Just Another Girl: A Novel

By Melody Carlson

Book Overview

Aster Flynn is stuck. She has to spend all of her "free" time with her younger sister, Lily, who, though fifteen, is mentally handicapped. At age seventeen, Aster should be hanging out with friends, dating boys, and working at a fun job. But her dad's MIA, her mom is always at work, and her older sister Rose is too self-centered to give her any help. It's not that Aster doesn't love Lily--it's just that for once she'd like to be able to be a normal teenager. So when a cute popular guy seems to take an interest in her, Aster hatches a plan. Somehow she has to get her workaholic mom and deadbeat dad to be the parents Lily needs so that Aster can have a life of her own. But can she ever get her parents to start acting like adults? Is this new guy worth the trouble? And, most importantly, will Lily get hurt in the process? With its real-life characters and struggles, "Just Another Girl" will immediately draw teen girls in. Author Melody Carlson knows how to write to girls just where they are.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080073257X
• ISBN13: 9780800732578
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Revell
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.6" x 5.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 9

Customer Reviews

Great story and very accurately portrayed.

I absolutely loved this story! It's going down in history as my favorite Melody Carlson book ever. I'll tell you why. Because it is so realistic and believable. I have worked for the past eight years with people who have developmental disabilities and I have clients of various ages and levels of disability. I have never read a book before that so accurately demonstrated the challenges faced by family members who are dealing with a teenager who is mentally much younger than her actual age. The author blew me away with the accuracy because the details that are so true-to-life. She described a number of female clients that I work with. I was very impressed with how the author didn't try to be politically correct, but showed exactly how real people feel at times when dealing with such challenging behavior and the often overwhelming responsibility for another person. The author also showed the family's dysfunction well. The spiritual thread in the story was tight and fit the setting, but did not overwhelm the plot. I can't say enough good things about this story. Wait, I think I already said this. Well, it's so true I'm saying it again. I have read books before that slip in characters with disabilities but they are often so stereotyped that it annoys me. That is not the case with this novel. I'd recommend this book to not only teens but also adults and family members who simply need encouragement. There are no easy solutions here, but there are themes that will edify readers and help them to see that they aren't alone in their struggles. I also loved how the author showed that there is often help for families that they may not be aware of. These services will help people better take care of their family member. Maybe one of the reasons I also adored this story was because like Aster, I was that teenager, only I was responsible for taking care of my mother who had MS and was bedridden. Like Aster, I felt like I had no life for a number of years. It's tough being responsible for so much at such a young age. It matures you quickly when you aren't able to be a typical teen. Anyway, this book is making my favorites of 2009 list. I'm so glad I had a chance to review it!

An honest look at a girl with too much responsibility

Aster Flynn's life is not her own. She is responsible for caring for her fifteen-year-old handicapped sister, Lily. From morning till night, Lily and Aster are together, and Aster is getting burned out. When a cute boy asks Aster out, she does all she can to make the date happen. But without Aster to take care of Lily, Aster's mom freaks. Will Aster ever get a life of her own? This book really took an honest look at how kids can get stuck with more responsibility than they should have. Teenage Aster shouldn't have to take care of her sister in such a way, but because her parents are divorced, and because her mother sees an easy way out, Aster gets taken advantage of. Aster is creative and smart about how she fights for independence and to get her parents to do their share. She loves her sister Lily so much, but I thought it was really neat how Aster realized she was even enabling Lily to remain dependent on her help. Melody Carson has a knack for creating real life between the pages of a book. Just Another Girl is a gripping story of a young woman's search for a way to be herself. I highly recommend it.

Good Teen Read

Here is a book that will appeal to most teens. I started it this morning and unable to put it down, read throughout the day all the way to the satisfying end. Although my eyes are tired, I am content that my time was well spent. The plot is interesting, the characters believable, and the ending is unpredictable. Written in first person narrative, Aster, a seventeen-year-old modern-day Cinderella, has way more on her plate than most adults, yet she somehow manages--everything but her life. It's interesting to see how Aster handles the care of Lily, her mentally disabled fifteen-year-old sister. The character of Lily is so well-written that I found myself "seeing" her as she shouted, "No. No. No." Aster attends a youth group at church, mainly to gain an hour of relief from the burden of Lily. Into the picture enters a good-looking guy who seems interested in her, and Aster reacts as any teen would. The birthday party tension is palpable; Aster chooses not to drink and makes a painful decision. If you are a teenager or know a teenager, this is one I heartily recommend.

Not Just Another Girl

I really liked this book. It was a quick read and I kinda wished it were a little longer. I am hoping for a book two but what's there is great! At the beginning of the book Aster is give out. She is the full caregiver while going to school for her mentally retarted sister Lily who is a teenager and outweighs her. Aster has not really had a normal life. She needs a break. The author does a good job on making the characters come alive. I read this in one sitting. It captivated me from beginning to end. I highly recommend it for teens and adults. :)

Another Great Carlson Book

"Just Another Girl" had a great storyline and was a quick, easy read. It is another great book by Melody Carlson. I've been reading her since I was a teenager (I'm 23 now) and I still enjoy all her books...including the ones for teens. She always touches on real issues and is able to share her faith while refraining from using "Christianease" that non-religious people won't understand. Her books, including this one, are a great way to share Jesus with teenage girls in a non-threatening way. www.bookbargainsandpreviews.com