an ok read, it held my interest. The reason I'm giving the book only 1 star is primarily because of the outdated HIV/AIDS info. It would be bad enough in an adult novel, but in a YA book it's inexcusable.
Reasons I don't recommend:
-Clever marketing has convinced some readers that this novel is a true diary. It reads like every other "diary" written/edited by Beatrice Sparks. You can check out Snopes for more info and links. http://www.snopes.com/language/litera...
-WHAT HAPPENED TO NANCY is dated with old information about HIV and AIDS. Very dangerous to give teenagers false information.
-Repetitive diary entries.
-Presents too rosy picture of HIV. Every person who learns she has AIDS is perfectly fine and supportive, including her boyfriend, although a few people look at her differently. At the time this book was written, mid to late 90s as this is a re-print, people just weren't enlightened or kind, although we had progressed beyond the way Ryan White was treated.
June 23, 2016
Nancy is a fourteen year old teenager who keeps a diary. Her diary entries are in precise narrative form and cohesively depict a two year period of her life (ages 14-16) with no references to anything or anyone that is not central to the plot development. Every sentence is grammatically correct, every entry is well-formatted and dated (often with not only the date, but the time as well), and every detail presented builds on the emerging story. In other words, the book is a novel - written like a novel. It's a "cautionary tale" about... well, I guess about being raped. Nancy advises against it.
At age 14 Nancy goes to a Garth Brooks concert and swoons. She's rescued by a guy named Collin who goes to the local University. Collin pursues her; realizing her divorced mom likely wouldn't approve, Nancy hides the relationship from her. Nancy goes to great length to set up an intimate evening alone with Collin and then they get drunk and fool around and then Nancy wants to stop because she's a good Catholic girl. Collin doesn't stop. They don't see each other very much after that (just enough for Nancy to learn that most of the things he told her were not true). Nancy later comforts herself that she avoided a "mortal" sin even though she committed a "venial" sin (!).
An astoundingly brief six months later, Nancy is diagnosed with HIV; a couple months after that she develops full-blown AIDS; and two-years from her single sexual encounter she dies of complications from AIDS. This clearly does not medically align with the known facts of the HIV virus, as the forward of the edition I read (by an MD) points out.
Well, it happened to Nancy. It could happen to you, too. Make sure you never, ever, never go to a Garth Brooks concert. Or else you're going to die of AIDS. This silly book so clearly is not a real diary, so clearly is not an "edited teenager diary", that it's laughable it was marketed and sold as such. Then again the author made her career by penning so-called non-fiction teenager diaries, all neatly packed with a formulaic plot and a cautionary tale. And this one isn't any different. Bleck.
At age 14 Nancy goes to a Garth Brooks concert and swoons. She's rescued by a guy named Collin who goes to the local University. Collin pursues her; realizing her divorced mom likely wouldn't approve, Nancy hides the relationship from her. Nancy goes to great length to set up an intimate evening alone with Collin and then they get drunk and fool around and then Nancy wants to stop because she's a good Catholic girl. Collin doesn't stop. They don't see each other very much after that (just enough for Nancy to learn that most of the things he told her were not true). Nancy later comforts herself that she avoided a "mortal" sin even though she committed a "venial" sin (!).
An astoundingly brief six months later, Nancy is diagnosed with HIV; a couple months after that she develops full-blown AIDS; and two-years from her single sexual encounter she dies of complications from AIDS. This clearly does not medically align with the known facts of the HIV virus, as the forward of the edition I read (by an MD) points out.
Well, it happened to Nancy. It could happen to you, too. Make sure you never, ever, never go to a Garth Brooks concert. Or else you're going to die of AIDS. This silly book so clearly is not a real diary, so clearly is not an "edited teenager diary", that it's laughable it was marketed and sold as such. Then again the author made her career by penning so-called non-fiction teenager diaries, all neatly packed with a formulaic plot and a cautionary tale. And this one isn't any different. Bleck.
August 25, 2017
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It's hard to review something which is a "real" diary and therefore not to be held to the standard of usual fiction. The quotation marks are there because the reality of Beatrice Sparks edited diaries is often questioned. They all tend to have a similar feel and end on very convenient notes.
Whatever the case is I'll only talk about it's educational and entertainment value. The portion at the back actual contains some fairly useful information on HIV/AIDS and it's effects. The actual book does delve into illness but because "Nancy" is a special case with a low immune system things happen at a much faster and more devastating rate than they usually do.
It wasn't as exciting as some of the other diaries in the same line. Nancy's life is fairly normal (other than AIDS) so not much of consequence happens when she isn't with the doctor or suffering from her disease. It did awaken the hypochondriac within me though, and I think I enjoyed it a little less for that.
