On My Own (Diary of a Teenage Girl: Caitlin, Book 4) [Paperback]

Melody Carlson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 4, 2002

University life isn't what Caitlin expected. Her roommate Liz is hostile to her faith -- tormenting her with raunchy music and sleazy boyfriends. Worst of all, suddenly Caitlin doesn't understand herself anymore. Why has she regressed to being the shy, insecure girl she was in junior high? She doesn't even fit in with her new Christian fellowship group! Caitlin tries not to envy Josh and her friends at Christian colleges, but suddenly all she has are questions and few answers. In the story of Caitlin O'Conner's soul, this frustrating year is the most significant one yet, as the homesick freshman eventually remembers there is one companion she can always trust.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-In this addition to the series, Caitlin, a devout Christian, begins college and meets her bold and brazen roommate, Liz. This mismatch provides the backdrop for Caitlin to seek God's help and guidance. Her fundamentalist attitudes prevent her from dating, kissing, or even allowing any kind of openness to new friends and situations. Expressions are odd and dated: "the fur did fly" when two girls fight over a boy; arguments lead to "cussing"; arriving at a square dance, Caitlin squeals, "we three arrived in high spirits." Liz's mom is portrayed as a distraught woman; she sobs about her prayers that a good Christian girl would straighten out her sinning daughter. Meanwhile, Caitlin and her old friend Josh enter a pre-engagement covenant (not SWAK) to eventually marry. Carlson's heavy-handed tone turns this diary into a fundamentalist treatise, not a novel to inspire and savor.
Linda Beck, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Melody Carlson is the bestselling author of more than seventy books for teens, women, and children with total sales over 1 million. She has two grown sons and enjoys an active lifestyle of hiking, skiing, and biking. She lives in the beautiful Oregon Cascade Mountains with her husband and Labrador retriever.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (July 4, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590520173
• ISBN-13: 978-1590520178
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.2 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melody Carlson has written around 200 books for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her books range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including the Rita and Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Will Be Torturous to Wait For Book 5!, September 1, 2002

By 

Allyn "pianogirl" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: On My Own (Diary of a Teenage Girl: Caitlin, Book 4) (Paperback)

After a fairly "same-old, same-old" finish to her senior year, Caitlin O'Connor is off to college. Not too excited from the beginning about attending the state college instead of the small Christian ones her best friends are at, Caitlin is dismayed to find other disadvantages about college life. First of all, her room-mate, Liz, is far from ideal and when that's combined with a general lack of friends, Caitlin really feels like a "big fish in a little pond."

As always, Caitlin's diary is intersting, honest, and insightful. The new characters that we meet along the way add fresh interst to the story, yet Caitlin's old friends make appearances too. Sticking to her "non-dating for now" commitment is just as tricky as ever, yet Caitlin continues to inspire us with how she deals with dating. This book will keep you reading, and the unexpected event involving Caitlin and Josh will leave you aching for the sequel...

The books in the Diary of a Teenage Girl series are great examples of almost-perfect Christian books. Containing a main character we can all identify with and tackling issues that every Christian faces-this diary is a must-read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great 4th book in the series., January 14, 2012

By 

JesusJuice - See all my reviews

This review is from: On My Own (Diary of a Teenage Girl: Caitlin, Book 4) (Paperback)

After pretty much a boring mundane year full of a few surprises. Caitlin O'Connor is off to college. And she is beginning a new chapter of her life. She is not that happy about having to go to a state college instead of Christian college all her friends are at. She is even more not happy about her roommate Liz who is a non-Christian. Plus she hardly has any friends. So Caitlin feels like she is drowning.
Caitlin's diary is interesting. And insightful. The new characters that Melody Carlson puts in her book add a fresh new twist. Caitlin is still sticking to her non-dating for now. But that commitment gets even more trickier especially when Josh's feelings for her start to grow and grow. This book just like all the others will keep you reading and reading. And will inspire you along the way. I loved this book. I hope you will too. I love all the Diary of a Teenage girl books. I like how their centered around the Lord Jesus Christ and I like how their not cookie cutter but they expose the truth. I can't wait to read Book 5. Oh wait, I already have. And it was breathtaking.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awsome Series, April 1, 2009

By 

Katie D. Wing "Crazy_Dog_Lady" (Western KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On My Own (Diary of a Teenage Girl: Caitlin, Book 4) (Paperback)

This is an awsome series and I reccomend reading all the caitlin books and in order. I like how they are christian based, have a good story line and teach good morals. The caitlin series follows a girl from high school through college and eventually marriage. I am 19 and read all 5 books during my fall semester at college.