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How I Saved My Father's Life
Twelve-year-old Madeline believes she can perform miracles. And her biggest one to date is saving her father from an avalanche. But, unmiraculously, he divorces Madeline's mother after his recovery, writes a book about the avalanche, becomes a celebrity, and marries Ava Pomme, a renowned tart maker.When he leaves, Madeline is left with her mother, who is slowly coming undone; her hypochondriac little brother, who spends his days worrying about air-bag safety; a house that is falling apart around her; and no clue how to perform the miracle that will fix it all.Amidst ballet lessons, insufferable recipe experiments for her mother's Family magazine column, and a life-changing trip to Italy, Madeline learns the true meaning of faith and family in this moving novel by acclaimed author Ann Hood.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2008
7 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Ann Hood
73 books1,276 followersAnn Hood is the editor of Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting and the bestselling author of The Book That Matters Most, The Knitting Circle, The Red Thread, Comfort, and An Italian Wife, among other works. She is the recipient of two Pushcart Prizes, a Best American Spiritual Writing Award, a Best American Food Writing Award, a Best American Travel Writing Award, and the Paul Bowles Prize for Short Fiction. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 25, 2008
Madeline is a twelve-year-old girl who's goal is to be a ballerina and a saint. Yes, a saint. She's not Catholic, but she has performed two miracles, one of which involved saving her father's life. And shortly thereafter, everything soured for Madeline. Her parents decide to go their separate ways and Madeline, the want-to-be saint and ballerina is left to cope as best she can. This is a great book to recommend to children of divorce as well as an entertaining read.
May 10, 2008
I had higher hopes for this book. It's written a bit too much from an adult perspective, in my opinion, even though the narrator is a 12ish yr old girl. I also found her incredibly bratty and unappealing and a bit on the unrealistic side when it came to the divorce of her parents. Upon finishing the book I'm still not sure who the intended audience is and I'm not sure who I would recommend it to.
November 23, 2012
its a good book
June 23, 2024
Can't remember most of this book, but was the only book I read during my parents divorce that captured what I was feeling in that moment iirc. 5/5 just for nostalgia.
January 14, 2020
This novel provided me with one of the most unexpected, twist endings I’ve ever read. Ann Hood, the author of How I saved my father’s life (and ruined everything else), wrote a sensitive novel about the ugly truth of separation, forgiving mistakes, and making bonds with people around you. However, the tone remained unclear and essential topics came to an abrupt stop with no explanation. How I saved my father’s life (and ruined everything else) is a fictional publication based on a miracle performed by Madeline Vandermeer. Madeline, an eleven-year-old in Boston, wants to become a Saint and to become one she must conduct many unusual, outstanding tasks. One day Madeline got a hunch telling her that Scott, her dad, was in trouble. At that same moment, she sprinted straight to the Catholic Church to pray for the protection of her father. Yet, nothing was ever the same after that day. Alice, Madeline’s mom, and Scott got a divorce. Soon after, Scott moved to New York with his new wife, Ava Pomme. He started a new life and left his old one in the past. Alice and Madeline don’t have a great mother-daughter relationship, so they leaned on other people for comfort. Although Alice had friends to lean on, Madeline didn’t. It was very difficult for her to make a real bond with people. Despite that dilemma, she met Antoinetta, her best friend, who has the same morals. Only Cody, Madeline’s brother, Alice, and Madeline went to Italy together. Scott, Ava, and their daughter visited Rome at the same time. During this trip, everything changes — again.
While reading this book, I noticed how Ann Hood incorporated some main issues caused by divorce. In spite of being a fiction novel, it felt very real. At the beginning of this book, Madeline blamed her mother for her father leaving, which created an awkward, reckless tension between the two. While reading this section of the book I could relate to the storyline. During the divorce of my parents, I viewed everything as my father’s fault. The thought of seeing, talking, or having any relationship with him made me sick. Once Madeline viewed the separation of her parents from Alice’s perspective, she forgave her. Similarly, I also let go of the hatred I had for my father and now we are on good terms. As a result of Madeline’s forgiveness, she became happier. Although she was accepting, she still could not completely come to terms with the separation. It was extremely difficult to go from parent to parent she even said, “I would always be kissing one of them goodbye, and one of them hello”. On the other hand, the books shifting moods created confusion regarding the tone. It was all or nothing. The tone was dependent on how Madeline felt. If she was content and happy then the book was cheerful. However, once something would go wrong, the tone would change. It was all or nothing with no in-between. What was also confusing was why essential topics would disappear with no explanation. The middle of the novel focused on finding Alice a boyfriend. The story focused on this proceeding her going on dates, introducing the kids to men and trying to set her up with Antonietta’s father. Then all of a sudden that’s the last thing we heard about it.
