Detour for Emmy (Hamilton High series) [Paperback]

Marilyn Reynolds (Author)

Book Description

Series: Hamilton High series | Publication Date: July 1, 1993

A selection of ALA Best Books for Young Adults, this novel tells the story of a 15-year-old girl who must face the consequences of becoming pregnant.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the end of eighth grade, Emmy is at the top of the world. She's popular, does well in school, has two best friends and sings in the chorus. Ninth grade is more of a challenge, yet Emmy continues to thrive and even falls in love. Then she gets pregnant. Thoughtful and thorough, this novel vividly portrays teenage love and its consequences. Emmy faces her choices with a believable mix of bravery and weakness, earning the reader's sympathy. The author, who teaches English at an alternative school in California, demonstrates a true understanding of her audience along with a solid interest in providing important information. With its timely news about social programs serving pregnant teens, its candor and its message about summoning one's inner strength, this instructive tale is both cautionary and inspirational. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8-12-- Emmy's carefree days are enlivened by friends, time at the beach, anticipation of the new school year, and dreams of college. Longing for the affection and understanding that she doesn't get at home, Emmy is propelled into the arms of overachiever, chorus star, and school hero Arturo. Art promises that he will never hurt her, and their sexual relationship proceeds idyllically and explicitly, complete with birth control. One night, they make love without protection; as a result, Emmy finds herself on a detour from carefully laid academic plans to the road of teen pregnancy and single motherhood. The hardship, tedium, and responsibility of parenting and the pain of deferred dreams provide a strong, if sometimes didactic, message to sexually active YAs. The story is predictable, but compelling. Unfortunately, one-dimensional characters, tiresome language, loose plotting, and a weak ending detract from the book. Berlie Doherty's Dear Nobody (Orchard, 1992) confronts many of the same issues with more subtlety, finer writing, and fully fleshed-out, thoughtful characters. But most teenagers know or will meet an Emmy and will fervently hope not to be diverted by similar obstacles on the road to growing up. --Alice Casey Smith, Lakewood Public Library, NJ
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Morning Glory Press (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930934768
• ISBN-13: 978-0930934767
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,908 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > Teenagers

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read for Teens, January 6, 2004

By 

A - See all my reviews

This review is from: Detour for Emmy (Hamilton High series) (Paperback)

This book was on my teenage daughter's recommended reading list at school. My daughter is not an avid reader but after giving this book accolades, I decided to read it myself. I found this book very well written and the message was conveyed clearly and realistically. After reading this book, I had a discussion with my daughter and was amazed and delighted to see that the book had reinforced all the things I have been teaching her about the consequences of teenage sex that had seemed to be going in one ear and out the other for years. Peer pressure in high school is overwhelming enough as it is, and this book accomplished in a much better way, what I, as a mother, have been trying to accomplish on my own. Written from a teenage viewpoint, this book helped my daughter relate in a much better way than I or any other than any parent could strive for. The only thing my daughter complained about after reading this was that she felt the author should have stressed more on the difficulty in caring for a baby on a day to day basis, especially for a teenager (i.e. the everyday trials and tribulations you go through from the incessant crying, walking the floors all night, teething crankiness, chasing after them, dealing with illness and the extensive patience (and maturity) one needs in order to cope with a baby every single day). This book should be on every required reading list in schools across the United States. It should be viewed as an excellent aid in teaching teens across America the importance of safe sex and abstinence. Kudo's to the author on this accomplishment.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells it like it is..., June 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Detour for Emmy (Hamilton High series) (Paperback)

I really liked this book because it was extremly realistic and down-to-earth. It goes through the year before Emily gets pregnant to when her daughter turns 3 years old. When I became pregnant a year ago I bought many books on teen pregnancy, but most of them were so hokey and the mother almost always gives the baby up for adoption in the end. I liked this book because it gave me an idea of how hard it would be if I decided to keep my baby. I am proud to say today I have a beautiful 5 month old daughter. This book really helped me figure some things out, and I would recommend it to any pregnant teenager out there!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detour For Emmy, February 14, 2003

By 

Kellsie Sanchez (Upland, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Detour For Emmy (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

Detour for Emmy is an exceptional book, it is well written and has a great plot for young adults. Emmy found herself 16 and with a baby. With no help from her mother a single parent who is an alcholic and works late nights, the boyfriend that claims he would never leave her has broken up with her when he found out that she is pregnant. The only person who believes in her is her brother, but is no help now because he is in and out of jail. Before all this confusion started, Emmy was a well rounded girl. She was a straight A student, a star soccer player, a lead soprano choir singer, with an opportunity to get 4 years of collage paid for. All this and a upper classman boyfriend that everyone girl fawns over. Life is good until one night on the beach Emmy and her boyfriend have unprotected sex. That is when Emmy's life goes down the drain and to the gutter. Although her mother and boyfriend insist on her having an abortion, Emmy refuses she thinks by having the baby that someone will finally love and appreciate her.