I Almost Love You, Eddie Clegg [Hardcover]

Audra Supplee (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-6–When Asa decides to "go out with a bang" in her last year of junior high by becoming popular, mishaps follow. Unfortunately, her desperation for being liked gets entangled with her stepfather's worsening drinking habit. Eddie pays Asa to silence her about his occasional nips from the vodka bottle hidden in her closet. Her mother is working late hours at the law office most evenings and doesn't notice anything amiss at home. Overall, this story sets up a realistic portrayal of a relationship with an alcoholic parent–secrets, anger, disappointment, and confusion. However, once Asa's mom discovers the truth, they all simply attend their separate Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, albeit with some reluctance on Asa's part. The book lacks any explanation that Eddie's problem is not Asa's fault. Also, the fact that Eddie spends much more time on the computer than does Asa, who corresponds with her neighborhood friend via walkie-talkie rather than e-mail or IM, seems out of touch with how most teens interact. Jack Gantos's Joey Pigza Loses Control (Farrar, 2000) and Paula Danziger and Ann Martin's Snail Mail No More (Scholastic, 2000) explore the same issues of having an alcoholic parent but with stronger character development and gutsier plots.–Kelly Czarnecki, Bloomington Public Library, IL
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About the Author

AUDRA SUPPLEE is the author of the young adult novel Standing Ovation (published under her maiden name Audra Spotts). In addition to writing novels for young readers, she is an amateur musician who plays the drums, electric guitar and keyboards. She received an undergraduate degree in English and Literature from West Chester University. She lives with her husband in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Pub Ltd (J) (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561453080
• ISBN-13: 978-1561453085
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,761,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars charming story with charming characters, April 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: I Almost Love You, Eddie Clegg (Hardcover)

This is a delightfully funny and charming story of a young girl's growing up and trying to fit in. She is also dealing with an alcoholic step-father with whom she is trying to develop a father-daughter relationship. The story has an important, positive message that is a must read for young teens dealing with these difficult issues. The book is well-structured and Supplee masterfully intermingles the more serious messages in the book with lots of very funny situations. The book ends on a positive note. You'll love these characters and be begging for more novels featuring them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Character to Care About, August 17, 2004

By 

A. Thies - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Almost Love You, Eddie Clegg (Hardcover)

This engaging story of a 13-year-old seeking popularity at school and harmony at home had me rooting for the main character--Asa Marie-from the first page. Asa's approach to popular fads, including some embarrassing and funny missteps, captures the identity struggle of adolescence in a lighthearted way. Asa's efforts to grow closer to her alcoholic step-dad, Eddie Clegg, are poignant and insightful. A "romance" with a boy next door and some gentle befriending of Asa by another girl at school add sweetness to the story. I liked how the author wrote in first person from Asa's perspective. Many interesting plot twists kept me turning the pages with anticipation. Asa seemed like a real person to me, not just a character in a book. I delighted in Asa's growth and look forward to more books about her adventures.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light Touch on a Serious Subject, August 9, 2004

By 

H. Mullen - See all my reviews
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This review is from: I Almost Love You, Eddie Clegg (Hardcover)

Asa wants to be popular, and she wants it bad. Readers get to see what happens when a lively, likable girl tries too hard to fit in with the popular crowd with some very embarrassing results. Asa's life is further complicated by her stepfather, the Eddie Clegg of the title, a nice guy who has a drinking problem. With a light touch, the author shows how both Asa and Eddie are drawn into one another's lies: how easily Eddie asks Asa to lie for him and how she does it, albeit reluctantly, to get what she wants. This is a terrific book for any child who lives in a household with an alcoholic and for any adult who has ever asked a child to shade the truth. While the story is never preachy, both Asa and Eddie come to see that honesty really is the best policy.