Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award nominee Adele Griffin is a master at capturing the difficult issues so many teens face. Where I Want to Be tells the poignant story of 18-year-old Jane and her 16-year-old sister Lily. When Lily finds her first love and grows more distant, Jane-already struggling with mental illness-feels a sharp sense of sibling rivalry. But when Jane is hit by a car and killed, Lily must learn to move on.
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"This book would have gotten 5 stars if it wasn't so depressing! And Adele Griffin really like to write about people with mind problems, which just adds to the sad atmosphere. But it was a pretty good book and had a semi-happy ending. "
— Catherine (4 out of 5 stars)
" This was well written as well as creative. A very quick read, but there is a lot to think about. "
— Erica, 2/20/2014" I am doing the five-star dance for this amazing cover, for the new paperback of my book, out in Fall 2011. that's all ... "
— Adele, 2/20/2014" Where I Want To Be is a very good book. It has a lot of drama in it so if your in to drama this is the book for you. I think this book had a lot of different perspectives on different situation. Which makes it more interesting and easier to get a better understanding of every characters view. So to the situation's that are happening in the book you just don't get to see one character view you see all and it opens your eyes up to a better view of all things in life too not just in a book. And I really like that about this book and I honestly didn't think this was going to be a good book but it was great book. When I picked this book I really didn't really care about it at all. But when I could connect with the book. That's really when I got into it and just the way it goes back and forth between future and past is remarkable that really caught my attention. But when I first started reading the book it wasn't that good it was boring but that's how a lot of book are they are always boring in the beginning and get good in the middle and end. But over all this book is good. But there a lot of things that the book leaves unanswered. Such as Jane special need condition. Plus its Jane and Lily relationship the book is mainly about and how they grow apart but I think it mainly because of Jane condition that really affects everything because Jane wants to stay in her own little world. While Lily grows up and lives her life. And also goes to do teenage stuff such as go to the mall, hangs out with friends and get a boyfriend. I think that's okay for Lilly to do what she wants to instead of be bored and do stuff that she doesn't wanna do. Because what teenager wants to do things they don't want to do ? I know I don't like to unless I'm forced by my parents.And I'm not blaming Jane for her condition because she doesn't even want it. But in my opinion if she didn't have that condition it would be easier for Lily to hang out with Jane because she would want to do stuff that Lily does and be more involved with her sister life. They would be closer and it would be way easier for both of the girls and Jane would be able to have the life that she deserves. Also even with Jane condition she still was a big sister because she always help Lily get over her storm fears. When it would storm Lily would come running in to Jane room. Be scared and Jane wold sit there with Lily and talk her threw it and get her over the storms. But even with the condition Jane still did her job as a big sister. "
— Lea, 1/30/2014" Lily and Jane are typical sisters until Jane's true mental illness emerges and Lily becomes the popular younger sister, which Jane envies. But, when Jane's grandparents die and she discontinues her meds, a suicide-like event leaves Lily to cope with guilty pangs. "
— Alicia, 1/26/2014" Love love love this book. Mesmerizing story--complicated and beautifully written--about two sisters and the summer after one's death. "
— Jody, 1/15/2014" By the discussion questions at the end, I gather that this is a book aimed primarily at teens and preteens. It was a short, quick read and well-written to boot. The author is particularly good at subtly fleshing out a setting so that you can "see" it. While I enjoyed it, I doubt that I will read it again so that is why the three stars instead of four. "
— Jensownzoo, 1/6/2014" Well-written, interesting take on mental illness, death, and sibling relationship. With those themes, very Young Adult. I'm in like, not in love, though. Not a book I'll be necessarily pushing. "
— Martha, 12/18/2013" boring. even for YA. "
— Hillary, 12/9/2013" Good read about two very different sisters dwelling on opposite sides of life and death who bravely try to overcome the void and bring light to each other. "
— Amber, 11/3/2013" I literally read this book in an hour and a half. It has an interesting plot and is well written. I really enjoyed this quick read! It was dark but very engrossing. "
— Kate, 11/2/2013" i found myself connecting with the characters in this book so much it was scary. "
— Amanda, 9/26/2013" I was pretty "meh" until the end, but the end was good, so I turned out liking the book. It was an interesting story, and I felt bad for both sisters. "
— Jennie, 9/23/2013" this book was probably ONE of the best books i've ever read(besides the gallagher girls and Twilight series) it was a tale about two sisters living in their own worlds until they collide(the worlds) "
— Kynedi, 8/11/2013" The mind is an extremely powerful thing. It can lead to someones' total happiness, or to their demise... *sigh* just read this book. "
— Olivia, 7/3/2013" Story of two sisters on opposite sides of life...one has a disability the other has it all. Very realistic. "
— Trisha, 11/30/2012" this is one of my favourite books in the world i loved it so much im on the verge of tears every time i remmber it it was a super loving lovely book i hope to read it againe some day and i recomend it to evryone. "
— Shayma, 8/9/2012" I didn't get to know the characters very well. "
— KayLee, 1/28/2012" The major and tragic events in the book happen so fast, but the reader is not sure how or why these events take place. Through reading the story the reader can place the pieces in order. The story is well written, but it is a sad tale. "
— Beth, 12/29/2011" i really enjoyed reading this its so real and not like any oither book ive ever read "
— Jade, 8/25/2011" I am doing the five-star dance for this amazing cover, for the new paperback of my book, out in Fall 2011. that's all ... "
— Adele, 1/30/2011" this book was probably ONE of the best books i've ever read(besides the gallagher girls and Twilight series) it was a tale about two sisters living in their own worlds until they collide(the worlds) "
— Kynedi, 1/27/2011" this is one of my favourite books in the world i loved it so much im on the verge of tears every time i remmber it it was a super loving lovely book i hope to read it againe some day and i recomend it to evryone. "
— Shayma, 12/16/2010" I was pretty "meh" until the end, but the end was good, so I turned out liking the book. It was an interesting story, and I felt bad for both sisters. "
— Jennie, 10/2/2010" Lily and Jane are typical sisters until Jane's true mental illness emerges and Lily becomes the popular younger sister, which Jane envies. But, when Jane's grandparents die and she discontinues her meds, a suicide-like event leaves Lily to cope with guilty pangs. "
— Alicia, 6/10/2010" i really enjoyed reading this its so real and not like any oither book ive ever read "
— Jade, 11/12/2009" I was extremely bored, and this book made it no better. Not a complete waste of time, but nothing much happened in it. "
— Marley, 10/11/2009" Interesting read dealing with two sisters, the mental illness and eventual death of one of the sisters, and how the other sister copes with the loss. Not sure it'd be an enjoyable read for a 7th grader, but I think it'd be a good read for the right 8th grader. "
— Danielle, 7/9/2009Adele Griffin is a two-time National Book Award finalist and the highly acclaimed author of numerous books for young adult and middle-grade readers. Her works include Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be, as well as the popular Witch Twins and Vampire Island series. She lives with her husband, their two children, and their dog in Brooklyn.
Ruth Ann Phimister has appeared off Broadway and in numerous regional productions, including Life with Father with Robert Reed. She has also worked in television, film, and commercial voice-over.
Jennifer Ikeda has been narrating audiobooks since 2002. Among her readings are When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park; Just Listen by Sarah Dessen; and After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates. She has won six AudioFile Earphones Awards.