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brandypainter's review
4.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Always, Abigail by Nancy J. Cavanaugh captured my attention because I saw in the synopsis that it it told through letters, journal entries, and lists. I love books like that and don't know that I've ever read one in the MG age category.
Middle School. Ugh. Who ever wants to have to do that again? For those currently in the thick of it, Always, Abigail is the perfect book. Abigail's voice is so perfectly honest and real. She comes across as genuine, vulnerable, and sympathetic. I was wondering how well the list/letter format would work in a MG. The tricky part of writing a book like that is that the voice has to completely reflect the character. The author can't sneak in or it becomes glaringly obvious. Cavanaugh avoided this pitfall nicely. As an adult reading this book, I wanted to shake Abigail quite a few times. She was being mean, cowardly, and downright silly about what she though was important. For a kid negotiating the minefield that is middle school society, Abigail will seem like a true reflection of their inner selves. She doesn't want to be a mean girl, but she doesn't want to be a social outcast. One would think a balance could be reached between those two, but it is easy to see how Abigail wouldn't see it that way. Everything feels so urgent and dramatic when you're 11. Gabby's character was also well done. The two girls truly bond, and that is seen clearly in their notes and activities. I loved Gabby's voice in her letters to Abigail, particularly that first one. She is subversively snarky and she is a brilliant foil for Abigail. The only characterization I wasn't happy with were Abigail's best friends, Allie and Cami, who she collectively refers to as Allicam. I really didn't understand why there needed to be two of them, when they were so easily conflated into one snotty unpleasant persona.
The school setting of the book is incredibly realistic. I liked how Abigail's homeroom teacher operated, and that she was rather clueless at times but also an inspiration. Far more realistic than teachers are often portrayed. I also liked how real the behavior of the kids on the bus was, and how the nothing was done to stop it. Everything in the book is very true to life. When the time comes for Abigail to make a choice, there is no cheesy made-for-TV-hero moment either. And the way she loses her temper in the slightly crazy way girls her age so often do, not really accomplishing much but making herself feel better, was the perfect touch.
I enjoyed Always, Abigail very much and can not wait to share it with my daughter (who I know will love it).
I read an e-galley made available by the publisher, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, via NetGalley. Always Abigail is available for purchase now.
Always, Abigail by Nancy J. Cavanaugh captured my attention because I saw in the synopsis that it it told through letters, journal entries, and lists. I love books like that and don't know that I've ever read one in the MG age category.
Middle School. Ugh. Who ever wants to have to do that again? For those currently in the thick of it, Always, Abigail is the perfect book. Abigail's voice is so perfectly honest and real. She comes across as genuine, vulnerable, and sympathetic. I was wondering how well the list/letter format would work in a MG. The tricky part of writing a book like that is that the voice has to completely reflect the character. The author can't sneak in or it becomes glaringly obvious. Cavanaugh avoided this pitfall nicely. As an adult reading this book, I wanted to shake Abigail quite a few times. She was being mean, cowardly, and downright silly about what she though was important. For a kid negotiating the minefield that is middle school society, Abigail will seem like a true reflection of their inner selves. She doesn't want to be a mean girl, but she doesn't want to be a social outcast. One would think a balance could be reached between those two, but it is easy to see how Abigail wouldn't see it that way. Everything feels so urgent and dramatic when you're 11. Gabby's character was also well done. The two girls truly bond, and that is seen clearly in their notes and activities. I loved Gabby's voice in her letters to Abigail, particularly that first one. She is subversively snarky and she is a brilliant foil for Abigail. The only characterization I wasn't happy with were Abigail's best friends, Allie and Cami, who she collectively refers to as Allicam. I really didn't understand why there needed to be two of them, when they were so easily conflated into one snotty unpleasant persona.
