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As Simple as It Seems Audiobook
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(3.04) - 697 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Verbena Colter knows she's bad news. Trouble from the get-go. How could she not be, with parents like hers? Her mother practically pickled her before she was even born, leaving Verbie to struggle with the effects of fetal alchol syndrome. And her father was just plain mean. Verbie wishes she could be somebody, anybody other than who she is. Enter Pooch, a flatlander boy visiting for the summer. When Pooch and his mom rent the house next door, Verbie takes the opportunity to be someone else entirely. And what starts out as a game leads Verbie into a surprising and heartwarming journey of self-discovery.
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"Verbena has a troubled life. Her parents are an embarrassment, friends are scarce. When she stumbles upon a life-changing secret, she thinks she is permanently doomed. A new neighbor moves into the house of a girl who died, however, creating the opportunity for Verbena to make a new image for herself."
— Kim (4 out of 5 stars)
As Simple as It Seems Listener Reviews
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" There will be plenty of kids who could relate to Verbena. She doesn't like who she is or her background and wants to change herself. When the new kid moves in next door that is her chance to do just that. Overall a nice story, Weeks does have a way with writing to allow readers to feel Verbena's frustration. I wasn't too fond of the ending, but still a good one to recommend to older elementary kids. "
— Jess, 2/18/2014 -
" A heartwarming book of growing up, friendship and adventure. Verbena and Pooch are adorable. "
— Marjorie, 1/29/2014 -
" sometimes you have to break out of your shell to move forward "
— Maya, 1/28/2014 -
" we read it as a class. Because part of my grade depended on it, I forced my way through the beginning,but then the end was really good. "
— Matt, 1/23/2014 -
" lol so far it is a great book.Favorite book for this week.That is how much i liked it "
— Lalala*Saredo*, 1/21/2014 -
" Strange story yet very much like me as a child. It might be a great window for convesation with a youth who seems to need to 'change' every aspect of life, resulting in the constant lie-ing. Story comes out fine, so great discussion. "
— Sharie, 1/18/2014 -
" This is the first book I've ever read told from the point of view of a child with FAS, but the voice didn't ring true. The voice was an adult female - not that of a child. It just seemed forced. The tense of the book seemed to shift as well. While the story seemed to be told in present time, Verbena often seemed to talk of the experience as looking at it from an adult's point of view. I didn't really like or care about any of the characters. "
— Catherine, 1/13/2014 -
" A quiet yet strong book that fans of May Amelia and Ida B will enjoy. "
— Kellee, 1/3/2014 -
" A great story about what it feels like to grow up. A bit predictable, but probably moreso with all of the foreshadowing added by the author. I will definitely recommend to the ten year old girls in my library. "
— Jen, 12/22/2013 -
" A very sweet coming of age book-friendship, mother/daughter relationship/fetal alcohol syndrome. "
— Laura, 12/3/2013 -
" Beautifully written book with well drawn characters. I think young children will readily identify with Verbena and her struggle to come to terms with her changing emotions. "
— Katrina, 11/30/2013
About Sarah Weeks
Sarah Weeks is an author, singer, and songwriter. Her many books for young readers include the My First I Can Read Book Splish, Splash!, illustrated by Ashley Wolff, and the I Can Read Books Mac and Cheese, Baa-Choo!, Pip Squeak, and Drip, Drop, all illustrated by Jane Manning. She lives in upstate New York.