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Massachusetts, California, Timbuktu Audiobook
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(3.15) - 62 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Dragged from California to Utah to Massachusetts in the wake of their mother Colleen's chaotic existence, Justine and Rona watch as visions of the family's great new life quickly fade. Colleen just can't get it together and Justine, reluctantly progressing toward the alien territory of adolescence, is increasingly called upon to act as a caretaker for her younger sister. Assigned in class to keep a pioneer diary from a child's point of view, Justine invents an alternate world—not an easier place, but one where she's in charge and where, if she tries hard enough, she will be able to convey herself and her sister over the treacherous terrain of their childhood. A smart and poignant novel full of courage and heart.
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"chick lit- 12 yr old girl has to be the 'mom' in the family since her mom appears to be a 'lost soul' as they travel around the country looking for a boyfriend for her mother. they land at her aunts house where she tries to have a 'normal'life but her mom then moves them around some more. "
— Mich (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Rosenfeld’s evocation of Justine is rich and real. She is witty and wise, and faces difficult questions without losing her childlike qualities.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“Justine’s first-person narration is wry and engaging and Rosenfeld’s decision to intercut the story with ongoing excerpts from Justine’s pioneer diary—a school assignment that turns into a coded life story—is a clever device. Insightful and bitterly funny, this is a winning effort.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“There may not be words to describe how good this audio is…A wonderful listening experience right to the end.”
— AudioFile -
“Stephanie Rosenfeld has taken the comedic, bittersweet sentiment of her short stories and channeled their spirit into her first novel.”
— Booklist -
“This is a compelling, sympathetic tale of an adolescent taking charge while she waits for her feckless mother to grow up.”
— School Library Journal
Massachusetts, California, Timbuktu Listener Reviews
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" I loved this book. The characters brought out deep emotions. It was easy to feel what the girls were going through. "
— Linsey, 10/8/2011 -
" This book is about an eleven year old girl forced to become the adult in the family. She struggles managing her little sister and her very depressed mom. The story is heartwrenching from the start to the end. "
— Angie, 1/24/2011 -
" I thought this was a great book. The plight of Rona and Justine was depressing and I couldn't stop reading to find out what happened to them! I was highly surprised that I liked this book so much since I hadn't heard of it before and picked it up on a whim from Strand. "
— Karen, 7/29/2010 -
" chick lit- 12 yr old girl has to be the 'mom' in the family since her mom appears to be a 'lost soul' as they travel around the country looking for a boyfriend for her mother. they land at her aunts house where she tries to have a 'normal'life but her mom then moves them around some more. "
— Mich, 12/20/2008 -
" I love mother-daughter stories and this one doesn't disappoint. Rosenfeld takes an unflinching look at the affect mental illness has on a single-parent family and really mines your emotions. I could've done without the extracts from the pioneer diary is my only complaint. "
— Camille, 7/15/2008 -
" I love mother-daughter stories and this one doesn't disappoint. Rosenfeld takes an unflinching look at the affect mental illness has on a single-parent family and really mines your emotions. I could've done without the extracts from the pioneer diary is my only complaint. "
— Camille, 6/12/2008 -
" I loved this book. The characters brought out deep emotions. It was easy to feel what the girls were going through. "
— Linsey, 1/22/2008 -
" This book is about an eleven year old girl forced to become the adult in the family. She struggles managing her little sister and her very depressed mom. The story is heartwrenching from the start to the end. "
— Angievasey, 11/16/2007 -
" I thought this was a great book. The plight of Rona and Justine was depressing and I couldn't stop reading to find out what happened to them! I was highly surprised that I liked this book so much since I hadn't heard of it before and picked it up on a whim from Strand. "
— Karen, 6/11/2007 -
" This was such a great book! A troubling story about what happens when a parent becomes more like a child and the kids get to be the grown-ups. A great book for finding perspective in your own life. "
— Sarah, 6/4/2007
About Stephanie Rosenfeld
Stephanie Rosenfeld is the author of the novels Girls With a Z; California, Massachusetts, Timbuktu; and What About the Love Part? Rosenfeld’s writing has been published in The Missouri Review, Northwest Review, The Massachusetts Review, The Bellingham Review, Willow Review, Other Voices, and The Cream City Review. Rosenfeld is originally from Manhattan and Salt Lake City and has also lived in Western Massachusetts and San Francisco. Stephanie is a graduate of Wesleyan University where she received a B. A., and the University of Massachusetts where she received an MFA in visual art. Stephanie has worked as a printmaker, pastry chef, and grant-writer, and now lives in Salt Lake City.
About Jen Taylor
Jen Taylor is a voice actress best known for her role as Cortana in various Halo games and as Zoey in Left 4 Dead. In addition to her voice-over work, Taylor is also an accomplished stage actress and has appeared in a number of films and television series.