It's hard to review something which is a "real" diary and therefore not to be held to the standard of usual fiction. The quotation marks are there because the reality of Beatrice Sparks edited diaries is often questioned. They all tend to have a similar feel and end on very convenient notes.
Whatever the case is I'll only talk about it's educational and entertainment value. The portion at the back actual contains some fairly useful information on HIV/AIDS and it's effects. The actual book does delve into illness but because "Nancy" is a special case with a low immune system things happen at a much faster and more devastating rate than they usually do.
It wasn't as exciting as some of the other diaries in the same line. Nancy's life is fairly normal (other than AIDS) so not much of consequence happens when she isn't with the doctor or suffering from her disease. It did awaken the hypochondriac within me though, and I think I enjoyed it a little less for that.
July 27, 2017
I was handed this book by an older family friend when I was young and it first came out. I'm sure if they or my mother knew what it was about, I probably would not have been able to read it at the time. Honestly, it scared the crap out of me. A 14-year-old girl meets a 24-year-old guy at a concert and she falls in love with him. He cooks dinner for her one night when her mother isn't home, rapes her, and infects her with HIV. The story stuck with me. Recently, I came across a mention of Beatrice Sparks, the woman who is listed by the US Copyright Office to have written this book and other "anonymous" books. Sparks passed off a dozen books of cautionary tales of teenagers when they don't behave morally concerning gangs, teenage pregnancy, Satanism and suicide, foster care, eating disorders, etc. More research has found she also lied about her degrees, resume, and experiences. Most of her books now receive a "this is a work of fiction" stamp. Decades later, seeing this book makes me angry for everything the author wrote about and the lies she concocted.
December 18, 2022
even south park treats aids with more sensitivity than this
December 1, 2011
"It happened to Nancy", is a story about a young girl named Nancy who gets raped by a man named Collin, who ends up giving her AIDS/HIV. At first, Collin seems sweet, he is nice to Nancy and pretends to be her friend who cares and understands everything she is talking about, and treats her like a princess. But one night, while Nancy's mother is away, Collin comes over and reveals what the true side of him is like. He rapes her, and had only cared about getting what he wanted. Nancy is shocked and hurt, but she still feels deep down that Collin is still a sweet, sensitive guy, and she faithfully waits for him to call her back, to apologize for what he had done. When Nancy realizes that Collin wasn't coming back, she decides to erase the memory from her mind and move on with her life. However though, she never told her mother or friends what had happened. It isn't until Nancy begins to get sick and she discovers that she has AIDS. Throughout the rest of the story, Nancy faithfully tries to remain hopeful and happy, although it isn't always easy for her, knowing that she has HIV. With the help of her parents, family and friends, Nancy keeps strong until the end.
I really, really, enjoyed reading this book, although it was very heart-breaking and hard to read at some point. I really liked it because to some extent, I felt that Nancy and I could relate to so many things that has/had happened in our lives and I feel that I can really understand her and I feel for her. She's such a sweet, smart, positive-minded girl and I really loved the way she tried to remain positive and hopeful throughout the story, it was admirable. The book is really sad because it is based on a true story about a real-life girl's diary, and it's sad to know that so many people go through so many similar things every day. I rate this book a high four, and I recommend it to anyone (adolescent girls, especially) who feels that they are going through a hard or similar problem to Nancy's. It is a beautiful book.
I really, really, enjoyed reading this book, although it was very heart-breaking and hard to read at some point. I really liked it because to some extent, I felt that Nancy and I could relate to so many things that has/had happened in our lives and I feel that I can really understand her and I feel for her. She's such a sweet, smart, positive-minded girl and I really loved the way she tried to remain positive and hopeful throughout the story, it was admirable. The book is really sad because it is based on a true story about a real-life girl's diary, and it's sad to know that so many people go through so many similar things every day. I rate this book a high four, and I recommend it to anyone (adolescent girls, especially) who feels that they are going through a hard or similar problem to Nancy's. It is a beautiful book.
