Things Left Unsaid: A Novel in Poems

by Stephanie Hemphill

Book Overview

In stunning verse, Stephanie Hemphill slowly reveals the complexities of friendship--the power it has to define, destroy, and eventually heal again. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786837454
• ISBN13: 9780786837458
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Hyperion Books
• Length: 261 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 11 to 15 years
• Grade Range: Grades 6 to 10

Customer Reviews

Finding Your Voice

Told in first-person poetry, Things Left Unsaid chronicles a school year in the life of Sarah, who is suddenly feeling itchy in her own skin. She finds herself being critical with her own friends and family members, and although they are there for her, she needs something else. Just what that something is, she doesn't know, not yet. The book jacket makes the story sound as though it is the typical "bad friend" tale - a good girl falls under the influence of her new friend - but it is more than that. It is Sarah's search for herself, not just for a new friend or for attention. After befriending the bold and seemingly unafraid Robin, Sarah retains her old friends. She tries to figure out what is important to her, not to others, and she never does things simply to fit in. She learns from her own missteps as well as those of others and emerges a little older, a little wiser, a little sadder, a little happier. Kudos are due to the writer and the character she created. Sarah's voice sounds authentic, and that made the story all the more enjoyable. Though I prefer prose when forced to choose, I love poetry and I enjoy poetry novels, and even I forgot that I was reading poetry - that's how real her voice is, how engrossed I became in the story. This story impressed me. You should read it, especially if you like Sonya Sones or Alison McGhee.

Good book that could have been better

I read the book called Things Left Unsaid. It was about this girl named Sarah. Sarah was the girl that did all the right things. And one day she met a girl named Robin. Robin made Sarah become a bad girl. If you read my paper you will know Robin turned Sarah into a bad girl. Sarah used to be a good girl, the one who always had her hand raised in class, always obeyed her parents. Once Robin came into the picture, Sarah's life changed. The way she use to dress, she does not dress like that any more, and her good grades become something, and to be seriously avoided.

I get shivers!

When I read this book, I was 15 and going through a very angst-y stage, very angry at everyone. I picked up this book at the library, and it intruiged me. I was interested in teh poems, a great way to make a novel. I love the form it is written in. For those of us with short attention spans, it catches our attention and is short enough to keep it. The poems gave me chills. I felt like I was looking into myself. Everyone has a missunderstood side to them, and this book helps you express it and just let some anger out! I loved how she worked "The Miracle Worker" into it. Very well written. I reccomend this book not only to angst-y teens, but anyone who is a little missunderstood.

A Sensitive Protrayal

The teen years are fraught with pitfalls and difficulties as teens explore new roles and relationships in their search for their own identities and direction. Sarah is one of these. She sheds her "good girl" image in order to befriend Robin who appears to lead a much more exciting life. In doing so, Sarah makes important discoveries about herself. This process of discovery is movingly and convincingly depicted in Stephanie Hempill's book. She has a real understanding of adolescent issues and gives a sensitive, accurate portrayal of female friendships. The verse form only adds to the emotional intensity and impact of the story. Teen girls, and others too, will be touched by this eminently readable book. I would recommend it not just for teen girls but for their teachers and parents as well.

Gorgeous, resonant writing...

This is a remarkably sensitive, engaging, and ultimately deeply moving book. It explores female friendship, a topic which often doesn't get explored with much depth or complexity, and it does so in an honest and often surprising way. The voice, and the images, haunted me for days after I read it. I definately recommend it to teenagers, or to anyone who remembers being one.