Emily Good as Gold [Hardcover]

Susan Goldman Rubin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Thirteen-year-old developmentally disabled Emily struggles between being a little girl and becoming a woman. “This is a well-written book on a subject that few authors choose to deal with. It offers insights about what it feels like to be one of those 'special' students, how painful it is to be stared at and whispered about. More importantly, it offers a sense that these students are, in most of the important ways, like all the rest of us.”--VOYA

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Thirteen years old and "developmentally disabled," Emily Gold longs to be like other teenagers, but she knows she's "special"--a euphemism she's grown to hate. Realizing that she's maturing (she's proud to be menstruating), Emily resents her parents' protectiveness, especially her father's insistence on regarding her as a little girl. She adores her brother, a lawyer, but feels betrayed by his unexpected marriage. Yet her sister-in-law, Phyllis, eventually charms Emily with her warmth and generosity, and becomes a valuable friend. It's Phyllis who clarifies Emily's notions about sex and reproduction, teaching her about "nice boys and not so nice boys," a crucial lesson for the pretty and eager-to-please girl. Rubin paints her character with contrasting colors: she's naive yet perceptive (she always knows when people are discussing her and what they are likely to be saying), sweet but sometimes temperamental, obedient but occasionally deceptive. Emphasizing what her heroine has in common with the audience while not glossing over her differences, the author provides a meaningful, hopeful glimpse into a rarely visited world. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-While at a camp for retarded children, Emily, 13, is devastated when she receives a phone call from her mother saying that her beloved brother, Tom, is getting married the next day. Determined to hate his new wife Phyllis, she is surprised and won over by the young woman's warmth and acceptance of her. So it is only natural that when Phyllis becomes pregnant, Emily is full of curiosity and wants a baby, too. Meanwhile, Emily's father has become unhappy with the fact that his daughter is growing up, and refuses to give her any freedom. Rubin's skill lies in using the simplest vocabulary to allow readers to experience in a most understandable way the complexities faced by the developmentally delayed. When Emily finally refines her ability to judge boys' motives and wins the trust of her parents, readers will feel that it is their victory, too. The emergence of sexuality in children is a difficult topic for most parents, and this book could function as a discussion springboard for parent or support groups. Much less complex than Virginia E. Wolff's Probably Still Nick Swansen (Holt, 1988), it's still a gem of a book for changing perceptions.
Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (October 31, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152766324
• ISBN-13: 978-0152766320
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,730,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching story of the challenges of a disabled teen!, March 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Emily Good As Gold (Paperback)

Very touching, vivid story told from a mentally disabled teenage girl's point of view; it's the first of its kind that I've ever read. I love the bond that Emily develops with her new sister-in-law, Phyllis; I liked how Phyllis respected that fact the she was growing up & never talked down to her like so many people make the mistake of doing to mentally disabled people. I'm so glad her parents slowly began to realized that she was growing up & needed more space & independence. The book really delves into the world of the disabled & I like the scenes from the school Emily goes to. What really thrills me is that Emily also learns who can be trusted & who can't; I cheered inside when Emily is able to use her intuition to know not to get into a car with someone she doesn't know well. The book illustrates that yes, the mentally disabled CAN learn the same things others can, they just learn it more slowly & their minds take a little longer to absorb things. I re-read this book right on the heels of a book about Annie Sullivan & Helen Keller; this book is a wonderful addition to the growing proof that more & more handicapped people, whether mental or physical, or leading independent, productive, happy lives.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A completely meaningful book, February 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Emily Good as Gold (Hardcover)

The book started with the reader learning about Emily, a developmentally delayed child, who only wants to be like other thirteen year old girls her age. You learn about her struggles with trying to be normal. The only downside was you wish she weren't so clueless! This book touched my heart. I recommend it to all teenage girls.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and Also Personal, March 21, 2011

By 

Evelynne "Evelynne" (Elmhurst, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emily Good as Gold (Hardcover)

I think that this is a wonderfully, well written book about a teen who is mentally challenged. Plus, Emily can open up your eyes to see what is inside her world. Being challenged (physically) myself, I can fully understand all the setbacks she goes through, and the frusteration sometimes when others talk down. I enjoy this book very much, and I am glad to say it is one of my favorites.