In conclusion, this novel was very well written and thought out. Approaching the end, Ann Hood made the theme very clear and powerful. The readers take away from the book was divorce is a tough situation. She also allowed her audience to view that not every family is perfect. In order to be the best family you can, you have to forgive, love equally, trust one another, and become vulnerable. Throughout the whole book, Ann Hood made personal connections with the reader. On the other hand, the tone was hazy and topics that seemed important would come to an unexplainable stop. I would rate this book a 4.2 out of 5. Therefore, I would highly recommend How I saved my father's life (and ruined everything else) to a teenage girl or boy whose parents are going through a separation or divorce.
While reading this book, I noticed how Ann Hood incorporated some main issues caused by divorce. In spite of being a fiction novel, it felt very real. At the beginning of this book, Madeline blamed her mother for her father leaving, which created an awkward, reckless tension between the two. While reading this section of the book I could relate to the storyline. During the divorce of my parents, I viewed everything as my father’s fault. The thought of seeing, talking, or having any relationship with him made me sick. Once Madeline viewed the separation of her parents from Alice’s perspective, she forgave her. Similarly, I also let go of the hatred I had for my father and now we are on good terms. As a result of Madeline’s forgiveness, she became happier. Although she was accepting, she still could not completely come to terms with the separation. It was extremely difficult to go from parent to parent she even said, “I would always be kissing one of them goodbye, and one of them hello”. On the other hand, the books shifting moods created confusion regarding the tone. It was all or nothing. The tone was dependent on how Madeline felt. If she was content and happy then the book was cheerful. However, once something would go wrong, the tone would change. It was all or nothing with no in-between. What was also confusing was why essential topics would disappear with no explanation. The middle of the novel focused on finding Alice a boyfriend. The story focused on this proceeding her going on dates, introducing the kids to men and trying to set her up with Antonietta’s father. Then all of a sudden that’s the last thing we heard about it.
In conclusion, this novel was very well written and thought out. Approaching the end, Ann Hood made the theme very clear and powerful. The readers take away from the book was divorce is a tough situation. She also allowed her audience to view that not every family is perfect. In order to be the best family you can, you have to forgive, love equally, trust one another, and become vulnerable. Throughout the whole book, Ann Hood made personal connections with the reader. On the other hand, the tone was hazy and topics that seemed important would come to an unexplainable stop. I would rate this book a 4.2 out of 5. Therefore, I would highly recommend How I saved my father's life (and ruined everything else) to a teenage girl or boy whose parents are going through a separation or divorce.
November 21, 2018
This book accurately, well as accurately as I can imagine since my shift in family was caused by death not divorce, evokes the feelings family members can feel during a split. Part of me wanted to lower the star count even further for the negativity, but as I was able to feel the anger and then the other emotions it wouldn't be fair to mark a book down for subject.
So right away you can tell this is a book about divorce. It is told specifically from Madeline's point of view. Her thoughts, feelings, observations, etc. She can get very angry, very mean, and very spiteful. for much of the book I thought she was a snobby brat and I felt sad for her mother and her brother. She is 12 retelling her story of events that began for her at age 10. She's definitely daddy's little girl at least until some realizations are made.
I enjoyed how the story was told and Madeline's growth throughout. The things she wanted to achieve and realized were interesting. However, there were many times I muttered or wondered the same things her mother did. Antoinetta and Carmela were fabulous!
Overall I liked this book and the author's writing style.
So right away you can tell this is a book about divorce. It is told specifically from Madeline's point of view. Her thoughts, feelings, observations, etc. She can get very angry, very mean, and very spiteful. for much of the book I thought she was a snobby brat and I felt sad for her mother and her brother. She is 12 retelling her story of events that began for her at age 10. She's definitely daddy's little girl at least until some realizations are made.
I enjoyed how the story was told and Madeline's growth throughout. The things she wanted to achieve and realized were interesting. However, there were many times I muttered or wondered the same things her mother did. Antoinetta and Carmela were fabulous!
Overall I liked this book and the author's writing style.
