Barry's Sister [Hardcover]

Lois Metzger (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Twelve-year-old Ellen's loathing for her new baby brother Barry, who has cerebral palsy, gradually changes to a fierce, obsessive love, and she must find a proper balance for her life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Masterfully written and well-researched, Metzger's first novel is an affecting portrayal of a girl's reaction to a brother born with cerebral palsy. Ellen, 11, lives in New York City with her mother Loretta and her father, a submariner who's away for extended periods. When Loretta announces her pregnancy, Ellen is resentful, and after Barry is diagnosed, the girl's inner turmoil is manifested in poor grades, lying and shoplifting. But while homebound by an illness, she grows to love her brother with an intensity that soon allows time only for schoolwork and taking care of him. The situation is rectified when Loretta and newly acquired friends help Ellen achieve a wiser perspective. Although at times Ellen's narration sounds somewhat precocious, this accomplished novel, which takes its protagonist through puberty, junior high, a quasi-crush and eventual maturity, deserves space on YA bookshelves. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-- Ellen Gray is 12 when her mother announces that she is pregnant. Her father, a naval officer, is seldom home, and her anger at him spills over onto the expected baby; she asks God to ``make something happen so that the baby will disappear.'' When the infant is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, she is sure she is being punished. Her guilt leads her to ignore him, but after seeing that her grandmother blames Ellen's mother for Barry's disability and avoids him, Ellen becomes fiercely protective toward her brother. It takes time, patience, and loving friends before Ellen and her parents resume their rightful roles in the family. Metzger has woven what is almost an allegory on families of children born with physical disabilities. All of the elements are here: the pity, shunning, and mockery displayed by those whose lives have been touched by disability; the isolation; the conflicting emotions; and the relief at finding others who share their problems. What is particularly impressive about this book, however, is that they are all included in an effortless and natural way. Mrs. Gray's realization that Ellen has become obsessed with caring for Barry comes abruptly and without explanation, but that is a minor flaw in what is, first and foremost, a well-written coming-of age novel. Ellen is struggling with her image of herself as a worthwhile human being; with her ambivalent feelings toward her father; and with her inability to like or respect her grandmother and aunt. She is a character that readers will take to their hearts, because her growing pains are universal. --Constance A. Mellon, Department of Library & Information Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC-
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1 edition (April 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068931521X
• ISBN-13: 978-0689315213
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,680,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A wolf mother, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Barry's Sister (Hardcover)

Barry's Sister is a wonderful book that I like because it shows some conflicts that children face in real life. This story is about a twelve year old girl, named Ellen. One day when she came back from school, her mom told her that she was pregnant. When she heard that, she felt jealous, but after all she was only beginning to face her long-hidden rage against her father a Naval officer aboard a nuclear submarine, for being away most of the time. She didn't like the idea of a new baby that would mess up her life, so she prays that the baby would disappear. When her brother Barry was born, he had cerebral palsy. Ellen felt that her terrible prayer was responsible, so she suffered overwhelming guilt. She decided that she hated Barry and wanted nothing to do with him. Then her mother's new friend, Maribeth, who had a disabled son, helped Ellen to see things differently. Maribeth explained to Ellen all about disability and cerebral palsy. So, then, Ellen understood and began to see things differently, and became dedicated to Barry, almost becoming a mother to him. She saw herself as a mother, caring for her cub, single-minded and ferociously protective. This is mostly interesting for girls but it does have appeal for any girl about age 12 or older. Mothers would also find it interesting.

5.0 out of 5 stars A wolf mother, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Barry's Sister (Hardcover)

Barry's Sister is a wonderful book that I like because it shows some conflicts that children face in real life. This story is about a twelve year old girl, named Ellen. One day when she came back from school, her mom told her that she was pregnant. When she heard that, she felt jealous, but after all she was only beginning to face her long-hidden rage against her father a Naval officer aboard a nuclear submarine, for being away most of the time. She didn't like the idea of a new baby that would mess up her life, so she prays that the baby would disappear. When her brother Barry was born, he had cerebral palsy. Ellen felt that her terrible prayer was responsible, so she suffered overwhelming guilt. She decided that she hated Barry and wanted nothing to do with him. Then her mother's new friend, Maribeth, who had a disabled son, helped Ellen to see things differently. Maribeth explained to Ellen all about disability and cerebral palsy. So, then, Ellen understood and began to see things differently, and became dedicated to Barry, almost becoming a mother to him. She saw herself as a mother, caring for her cub, single-minded and ferociously protective. This is mostly interesting for girls but it does have appeal for any girl about age 12 or older. Mothers would also find it interesting.