Customer Reviews

Nobody's Fault

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Patricia Hermes novel about family loss is a great introduction for young readers to a difficult subject. Hermes creates a story so complete that readers will cherish it for a long time. Her characters, their behaviors, and the story are everlasting monuments to life as it is. Hermes is a master storyteller.

Narrator Emily Taylor has an annoying older brother named Matthew. Matt gets all the breaks. He is even good at everything Emily wants to do. And he gloats about it. But when Emily decides to strike back and get even with her monster of an older brother, something tragic happens that changes everything.

The author uses a first person voice which makes the story more personal. As Emily struggles to realize her feelings and deal with her situation, Hermes builds genuine tension, anxiety and emotions in her star character. Though they are secondary characters, Emily's parents and housekeeper are genuine and supportive. The details woven into each character and every situation makes this story so real and familiar to readers of all levels.

Hermes also broaches a difficult subject with ease. Emily's transition from panic, denial, anger, remorse and acceptance are so cler and vivid that they give readers a sense of being there. Though every child may not face a situation like Emily's, every child can learn from Emily's feelings. Coping with loss and guilt are difficult experiences which we all deal with in very different ways. Hermes captured that well.

This was a quick easy read too. Targeted for younger readers, the book is a quick 107 pages. It is marked at a 4.5 reading level and recommended for ages 10 and up. I recommend it to anybody who can read and encourage teachers to find a place for it in their classroom collections. Hermes has impressed me twice with great fiction. Each time her story touches my heart.

Nobody's Fault is a great book for kids dealing with loss. All readers will have to deal with loss at some point, and Hermes presents a great novel that addresses a challenging issue. Her characters are genuine, her descriptions are vivid, and her plot is engrossing. Readers will definitely have a memorable experience with this book.

I thought this book was wonderful, because it has a good message for young adults. I read this book quite awhile ago, and it made me cry, but it also made me smile. This book brings back memories of what it's like to have an obnoxious brother, but it also teaches young people an important lesson on death and not blaming oneself for it. I would recommend this book to young teenagers as good reading material.

I read this book as a child in school my teacher had this book i read it and cried through it....i have since had a daughter of my own and have bought the book for her it is truely a sad book but with a good meaning....i would 100% recommended this book!!!!

My 26-year-old found out that this was available through Amazon and asked me to buy it with my next order. I have 5 children and once one of them read it, it was read by all of my other children. Going from elementary to high school, they experienced the death of schoolmates and this proved to be the book that helped them cope with these experiences. I also read it when they were young. It is written at about a 4th grade level, making it highly readable for all young children (9+)who may be coping with the death of a family member, friend, or schoolmate, especially those who might be dealing with "It's my fault". The fact that my daughter is asking for a copy, 15 years after reading it in 6th grade, attests to its emotional power, even though the storyline and the vocablary are quite simple. The rating I gave it is based on this appeal.

I am 26, this book touched me enough to still remember the title after about 15 years. I first read it in the 5th grade (I think). It impacted my life so much that I have tracked it down on Amazon, and recommended it to others for years. Thank You Amazon!

very good book dealing with the subject of the sudden deat of a young sibiling. good for kids who may have expirnced something siamlar. if you liked this book and want a simalar one i suggrest mick harte was hear by ruth parker.