The school setting of the book is incredibly realistic. I liked how Abigail's homeroom teacher operated, and that she was rather clueless at times but also an inspiration. Far more realistic than teachers are often portrayed. I also liked how real the behavior of the kids on the bus was, and how the nothing was done to stop it. Everything in the book is very true to life. When the time comes for Abigail to make a choice, there is no cheesy made-for-TV-hero moment either. And the way she loses her temper in the slightly crazy way girls her age so often do, not really accomplishing much but making herself feel better, was the perfect touch.
I enjoyed Always, Abigail very much and can not wait to share it with my daughter (who I know will love it).
I read an e-galley made available by the publisher, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, via NetGalley. Always Abigail is available for purchase now.
kkdemarco's review
4.0
What a great middle-grade read! Always, Abigail reminded me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or James Patterson's Middle School series, but geared toward girl readers. Told through Abigail's lists and letters, it's a true middle school story about making new friends, choosing what is right, and most importantly, finding yourself. Highly recommended by many 6th grade girls in my classes as well.
crystalmethany's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
plaidpladd's review
3.0
I liked the unique format of this book. I thought the period between the main character realizing she was doing the wrong thing and finally doing the right thing was a little dragged out, but I'm not sure my younger self would have noticed.
kerris84's review
4.0
A fun book which I'm sure would be loved by the target audience. I liked the plot and the way it ended. Abigail is a great character who I'm sure a lot of the target audience could relate to.
kellkie's review
3.0
Ten Things I Thought While Reading Always, Abigail
1. Many of Abigail's lists can be used in class to model list-making when writing.
2. Abigail has a strong voice, though not one I particularly like. (Which is sort of the point, I think.)
3. Many young girls will enjoy the drama and relatable social situations reflected in this book.
4. Lists don't offer much room to develop characters, so the Fab Five, Abigail, and Gabby don't have an opportunity to become fully recognized by the reader.
5. Abigail has some interesting anger issues which I would love to see explored.
6. This is a great book for girls struggling to find something to keep them reading. It's fast paced, interesting, and easy to connect with.
7. I don't see Gabby existing outside this book. Her kindness and confidence make her a middle school superhero, but I do think young readers will love her.
8. While this book isn't my cup of tea, it definitely has a place in the hands of 4th and 5th grade readers.
9. Old Hawk and Abigail's brother are my favorite characters in the book.
10. I can easily think of several students right now that will love Always, Abigail.
1. Many of Abigail's lists can be used in class to model list-making when writing.
2. Abigail has a strong voice, though not one I particularly like. (Which is sort of the point, I think.)
3. Many young girls will enjoy the drama and relatable social situations reflected in this book.
4. Lists don't offer much room to develop characters, so the Fab Five, Abigail, and Gabby don't have an opportunity to become fully recognized by the reader.
5. Abigail has some interesting anger issues which I would love to see explored.
6. This is a great book for girls struggling to find something to keep them reading. It's fast paced, interesting, and easy to connect with.
7. I don't see Gabby existing outside this book. Her kindness and confidence make her a middle school superhero, but I do think young readers will love her.
8. While this book isn't my cup of tea, it definitely has a place in the hands of 4th and 5th grade readers.
9. Old Hawk and Abigail's brother are my favorite characters in the book.
10. I can easily think of several students right now that will love Always, Abigail.
yapha's review
4.0
Abigail can not wait for sixth grade to start, so she and her two best friends can become the Pom Girls that they have always dreamed of being. But life doesn't always work out the way we imagine it. Alli and Cami are in a different homeroom, together, and Abigail doesn't even have lunch with them. She gets paired with the school's geekiest girl for a year long project, and just when it seems things can't get any worse, she is chosen as an alternate, not an actual Pom Girl. Told through lists, notes, and letters, this is a realistic view of the life and choices of a middle school girl. Recommended to grades 5-7.
areidj's review
5.0
Completely perfect for middle grade readers. If you have a young girl who isn't interested in reading, just hand her this!
lauralynnwalsh's review
3.0
While I found this book predictable and even a bit clichéd, it still held my interest enough to finish the whole thing. The author is especially good at capturing the "mean girl" behaviors that seem to be endemic to the tween age group, roughly 10 through 13 year olds.