Can you sue your parents for malpractice?: A Novel [Hardcover]

Paula Danziger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1979

Confused about her life at home and at school, 14-year-old Lauren learns the importance of being her own person.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-It's disgusting being 14. You've got no rights, and what your parents don't tell you to do, the school does. By Paula Danziger
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

"The author has a sympathetic eye for the ups and downs of her characters and a quick ear for adolescent conversation." Horn Book; "Danziger's light style laced with humour will continue to attract readers." Booklist --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press (1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440010500
• ISBN-13: 978-0440010500
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,213,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New York, Paula Danziger knew since second grade that she wanted to be a writer. Beginning her career as a teacher, Danziger taught at the junior high, high school, college levels. She received her Masters Degree in reading and during that time she wrote her first bestselling novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. She returned to teaching, but the success of her book encouraged her to become a full-time writer. It was non-stop for Danziger since then. Among her titles are: the enormously popular Amber Brown books as well as Remember Me To Harold Square, The Divorce Express, and Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards. Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children's Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. "I want people who want to become writers to read lots, write and rewrite lots, take acting lessons to learn about character development, observe people and not to be afraid of not being perfect. As for those people who don't want to be writers, I hope that you will always continue to read and also not be afraid of not being perfect." "I have two sets of heroes: One--bright, creative teachers, who manage to stay in the classroom. And, two--people who have difficult childhoods and manage to use the experiences to grow into caring, understanding adults."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you want to sue your parents for malpractice?, April 25, 2003

By 

"nicolevanderrijn" (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can You Sue Your Parents for Malpractice? (Paperback)

If you do, you should read this book. Lauren is 14 years old and everything in her life seems very unfair to her, so she is thinking of possible ways to sue her parents for malpractice. As a fourteen-year-old girl she feels she's not a child anymore, byt she can't make any real decisions herself either. Lots of things happen to Lauren: her sister Melissa leaves the house, there's a lot of quarreling going on between her mum and dad, and she meets this new kid, Zack.
From the beginning of the book you can see Lauren growing up, she's handling everything quite well and she learns how to cope with a lot of confusing feelings. She is also making up her mind about whether or not trying to sue her parents.
Although this book is meant for young adults, I read it for educational purposes (I am 36), and I loved it. It is very funny at times and describes the various characters very well. You should read it!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Captures the pain of teen-agers with "angst" of their own., July 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Can You Sue Your Parents for Malpractice? (Paperback)

Lauren Allen is in 9th grade, she has weird parents, an older sister that is perfect and about to move in with her boyfriend and a little sister who wants to go "on the road" as a comedian. She signs up for an elective at school on "Youth and the Law" and meets Zak, a younger man, and is torn between a former boyfriend who wants to go too far and someone who is a true friend. As an 8th grade teacher my students identify and laugh at what happens to Lauren. She has feelings and problems that reflect what happens to them. It is also told in a light-hearted fashion, so it doesn't bog them down with problems that can't be solved. What my students like is that everyone has a problem that needs to be solved, just like in real-life. The teacher prints an unauthorized newsletter, Lauren's mom is going to sub at her school, her father can't accept that his perfect college-aged daughter is moving in with her boyfriend and Zak is suffering ! ! the results of a painful divorce, as well as a move from California to New Jersey. Students and teachers alike can relate to Paula Danziger's tale of teen-age angst and the solutions that they wish would come so easily to them. It tells of survival, not of the fittest, but everyone - eventually everyone grows up. I recommend it to all who want a fast read, a chuckle and some genuine young adult emotions.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, April 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Can You Sue Your Parents for Malpractice? (Paperback)

First of all, this book as very little to do with trying to sue parents. It just makes a good title. It tells of the social and family problems of a 14-year-old freshman. It has some very good humor and you, like Lauren, can't help but like Zack. I'm also 14 and appreciate the fact that my life is much easier (so far). I think it would be best to check it from the library. It's not worth the money for only an hour's enjoyment. But then again, I read fairly quickly. You won't be wasting your time with this book.