When I Was Older by Garret Freymann-Weyr

Assignment: #3 of ten narratives
Author: Garrett Freymann-Weyr
Publisher:Boston:Houghton Mifflin, 2000. 167 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Realistic Novel
Recommended Grade Levels: 7-10th grade
Recommending Source: Bulletin Blue Ribbons 2000
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Sophie Merdinger is trying to deal with many problems in her life;two years ago her eight year-old brother, Erhart, died of leukemia, during his suffering her father was having an affair and was thrown out of the house by her mother and now she is dealing with her mother beginning to date. She doesn't think that any girl her age has this many problems. Her older sister cannot figure out why she has not moved. Her mom begins to date a man named Nick who has seventeen year old son, Francis. Francis and Sophie begin to find that they have many things in common. Sophie slowly begins to let down her emotional wall and her and Francis begin to deal with the tragedy of Ekharts death and also the death of Francis mother together. This common thread brings them closer together and Sophie soon finds out that she can live without the daily reminders of her past.
Comments: I enjoyed reading this book. The author really brings the reader into the life of Sophie. He references tiny things in everyday life that can mean nothing to some or alot to others (ex. ceiling hook or birds in central park). Throughout the book Sophie is dealing with a writing assignment about something that she dislikes, time. The way that the author weaves the time element into a story about death is intriguing. Time is truly the saving grace when you lose someone. Fremann-Weyr also has a wonderful way of developing Sophie's character in a short time (only 167 pgs.). This book is a short and simple read that keeps the reader intrigued.
Booktalking Ideas: The elements of Death and Time and how they relate to each other.
Voya: 4Q 4P