I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This [Hardcover]

Jacqueline Woodson (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 115 pages
• Publisher: Demco Media (December 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606085513
• ISBN-13: 978-0606085519
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Jacqueline Woodson's awards include 3 Newbery Honors, a Coretta Scott King Award and 3 Coretta Scott King Honors, 2 National Book Awards, a Margaret A. Edwards Award and an ALAN Award -- both for Lifetime Achievement in YA Literature. She is the author of more than 2 dozen books for children and young adults and lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars subject matter is controversial but necessary in this day, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book for a college lit. class and was disturbed by the emotional affect I felt. This is a great book about race relations and children who loose a parent but the subject of sexual abuse does not provide an answer for children who might be experiencing the same abuse as Lena. The book is rated at a fourth grade level however I am not sure that an average fourth grader would understand the problem of sexual abuse. A good understanding of the whole social issue of sexual abuse must be explained to a child before reading this book. I would hate to see a child who is experiencing sexual abuse read this and come up with the solution of running away from their problems. This could be a good starting point for discussion on possible solutions for Lena's problem.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant and Eye Opening, April 19, 2000

By 

Amy (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This (Mass Market Paperback)

Daringly confronting the issues of sexual abuse, death, divorce, pain, racism, and relashionships, this eloquent novel was deeply affecting. It reads easily, holds your attention, and leaves you crying with a new look on the world. I recommend it to all.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Hadn't meant to tell you this, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This (Hardcover)

Jacqueline Woodson has used good taste in confronting the issue of child abuse. She presents two girls from very different backgrounds and bring them together to form a beautiful friendship.

Maria and Lena share a common bond of the lost of their mothers. The book is a must read for young adult audiences.