Customer Reviews

Gingerbread

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Add a rebellious teenager named Cyd Charisse to parents named Sid and Nancy. Throw in a biological father on another coast, a brooding surfing/artist boyfriend whose brother runs several fine coffee shops, a tarot reading best friend in a nursing home, and a doll named Gingerbread -- all that, and you're still not going to get a good story unless the author knows her stuff. Even a splash of a hot-hot-hot ex boyfriend and a boarding school scandal won't do it, unless the author knows how to capture characters on the written page. This, gentle readers, is an incredible book by a fabulous author.
While Cid in "Gingerbread" isn't quite one's typical teenager (she's got a bit more money than most), the trials and tribulations are incredibly real with this obviously brilliant character. There are no minor characters in this book; everyone is very much alive.
I first heard of Gingerbread, which is mentioned in a chapter of the 2002 Children's Writers & Illustrators Market (available on amazon.com). The description is good enough that, instead of going to another library to do research on homework this weekend, I made a trip to a library with a children's and young adults' room specifically so that I could take this book off the shelf to read. I read it in under two hours. (It was a welcome relief from legal tomes! Furthermore, even though I'm now going to have to spend Sunday in the law library, meaning that I won't have any days off, giving up an afternoon to read something THIS delightful was worth it.)
This book will make a unique gift for a teenage girl or boy who isn't quite as angelic as the Bobbsey Twins -- or perhaps for the parent of such a young adult. I am desperately hoping for a sequel, and I'm in my early 30s.

I was extremely excited to see Gingerbread at the library ... I started it last night and finished it this morning and loved it. ...Cyd Charisse is a 16 year old who's had sex, lived across the country from half her family, and just experienced life completely differently from me. But she's a great character that you grow to care about with her coffee obsession and her boyfriend Shrimp that you want things to work out with. She has some more serious issues with the dad she's never known, and the boyfriend who abandoned her when she was pregnant. Ever constant is Cyd Charisse's special perfect place where she would like to retreat to..it's interesting to see how this place changes as her life changes. All in all there is a happy way it all comes together, but I'm hoping for a sequel because I love the author's style of writing! Anyways, I might not be articulating this well, but go read it because it may be a quick read, but it also really makes you smile and think about the little things in life!

Gingerbread is about a 16 year old girl dealing with teenage problems. Her biological father lives in New York, while she lives in San Francisco with her mother and step-father. She doesn't get along with her mother very well and she has practically no friends. Her closest friend is an elderly woman living in a nursing home. Gingerbread will keep you interested because it deals with teenage problems of love, hate, sex, lies, and confrontation with the parental units. If you are a teenager, especially a young girl, you could probably relate to many of the issues that this book talks about.
Gingerbread is an interesting book because it is written in the form of a diary. Its, kind of like you are going into the main characters mind. The paragraphs and sentences are random, and some don't have anything to do with the previous one, but that's what makes it so interesting. I thought this was a really good book and it was easy to relate to. The only thing I had a problem with was the ending. It just didn't seem like the right time or place to end the story. It seems like there should be more to it, and I think that a sequel is definitely needed.

"My so-called parents hate my boyfriend, Shrimp. I'm not sure they even
believe he is my boyfriend. They take one look at his five-foot-five,
surfer-shirt-wearin', baggy-jeans-slouchin', Pop Tart-eatin',
spiked-hair-head self and you can just see confusion firebombs exploding in
their heads, like they are thinking, Oh no, Cyd Charisse, that young man is
not your homes.

"Dig this: He is."

GINGERBREAD is the exuberant and delightful story of Cyd Charisse. (Her
namesake was the beautiful dancer/actress from Singing in the Rain fame.)
Cyd Charisse is called by her full name so as not to be confused with her
stepfather Sid. (Her '"society wife" mother is named Nancy.) Anyway, Cyd
Charisse has been booted out of boarding school for getting caught in bed
with her blue-blood jock boyfriend. In addition to sex, Cyd Charisse had
become involved with alcohol, drugs, and shoplifting for the sake of
maintaining her "dream" relationship with the big man on campus.

Now she is spending the summer back in San Fran, living with her family, but
hanging with Shrimp. She met him while they were both doing mandatory
community service at a nursing home. Shrimp lives with his brother, a young
specialty coffee mogul named Java the Hut.

Her best friend is Sugar Pie, a wise old lady who resides at the nursing home.

Cyd Charisse has only met her biological father once. It was at an airport
when she was five, and he bought her the doll she named Gingerbread, who is
still her constant companion as well as her alter ego.

Cyd Charisse's world caves in once again when she is grounded indefinitely
for staying out too late at Shrimp's. After making everyone miserable, she
is shipped off to "Real Dad's" in New York.

This was one of those read ten pages, go back and start reading it aloud
because it's too much fun not to share books. The eventual reconciliation
between Cyd Charisse and Nancy is a bit saccharine, but otherwise it is the
first winner I've discovered among the early Spring advance copies

This was an incredibly amazing book. It was well-written and very relatedable. I can understand by some of the other reviews that adults tried to read it and didnt really like it. Well guess what? it was meant for teenagers to relate to not older people. I've told everyone i know to read this book and now im telling you- yes you- to buy/read it too! It told the lives of very interesting characters (w/ extremely strange names) and the challenges they face along the road of life. I have added this book to my list of must reads for teenagers! but i warn you now that anyone under 12 and over 23 should probably steer clear of this book!!

This book is so perfect for an teenage girl. It has enough drama to keep anyone interested. It deals with sex, family issues, divorced parents, some homosexuality (although not with the main character Cyd Charisse), and it can be just flat out thought provoking. The narrator tells the story in modern language using hip terms and slang that are fun to read. It gives the book a relaxed feel but Cyd Charisse deals with so much in her life in such a short time. I've read this book at least 5 times. I'm 16 years old and I cannot say enough what a greatpick this book is.

Cyd Charisse is a pretty typical teenager, in some ways. She was kicked out of boarding school, doesn't really know her real father, is promiscous, and goes through many life altering things throughout the novel. The book doesn't get too graphic with sexual content, but does deal with issues for teens 13 and up. Abortion is discussed, as well as dealing with a gay brother and a sister who doesn't want you. But, all's well that ends well and I'm wishing for a sequel.

I thought the book was extremely well-worded, and gave out strong messages to younger readers. It used fluent use of language, and was very touching. I enjoyed the setting, and also the characters, which were extremely clear and imaginable. I thought it was funny,witty and emotional, and i felt i could relate and sympathise with the character, even though i have never been in her situation. I loved it and couldn't put it down. A fantastic first book!!!!!

Usually when I read books i read a chapter and then wait a few days before I decide to read more of it. Only i saw a review in magazine that this girl liked this book so I bought it and started reading it that day. Amazed by the next morning i was done with it. I couldn't let go of the book. And my sister and friends also read it in one day. This book made me read other books. This book made me believe that there are good books out there. If you like this book then i must say that you should read Born Blue by Han Nolan. Believe me this book is a must read, both of them are. Take my advice, when your looking a book grab this one. I no more to say, you can believe my "wise" words or pick up a dull book and forget how exciting this book is.

I really enjoyed Gingerbread. I read it in a 4 hour period. I really think the younger audience should avoid it. The characters really come alive. I seriously wanna meet Shrimp, and his older brother. Cyd Charisse is a typical teenager, complaining about everything. I found myself going to Starbucks when I finished!

I thought Gingerbread was very good. It talked about things that a teenager would go through. Conflict with school, friends and parents are some things that I think all teenagers have to deal with sometime or another.