Reviews

What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

marshmallowbooks's review against another edition

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2.0

I think I would have liked this book more if it were in prose rather than poetry. I just am not a fan of novels written as a series of poems. They seem disjointed and kind of airy. No foundation.

karmen12's review against another edition

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3.0

This book was pretty good. It was the first book in the series but I didn't know that and I read the second one first. I preferred reading it in that order because completed the story that I read the first time. This book wasn't quite as good as the other one but it was still a decent book. If anyone has interest in reading this book, I suggest doing it in the backwards order.

finalefile's review against another edition

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4.0

This book made my teenage boy-crazy heart so happy. :)

But what's with abbreviating the word "email" to "e"? I have never, ever heard of that outside this book.

dlberglund's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a novel in verse form, so I know I missed out a little by listening to this on audiobook instead of reading it. It's a very fast read, told by a girl who obsesses about boys. She is sure of herself, opinionated, and a bit shallow. I liked her more as the book went on. And she redeems herself to me at the end. Cute, quick, boy-crazy read.

kketelaar's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved this collection of poetry - can't say I would want my 11-year-old reading it though.

sc104906's review against another edition

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3.0

Sophie gives the reader insight in a young teen's world. She covers everything from first love, to friendship, to parental drama, and body issues. It is a quick book that reaches out to a young teen.

jerrica's review against another edition

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5.0

Why the heck is this book challenged? It's sweet, and funny, and so in the moment. The fact that it is written in poems just adds to the whole beat of the book really, makes it so much more artistic. It was a quick read because of the poems, but overall satisfying and it fills you up just like a regular book does, almost like magic. Loved it. Read it.

reaganalana's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

kailawil's review against another edition

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3.0

Book Number 1 in my Beloved High School Books Re-read. One of my favorites a decade ago, still very sweet now.

theladygonzalez's review against another edition

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5.0

I remember when I first read this book, I was 13 and in the 8th grade. I had bought the book from one of those scholastic book orders. I read What My Mother Doesn't Know in one night and immediately passed it on to one of my friends. My copy made rounds through most of my friends and I never got it back. If that doesn't speak for this book, I don't know what will.

Sophie's story is one that rings truth among us all. I think everyone has a little bit of her inside them - honestly, when I first read it, I remember thinking; "God, I'm not the only one". Sones does a remarkable job expressing feelings and thoughts that we all have had before. Sophie struggles with all the common issues; insecurity, popularity, peer pressure - but the author approaches it in such a unique way. The entire book is written in free verse and it reads as almost a diary.

The plot line isn't earth shattering, but it's honest. I saw so much of myself in Sophie; she is incredibly easy to connect to. She is unsure of herself and often confused by her feelings; especially when it comes to the class geek, Murphy. Sophie wants to be his friend, but is worried about what everyone else would think. When everyone else leaves for Winter Break, Sophie and Murphy finally have time to form a friendship. They are practically inseparable for those two weeks, but what will happen when Sophie's friends come back? Now, what teenage girl doesn't deal with the frustration of peer pressure?

I connected with and loved this book at 13, and now at 20 I still find myself in awe of it. The poetry is understated, raw and emotional. There are so many beautiful examples; but my favorite is Heading Home.

HEADING HOME
Walking with Murphy
through the bone-freezing chill
towards the bus stop,
I start shivering.

And somehow,
when he slips his arm around me
to warm me up,
it feels right.

Righter than anything ever has.

See what I mean? Sones somehow manages to capture the spirit of youth and innocence in her poetry; it just transports you back in time. Sophie's story is exquisitely captured and told and will always have a place in my heart. It's a short book and a quick read, but definitely worth your time. If you haven't read this one yet, you are missing out.