February 11, 2018
The protagonist Madeleine sounded like a saint most of the time even though she is just what? 12 years old girl. The book was a slow read and I felt like being compelled to finish the book. The could have been a lot more better if Madeleine acted her age
July 29, 2018
A bratty 12-year-old blames her mother for her parent's divorce (despite her father selfishly abandoning their family to start a new one) and believes she is able to create miracles and therefore decides to become a "saint" (despite not being religious - or a very nice person).
January 7, 2025
The concept of religion perceived by an adolescent was interesting. There was a really nice balance between disappointment, anxiety, desires, and impactful events in a teenager’s life.
September 27, 2016
The. Worst. Book. I. Have. Ever. Read. It was a mercifully quick read, but that is the only redeeming quality I can find in this book. Here is what it does have: projecting adult perspective on children in the most shameful way, characters and situations that eventually prove useless to the story, absurd descriptions littered with language no preteen would use, and hints of scandalous events that were clearly not included to entertain a YA audience. I read this book in a vain attempt to enjoy something the author has written before meeting her (I didn't love her latest book, but it was nowhere near this level of horrible). Bad move on my part, now I won't be able to open my mouth for fear of blurting out something about how this book is complete self-indulgent crap and a perfect example of what happens when an author writes to satisfy him/herself instead trying to put forth the most compelling story they can for their audience.
February 13, 2009
This is a really cute and touching story about an 11 year old named Madeline. Her family recently moved from Boston to Providence, and they are settling into their new home. Even though she is not Catholic, she has aspirations of becoming a saint. (Yes, this is the second book about a Rhode Island adolescent with hopes of becoming a saint that I have red recently).
As part of her dreams, she has started to believe that she is able to bring about miracles if she prays enough. The clearest evidence of this power is the fact that she saved her father when he was trapped in an avalanche out west. This was done with only prayer. The fault title is How I Saved My Father's Life (And Ruined Everything Else). Things go terribly when her father returns, and her parents end up divorced.
It does not take long for her father to find himself married to another woman, and they have another child as they settled into a new apartment in New York City. Now Madeline and her younger brother find themselves torn between their mother, who has an interesting career as a writer of a cooking column, and their father, who travels all over the world as an adventure writer.
At first, Madeline finds fault in everything her mother does since she blames her for everything that has changed over the recent year. Things really come to a head as both branches of the family end up spending the summer and Italy, giving Madeline a chance to spend quality time with each parent and come to terms with the new make-up of her split family.
Hood does a great job of capturing the scorn and need-to-judge that is often evident in girls Madeline's age. They are quick to judge and share their opinion even when it means being a little sassy and hurting those around them. Her sass is easily understandable considering the fact that Madeline is having a tough time dealing with her parents' divorce.
One of the aspects of this book that is most fun is the fact that Hood does a good job of capturing the setting by describing a number of places in Rhode Island. This is particularly true as she talks about Wright's Farm, a family-style chicken restaurant that is actually on the road that Ray grew up on, and St. Theresa's, our church.
All-in-all this is a fun read.
As part of her dreams, she has started to believe that she is able to bring about miracles if she prays enough. The clearest evidence of this power is the fact that she saved her father when he was trapped in an avalanche out west. This was done with only prayer. The fault title is How I Saved My Father's Life (And Ruined Everything Else). Things go terribly when her father returns, and her parents end up divorced.
It does not take long for her father to find himself married to another woman, and they have another child as they settled into a new apartment in New York City. Now Madeline and her younger brother find themselves torn between their mother, who has an interesting career as a writer of a cooking column, and their father, who travels all over the world as an adventure writer.
At first, Madeline finds fault in everything her mother does since she blames her for everything that has changed over the recent year. Things really come to a head as both branches of the family end up spending the summer and Italy, giving Madeline a chance to spend quality time with each parent and come to terms with the new make-up of her split family.
Hood does a great job of capturing the scorn and need-to-judge that is often evident in girls Madeline's age. They are quick to judge and share their opinion even when it means being a little sassy and hurting those around them. Her sass is easily understandable considering the fact that Madeline is having a tough time dealing with her parents' divorce.
One of the aspects of this book that is most fun is the fact that Hood does a good job of capturing the setting by describing a number of places in Rhode Island. This is particularly true as she talks about Wright's Farm, a family-style chicken restaurant that is actually on the road that Ray grew up on, and St. Theresa's, our church.
All-in-all this is a fun read.
