Memory Jug [Hardcover]

Patricia Martin (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up

Having taken over the job of speaking for her younger sister Amaryllis when a family tragedy causes her to stop talking, Mack resents having to step aside when she is no longer needed as a mouthpiece.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-Mack, 13, is in charge of her family's gypsy life. Since the death of her father, she has been transient along with her antique-dealing, house-sitting mother Maggie and her younger sister, Amaryllis. As Maggie says, "My Mack is a master of organization. Why shouldn't we benefit from that?" Mack's self-imposed isolation and self-control and Amaryllis's refusal to speak a single word date from their father's death as he heeded their pleas and tried to rescue their dog from their burning house five years earlier. Mack's near burnout as she loses control over their lives and finally accepts that change and friendship can be good for all of them are the pivotal moments in this solidly crafted, realistic novel. Interesting characters are well drawn, including a truly distraught, flower-child mother; an eccentric aunt; and a cast of characters Mack calls "EWGs," or "Extremely Weird Group," with whom she finally forms friendships. The Adirondack setting is vividly captured through descriptions of townsfolk and the environment, and the language is natural and engaging. The plot is somewhat uneven, moving slowly at times. Nonetheless, this portrait of a strong young woman growing up in a demanding situation will engage both the hearts and heads of many young readers.
Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Since the death of Mack's father in a fire, Mack, her younger sister, Amaryllis, and their mother, Maggie, have become gypsies. Professional house-sitters, they never stay in one place long enough to become attached. Mack likes it that way, and she also likes speaking for her sister, who stopped talking after the fire. Since their move to Homer's Cove, though, things are changing. Mack feels she is losing her grip on the family as Maggie acquires a boyfriend, Amaryllis makes a new friend, and blunt, bossy Aunt Sydney moves in. Like Elyse Donaldson in Carol Lynch Williams' If I Forget, You Remember , Mack is a strong-willed, not very likable main character who is forced to change as life moves on. The plot moves slowly, and there's a very stereotyped librarian among the characters. However, there are also a number of pluses--including a strongly drawn Adirondack Mountain setting, poetic portrayals of the townsfolk, and a lively, amusing depiction of what it's like to be on the receiving end of an unwanted crush. Susan Dove Lempke --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786823682
• ISBN-13: 978-0786823680
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,172,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars getting near to baby is a better choice, May 5, 2011

By 

peytie dearborn "peytie dearborn" (ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memory Jug (Hardcover)

i liked the idea of reading about a family in distress, as mine was when i found this other book years ago. i also found this one, but the other one, with much of the same subject and even some similar details, was the one I found helpful.Getting Near to Baby (2000 Newbery Honor Book)

1.0 out of 5 stars ??????????, June 5, 2008

By 

M. Lehman "Irish Momma" (Mitchellville IA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Memory Jug (Hardcover)

I read almost half way through this book and I could no longer stand it. This book was mostly deatails and no story. Details about what this looked like and what that looked like and what she looked like and he looked like. Get on with the story. What a waste. 100 pages of this book can be summed up in 2-3 sentences.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book that's Worth a Read., May 23, 2002

By 

C. Apple "horsegirl122" (Longmont, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memory Jug (Hardcover)

This book was one that I will recomend to girls ages 9-13. This is a great book for anyone who has delt with the loss of someone that they've lost. After her father dying, Mack's (main character) little sister stops talking. Once their constantly moving small family settles down for awhile, things start to change for Mack and her family. Her mom gets a new boyfriend, which makes Mack extreamly uncomfortable, and someone having an unwanted crush on Mack also makes her feel quite umcomfortable as well.
This book was a great read, and as the other reviewer said before me: It is not extreamly boring!! It is an interesting and great book to read, and I liked it because I could really relate to Mack. This is one that I would highly reccomend!!!!!!