How Could You Do It, Diane? [Hardcover]

Stella Pevsner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1989

As Bethany struggles to find the reasons why her sister committed suicide, her parents try to repress the incident.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stepsisters since they were five, Bethany and Diane were friends as well as siblings, sharing a bedroom when they could have had separate quarters. When Bethany discovers Diane's still form on the basement couch, dead from an overdose of pills, she realizes with a shock just how little she knew of her sister's life. As Bethany's family gropes with their feelings, she looks for solid answers to the "why" of beautiful, popular Diane's suicide--answers on which she hopes to base her own future. Like Susan Beth Pfeffer's A Year Without Michael , this book never answers that question, which keeps the emotional bends of the story ringingly honest. Pevsner ( Sister of the Quints ) takes her time with the narrative; she seems ready to explore every angle with readers, in an attempt to make them think through the issues, too. Pat scenes with a therapist do not mar or alter the book's total impact--Bethany handles her problems realistically, and not without grace. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-- Bethany discovers the body of her 15-year-old step-sister, Diane, lying on the basement couch and, to assuage her own sense of responsibility and disbelief, tries to find out why Diane killed herself. The tragedy disrupts the entire family, as all relationships are abruptly changed by the loss of the loved sister/daughter/step-daughter. With the help of counseling, the family begins to re-establish the normal patterns of life. The dialogue is simple and occasionally choppy and cliched. This is not a fault, as, in real life in such a situation, thoughts are not smooth and well developed. The book is reminiscent of Pfeffer's About David (Delacorte, 1980), as both books begin after the deaths have occurred, and are similar in style and focus. Bethany's mother, Diane's step-mother, emerges as a real person who makes mistakes, perhaps tries too hard, but is concerned and caring. The father's realization of his unintentional lack of involvement results in believable strengthening and acceptance. Bethany finds no complete answers, for Diane's suicide remains a mystery; no shameful secret emerges, no villain is revealed. While the ending is too sweet and pat, and the message, that suicide is a waste, is too obvious, this book will have an impact on readers. --Carrol McCarthy, Tower Hill School, Wilmington, DE
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 183 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; First Edition edition (September 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395510414
• ISBN-13: 978-0395510414
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,003,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!!!, April 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How Could You Do It, Diane? (Paperback)

This book was one of the most interesting book I've ever read!!! I am not the kind of person who likes to read a lot, and usually I don't have time, and when I do, I prefer magazines. This year we had a reading challenge in class where we had to read 4 books in two months. I felt that it was my chance to really get into reading and maybe understand those people that think reading is such a wonderful thing. Besides, I felt I owed it to the rest of the class that tried to win a prize, and I didn't want to dissappoint them! Before reading this book, I felt that I read other books just because I was forced to read, and I didn't really enjoy them. But then, by really getting into this book, I finally found myself in the situation when you just can't put the book down! Maybe it was the first time that I found a book that I trully liked! This novel is a combination of mystery and relationship. It's a very sad book too. The author described the events and in a very realistic way, as if the they really happened, but actually it's a made up story. I don't know what most people like to read, but I personally prefer fiction books with plots that are based on true stories. The book wasn't hard for me to read, and it might be fairly easy for eight grade students. I recommend this book to practically anyone who likes to mostly read realistic fiction.

5.0 out of 5 stars How Could You Do It, Diane?, October 11, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: How Could You Do It, Diane? (Paperback)

How Could You Do It, Diane? Is a great book. It's about a girl named Bethany and her stepsister Diane. Diane killed herself and nobody knows why she had a great life with tons of friends and two boyfriends. Bethany wanted answers of why she killed herself. They have a little brother and sister. The little sister doesn't understand that Diane died. Everyone is sad and depressed. They even end up seeing a psychiatrist. I thought this book was sad, but very good. If you are into sad and kind of mysterious books, you would like this one. Bethany even starts asking Diane's friends if they have any idea why she might have done it.

3.0 out of 5 stars How Could You Do It, Diane?, March 30, 2006

By 

Bailey - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Could You Do It, Diane? (Paperback)

How Could You Do It, Diane? I thought was a great book. This book is about a girl named Bethany and her step-sister Diane had comitted suicied. Now noone knows excectly why Diane would do such a thing. Diane had a great life, she had tons of friends, always had boys around her, she was very pretty, and she was a cheerleader. Who would just through that all away? Diane has tried this once before but called her step-mother for help, because she is a nurse. Why did Diane do it this time? Did she really mean to kill herself? Or did she just want to scare everyone but it failed? Join Bethany as she tries to figure out why her loving step-sister, Diane had comitted suicide. Will bethany ever know all of the answers to the questions "why?"