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Twelve-year-old Madeline Vandermeer is on her way to becoming a bona fide saint. Oh, she's not religious or anything, and her family never goes to church, but she's already performed two miracles. The first was when she slid a glass of water across the kitchen table by only thinking about it. The second was when somebody called her name in the middle of the night, and she woke up with a terrible premonition that her father, on a writing assignment in Idaho, was in danger. After spending a day deep in prayer, she learned that he was one of only two people to survive an avalanche.
However, after her second miracle, everything else in her life goes downhill. Her father, now rich and famous from his harrowing experience, divorces her mother, moves into a posh apartment in uptown New York, and marries Ava Pomme, a sophisticated woman famous for her apple tarts. Soon, they have their own daughter, and Madeline and her little brother, Cody, are forced to travel between the two parents.
Madeline adores Ava and the feeling of once again being part of a family, if only for a weekend. How different Ava is from her own boring mother, who cooks disgusting food for her cooking column and embarrasses Madeline just by being there. If her mom hadn't been so ordinary, crying and scatterbrained over the simplest things, then maybe Madeline's father would have stayed. Determined to find some solace from her life, Madeline concentrates on ballet and her journey into sainthood, although that journey may not lead where she expects.
I absolutely gobbled up this book. Even though Madeline's treatment of her mother sometimes disgusted me, I found her reactions, opinions, and character flaws to be incredibly lifelike and endearing. Although I am not religious or from a divorced family, I found this book to be most enjoyable, and highly recommend it to any preteen girl.
Twelve-year-old Madeline Vandermeer is on her way to becoming a bona fide saint. Oh, she's not religious or anything, and her family never goes to church, but she's already performed two miracles. The first was when she slid a glass of water across the kitchen table by only thinking about it. The second was when somebody called her name in the middle of the night, and she woke up with a terrible premonition that her father, on a writing assignment in Idaho, was in danger. After spending a day deep in prayer, she learned that he was one of only two people to survive an avalanche.
However, after her second miracle, everything else in her life goes downhill. Her father, now rich and famous from his harrowing experience, divorces her mother, moves into a posh apartment in uptown New York, and marries Ava Pomme, a sophisticated woman famous for her apple tarts. Soon, they have their own daughter, and Madeline and her little brother, Cody, are forced to travel between the two parents.
Madeline adores Ava and the feeling of once again being part of a family, if only for a weekend. How different Ava is from her own boring mother, who cooks disgusting food for her cooking column and embarrasses Madeline just by being there. If her mom hadn't been so ordinary, crying and scatterbrained over the simplest things, then maybe Madeline's father would have stayed. Determined to find some solace from her life, Madeline concentrates on ballet and her journey into sainthood, although that journey may not lead where she expects.
I absolutely gobbled up this book. Even though Madeline's treatment of her mother sometimes disgusted me, I found her reactions, opinions, and character flaws to be incredibly lifelike and endearing. Although I am not religious or from a divorced family, I found this book to be most enjoyable, and highly recommend it to any preteen girl.
February 16, 2012
I agree with the review made by the reader April. The character of Madeline was bratty, unappealing and quite overdramatic. I had a hard time finding empathy for her, and I went through a similar childhood (the father leaving my mother & us kids in poverty to go strike it rich and have his midlife crisis with a 24 year old ditz & my blaming my mother. I was even her age when it happenef). In spite of understanding what she was going through, I found myself arguing with her through the book.
A lot of her problems (like lack of many friends) would be solved by her being a lot less "woe is me" and much less bitchy. I had a hard time mustering any sympathy for a spoiled, self involved character that repeatedly enjoyed scaring her 5 year old brother (who clearly was in need of some help) and clearly seemed to thrive on making her already frazzled mother upset. I felt more for her poor little brother and her friend Antoinette!
SPOILERS AHEAD:
And I really don't like the idea that she had to only like one parent! What a terrible message to give to children! Who was responsible for the divorce is between the parents. I dislike how her mom was always trying to get them to dislike the father. The father (though ultimately a bit of a prat) I felt handled the situation a lot better than her mother did. It made me sad the way her emotions shifted in the end, like since mom & dad are divorced, she can only like one of them.
And she never learned that family doesn't have to be "mommy, daddy & young'uns". Families can come in all sizes, and the book ends with her feeling sad that her life would always be split up. Did she learn anything!? "If you must hate a parent, hate the right one!" What happens if her mom marries a man that's awkward with kids, will she run to daddy in spite of her current feelings about his guilt?
I'll stop ranting now.
