Say Goodnight, Gracie 20th Anniversary Edition [Paperback]

Julie Reece Deaver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 1989

There are friends we can't imagine living without.

Morgan and Jimmy were kids together, whirling around the porch on hot summer days. They've been friends forever, and by now they know each other inside out. They do everything together--from cutting high school to go into the city to coaching each other at dance auditions and acting workshops. They even argue well. A perfect friendship. Best friends. For life.

So how could life be so right and then be so wrong? After a terrible accident, Morgan suddenly has to face life alone. Without Jimmy around, though, it's like the best part of her has died. How could he do this to her? And why is love so hard?

‘Morgan and Jimmy have grown up together, and are close, loving friends. When Jimmy is killed in an automobile accident, Morgan falls apart and slowly begins a desperate spiral into depression. A wrenching first novel that combines a teenager’s emotional trauma with a love story in the best modern tradition.’ —BL. ‘Memorable.’ —SLJ.

1988 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
1989 Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (ALA)
1988 Young Adult Editors' Choices (BL)
Young Adult Choices for 1990 (IRA)
Children's Books of 1988 (Library of Congress)
1988 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A 17-year-old girl must face life on her own when her closest friend is killed by a drunk driver. PW found this touching first novel ultimately joyful, and said "the happiness friends inspire in one another . . . is convincingly conveyed and absolutely infectious . " Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8-10A well-drawn portrayal of the complex emotions of an adolescent's first confrontation with death. Morgan and Jimmy have been inseparable friends since birth. When Jimmy is killed by a drunk driver, Morgan's pain seems un bearable. The novel candidly charts the range of Morgan's grief and her slow growth towards acceptance and maturity. Poignantly, the novel opens with a men tion of Jimmy's death, then jumps to be fore the accident as Morgan narrates the events leading up to and following it. Deaver has an acute ear for dialogue; the novel progresses with snappy, realistic exchanges between Morgan and Jimmy. The friendship that they share is just thata close friendship that, refreshingly, is without romantic involvement. The role models presented are a real plus, too. Jim my aspires to be a ballet dancer, and Mor gan's aunt is an attractive psychiatrist. Jimmy's fondness for Fred Astaire is a nice touch, as is the Burns and Allen refer ence in the titlea reference which young readers unfortunately may not under stand. Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia (Crowell, 1977) superbly handles the acci dental death of a friend for younger read ers. Goodnight, Gracie is more sensitive, engaging and realistic than Brancato's Facing Up (Knopf, 1984). It is a memora ble first novel. Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School Library, South Portland, Maine
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (October 6, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064470075
• ISBN-13: 978-0064470070
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Readers, thanks for stopping by! For information about my books, please visit my website at www.JulieDeaver.com. You can also contact me at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best youth books about death, July 7, 2001

By 

Matthew E.Torrey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Say Goodnight, Gracie 20th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

I was 14 when my best friend was killed, so I am very interested in youth books that deal with death. Most books sugar coat the topic, but this book deals with it head-on and is the most realistic I have read so far. It shows the horror, the pain, the confusion and anger one experiences when a loved one dies. It also shows how we can slowly come to terms with it and even grow from it, but never completely get over it.

I also enjoyed the slight "gender bending" (for lack of a better term) in the book. The main character is a very independent, strong willed young lady - something lacking in most youth books. The other main character is a teenage boy who wants to be a professional dancer and, get this, he is not gay! While I am gay, it was fun for once to read about a straight boy in what is usually a gay venue. The book does touch on homosexuality in one single sentence, but it is refreshingly handled the way most of today's youths handle it - no big deal.

My only criticism of this book is the aunt character. She is a clinical psychologist and she is a bit too quick to administer drugs to help the main character deal with the death of her friend. I would have down played the use of drugs to get through such a painful time. Most children/youths would not have such instant access to prescribed drugs and most do not receive them. If you know of a youth that has suffered a loss through the death of a loved one (or an adult who lost someone while as a youth), buy him/her this book. I have re-read this book several times and each time I cry - but in a good and helpful way. Make sure your local library or your child's school library has a copy of this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book of All Time, December 16, 1999

By 

peaches (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Say Goodnight, Gracie 20th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

I loved this book I have read it about six different times it is wonderful. It made me smile, laugh, and even cry at times. I also liked this becuase you actually felt what the characters went through. I could not geet enough of this book and will no doubt end up reading it again.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Fantastic Book!, December 1, 1999

By 

Jessie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Say Goodnight, Gracie 20th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

This was probably one of the best books I've ever read. The heartwrenching depth of characters pulls you in from the beginning, making the conclusion one of the most emotional, I suppose, are in the world. I suggest this book to everyone from the ages of 10-18, but only if you like a GREAT book! The main character is so realistic, it's like your laughing and crying along with her.