Ellen's Case [Paperback]

Lois Metzger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

When sixteen-year-old Ellen Gray finds herself attracted to the lawyer in charge of the malpractice case related to her four-year-old brother's cerebral palsy, she becomes involved in the trial and gains a new perspective on her own life and options for her future.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10?In Barry's Sister (Atheneum, 1992), Ellen Gray secretly wished that the unborn "Gray baby" might disappear, and struggled to free herself from the belief that her wish caused his disability. In this sequel, a trial is scheduled to consider medical malpractice charges?four-year-old Barry's cerebral palsy might have been the result of a birth trauma. When attorney Jack Frazier visits her mother, Loretta, to discuss procedures, Ellen is attracted to him and decides that she, too, will be part of the courtroom cast. The detailed proceedings are the heartbeat of the story. From Loretta's courageous testimony to the jury's somber proclamation, the plot accelerates through the courtroom scenes. It is during a private visit with the judge that Ellen finally learns that the trial is for her protection and Barry's care when their parents are no longer able to care for him. Metzger once again demonstrates exceptional skill at building and then peeling back the intricate layers of her characters. Their thoughts, emotions, and actions are solidly consistent throughout. Ellen's imagined romance with Jack Frazier adds interest, as does the promise of a future friendship with a young man who also has CP. An understanding of CP is also introduced, not by way of a lecture, but through the sensitive portrayal of family members who love, accept, and value one another.?Sarabeth Kalajian, Venice Public Library, FL
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 7^-12. In Metzger's Barry's Sister (1992), Ellen swings between anger, guilt, and devouring love for her little brother, who was born with ataxic cerebral palsy. In this sequel much of that conflict seems to be over. At 16, Ellen loves Barry unconditionally and feels responsible for him. But she relives the trauma of his birth and confronts the sorrow of his future during a malpractice suit in civil court. Did the doctor mess up Barry's birth? Who is responsible? How much does Barry need for lifelong care? What will the jury think? Ellen develops a crush on the passionate, clever malpractice lawyer, and she finds herself stirred and shaken by the intensity of the three-week-long trial. Her parents and friends seem too wise, strong, and therapeutic to be true, but the lawyer is more interesting (is he manipulating her?), and so is the awkward, angry boy who has a crush on her. The trial is the core of the story, and it is riveting: the confrontation between prosecutor and defense, the public faces of judge and jurors, the strain of testifying, the medical information, the surprise, the tension. It makes you wonder why there aren't more YA books about the human drama of the courtroom. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140383727
• ISBN-13: 978-0140383720
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,957,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, September 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ellen's Case (Paperback)

Ellen's Case by Lois Metzger is an amazing book that you simply can't put down! When i started reading this book, i didn't stop until i finished it. I felt like i was actually in ellen's life and i always wanted to know what will happen next. Ellen's younger brother Barry was born with cerebral palsy, a brain disorder, and her family is placing charges against the doctor who delivered Barry. The story mostly takes place in the courtroom. I learned a lot about physically handicapped children, cerebral palsy, the relationship between brothers and sisters, and about law. This is a terrific story that i would recommend to ages 10 and above.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ellen's Case, April 11, 2001

By 

angie bruckshaw (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ellen's Case (Library Binding)

This book is about a girl named Ellen Carpenter who takes on the responsibility of caring for her little brother, Barry, who has cerebral palsy. The book deals with the hardship that Ellen feels when her parents bring a civil lawsuit against the doctor's who delivered Barry, and hold them responsible for Barry's condition. This book explores what a real life courtroom drama is like and what people go through during a trial. This book is a great drama book that I think everyone should read. I haven't read a book like this before, but if given the opportunity to read another book like this I would. The author gives such realism to the story that it makes you feel what Ellen's going through. It just makes you want to get in the book and try to fix everything that is wrong and say it's going to be alright. What made me wqant to read this book is after I read the back cover of the book it immediately made me want to read it. In my personal opinion I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend this book to everyone I know. The part of the book that really touched me is when Ellen is testifying during the trial and the way she responds to a question the defense attorney asked her. Ellen says, "Do you know what it's like looking at someone you love and seeing that they will never be able to survive by themself? If you don't know what it's like then you shouldn't be asking me these questions." This quote was very powerful and moving to me and it make me want to read the book so much more. Her feelings seemed so real that I almost cried when she said that. I can't relate to Ellen becuase I do not have a little brother with cerebral palsy, but I can relate with the emotions she is feeling. Even though I really enjoyed reading this book I would not reccommend it to younger children, because they would not understnad the mesaning of the book and they would probably not be interested in a book like this. This book is more for mature adults who understand a little about courtrooms.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A really great book, July 22, 2000

By 

Sarah (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ellen's Case (Hardcover)

This is one of those books that you can't put down. You read it in the bathtub, at work, at school. You get so involved in Ellen's life and the outcome of Barry's future. You want to choke the doctor that did to him. It's one of the books that you read over and over again and you are still at the edge of your seat waiting for the verdict. I can't wait to read it again!