A lot of her problems (like lack of many friends) would be solved by her being a lot less "woe is me" and much less bitchy. I had a hard time mustering any sympathy for a spoiled, self involved character that repeatedly enjoyed scaring her 5 year old brother (who clearly was in need of some help) and clearly seemed to thrive on making her already frazzled mother upset. I felt more for her poor little brother and her friend Antoinette!
SPOILERS AHEAD:
And I really don't like the idea that she had to only like one parent! What a terrible message to give to children! Who was responsible for the divorce is between the parents. I dislike how her mom was always trying to get them to dislike the father. The father (though ultimately a bit of a prat) I felt handled the situation a lot better than her mother did. It made me sad the way her emotions shifted in the end, like since mom & dad are divorced, she can only like one of them.
And she never learned that family doesn't have to be "mommy, daddy & young'uns". Families can come in all sizes, and the book ends with her feeling sad that her life would always be split up. Did she learn anything!? "If you must hate a parent, hate the right one!" What happens if her mom marries a man that's awkward with kids, will she run to daddy in spite of her current feelings about his guilt?
I'll stop ranting now.
November 1, 2012
This book tells the story of a girl named Madeline who wishes to become Saint Madeline of Providence, and a professional ballerina in the midst of her parents' divorce. Madeline discovers the true meaning of family. Madeline was mad at her mom, blaming her for the divorce, when really her dad was the one who tore her family apart. He cheated on her mom with a much younger, meaner, more selfish woman. Madeline realizes that family is having people who love you. Her mother has always loved her, and by the end of the story Madeline realizes her mom is the one who has always been there for her, no matter what. Madeline realized she should appreciate her mom. Madeline also bonds with her little brother Cody, who she always thought was annoying, but now loves dearly. I liked the book, I thought it was very sweet. I learned a lot about religion and all of the Saints and their unique powers, and how they came to be Saints. Madeline and her family take a trip to Italy, and I learned a lot about all the amazing sights in Italy. I also learned a lot about the delicious Italian food!
June 25, 2015
Ever since Madeline prayed for her father to be saved from a heliskiing accident, things have gone from bad to worse. First, he left her mother for another woman and moved to New York. Then, her mother's plummeting income causes Madeline to have to change ballet schools. Feeling alone and betrayed, she turns to the Catholic saints to try to make sense of her life - with the ultimate goal of becoming canonized herself.
Those who are deriding this book because Madeline is a "selfish brat" need to consider that Madeline is a twelve-year-old girl dealing with a divorce. Of course she's a brat to her mother, what twelve-year-old girl under the best circumstances isn't once in a while? Of course she's moody and has trouble making friends, her life has been uprooted and she needs time. By the end of the book, Madeline's perspective changes and she finds happiness. This was a cute little read that I picked up mostly because it takes place in Providence and name-drops a lot of local restaurants, schools, and attractions.
Those who are deriding this book because Madeline is a "selfish brat" need to consider that Madeline is a twelve-year-old girl dealing with a divorce. Of course she's a brat to her mother, what twelve-year-old girl under the best circumstances isn't once in a while? Of course she's moody and has trouble making friends, her life has been uprooted and she needs time. By the end of the book, Madeline's perspective changes and she finds happiness. This was a cute little read that I picked up mostly because it takes place in Providence and name-drops a lot of local restaurants, schools, and attractions.
January 29, 2009
Well, let me put it this way.
The main character? She's annoying. She's irritating. She's obnoxious. She blatantly REFUSES to admit that it ISN'T her dad's fault. She is arrogant about her 'perfect ballerina feet' and how she caused a miracle. A miracle WHICH Ava, the evil stepmother, points out was NOT actually a miracle. She scares her brother just for the fun of it, and is constantly, deliberately, making her mother cry.
Did I mention how she's annoying?!
Of course, then you get to Italy and everything changes. Just like that. Weird, right?! Gah, this book just annoyed me. Well, Madeline irritated me.
Oh, and by the way, Persephone ate SIX seeds, not three. Believe me, in the five versions of the myth I have read, it has ALWAYS been six. Never three. That also kind of irritated me. I mean, seriously, that's something you can just look up to make sure it's right VERY easily.
The main character? She's annoying. She's irritating. She's obnoxious. She blatantly REFUSES to admit that it ISN'T her dad's fault. She is arrogant about her 'perfect ballerina feet' and how she caused a miracle. A miracle WHICH Ava, the evil stepmother, points out was NOT actually a miracle. She scares her brother just for the fun of it, and is constantly, deliberately, making her mother cry.
