Customer Reviews

Daphne's Book

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I remember the very first time our librarian held this book up - brand new and shiny - the protective book cover crackling an invitation...."read me". I was in elementary school - Daphne's Book was brand new and had been nominated for an award - which it lost to another book written the same year, The Dollhouse Murders.

I checked this book out so many times, I would be surprised if anyone else was able to read it! I was a misfit - the kind in Jessica's category - not fitting in anywhere - and kind of fitting in everywhere. I had not found my niche, but knew I didn't believe in treating people differently based on appearances. I cannot begin to tell you the magic of this book and the way it touched my life. Few offerings to children these days offer such a statement on the meaning of love and true friendship. Jessica faces a true "moral dillema" and makes the right choice, even though it is difficult. Daphne (the true hero of the book) is magic - she lures you to those that sit by themselves in the corner of the room - lost in a realm we do not understand. She makes you think twice about prejudice of any kind. She encourages us to rise above our situation and bloom where we are planted. Any child that feels they are "different" would be enriched by this book. Any parent will be moved to tears as they read it with them.

When I read Daphne's Book by Mary Downing Hahn I couldnt put it down! This book is about a girl,Jessica getting paired with a girl who dosen't talk much.As they get to know eachother they become friends but is Daphne hiding something?Could Jessica really be friends with her?
The book wasnt the happiest book I have ever read but it always seemed that Daphne's sister, Hope would make the story brighter. It was a very depressing book but one of the best books I have ever read!
Daphne was my favorite charcter by far. She was so different and didnt really care what people thought. She was so nurturing to her little sister and acted as a mom towards her. At the end Daphne says "May the sky fall on me,may the earth swallow me,may the ocean waters sweep over me if i dont write to you, Jessica" This really stuck out to me because it showed Daphne really cared about Jessica.
This whole book shows how much friendship matters. It shows how strong a friendship can be even when you are so different from eachother. The only thing is it leaves you wondering if they end up okay. I highly recommend this book!

I read this book many years ago and it still haunts me. I read it during those horrible junior high school years and I was so happy to know that someone else felt those same feelings of constriction and alienation. A fantastic, ambitious book. It encourages young women to dream.

"Social issues," of any kind, are usually the death knell of the children's book, but, although they seem to be creeping in here, they are handled expertly and do not intrude upon the narrative.

_Daphne's Book_ is very reminiscent of Zilpha Keatley Snyder in her non-occult mode, so if you like that, you'll probably like this, too. But then, I always like books that have kids half-embarassedly playing games they know they're too old for.

I can't believe I called a book "really sweet," but I'm going to pretend it never happened and quickly post this before I can change it. I mean, after all, it's true.

In Daphne's Book, Mary Downing Hahn weaves together the strands of a real seventh grader's life--family, school and friends--creating a tapestry rich with details. The Maryland setting is lovingly rendered, and the characters are truly believable people. In spite of their imperfections, Daphne and Jessica forge a special bond as they grapple with tough real-world problems. The story gives kids plenty of opportunities to think about how others think and feel. Readers who enjoy Daphne's Book might also like Danger, Long Division, in which another ordinary Maryland kid solves her problems at home and at school with the help of unlikely allies.

Daphne's Book was a very good book. It proved that even though people aren't popular you can still be friends with them. It tested friendship over every limit. Jessica truely proved she was a great friend. This book starts out slow and boring, but believe me it ws worth reading. It tought me not to bully people and made me realize my life's not so bad after all. Mary Downing Hahn wrote this book in such detail I thought it was happening in real life. I recomend this book to anyone who likes a book of true friendship and drama.

Daphne's Book is a wonderful story dealing with friendship. When Jessica, an average accepted student, is paired with Daphne, a social outcast, for a project, she is less than thrilled. However as the two girls work on the project they build a strong, lasting friendship. Jessica soon finds out about a secret that Daphne is having to live through that could be hurting her. Jessica tries to help the best she can without spilling the secret. When the secret is told, Daphne gets upset and the two get into an argument. Will their friendship last despite this? Read this book to find out! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone. It is a wonderful tale that makes me wish for as lasting a friendship as they had. This is definately a story you should add to your reading list!

Every one in Jessica's 6th grade class makes fun of Daphne except Jessica. When there's a writing contest the english teacher insisted on putting Jessica and Daphne together. At first Jessica is terrified and upset. Then as she get's to know her better they become very good friends. Daphne has a secret that she told only to Jessica, though keeping it may leed to trouble. This book made me cry and makes you think about how lucky you are. This is definitely a book every one should read.

I first read this book when I was in elementary school, after it was first published. I have re-read the book more times than I can count over the years, including very recently (in my late 20's). I was just as amazed as I was when I first read it.

The story between Daphne and Jessica is marvelous. The book perfectly captures what its like to be a kid, the pressures of 'fitting in' the difficulties of being different. The pressure Jessica is under from the 'cool' kids in class to tease Daphne or risk being on the receiving end of their teasing. You can feel how agonized Jessica is over the situation, and it's wonderful to see her grow and evolve throughout the story.

Throughout the book you will be drawn into the lives of Daphne, Jessica and Hope (Daphne's little sister). Mary Downing Hahn draws a vivid picture of their lives and the complexities of families, friends and school.

I highly recommend this book for both children who feel different, and for the 'cool' kids as well. Maybe, just maybe, it can teach them to think twice before teasing someone who's different. You never know what another's life is while you're looking from the outside.

I was in third grade when I read this book and pretty much a social outcast because of being held back. I completely related to Daphne. I am so glad I've found it again as an adult.