Bloomability [Hardcover]

Sharon Creech (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

My second life began when I was kidnapped by two complete strangers...

That the kidnappers are actually Aunt Sandy and Uncle Max makes no difference to thirteen-year-old Domenica Santolina Doone, better known as Dinnie--she just doesn't want to go. Dinnie's accustomed to change, with her family constantly moving for "opportunity"--but when her aunt and uncle whisk her far away to an international school in Switzerland, she's not sure she's ready to face this "opportunity" alone.

All at once she finds herself in a foreign country, surrounded by kids from different cultures speaking all sorts of languages and sharing various beliefs. Home and her first life seem so far away.

But new friendships and the awesome beauty of Switzerland begin to unlock thoughts and dreams within her. Her joys and struggles make up a rich tapestry of experiences she can find nowhere else. Switzerland begins to be more than a temporary home--it becomes a part of Dinnnie herself, the self she never knew she could be.

Switzerland is the picturesque backdrop of Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech's new novel about a young girl discovering the beauty of nature, her place in the world, the value of friendship--and that life is full of wonderful "bloomabilites."

01 Blue Spruce Award Masterlist (YA Cat.), 00-01 Young Hoosier Book Award Masterlist (Grds. 6-8), Pacific NW Library Assoc. 2001 Young Reader's Choice Award Masterlist, and 00-01 South Carolina Book Award Masterlist(Grds 6-9)

Young Adult's Choices for 2000 (IRA)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A light first-person narrative and some insightful dream flashes (taken from the protagonist's journal) convey an uprooted 13-year-old's coming of age. Domenica Santolina Doone ("It's a mouthful, so most people call me Dinnie"), whose father is always in search of "the right opportunity," has already lived in 12 different cities. With her father on the road, her older brother Crick in jail and her 16-year-old sister, Stella, giving birth, it's little surprise that Dinnie is "kidnapped" by her aunt and uncle and taken from her "little New Mexico hill town" to the American School in Lugano, Switzerland, where the pair work. Tired of always being on the move, Dinnie is determined not to get attached to her newest environment ("I won't adjust! I won't adapt! I won't! I'll rebel!"), but surrounded by other "foreigners"?students from all corners of the world?she finds it easier than she had imagined to make friends. Guthrie, a classmate, helps her see a sense of possibility, or "bloomability," and to grow from her experiences. Creech (Walk Two Moons) skims the surface of Dinnie's gradual emergence from her protective "bubble" rather than delving into Dinnie's feelings about the deeper ramifications of her family's unraveling. The author tells rather than shows the poignant moments (e.g., Dinnie has no reaction when her parents forget her on Christmas; her friend Lila's vacillating moods go unexplained), which results in a reportlike view of the school year, rather than insight into the purported change in Dinnie. Some readers wishing to glimpse an adventure abroad may think this is just the ticket; however, fans of the author's previous works will likely miss her more fully realized characters. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-This honest, hopeful slice of adolescent life successfully explores how Domenica Santolina Doone, known as Dinnie, comes to terms with her past and establishes a secure identity for the future. Creech's skill at character development and subtle, effective use of metaphor shine in this first-person narrative with crisp, appropriately titled chapters. Deliberately, Creech introduces Dinnie as somewhat of a nonentity. Readers don't learn much about the specifics of her family life, only that her older sister and brother tend to get into various kinds of trouble, and that her parents are always looking for a new "opportunity" in some other town. By the second chapter, Dinnie explains that she's been "kidnapped" by her Aunt Sandy and Uncle Max, who take her with them to Switzerland to attend the school where Max is headmaster. In Dinnie's "second life" in Europe, her family continues to neglect her, forgetting even to let her know where they've relocated. Dinnie gradually adjusts to her new environment as she makes friends with other students from around the world: exuberant Guthrie; bitter Lila; and language-mangling Keisuke, who says "bloomable" when he means "possible." Together, these middle schoolers share classes and adventures, and explore ideas and emotions. As she reflects on her friends, her kind aunt and uncle, and her own vivid dreams, the youngster no longer sees herself as "Dinnie the dot in my bubble." Everyone can relate to the hard struggles of life, but, as the heroine comes to realize, the world is still full of "bloomability."-Peg Solonika, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (September 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060269936
• ISBN-13: 978-0060269937
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (193 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,161,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sharon Creech is the author of the Newbery Medal winner Walk Two Moons and the Newbery Honor Book The Wanderer. Her other work includes the novels Hate That Cat, The Castle Corona, Replay, Heartbeat, Granny Torrelli Makes Soup, Ruby Holler, Love That Dog, Bloomability, Absolutely Normal Chaos, Chasing Redbird, and Pleasing the Ghost, as well as three picture books: A Fine, Fine School; Fishing in the Air; and Who's That Baby? Ms. Creech and her husband live in upstate New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Sharon Creech book so far, January 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bloomability (Hardcover)

I've read Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird, and Absolutely Normal Chaos, and I liked Bloomability more than any of those three. I do have to agree that there didn't seem to be much plot, but it kind of added to the 'real-life' quality of the book--in real life there isn't a plot.

The main thing I loved about this book is how you can experience Dinnie's year in the boarding school in Switzerland. I liked all the little things that were included; the 'thinking' homework, the descriptions of teachers, how the students from all different countries acted towards eachother, the short weekend trips Dinnie went on, the letters from aunts, etc. I was in raptures because of the beautiful setting, and I loved all the Italian words that were thrown in.

The character descriptions were really interesting, and I think the characters were one of the strong points of this book. While Dinnie herself didn't seem to have much of a strong personality one way or another, Guthrie and Lila were both very opposite personalities, but still both very strong ones.

I have to disagree with anyone who thinks there wasn't enough romance in this book. These kids are only 13, remember? I thought the little bit was just the right amount. (Besides, it didn't seem like there was a whole lot more romance in Sharon Creech's other books.)

I reccommend this book to girl aroung Dinnie's-and my-age, especially if you have an interest in Switzerland, or have ever wanted to go to a boarding school yourself.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bloomability, May 16, 2000

By 

Leora Moreno - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bloomability (Paperback)

Bloomability struck me as a remarkably unique book. I love Sharon Creech and all of her books. I'm not sure I have a favorite. This particular one made me think more than the others. Although my life couldn't compare to Domenica Santolina Doone's, some of her thoughts match mine. Domenica is "kidnapped" by her aunt and uncle and taken to Switzerland. She goes to a school there and makes lots of friends, two of which are Guthrie and Lila. Guthrie is someone who loves the world enormously and expresses it all the time, while Lila is a very difficult person who complains a lot. Even so they're all friends. What I loved most about this book was the way Sharon Creech phrased Domenica's thoughts and feelings. For example, Domenica feels like she's in a bubble, seperated from the rest of the world. Creech divides sections of Domenica's life into "her first life" and "her second life." I think it's amazing how many well thought metaphores and similies she includes in this book. She also includes some of Domenica's dreams, a very nice addition. Bloomability is a quick, interesting, and entertaining read.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful!, December 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bloomability (Paperback)

BLOOMABILITY was my first book from Sharon Creech and i have to say i've never read a book with a plot so original and interesting and of course, entertaining. The first few chapters were kind of confusing and uninteresting, but eventually, from the views of Dinnie, i learned to love this book. It's a MUST read!