Mel [Paperback]

Liz Berry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1993

When her mother is hospitalized after suffering a mental breakdown, seventeen-year-old Mel redecorates the house, initiates a neighborhood clean-up, and becomes involved with a rock star.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This winsome tale of self-transformation is a hodgepodge of home renovation tips, grass-roots political activism and modern day fairy tale--complete with a sensitive, rock 'n' roll Prince Charming. Hopelessness and her mother's madness have driven Mel to the brink of suicide. When her mother finally is institutionalized, Mel sees the possibility of creating a new life for herself. Moving in with neighbors, she sets to work cleaning and redecorating her mother's squalid house. On a visit to the local junk shop, she meets Mitch, a rock star hiding from his own fame. By the novel's end, Mel has redone her house, passed her all-important exams, mobilized her racially mixed neighborhood, transformed the junk shop into a thriving antique business, won a tidy sum at the racetrack and, of course, negotiated a romantic relationship with Mitch. All this could easily strain the patience of the most credulous reader. However, the sheer exuberance of the narrative makes it easy to forgive--if not actually believe--the plot's wild excesses. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8-12-- Seventeen-year-old Melody Calder, a child of poverty and abuse, determines to change her life after her mother is institutionalized. She redecorates her London row house while working in an antique/junk shop, which she transforms into a profit-making business. At the same time, she turns the downtrodden and depressed local residents into lobbyists for their rightful social services and meets a rock star who falls in love with her. This novel has one of the biggest problems exhibited by a number of recent YA novels: too many of life's and society's problems crammed into one person's life. However, Mel's character commands respect; she is so likable that readers will identify with her and cheer her on. She's real--she makes mistakes but learns and grows from them. Her refusal to cave in to despair sets an example for her neighbors and readers alike. The language is characteristically British YA, but won't put off Americans. The plot is organized so that interest is picqued immediately and retained. Even though the happy romantic ending smacks of fairy tale, Mel's honest reaction to her mother's return home is refreshingly realistic. Overall, it's a worthwhile purchase, easily booktalked. --Ellen Ramsay, Amphitheater High School, Tucson, AZ
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140365346
• ISBN-13: 978-0140365344
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,333,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How a 17-yr old deals with insanity,a shabby house&romance., February 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mel (Paperback)

This book is simply super! I have read it about 20 times and would definitely be reading it alot more...the way Mel rallies against what fate has dealt her and her strength is awe-inspiring!!! One of the best books ever writtten!!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just "okay"!!!!, May 8, 2003

By 

Carri L. Shook "Shookie" (Jimtown) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel (Paperback)

I had very high hopes for this book after reading "The China Garden", but "Mel" was only okay. Yeah, it was quick, easy read, but it lacked depth & was a bit cheesy at times. It just didn't have that "stay up all night reading it" quality, which is what I look for. I am just disappointed with it & I wouldn't really recommend it, read "The China Garden" instead.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read from my childhood, September 30, 2011

By 

LaniM - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel (Hardcover)

This is one book that has always stayed with me ever since I was 14 and read it for the first time. It is a sweet story of Mel who has to deal with her mother's deteriorating mental health and the poverty they live in. After her mother is hospitalised, she finds that there are people willing to help her but she is reluctant to trust them. She grows through the book - dealing with grief and anger and channels her feelings constructively into redecorating her home - a place she associated with so much misery. This is a great YA romance and I have enjoyed all the Liz Berry books I have read.