Newbery Honor medalist Ann M. Martin's "unforgettable" (Booklist, starred) family story. In 1963, Ellie's mother, Doris Day Dingman, was crowned the Bosetti Beauty at Mr. Bosetti's supermarket, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and the Dingmans began to fall apart." So begins 11-yr-old Eleanor Roosevelt Dingman's story. Ellie, who is about to start 6th grade in the small town of Spectacle, NY, is the oldest child in her off-center family. Her father works construction jobs, while her mother, Doris, has only one dream - to become a rich and famous actress. But when that dream leads to Doris's abandonment of the family, it is Ellie who is called upon to take charge.
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"Hmm. Here Today. A good book. I'm just sad about the ending, when Ellie's mother would finally leave. I almost cried when Ellie said "You - were supposed to be my mother"... I felt broken for Eleanor. Why would Doris build a family - that she cannot even strengthen their bonds - if all she wanted is to be famous? In the first sentences I didn't even realized Doris is Ellie's mother. Sometimes she's not concerned about her family. But I liked this book because I like Ellie, even at first she can't accept the fact that her mother is leaving, she faced it with the consequences like the fact that she has no mother to protect her from the Sparrows, and of course to face her responsibility to take care of her smaller brother and sister. She is strong; and that is what I always like in a character. Not just a strong personality, but a wise mind, a soft heart..."
— Mary (4 out of 5 stars)
" It took me a little time to get into this book, but I ended up liking it. I really did NOT like Doris, the mother. You won't either. :) "
— Shannon, 2/18/2014" A great piece of realistic fiction. "
— Morgan, 2/10/2014" Ellie needs her mother. She is constantly getting picked on in school and needs some tender loving care. Unfortunately, her mother is so obsesses with becoming an actress that she doesn't notice Ellie or her brother and sister. Instead, Ellie's mom abandons her family and goes to New York to become famous, leaving Ellie to care for her brother and sister. Your heart will ache for Ellie while she makes her way in this world. Get the tissues ready! "
— Kim, 1/29/2014" This book is about a girl named Eleanor Roosevelt Dingman whose mother mother was crowned the Bosetti Beauty of Spectacle, New York, Ellie's classmates decided she was invisible, and President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. It was the year Ellie discovered that in trying to keep her life together, she had to let pieces of it go. "
— Sheena, 1/29/2014" This book was okay- I am still not sure why I stuck wtih it. It was in the point of view of a child, but yet it was a little interesting to see how she handled crises in her family life. Fast read, and not anything you need to think deeply about. "
— Natasha, 1/25/2014" A little different, is there a book out there where parents don't get divorced? Daughter may read at age 11. "
— Donaldsons, 1/20/2014" I loved this realistic fiction story set in the 1960s. I was definitely drawn in emotionally and would recommend this for upper elementary & middle school girls. "
— Karen, 1/13/2014" always wanted to read and still have only been half way. i tried i failed. i wish i could have liked it but it just couldnt do it. i hade so many expectations and i was so ready to love it but i jsut couldnt. "
— Hannah, 1/6/2014" its pretty good so far "
— Savanna, 8/14/2013" This was such a good book! It's about an 11-year old girl in 1963. I highly recommend it!!!!!!!! "
— Rachel, 6/5/2013" In this book, Ellie learns difficult lessons about what it means to love someone, even if they don't seem to love you back. It is an unforgettable read. "
— Mikki, 5/20/2013" I loved this book so much! Ann M. Martin should definently write a sequel to it cuz there's so much more to say! "
— AJ, 4/20/2013" Wow. Very sad, but definitely an amazing book!!!!!!!!! I loved it. I think it is my new favorite book. "
— Meredith, 4/8/2012" when i began reading this book, i found it hard to continue it. the only reason i did was because i had already started it. i didn't really like the story plot, and i found some of the things the main character went through angering. so i don't think i'll read it again. "
— Maisie, 2/20/2012" I recommend this book for girls the age from 10 to 13 years-old, it is a very girly book. I thught the beginning was a little slow and boring but once you get into it, it becomes very pleasant to read. "
— Helena, 2/19/2012" it is not my favorite but i liked it. "
— Paige, 12/24/2011" a sweet read for 8-12 year olds "
— Debra, 12/23/2011" I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. "
— Amari, 11/8/2011" This book is set in the 1960's, which gives you a great opportunity to talk about History with your students. While this book is fiction, you can still use it as a leeway into the real stuff. The book goes through family-life and the problems that arise everyday. I would use for much older students. "
— Bethann, 10/16/2011" Second book I've read this school year, at first I thought this story was kinda boring, but I'm wrong. Previously I'm not fond of reading books, but now I like to read books that catch my attention by the front cover. "
— Denise, 9/27/2011" I loved this book. it was sad but still amazingly good. You learn a lot from this book. I recomend this book to everyone. "
— PompLaxgirl, 8/5/2011" this book was soooooooooo much better than I expected "
— Sydney, 5/28/2011" Ellie's mom Doris has always been a little on the dramatic side, but the day she disappears to New York, Ellie's life is wrecked. Ellie has to learn to deal with bullies and the pain caused by her mother's leaving. "
— Karolinde, 5/16/2011" Wow. Very sad, but definitely an amazing book!!!!!!!!! I loved it. I think it is my new favorite book. "
— Meredith, 4/5/2011" This book was pretty good after all! I really enjoyed it. It would be well worth your time to read. :) "
— Amber, 3/9/2011" A very powerful read. Kind of reminded me of The Glass Castle....a children's version though. Doris was not as awful a mother as the one in The Glass Castle but she had her moments of sheer selfishness and neglectfulness. It inspired a great conversation amongst our mother/daughter book club. "
— Julia, 1/27/2011" i liked this book it was very sad "
— Sara, 12/5/2010" I think this book is alright. I really hardly got into it so i don't have nothing to say about it "
— Maria's, 11/10/2010" it was ok but I hate the ending. Her mother left her which isn't really a happy ending. But the story is nice. "
— Mia, 10/22/2010" Second book I've read this school year, at first I thought this story was kinda boring, but I'm wrong. Previously I'm not fond of reading books, but now I like to read books that catch my attention by the front cover. "
— Denise, 10/20/2010" So far I havent really got into the book yet, but alot of people said that I should read it. Ellie the main character calls her mom by her first name which i think is kinda wierd! <br/>I should be getting into the middle by tonight and I'll see what happens next! "
— Alexandra, 10/14/2010" This was such a good book! It's about an 11-year old girl in 1963. I highly recommend it!!!!!!!! "
— Rachel, 8/10/2010Ann M. Martin is the bestselling author of the series the Baby-sitters Club, as well as the Main Street series and others. Her other acclaimed novels include A Corner of the Universe, a Newbery Honor Book.
Judy Kaye is a singer and actress best known for her long runs in Broadway musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Ragtime, and Mamma Mia! In 2012, she earned a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway musical Nice Work If You Can Get it. She has also appeared in numerous plays and operas and has won three AudioFile Earphones Awards.