Bruises [Hardcover]

Handprint Staff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 1992

Befriending a girl whose mother beats her regularly, Michael is distraught when Judith blames herself and tries to cover up what is happening, while, at the same time, Michael must come to terms with his own father's absence.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

They're unlikely friends-cheerful Michael, who lives with his aunt and uncle in Holland, and withdrawn Judith, who has a horrifying secret life of abuse at the hands of her unmarried mother. The winner of two awards from the Dutch Children's Jury, this wrenching novel is almost unbearably heartbreaking in its graphic depiction of Judith's suffering: "The fourth time, the lock gave, and her mother tumbled into the room. In her hand was the metal pipe from the vacuum cleaner. 'Please... Mommy please...' Judith whispered tonelessly. But the first blows were already raining down on her."Adults in contact with Judith are suspicious but willing to accept her excuses for her injuries; at last Judith and Michael's teacher joins forces with Michael to help her. An elegant parallel construction finds Michael struggling to give his estranged father a second chance and Judith struggling to realize her mother will not change. Michael's emotional bruises will heal, while Judith's prognosis is hopeful but not assured. Not a one-note issue book, this sophisticated, disturbing story presents its characters with sympathy for their vulnerabilities. Some readers may need adult guidance to cope with the strong content, but ultimately the message here is optimistic, suggesting that even the direst circumstances can be overcome. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9?No matter how hard Judith works to keep the apartment clean and to care for her brother, any look or remark can trigger her mother's uncontrolled rages that end in verbal abuse and painful beatings. Frequent absenteeism from school, shyness, and a peculiar style of dress set the girl apart from her classmates. When she meets a new student, Michael, she is warmed for the first time by real friendship. Although he welcomes her into his hectic, happy homelife and reveals his own learning problems and estrangement from his father, Judith continues to hide her own terrible truth. Her teacher's requests for a parent conference alert her mother to unwanted scrutiny, and the woman hurriedly moves the family to a new neighborhood. The novel ends on a hopeful note; after another vicious beating, Judith leaves home and turns to Michael and her teacher for help. Graphic in its violent portrayal of abuse, this Dutch import is not for the squeamish. Also, it seems unbelievable that the girl could be so constantly, visibly battered without someone noticing sooner and acting on her behalf. One shudders at the psychological effects for both children?the girl, hammered to a pulp, and her baby brother, witness to her degradation. Choppy translation jars the narrative flow at times, but the Technicolor horror of Judith's bruised life will not fade easily in readers' minds.?Alice Casey Smith, Sayreville War Memorial High School, NJ
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Hand Print (January 23, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886910030
• ISBN-13: 978-1886910034
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,661,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, March 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bruises (Laurel-Leaf Books) (Paperback)

In Bruises, by Anke de Vries, two children form a close friendship. Judith has physical bruises from her mother, who beats her. Michael, who used to live in America, has emotional bruises from his father. Michael's father believes that Michael is lazy, and constantly works him in school. Michael later moves back to Holland with his Aunt and Uncle. He learns there that he is dyslexic. Judith is a shy, outcast in her class. Mr.Beekman (the teacher) can't help wondering why Judith always misses gym, and wears thick turtlenecks and hot days. Of course, people tease her for it, which is why she is such an outcast. When Mr.Beekman and Michael discover the bruises, Judith lies and makes up a story of how they got there. She continues to lie. Her mother constantly beats her over a boyfriend, or her job. Judith does all she can to please her mother, taking Dennis to daycare, and cleaning the house. But nothing works. Judith learns to blame herself for the beatings. Suddenly, they move to Leiden, and Judith is separated from Michael. Michael rides to her house, having gotten back from a trip to America, and finds it empty. The lady in the apartment below tells Michael the truth about Judith's bruises, and Michael is shocked. With the help of his teacher, they find Judith, and Michael tells her of the danger she is in, and Judith listens. And the end is a suprise! But read this book, it is so good!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking yet hopeful story, July 8, 2004

By 

J. M. "Book Diva" (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bruises (Paperback)

This is an incredible book. The main character, Judith, is a young girl with great responsibilities and secrets to bear. Judith takes care of her younger brother, their home, shopping, and her schoolwork all at a tender age. Her mother seemingly cherishes her son, but despises Judith despite her every effort to do things the right way to please her mother. Nothing is ever enough and the abuse rains down on Judith. She endures more than one thinks she can and continues to try to do the impossible- please her mother. A bright spot in her life is her friendship with Michael, a boy in her class. He invites her over frequently for lunch and she sees what a loving home looks like. As is common in cases of parental abuse, Judith keeps her secret. But in keeping the secret she has to miss school to hide her bruises. This attracts the attention of her caring teacher who attempts to meet with her mother to no avail. When Judith moves away unexpectedly, all appears lost. A nosy neighbor tells Michael the shocking truth and he is on a quest to find Judith- to save her.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Best Pain I've Ever Felt, March 23, 2004

By 

Salli (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bruises (Paperback)

Bruises, was very insitefull. It was a very heartfelt story. going from the very extreames of the emontiions. One minute your smilin along with the main character. but in a split second your crying along with them. This story had an amazing ending which gave hope that everything will be okay in the end.