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mandi9455's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book several times. Once in third grade, once in junior high, and most recently high school. So, while I can't necessarily give a lengthy review, I can express that I have read this book at least three times and always enjoyed it.
Also, it had a much more 80's-tastic cover when I read it.
Also, it had a much more 80's-tastic cover when I read it.
allyshay's review against another edition
4.0
So my trip down nostalgia lane really was just going to be Christmas books. Then some of them ended up with childhood books and I found this. I first met Izzy in 4th grade and the concept of being in an accident and losing a limb was so foreign to me that I remember constantly asking my mom questions and worrying that Izzy wouldn’t survive and could die because people can’t possibly live without limbs (I was reading books waaay above my age limit, clearly, so there were going to be moments I just couldn’t comprehend.) However, Izzy’s ability to overcome (even if reluctantly at first)the struggles of turning your life around and back to a new normal after the devastation of a horrific car accident, dealing with the trauma that is high school and how your friends can turn on you and how easily rumors become “truth” even among people who are supposed to know you best; to the changing family dynamic. I am SO glad I read it at such a young age and every year since for a good 6-ish years. It prepared me to deal with quite a bit in my life as it changed but to also instill in me Izzy’s unwavering determination to not quit and to keep moving forward when your friends abandon you. It taught me to be kind to people who are different or who are going through their own life changing moments. There are many life lessons in this book that are subtly disguised as part of the story that I didn’t realize how this book changed my young life until I was able to look back at it with a more mature and sympathetic brain. Still love this book, even at 40-years-old.
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
4.0
It is many years since I've read anything by Voigt, and while I recognise the name of the award winning book mentioned on the cover as one that I've read, I've no memory at all. This one is about 15 year old Izzy, who is allowed to go to a party with older kids from school, and who stuffs up the judgement call as to whether or not to let her date (who has been drinking, but she doesn't know how much) drive her home. One car accident later, and Izzy's whole life changes. The story doesn't glamorise any of what has happened, but neither does it apportion blame - it is not her fault that she gets hurt, it is not her parents fault for letting her go out. There are some pointed things implied in the story about the boy who stuffed up (he never calls to see how she is, he pressures one of her friends to pressure her to never mention what happened), but there is no 'just desserts' no 'revenge', and surprisingly in an American book, no-one is sued. As Izzy's mother says 'if it could get her leg back, I would'. And I was fascinated by the way that everyone around her completely misses the depression that she is feeling - I'd really like to remember this as a story to recommend people read if they ever say 'but we/they should have noticed that they was depressed'. Again, not one I'm going to seek out, but if I find it second-hand I'll definitely pick it up. And I'd recommend it to teenagers, simply because I know that I really liked Voigt's stuff when I was one, and this is at least as good as I was expecting
emmaearlene's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! It was written so beautifully and realistically. Isobel is an extremely likable and relatable character. I asked myself repeatedly how I would have handled her situation if I had been in Izzy's place. The story teaches some valuable lessons and, though it is a little outdated, I think those messages are still applicable and important today. I would highly recommend this book! My only complaint is that I wish there was more! It ended too quickly for me.
amylandranch's review against another edition
2.0
This book was on my district's curriculum list so I read it. I also had fond memories of Voigt's books from high school. Izzy is in a car crash and gets her leg amputated. With this tragedy she has to cope with her loss as well as the loss of her dreams and friends. It was good, as far as plot goes, but the stilted class issues seemed a little out of date for kids today. I did enjoy seeing Izzy grow and learn how to deal, but I wasn't absorbed by it.
bookworm33's review against another edition
4.0
Cynthia Voigt is an amazing writer! She writes teens so well. This novel was written in 1986, but it is just as relevant today as it was 33 years ago.
sarahjsnider's review against another edition
4.0
After reading Homecoming, another book by Cynthia Voigt, I thought I'd check out this book I read as a young teen. I was probably in 7th or 8th grade, and I remember thinking Izzy was pretty sophisticated with her dates and cheerleading and flip haircut. Now I can see that she's just a 15-year-old girl. It felt more real to me as a result.
Some of the messages are kind of heavy-handed, as you might expect from a YA novel, but the characters rang true. It's not an afterschool special--she doesn't discover deep reservoirs of talent or found a disability dance troupe*, but there's growth and conflict. It's a little dated, but I think a modern kid could enjoy it.
*Yo, another Goodreads user downgraded this book because Izzy doesn't join a disability dance troupe. The girl is 15 and in high school, and the book ends 4 months after the accident. Settle down.
Some of the messages are kind of heavy-handed, as you might expect from a YA novel, but the characters rang true. It's not an afterschool special--she doesn't discover deep reservoirs of talent or found a disability dance troupe*, but there's growth and conflict. It's a little dated, but I think a modern kid could enjoy it.
*Yo, another Goodreads user downgraded this book because Izzy doesn't join a disability dance troupe. The girl is 15 and in high school, and the book ends 4 months after the accident. Settle down.
peggy56dj's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this book as an adult and immediately loved it. It was fascinating to watch how the accident forced Izzy to confront the ways that the life she was living was fairly shallow and in many ways, based on appearances. As she reaches inside herself to cope with her changed situaiton, she finds depths of character of which she was unaware.
saturndoo's review against another edition
1.0
Why did I pick this book back up??? :( This is my second attempt to read it. The first attempt was for a college class and the book bored me so bad I ended up choosing a different book. I hated to see my money go to waste so this time I suffered through and finished it. Waste of time and money. DRATS
Needless to say I was very disappointed. As a teenager I really enjoyed this author. I debated on whether to give it 1 or 2 stars and settled with 1.5 I didn't hate it but I can't really say that I liked it either.
I didn't like Izzy as she seemed to spend most of her time throwing a pity party and feeling sorry for herself. She was very whiny but what can you expect when the mom and the sister are too! I felt no connection,sympathy or empathy for this pathetic character. My biggest disappointment was at the end when Izzy was supposed to change and see people in a different light. She didn't. IMO it would have been nice to see her befriend others that she hadn't noticed before because of her social status.Instead her change was being concerned about her new friend's make-over. SERIOUSLY?
Overall, the book was very slow and boring. I don't really see where in today's society this would appeal to very many teens. I don't blame them as there are much better books out there. I do like Voigt's books, sadly this one just didn't appeal to me. Not recommended.
Needless to say I was very disappointed. As a teenager I really enjoyed this author. I debated on whether to give it 1 or 2 stars and settled with 1.5 I didn't hate it but I can't really say that I liked it either.
I didn't like Izzy as she seemed to spend most of her time throwing a pity party and feeling sorry for herself. She was very whiny but what can you expect when the mom and the sister are too! I felt no connection,sympathy or empathy for this pathetic character. My biggest disappointment was at the end when Izzy was supposed to change and see people in a different light. She didn't. IMO it would have been nice to see her befriend others that she hadn't noticed before because of her social status.Instead her change was being concerned about her new friend's make-over. SERIOUSLY?
Overall, the book was very slow and boring. I don't really see where in today's society this would appeal to very many teens. I don't blame them as there are much better books out there. I do like Voigt's books, sadly this one just didn't appeal to me. Not recommended.