Helpful Score: 4
This was an AMAZING memoir, so incredible in fact that it is one of a few books on my keeper shelf. Its an amazing story of overcoming street life and addiction.
Helpful Score: 3
This was pretty good. A little disturbing, of course - makes me be very afraid for those kids who do run away from home. I wish the book had had a better editor, a few things seemed to lose their thought or cohesiveness. I hope there is a follow up book, a definite "will read" if so. I will admit, that while I started out feeling sorry for Janice, somewhere in the middle I didn't anymore, I'm sure her life is much different now, but let's face it - at 17/18 we all know everything and she was no different. I wanted to reach through the pages and smack the heck out of her. *laugh* I wonder if she wants to smack herself at 18? Gah, I know I want to rewind and smack myself around too ;)
Helpful Score: 2
I love the way Erlbaum writes, totally engrossing, and propelled me back to those teenage years where everything seemed so dramatic. The story is in sync with those kinds of circles: drugs, casual sex, etc. While cover reviews cite the spirit of Basketball Diaries and Girl, Interrupted, I definitely got a KIDS vibe. It's really more a combination of all that and then some.
One of my favorites this year!
One of my favorites this year!
Helpful Score: 2
Very well written book. Quick read. I liked the story of this young woman in the 1980's who left home to live in shelters to escape a sad home situation. The writer is not exactly a role model for young women,but her story is very compelling.
Helpful Score: 2
WOW- I loved it- read it in one sitting- The author has overcome sooo much
Helpful Score: 1
Although this book had some good parts, it wasn't one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Not to say that Janice's story was at all easy, but there was a small period of homelessness. She liived in a shelter with the typical issues you'd expect in a shelter, but besides that, I didn't feel like it was as deep and tragic as it sounded. Which is a good thing for the author, but I usually read memoirs that are far more in-depth than this one.
Eva Marie L. (babyjulie) -
Helpful Score: 1
This was so easily relatable to me it was creepy. One of those books you can easily get through in a day or two, it just flowed on and on. Erlbaum didn't write in a manner like some others who seem to be proud of the stupid things they did, in fact, Erlbaum wrote in a way that seemed to make it so easily understandable to those who haven't. gone through it. She made it so easy in fact, that I'm going to hand this to my Mom to see if she'd like to read it.
While my parents were nothing like Erlbaum's Mom at that time in her life, everything else was the same for me and her and I think maybe my Mom might be able to understand that time of my life a little better after reading this.
I've read countless other memoirs "like this" in my life and none have ever moved me enough or seemed intelligent enough to let my Mother read. Erlbaum did a fantastic job and I'm going to start the sequel, Have You Seen Her, sometime very soon.
While my parents were nothing like Erlbaum's Mom at that time in her life, everything else was the same for me and her and I think maybe my Mom might be able to understand that time of my life a little better after reading this.
I've read countless other memoirs "like this" in my life and none have ever moved me enough or seemed intelligent enough to let my Mother read. Erlbaum did a fantastic job and I'm going to start the sequel, Have You Seen Her, sometime very soon.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite memoirs. It is a bout a girl growing up in NYC. She tries everything once and turns out to be a very strong person in the end. I enjoyed this story very much.
Helpful Score: 1
I just finished this book and all I can say is "amazing"! I Just got so much emotion from this book. It was like reading about my own life in some parts. I just loved it. I mean it was so good! I can't seem to get it out of my head!
entertaining read about a not so entertaining subject. Janice is frank and unapologetic about her struggles in and out of her home with her violent stepdad, her stay at a homeless shelter nor her outward rebellion to the word in the form of addiction, boyfriends and bad choices. It gives you a very raw insight into what the home life can lead to and troubled teens in general. Worth the read!
Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) -
I had a hard time putting this book down, the author wrote in such an easy-going manner. I admire this author and hope to hear more from her.
This book was an odd one for me. I liked it but then again I had issues with the story line. It is not a difficult read and has moments but not I would not rank it with other memoirs I have read.
Very interesting memior.