February 15, 2008
Dear Mr. Gowen,
I'm reading "It Happened to Nancy". I showed it to my mom and she read up to the part where he rapes her. She said she wanted to read it when I'm done with it. Right now I'm half way through the boook. It is really good. Sometimes, I can'tput it down. I have a questionto ask. In the book Nancy writes, "I don't want to grow up! I want ot go backwards!" I thought about that alot. Going backwards would mean having my old father back, but that would also mean having my dad beating my mom. Going forward would probably mean divorce because thay fight way to much. I'm not sure what I would want. What do you want? To go backwards or forwards? When it got to the part where he raped her, I cried. He si a jerk. I thought that was so sad and then when she found out that she had AIDS I wanted to die along with her. I felt so bad for her.I mean if that were your daughter, what would you do? I almost didn't want to read it. I wanted to skip that part. I think this book is all of the types it could be. I mean it is informative, influence, and expressive. The book is informative becuase it explains about HIV.It is influence because Nancy decided to publish her diary to persuade teenagers to watch out for themselves and HIV. I think it is experessive because Nancy experesses her feelings very weel and expressing her feelings made me feel the same way. Like when Nancy felt sad, I wanted to cry and when she felt happy to see Lew or for whatever reason, I felt warmed inside. I think that "It Happened to Nancy" edited by Beatrice SparksIs about one of my favorite books. My favorite books are the "Percy Jackson Series" first then "It Happened to Nancy". I can't wait to finish it. I'm thinking of reading "Tears of a Tiger" next because Danella rccomended it to me. Do you have books to reccomend?
-Sabrina
Fuentes
I'm reading "It Happened to Nancy". I showed it to my mom and she read up to the part where he rapes her. She said she wanted to read it when I'm done with it. Right now I'm half way through the boook. It is really good. Sometimes, I can'tput it down. I have a questionto ask. In the book Nancy writes, "I don't want to grow up! I want ot go backwards!" I thought about that alot. Going backwards would mean having my old father back, but that would also mean having my dad beating my mom. Going forward would probably mean divorce because thay fight way to much. I'm not sure what I would want. What do you want? To go backwards or forwards? When it got to the part where he raped her, I cried. He si a jerk. I thought that was so sad and then when she found out that she had AIDS I wanted to die along with her. I felt so bad for her.I mean if that were your daughter, what would you do? I almost didn't want to read it. I wanted to skip that part. I think this book is all of the types it could be. I mean it is informative, influence, and expressive. The book is informative becuase it explains about HIV.It is influence because Nancy decided to publish her diary to persuade teenagers to watch out for themselves and HIV. I think it is experessive because Nancy experesses her feelings very weel and expressing her feelings made me feel the same way. Like when Nancy felt sad, I wanted to cry and when she felt happy to see Lew or for whatever reason, I felt warmed inside. I think that "It Happened to Nancy" edited by Beatrice SparksIs about one of my favorite books. My favorite books are the "Percy Jackson Series" first then "It Happened to Nancy". I can't wait to finish it. I'm thinking of reading "Tears of a Tiger" next because Danella rccomended it to me. Do you have books to reccomend?
-Sabrina
Fuentes
September 13, 2010
'It Happened to Nancy' is about a teenage girl and her real life diary. Nancy was at a concert and met a guy name Conner who claims he is 18. They hang out and go on dates behind her mothers back , until one night Conner rapes her does stuff to her that is horrible. She is diagnosed with HIV and AIDS and suffers. She knows she won't be living for to long. Police track Conner down and find out he is actually 24 years old and his real name is Gary Mitchell. Nancy stays with her whole family until one morning , she never wakes up. This is a very interesting book because I was looking for a book at Barnes & Noble and this lady came up to me and said 'you have to read this book. I recommend it for all the young girls out there and it's a big life lesson. I think they should sell out all of the copies of this book to all young girls in the entire world. I give it to as much people as I can. So please read it' and at that I bought it. And when I was finished I realized that I would've said the same thing to a young girl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2013
It Happened to Nancy is about a young girl who thought she found love in an older man. That was her first mistake. It cost her her innocence, her health and her life. She thought her relationship with college student was innocent and just fun. She was a bit lonely because her mom worked long hours and her father lives in another state, so the attention from him was exactly what she thought she needed. Mistake number two.
My mom read this book twice before I was born. She said she preserved this book for when she had a daughter and when it was time she would let her read it. Nancy will never experience the things she wanted so much, so fast. This book is for anybody, but especially young girls who want to grow up too fast. It made me appreciate being a young girl whose only interests, at this time, are books, music, friends, family, hope for my future. It made me appreciate the many "no's" my parents bestow on me. I know its for my own good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2014
1. The whole time I was reading this book I was thinking about how similar it was to Go Ask Alice. And then I thought, "Hmm. Maybe these aren't true stories at all. Maybe they are just cautionary tales for teenagers." And then I researched this book after reading it and Go Ask Alice was edited by the same person, Beatrice Sparks. Along with many other diary type books of other troubled teens. The Wikipedia page says that Sparks made up a lot of the material. Even if it isn't completely legitimate, I still think the books make an impact. They are still relevant even today. I work with teens as a youth librarian and they are still reading these books and loving them.
