librariann's review against another edition
When Janice Erlbaum (author of Girlbomb) begins volunteering at the shelter where she briefly lived as a teen, she immediately feels a connection to the 18 to 20 year old girls she sees. None, however, touch her heart the way nineteen year old Sam does. Sam, a heroin addict who has been on the streets for seven years, is also a talented writer. Despite rules to the contrary (rules, as the gruff program head reminds Janice, that exist as much to protect the volunteers as the girls), Janice and Sam almost immediately form a deep bond that the author several times compares to being in love. Adding to the drama of Sam’s attempts to recover from her drug addiction are a myriad of uncommon health problems that keep her bouncing from the shelter and various rehab centers to the hospital, even near death at one point. The jacket copy hints tantalizingly at a secret that Sam is hiding from the adult mentors and counselors in her life, and although this is a key turning point in the narrative, it’s not this that gives meaning to the bulk of the story. What will keep readers entranced is the relationship between this tragic little girl lost and an adult who reaches out to her as an attempt to grasp a past self whose heart appears almost equally damaged. As with Mark Salzman’s True Notebooks, it’s the lessons the author receives from the experience of working with these disadvantaged youth, and not the other way around, that really matters. Older teen girls, especially those who have read Girlbomb, will be drawn in by the diverse stories of the lives of the girls of the shelter, and be mesmerized and horrified at the gritty descriptions of Sam’s life, which is stranger than fiction - for good reason. The book didn't leave my hands for an entire evening as I devoured it, from couch to bathtub to bed, and the idea that Sam is still out there suffering haunted me long after the final page.
kklemaster's review against another edition
3.0
This book is at once super interesting and super frustrating. As it is a memoir, I had no trouble believing the "characters" - a number of them are extraordinarily complex - but the non-fiction element leaves us with a pretty disappointing conclusion after a true emotional roller coaster ride to the climax. Janice writes with honesty and clarity, and the first three quarters of the novel are brilliant and engaging; however, that last section after the big so-called plot twist strips her of that genuine, authentic voice. Where I could once relate to her completely (I don't think anyone would be surprised if sometime in the future I more or less adopted a homeless youth), the story ends in a mess. In that way, her experiences are a testament to real life, which rarely results in a neat and tidy resolution, but it felt more like her character just deflates, leaving me to wonder if perhaps enough time (only a year?) hadn't passed since this story "ended" in actuality.
mhall's review against another edition
3.0
Janice Erlbaum spent part of her teen years living in a homeless shelter for teenage girls in New York, and as a successful adult, she wants to go back and volunteer at the same shelter. She's looking for a younger version of herself, and her reasoning as to why she wants this so badly is somewhat murky - she has unclear boundaries, and her motivations might not be altruistic.
She finds someone, a teenage girl, and becomes enmeshed in her life. The whole thing takes on a dark, dramatic quality and inevitably unravels dramatically.
She finds someone, a teenage girl, and becomes enmeshed in her life. The whole thing takes on a dark, dramatic quality and inevitably unravels dramatically.
referencegrrrl's review against another edition
2.0
This book was just "ok." The author is a little self-indulgent for my tastes, starting with the tag line of "Have you found her? The one who reminds you of you?", which I thought was a tad over-dramatic. The story moves along, a little hard to believe at times, even though this is a memoir. (i.e, I found it strange that Janice would cut short her honeymoon for the girl she seems infatuated with helping.) Story ends predictably. Wouldn't recommend this one.
library_lurker's review against another edition
4.0
this book is TIGHT. it really drew me in, and i feel like she captured the essence of fucked-up teenage girls. i do wish sam had been presented as a little more of a likable character, but i thought that all the girls at the shelter were very well-done. it was gripping and well-paced and i couldn't put it down.
oh, and unlike that hater whose review sits below mine, i thought it was awesome that the author wouldn't marry her partner until everyone can get married. it made like her about ten times more. if only EVERYBODY who gives a shit about gay people would do the same, and told everyone why they were choosing not to marry, maybe we could see a real change in this country.
oh, and unlike that hater whose review sits below mine, i thought it was awesome that the author wouldn't marry her partner until everyone can get married. it made like her about ten times more. if only EVERYBODY who gives a shit about gay people would do the same, and told everyone why they were choosing not to marry, maybe we could see a real change in this country.
mmz's review against another edition
4.0
What an amazing, amazing book. I had to keep reminding myself that it was about real people!
In this, her second memoir, Janice tells the story of volunteering at the shelter she lived in briefly as a teenage and of meeting Sam. Although the relationship she forms with Sam may ultimately have been good for her, showing her that she had internal strength she would never have guessed out. It makes for a very powerful story.
I think the most interesting part of this book was Janice's honesty about her negative feelings toward Sam. To be able to say that you're angry at a person in Sam's position takes a lot of strength. The same to admit that you have doubts about the truth of what someone you care about says to you.
And this is a memoir that is easy to read. One might always be skeptical of the claim that a memoir reads like a novel, but in this case, I found that it did. I was drawn in from the very beginning, and ended the book hoping that Ms. Erlbaum will write another memoir in the future.
In this, her second memoir, Janice tells the story of volunteering at the shelter she lived in briefly as a teenage and of meeting Sam. Although the relationship she forms with Sam may ultimately have been good for her, showing her that she had internal strength she would never have guessed out. It makes for a very powerful story.
I think the most interesting part of this book was Janice's honesty about her negative feelings toward Sam. To be able to say that you're angry at a person in Sam's position takes a lot of strength. The same to admit that you have doubts about the truth of what someone you care about says to you.
And this is a memoir that is easy to read. One might always be skeptical of the claim that a memoir reads like a novel, but in this case, I found that it did. I was drawn in from the very beginning, and ended the book hoping that Ms. Erlbaum will write another memoir in the future.
sandichristiansen's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure if I'm giving two stars to the actual book or the person who wrote it. As a therapist, I couldn't believe the lines crossed and the lack of insight the adults and professionals in this book displayed, which made it hard for me to really get too invested in the outcome of this story.
nectarine_waffle's review against another edition
3.0
Janice Erlbaum spent part of her teen years living in a homeless shelter for teenage girls in New York, and as a successful adult, she wants to go back and volunteer at the same shelter. She's looking for a younger version of herself, and her reasoning as to why she wants this so badly is somewhat murky - she has unclear boundaries, and her motivations might not be altruistic.
She finds someone, a teenage girl, and becomes enmeshed in her life. The whole thing takes on a dark, dramatic quality and inevitably unravels dramatically.
She finds someone, a teenage girl, and becomes enmeshed in her life. The whole thing takes on a dark, dramatic quality and inevitably unravels dramatically.