The Good Side of My Heart [Library Binding]

Ann Rinaldi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1987

When, despite her father's disapproval, sixteen-year-old Brie begins to date the handsome and considerate Josh, she hopes that their relationship will go beyond friendship until he reveals to her that he is homosexual.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8-10 Rinaldi again writes of Brieanna McQuade, the spirited female protagonist introduced in But in the Fall I'm Leaving (Holiday, 1985) . In this new episode Brie, now 16, begins dating Joshua Falcone, her best friend's brother. While he seems thoughtful and charming, he has a bad reputationa sex scandal resulting in his expulsion from a military school. Forbidden by her father to see Josh outside of school, Brie meets him secretly, hoping that the relationship will progress beyond friendship. Meanwhile her older brother and confidante Kevin is experiencing doubts about remaining in the priesthood. Brie presses Josh for romantic attention, forcing him to reveal that the scandal had involved him and the colonel's son, not his daughter. Feeling both abandoned and betrayed, Brie confronts the issue of Josh's homosexuality in a lengthy confessional with Kevin. Subsequently, she seeks to reestablish her friendship with Josh and then offers strength to Kevin when he needs it most. Brie's submission to peer pressure, her uncontrolled temper, and her defiance of parental discipline remain intact from the first book. There is nothing fresh, creative, or unique here, but the story line moves quickly and reads easilyexcept for the lengthy confessional dialogue. This novel will appeal most to readers already familiar with the McQuade family; however, it can stand alone. Cynthia K. Leibold, Anderson High School, Cincinnati
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Library Binding: 284 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (April 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823406482
• ISBN-13: 978-0823406487
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,932,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ANN RINALDI is an award-winning author best known for bringing history vividly to life. A self-made writer and newspaper columnist for twenty-one years, Ms. Rinaldi attributes her interest in history to her son, who enlisted her to take part in historical reenactments up and down the East Coast. She lives with her husband in central New Jersey.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Superb Young Adult Fiction, June 5, 2000

By 

Sheila Trimble (Fountain Hills, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Good Side of My Heart (Library Binding)

Although written in 1987, this well-written fiction book is as relevant today as it was thirteen years ago. In fact, it was probably ahead of its time in discussing teenage homosexuality in young adult literature when it was originally published. This quality story focuses on realistic adolescent experiences and deals with the issue of sexuality in a sensitive and intelligent fashion.

The story is told through the experiences of sixteen year old Brie, who like many adolescents, battles with a parent, faces peer pressure, and makes some decisions that, while seemingly important at sixteen, she will hopefully be able to look back at and laugh when she is an adult.

Ann Rinaldi's style of writing makes this book easy to read and difficult to put down. The character development is well done, even in the most minor of roles in the story. Rinaldi's use of visual imagery is superb, as it is easy to imagine the experiences of the characters as they are described from Brie's point of view.

Brie's experiences and the stages of understanding and maturity she goes through with those individuals closest to her make this a quality read for young adults.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Good Side of My Heart, March 5, 2003

By 

Kara Fuller (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Good Side of My Heart (Library Binding)

In Ann Rinaldi's story, The Good Side of My Heart, there is a mix of love, hate, and lies that keep you interested until the very last page. Conflict with a young girl, her best friend, her brother, father and herself keep you captivated and wanting more.
The Good Side of My Heart is full of conflict between almost every character. Brie, a young girl in high school, has a good life and a bright future until she falls head over heals for her best friends brother, Josh. Josh comes to Brie's town after being kicked out of his private school because of an intimate relationship with the Captain's kid. Brie would do anything to be with Josh, including lie to her father, sneak out of the house, cover up a drug scandal on her island, and keep things from her brother, whom she is very close to. Brie's brother, Kevin, is a priest who has always been there for Brie through everything to help her with her problems, but this time, they are both relying on each other when Kevin starts to question his faith, and Brie finds out a life altering secret from her love, Josh.
The storyline is very intriguing, full of colorful characters and interesting conflicts; it is easy to relate to real life. The narration lets you know exactly what Brie is thinking and you can almost feel like you are in the story with her. You get mad when she gets mad, sad when she is sad, and confused when she is confused.
The Good Side of My Heart is for all ages, but especially for young people, mainly girls, who are going through the stages of growing up, falling in love, and learning to fall out of love. The novels juicy conflicts and realistic themes make this story a real page-turner with a satisfying end.