Tag Archives: Beth Goobie

Jan17

Something Girl by Beth Goobie

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Something Girl by Beth Goobie

Goobie, Beth. Something Girl (Orca Soundings). Orca, 2005. ISBN 978-1551433479 $7.95

****

For fans of Dave Pelzer’s A Child Called It (HCI, 1995) comes this heartbreaking and haunting story about a girl whose spirit and self esteem are broken by a Jekyll/Hyde father. Convinced there is something wrong with her, 15-year-old Sophie accepts his frequent and brutal beatings as her due, thinking that her unpredictable father loves her enough to discipline her so she can learn. Her alcoholic, co-dependent mother does nothing to intercede, and a teacher makes an attempt that is brushed aside. Luckily, a friend and neighbor come to the rescue when the dad finally puts her into a hospital after a severe beating: because the telephone rang while he was with a real estate client. Oh, and eating a hamburger. Seeing his daughter EAT set him off. The Canadian equivalent of DDS intervenes to save the girl, who finally recognizes she IS worth saving and IS worth something. In traditional YA novel form, the book ends with the character’s new beginning.

Goobie excels at tightly written novels that subtly reveal plot and character through perfectly chosen, perfectly placed detail. To accomplish this in such a limited space — only 105 pages — and at such accessible reading level — 2.8 — is astounding.

Children need to see titles such as these in library collections, because some of them may be living an existence close to this work of fiction. The only way the book could have been improved would be to include a few resources in a brief appendix: perhaps that will come in the Soundings teacher’s guide that I am sure is forthcoming. Highly recommended.

review by Beth Gallaway

Jan24

Who Owns Kelly Paddik? by Beth Goobie

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Who Owns Kelly Paddik? by Beth Goobie

Goobie, Beth. Who Owns Kelly Paddik? Orca, 2003. ISBN 978-1551432397 128 pp. $9.99

*****

Kelly, newly arrived at Marymound School for Girls, wants nothing except to run away, from this place with the high fences and wire enforced glass windows, from her past, from her life. When she accidentally gets hold of Sister Mary’s master keys, will she stay in one of the first safe places she has known, or flee?

Part of Orca’s hi-lo Soundings series, Who Owns Kelly Paddick? is a contemporary problem novel about a girl abused by her father who thinks only suicide will help her escape her anger. Details about behavior of teen girls in abusive situations seem well-researched and authentic, even if the plot is quickly resolved as Kelly learns she is not alone.

Goobie is successful at presenting an engaging story in a limited amount of space, using a simple vocabulary that doesn’t talk down to reluctant or struggling readers. On the contrary, lines like “Her eyes were that pale kind of blue that looks like the sky died in them,” and “yellow leaves blew down the streets like sadness, like freedom,” elevate this book from passable to excellent.

Although this book is not as well suited to class discussion as other titles in the series, it is highly recommended for all secondary school and public library collections.

Aug3

Kicked Out by Beth Goobie

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Kicked Out by Beth Goobie

Kicked Out. Goobie, Beth. Orca, 2002. ISBN‎ 978-1551432441 92 pp. $

*****

After Dime’s older brother is relegated to a wheelchair as a paraplegic after a car accident, Darren’s situation seems to hit his sister harder than in hits him. Dime, a motorcycle enthusiast with a dyed pink Mohawk, acts out in a attempt to live loud and fast instead of trying to live up to her good brother’s reputation. When things get too tense at home, their parents allow Dime to accept Darren’s invitation to move in with him for a while, but will distance alone solve their problems?

Like other books in the Orca Soundings series, the slim volume tackles an issue that might be appropriate for a rousing class discussion: in this case, differently abled / family relationships. This is a high-low book that has a vibrantly colorful main character, and every teens dream: getting some freedom from Mom and Dad in a safe environment. Simple yet varied vocabulary and language realistic enough to keep the attention of teens while remaining clean enough for classroom use are highlights of all the books in the series. Canadian author Goobie has a particular flair for creating dramatic yet believable situations, and is a rising star on the forefront of YA literature.

School and public librarians will be overjoyed to discover this high quality new series for reluctant and struggling readers. Highly recommended for middle school and up.

Aug3

The Lottery by Beth Goobie

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The Lottery by Beth Goobie

Goobie, Beth. The Lottery. Gardners Books, 2005. ISBN  978-0571228638 224 pp. $

*****

Beth Goobie must have been an outsider as a teen, because she writes with brutal honesty in many of her books about what it is to be alienated. The Lottery is no exception.

Modeled on Shirley Jackson’s classic story, a contemporary high school clique posing as an activity club selects one student to be the shunned prankster and scapegoat for one year. When Sally Hanson is the victim/winner, she succumbs at first to the tradition, but as the expectations of the Shadow Club deepen and the head of group takes an unusual interest in her, she struggles with her decision to go along with all they ask.

Acclaimed Canadian novelist Beth Goobie’s newest book for young adults is a sometimes-frightening tale of a quasi-secret society of teens whose sole purpose is to control the daily lives of fellow students at Saskatoon Collegiate School. The ‘Shadow Club’ has been around for years there, and is both feared and accepted by the students, yet it is unknown to teachers and administrators–they think the group’s purpose is aiding, promoting, and staging school events.

The novel’s main character, 15 year-old Sally `Sal’ Hanson, must not only navigate the normal adolescent trials of school, classmates, and family–she now must also deal with being chosen by lottery as the Shadow Club’s ‘victim’ for the year. The victim is the one student that the Club relies on as its gofer and slave, and by tradition is thereby totally shunned by all students for the entire year.

Sal knows that what she’s doing is often hurtful to many of her classmates, but she feels powerless under the Shadow Club’s domination of student affairs, and she is also becoming enamored of the Club president–the handsome and well-liked Willis Cass.

Sal struggles to play the game without losing friendships or making enemies, as the club ultimately requires her to set in motion more and more terrible events at the school. The reader is caught up in many tense moments as Sal deals with her predicament and looks for a way out.

Subplots such as a dead father and a handicapped friend/possible romantic interest complicate the basic plot and weaken the drama of Sal vs. Shadow Club, but Goobie presents a believable character and plausible plot, and everything comes together neatly in the end.

Recommended for most school and public libraries, may have possibilities for use in literature classes.

Aug3

Sticks and Stones by Beth Goobie

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Sticks and Stones by Beth Goobie

Goobie, Beth. Sticks and Stones. Orca, 2002. ISBN 978-1551432137 112 pp. $9.95

*****

Jujube becomes the target of a vicious gossip and bathroom wall graffiti when her dance date doesn’t deny the rumor that she slept with him on the their first date. Refusing to become a victim, she uses her class assignment on Ways We Communicate to fight an administration that refuses to take the matter seriously.

Sticks and Stones is part of Orca’s Soundings series. Written by award winning Canadian authors, the short thematic novels are designed for classroom use with special appeal for the reluctant reader. Large print type and simply constructed sentences combine with a flashy neon title and striking color photograph to hook. Characterization is a bit flat, perhaps because of the brevity of the novels, but the plot is strong (if not complex) in both novels. Sticks and Stones has a sympathetic character and universal theme. Based on real life events, are ideal for discussion and could even create a neat segue into current events. Highly recommended.