The Language of Goldfish [Paperback]

Zibby Oneal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1990

"With a taut thread that winds ever tighter, Oneal pulls readers into the mind of 13-year-old Carrie Stokes, a sensitive artist and talented mathematician who is suffering a mental breakdown . . . A kaleidoscope of shifting emotions come tumbling out as Carrie retreats little by little into her head".--Booklist. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this gripping, widely praised novel chronicling a mental breakdown, the parents and friends of eighth-grader Carrie Stokes do not understand the seriousness of her frequent daydreams and dizzy spells. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (October 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014034540X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140345407
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,298 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must read, December 8, 2001

By 

S. Pajonas (New York Metro Area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Language of Goldfish (Paperback)

this book touched my heart. i'm now 26 and i read it while i was in junior high. i remember the pressures of growing up and am glad that i was able to make it through better than carrie. this novel is about the anguish a young woman feels when growing up. everyone wants you to be something you aren't and you don't know how to say no. carrie, instead of rebelling, retreats into her own consciousness. she equates her madness to her lovely pond in the backyard -- where she spent so many young and happy years talking to the goldfish with her sister. its a steady downward slope into the mind of an unstable young girl.. the writing is exceptional and the imagery will stay with you for a lifetime.. trust me, i can't forget this book and i haven't read it since i was a teen.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delicate subject in Language of Goldfish, July 11, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Language of Goldfish (Paperback)

The Language of Goldfish is a delicate book about a young girl who is trying to get beyond her mental illness. The story first leads up to her mental breakdown and her attempted suicide. The second part is about how she is coping with it and growing up. In my opinion the book cannot be used in a class full of young people without good follow up. Teenagers may be confused by it, recognizing some situations and wanting to talk about it. The book tries to picture Carrie as a normal girl, but she has abilities, like drawing and maths, that are rather special. She also has the luck of being assigned to an understanding psychiatrist. Not every teenager with similar feelings has that luck. On the other hand, some teenagers may be blessed with understanding parents, which Carrie is not. Therefore, the book tackles a very interesting topic, and certainly not one to walk away from, but it has to be handled with care.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars of being lonely and growing up.......a great book, June 23, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Language of Goldfish (Paperback)

It was a great book to read! Little by little you get to know Carrie, you get to know her anxieties and fears, and also her strong sides. I felt really sorry for Carrie, a lonely girl, reminding me of myself and of so many other young girls, unsecure, wanting to stay as she is, wanting things to stay as they are..
Still, even these very insecure children have to grow up, and so does Carrie, helped by her friend and teacher, who believes in her and in her art. I really loved Carrie, a loyal friend. She doesn't want to forget her old home and her old friend Tanya, she is very loyal towards her little brother, and to Mrs. Ramsay.It also shows in the way she is dedicated to her sport,playing hockey, and her art lessons. Still, she cannot cope and leaps back into the safe world she once knew, the world of the goldfish, where she was safe, together with her sister whom she has already lost to "growing up".
One big question remains linguering in my head after reading: what about her mom and dad, don't they care, don't they see what is happening? Their attitude really makes me sad. Just the way Carrie has to find her way all by herself.An impressive book!