Eclipse [Paperback]

Kristine L. Franklin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

When Trina's father falls into a severe depression after losing his job and her mother becomes pregnant at forty-eight, Trina faces a difficult summer even with the help of her good friend Miranda.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The summer after sixth grade holds promise for Trina as she anticipates junior high and the new arrival of a baby sister or brother, but then her father sinks into a debilitating depression. Ages 11-15.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8-Trina is 12 when her world starts to fall apart. Her 48-year-old mother is pregnant and her father, who has recently lost his job, starts sleeping a lot and getting angry for no apparent reason. Trying to distract herself, Trina becomes involved in a puppet play about the Mayas that she and a friend have created for their school's Cultural Arts Week. Yet Trina's small triumphs do not allay her confusion and dismay about her father's deteriorating behavior. The baby's birth seems to bring them all together, but soon after Trina's father tries to commit suicide; the family is finally forced to accept the fact that he is mentally ill and the possibility of long-term treatment. Although likable and sympathetic, Trina seems unrealistically naive, and her mother's determination to shield her from the truth is inconsistent with the woman's otherwise straightforward nature. The story is emotionally powerful in places, but the weak characterization and overly melodramatic events (including a school dance where Trina visibly gets her period-every girl's nightmare) make this offering merely adequate.
Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1995 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 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (August 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763602418
• ISBN-13: 978-0763602413
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,238,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Young Adult Book that Tackles Adult Topics, November 14, 2001

By 

Matthew Gunia (Justice, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eclipse (Paperback)

Depression in a close family member; the stigma attached with mental illness; worry that your aging mother might have a baby with Down Syndrome: these are topics not traditionally associated with a young adult novel, but which Franklin deals with head-on. Trina, the main character, is a typical sixth grade girl who feels the weight of the world on her shoulders as she watches her father fall deeper and deeper into clinical depression and worries about the state of her unborn sister (Trina's mother is 48 years old). These are tough topics for a twelve-year-old to handle, and Trina does have trouble adjusting and adapting to these problems--as well as dealing with the day-to-day problems of life by herself as she tries to give her parents time to sort through their problems by theirselves.

Franklin should be commended because she never resorts to "talking down" to her young adult reader. Neither does she sound preachy or sugar-coat the story with an "everything will turn out OK" theme. Indeed, the reader is never sure how the story will end. Trina is often afraid, uncertain, and feels alone. She feels compelled to give up certain "kid" things and takes an adult role in the house...yet seems to resent the fact that she has to make that choice. Although this may or may not be what young adults in similar situations think or do, it is very easy to empathize with Trina; the reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster along with the main character.

In a side note, I met Kristine Franklin at a teachers' conference in Springfield, Illinois, in spring of 2001. She was a very nice and personable lady and I'm happy to find that such a lady is such a talented writer. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars An awesome book that is very realistic., May 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eclipse (Paperback)

Eclipse was one of the best books I ever read. You could really tell how Trina was feeling about her dad and his strange behaviors. It was sort of sad, but lots of people could be living with this problem. It was funny how opposite Miranda and Trina were, for example, Miranda talked nonstop before their puppet show, and Trina just sat there VERY nervously! Trina had so many problems, but she still tried to live her life as best she could. I would definitely read another one of Kristine Franklin's books.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shows kids they can live up to more adult responsibilities, September 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eclipse (Hardcover)

Trina's perfect summer falls apart when her Dad falls into a deep depression. The characters are very memorable and both Trina and Miranda will remind you of people you know.