Did I mention how she's annoying?!
Of course, then you get to Italy and everything changes. Just like that. Weird, right?! Gah, this book just annoyed me. Well, Madeline irritated me.
Oh, and by the way, Persephone ate SIX seeds, not three. Believe me, in the five versions of the myth I have read, it has ALWAYS been six. Never three. That also kind of irritated me. I mean, seriously, that's something you can just look up to make sure it's right VERY easily.
October 29, 2008
This is a book that I wanted to read for a while and I picked it up on Monday to read and nominate for RI Teen Book Award committee's middle school list of titles to be considered. I have to admit to a bias because I've enjoyed Ann Hood's writing for years and I heard her speak this spring which was excellent but this is a good book for younger teens because it deals with divorce but the parents are still kind and loving toward the children. The young girl is confused about which parent is "right" after the divorce and her feelings change as the book goes on. And the book is set in Rhode Island so that's a good part of the story too!
July 21, 2008
Recommended for gr. 6-9. Madeleine, a 12-year-old ballet student, believes she has performed a miracle through prayer in saving her father from an avalanche. In spite of her non-religious upbringing she is obsessed with sainthood and all things having to do with saints. Her family's life is upset when her father leaves to remarry, and Madeleine blames her mother for everything going wrong. She treats her mother pretty badly (in a teenage way) through all of this, but things are reconciled in the end when she discovers that her father is not the perfect being she has idolized.
November 5, 2008
I felt bad for Twelve year old Madeline V. She went through a lot with her parent's seperation and how her father almost died at the begining. I als am proud of her because she want's to become a saint even thought her family (as well as herself) aren't very religious. i am also proud of her beacause in the miths of all the bad that is going on all around her she still holds on to her dreams and passion in bellay. I learned that you should never loose hope in yourself and in what you believe in.
January 16, 2013
The book was interesting enough but in the end it could be more interesting.But overall it was quite exciting. The way she started to believe in her self and in her mother,and started to love her mother was emotional and heart touchy.It showed that the separation between parents can effects on their own children.And it has showed a struggle of a little girl,adjustment,sorrow,ballet,snowfall,and beautiful description of Italy.I truly like it....
February 5, 2013
I initially thought that this was gonna be a kiddie book. Well, it is. But I felt that the subject matter was a bit serious for kids. I mean there's this divorce thing and the father cheated on the mother and then marry the tart lady and there's also MC wanting to be a saint thing when she's not even a Catholic and Uh-oh she actually had like miss some really important point ie you have to be dead to be a saint. Overall, I find it really enjoyable.
April 1, 2008
I kept getting confused because each chapter could either be a continuation or a sudden months-ahead jump in time. Also, it really bothered me how Madeline blamed her mom for the divorce even though the father was the one who traded the mom in for a younger, newer, model. I wish I could spend a month in Italy.
July 7, 2008
This book was a good book. It taught me about the struggles of divorce, and the main character was very into saints, and church! :]
It was interesting and I felt her pain, when her dad left and she figured out why and when her dad told her about him and his new wife's plans.
The main character's name was Madeline Vanmeer.
It was interesting and I felt her pain, when her dad left and she figured out why and when her dad told her about him and his new wife's plans.
The main character's name was Madeline Vanmeer.
August 1, 2008
I thought that this book seemed very average. It wasn't bad or anything, it just wasn't exciting. The main character, Madeline, wants to be a saint. She performs a miracle by praying, and saves her fathers life. Her parents get divorced right after, and her father is living the perfect celebrity life. It was a sad book.
March 24, 2008
A little disappointed -- I love Love LOVE Ann Hood's other books, but I felt like she was trying too hard to write a teen novel that she sacrificed her character development. Madeline is just not as well-rounded as I expected, and the prose felt a bit choppy to me.
April 14, 2008
I enjoyed this book - some laugh-out-loud sections - and some awkward, ooh,-I-remember-how-much-it-sucked-being-that-age. And then as a mother, the uncomfortable give-the-mom-a-break,-kid. She's-doing-the-best-she-can. This is a good one!
July 16, 2011
This book was actually given to me by my friend.. it was nice and simple and childish..but it is a good read.. its about a 12 yr old who stands her parents divorce and finds and urging wish to become a saint so that she could perform miracles and save her family from tearing apart.
June 12, 2008
I read this in like two days but it was kinda sad.
March 5, 2009
This girl has some major problems.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews