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xscarx's review against another edition
5.0
i loved this book so much. i loved daphne’s character a lot, she reminded me of me. i loved her little sister, hope, and i loved jessica as well. jessica also reminded me of myself & i could empathize with both her & daphne. i loved the pacing of this story & i loved how real it felt. what a wonderful book, a perfect 5 stars!
janetrmacreery's review against another edition
4.0
Jessica worries that being forced to team with Daphne, the strange, quiet new girl who dresses differently and never speaks, will surely plunge her into the worst of all middle grade fates; oblivion. Her reputation is already tenuous due to her lack of interest in boys and lip gloss. Her best friend, Tracy, is pulling away from her. Jessica had hoped to be teamed with her for the Write-a-Book competition. Once Jessica spends time with Daphne and by default her little sister, Hope, she finds there are reasons for Daphne’s odd behaviors. Reasons Jessica could never have imagined.
Daphne’s world is revealed through Jessica’s eyes and her dislike of her partner erodes with each secret she exposes. While the main theme is to look before you judge, Hahn’s ability to show Daphne’s world only through Jessica’s eyes is touching. The same descriptions through Daphne’s point of view would seem whiny or worse, trite.
Middle school hasn’t changed much since 1983. Daphne’s Book is an excellent reminder that while children may seem mature, they are still children in need of guidance and, at times, assistance.
Daphne’s world is revealed through Jessica’s eyes and her dislike of her partner erodes with each secret she exposes. While the main theme is to look before you judge, Hahn’s ability to show Daphne’s world only through Jessica’s eyes is touching. The same descriptions through Daphne’s point of view would seem whiny or worse, trite.
Middle school hasn’t changed much since 1983. Daphne’s Book is an excellent reminder that while children may seem mature, they are still children in need of guidance and, at times, assistance.
quietweather's review against another edition
5.0
I read this last year, I picked it up because I had read other Mary Downing Hahn books and I found this one interesting. It was surprisingly when I realized it was not about ghosts. I'm not saying the Author shouldn't write about Ghosts, but it seemed to be her forte.
Now I remember when I read this, that Daphne blamed herself for her grandmother's death, but I can relate to her hatred of her gramma. She hated her because her Gramma was cruel and insane and didn't try to help Daphne.
Now I remember when I read this, that Daphne blamed herself for her grandmother's death, but I can relate to her hatred of her gramma. She hated her because her Gramma was cruel and insane and didn't try to help Daphne.
rodneywilhite's review against another edition
5.0
Like so many others, I read this when I was just a little too young for it and it absolutely devastated me. It's just as good as I remember it being, if not better. You must, must read it.
oliviam22's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
"The SecretEverybody in Jessica's English class makes fun of Daphne. She never says a word to anyone -- just walks around with her nose in a book, with her long straggly hair hanging over her face. Now the worst thing has happened. The teacher has assigned Jessica to be partners with Daphne in the Write-A-Book contest! But being forced to work with the class "weirdo", Jessica gets an even bigger surprise. Not only does Daphne talk to her, but she tells Jessica a terrible secret...one that Jessica knows could be very dangerous to keep." (From Amazon)
A really good book about growing up, tolerating differences and knowing what to do.
"The SecretEverybody in Jessica's English class makes fun of Daphne. She never says a word to anyone -- just walks around with her nose in a book, with her long straggly hair hanging over her face. Now the worst thing has happened. The teacher has assigned Jessica to be partners with Daphne in the Write-A-Book contest! But being forced to work with the class "weirdo", Jessica gets an even bigger surprise. Not only does Daphne talk to her, but she tells Jessica a terrible secret...one that Jessica knows could be very dangerous to keep." (From Amazon)
A really good book about growing up, tolerating differences and knowing what to do.
heinsohn42's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
tatraeileen's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favorites when I was a teen. I got it from the library for my daughter to read but instead I finished it in an afternoon.
The story is so important. The characters are so sweet. I want to find little Hope from the story and give her a big hug.
I hope Daphne and Jessica lived out their dream of being a famous author-illustrator team. I like to imagine they did.
The story is so important. The characters are so sweet. I want to find little Hope from the story and give her a big hug.
I hope Daphne and Jessica lived out their dream of being a famous author-illustrator team. I like to imagine they did.
isethia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
clevergirl216's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0