2. I picked this book up for two reasons: 1) A teen at the library loved it so I wanted to be able to discuss it with her 2) I had just finished another memoir of a girl who is HIV positive. The book is Positive by Paige Rawl. It made a huge impact on me so I wanted to read more books similar to Paige's.
2. I picked this book up for two reasons: 1) A teen at the library loved it so I wanted to be able to discuss it with her 2) I had just finished another memoir of a girl who is HIV positive. The book is Positive by Paige Rawl. It made a huge impact on me so I wanted to read more books similar to Paige's.
February 5, 2011
I Like this book Because it is about a girl named Nancy who met a boy named Collin in a Concert. She met him because she had a Asthma attack while there was a big rumble , Nobody payed attention to her only but Collin. He bought her a Coke and they Started talking about their Life. Nancy's Uncle never Came to pick him up so Collin took her home. They kept on talking and he had called to see if nancy was Okay. From there on they started talking until they were meeting up in a park. Nancy had cut school (for the first time) Just to take a ride in a boat with Collin. It ended up that Mosquitos were all over them and they had to leave. When they last met up , she had invited him over her house while her mother went out. Then Collin started touching her And infected her with HIV Aids. The purpose of this book it to Inform people That they should be careful about what they do.
October 20, 2009
Another good "journal" written, I mean edited, by Beatrice Sparks. The voice sounded very similar to Go Ask Alice with the younger, immature, pie-in-the-sky girl who gets knocked down to reality after something brutal happens to her.
Nancy contracts AIDS after being raped by the man she's in love with...yes a man while she's only a girl. It's a very sad story and something I'm sure happens more than reported, proof that you can never be sure of anything and can only trust yourself.
If you liked the writing style of Go Ask Alice and Jay's Journal than I'm sure you will like this book. Let's stop fooling ourselves by thinking these journals were merely edited by author: Beatrice Sparks.
Nancy contracts AIDS after being raped by the man she's in love with...yes a man while she's only a girl. It's a very sad story and something I'm sure happens more than reported, proof that you can never be sure of anything and can only trust yourself.
If you liked the writing style of Go Ask Alice and Jay's Journal than I'm sure you will like this book. Let's stop fooling ourselves by thinking these journals were merely edited by author: Beatrice Sparks.
March 19, 2009
This book was so depressing. It showed the real sides of aids and that it could just about happen to anybody. This is a diary and all the names and locations have been changed for the writers privacy. The unsuspecting victim Nancy was tragically raped by a guy who she thought she could trust. Besides being a diary this book shows very informative things about aids. It shows the importance of not trusting a strange man just because he comes into your life and claims to be so facinated in your life that he can't get enough. The last few months of Nancy's life could be said to be the best and worst times of her life. I Loved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2020
I read this book WAY TOO YOUNG. I think I was in elementary school when I read this and it absolutely had a lasting impact on my mental well-being. Cried a lot.
Also I'm reading from these comments that the author is a fraud, as well that the book is filled with false AIDs facts. That's no bueno.
I'm seeing this shelved as a middle grade or young adult book. I do NOT think this is a good book for young people. There is much better work out there for them to read, and much better work about the topics touched in the book.
Also I'm reading from these comments that the author is a fraud, as well that the book is filled with false AIDs facts. That's no bueno.
I'm seeing this shelved as a middle grade or young adult book. I do NOT think this is a good book for young people. There is much better work out there for them to read, and much better work about the topics touched in the book.
October 14, 2012
I don't know how or why but this is the third book this year with the something good happens, then something bad happens pattern. i think that even though many books have that pattern, they each end up differently and they each are unique. Also, people aren't always optimistic or pessimistic in life. there are bumps in the road and Nancy has a big bump. she was... uh... (spoiler-alert) raped by a guy 4 years older than her. yeah, now you see what i mean by a BIG bump.
November 21, 2013
This is a true story written in a girls journal about a 14 year old girl who falls in love with a boy she barely knew and then was raped by him. If that isn't bad enough, she later learns that he also gave her AIDS. The story is heartbreaking and endearing at the same time. I would recommend this for anyone.
September 1, 2009
I really enjoyed this much a lot. It was very interesting and it was very easy to compare with, not that anything like that ever happened to myself but with a friend, yes. I would very much recommend this book to many teen girls!!
August 27, 2007
I read this book as an impressionable young preteen and, at the time, I was completely devastated and shocked by it. I don't think I would feel the same if I had read it more recently.
Currently reading
November 5, 2011"this book sticks with my roots"
May 7, 2015
One of the best books I've read would definitely recommend.
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