Dear Corinne, Tell Somebody! Love, Annie: A Book about Secrets [Hardcover]

Mari Evans (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Corinne has changed, and Annie, her best friend, is alarmed. Corinne has become withdrawn. She doesn't visit Annie anymore, and she doesn't want Annie to visit her. She doesn't even want to talk. What has happened? Frustrated by her friend's reluctance to communicate, Annie begins to send Corinne letters. "Dear Corinne," she writes, "you're hiding somewhere inside yourself, and I can't find you. . . . I'm sorry, because I'm your friend, and I love you anyhow." Corinne responds with letters of her own, but at first they don't reveal much. Annie doesn't give up. Slowly she encourages her friend to reveal her frightening secret. Now Annie must convince Corinne to tell someone who can help.

Celebrated black writer, educator, and activist Mari Evans has created a touching story about true friendship and the devastating effects of child abuse. It shines a spotlight on a topic of major concern in our country and will provoke conversations in the classroom and around the dinner table.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Grade 3-7-Annie is worried. Her friend Corinne suddenly becomes withdrawn and sad, and she won't talk about what is wrong. In a series of loving messages-printed on what appears to be notebook paper-Annie urges her friend to talk with her, tries to figure out what is going on, and finally reports on the advice she's garnered from the school nurse and her own wise mama. At this point, Ms. Price, the nurse, takes over the narrative; she sends Corinne more official-looking notes encouraging her to tell the secret she has been holding onto and educating her about child abuse. In the end, readers see Corinne's cheerful notes to Annie when the awful truth is finally revealed. The purpose of this short epistolary novel is clear from the title: to encourage abused children to get help. The emotional conflicts, uncertain outcomes, and long-range effects of sexual and other forms of abuse are not explored here, nor is there any depiction or description of the abuse itself. What makes this book more than its message is Annie's voice. In the cadences of contemporary African-American speech, the child expresses the concerns of young girls everywhere as she worries about this important friendship and struggles to understand and then help someone she cares about through a difficult time.
Carolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Just Us Books (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940975815
• ISBN-13: 978-0940975811
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,416,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Format, April 26, 2006

By 

James Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dear Corinne, Tell Somebody! Love, Annie: A Book about Secrets (Hardcover)

This book can serve as a reminder to the entire community of authors in the children's genre that issues that children often do not understand can be explored in their writing if it is handled effectively. The fact that this book is written in letters reminds me of Anna Deveare Smith's letters to a young artist. Letters are effective because it offers personalization to the reader. Evans has done a great job of evoking the truth of child abuse. Anyone in a terrible situation such as child abuse would need to have the courage in order to get out. The relationship between Annie and Corrine is breathtaking. So Evans deserves kudos for a job well done. Well Done!

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, April 24, 2006

By 

TeeDiva "Tiff" (Washington,DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Corinne, Tell Somebody! Love, Annie: A Book about Secrets (Hardcover)

This book is heartbreaking but necessary to show children that they don't have to be victims. Dear Corinne, Tell Somebody! Love Annie is a remarkable story dealing with many complex issues that have been broken down so children will be able to understand. The book is made for eight to [...] but anyone can relate to the story and identify with the characters. The 27 letters used to convey this story are an innovative attempt to draw the reader in and make them more involved in the story. It gives children a sense that they are not powerless and they have the power to help their friends not matter what the situation may be. The purpose of this book is to encourage abused children to get help. The emotional conflicts, uncertain outcomes, and long-range effects of sexual and other forms of abuse are not explored here, nor is there any depiction or description of the abuse itself. Evans uses the language and tone that will hopefully connect with the reader.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dear Cornnie, Tell Somebody! Love Annie, March 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Corinne, Tell Somebody! Love, Annie: A Book about Secrets (Hardcover)

I think that this book is great for black children to read. It might reach out to those children who are scared to reach out for help in a bad situation. This book is letting them know that telling somebody will save their life.