Silver [Mass Market Paperback]

Norma Fox Mazer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 1989

My mother is determined that I will have a wonderful life -- better than her own. I guess she can't imagine what it is like for me, a kid from a trailer park, to transfer to the junior high school where all the rich kids go -- the kind of kids who come from homes where my mother works as a cleaning woman....

But somehow, miraculously, I've become part of a little clique of pretty and popular girls who have everything money can buy. And sometimes they also have secrets in their lives more painful than anything I've ever known.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this sensitive story of friendship, Mazer subtly breaks down barriers between rich and poor as Sarabeth Silver is finally accepted on her own terms by her wealthy friends. "The book captures the endearingly goofy moments of youth," stated PW. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-12 Finding friends in a new school isn't easy for any junior high school student, but it seemed like it was going to be twice as hard for Sarabeth Silver, who came from the wrong side of the tracks to a wealthy district. But with a slight twisting of the truth, Sarabeth gets acquainted with the one girl in school she really wanted to know, Grant Varrow, and quickly falls into Grant's circle of friends. Then Patty, the least friendly in the group, breaks down and confesses to Sarabeth that the uncle with whom she lives is molesting her. But everything turns out okay because Patty and her mother get counseling, the uncle is prosecuted, and Sarabeth becomes an accepted group member. Fast paced, with realistic dialogue, this easy-to-read problem novel stuffs all of this plot (including boyfriend troubles for Sarabeth) into one book. The characters are undeveloped, and readers won't care that when Patty moves in with Sarabeth, Grant disappears from Sarabeth's life almost without a whimper. Convinced that the plot will revolve around Sarabeth and Grant, it's a real shock when two-thirds of the way through the book, the molestation aspect appears and is dramatically presented and easily resolved within the last third. In spite of the plot inconsistenciesthe ease with which Sarabeth falls into the sophisticated, wealthy group and the easy, uncomplicated resolution of the molestation, this moves easily and interestingly enough along that confirmed Mazer fans will want to finish it. Kathryn Havris, Mesa Public Library, Ariz.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (October 2, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380750260
• ISBN-13: 978-0380750269
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #941,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

NORMA FOX MAZER is the award-winning author of many novels for young people. She has been honored with the Christopher Award, a Newbery Honor, the Edgar Allen Poe Award, and a National Book Award nomination. She and her husband, novelist Harry Mazer, divide their time between Jamesville, New York, and New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to relate to Sarabeth, October 6, 2003

By 

Joanna Mechlinski (CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Silver (Mass Market Paperback)

As a young teen, I loved Silver, and must've reread it a dozen times! Sarabeth is a wonderfully realistic character, and it's easy to imagine the awkwardness she feels at bridging the gap between life in a trailer with her mom, and the classmates who've known nothing but the rich life. But, as Sarabeth soon discovers, there are problems in everyone's lives, and money can't make them go away...in fact, sometimes it even makes things worse.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BOOK, December 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Silver (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was so awesome. It was one of the best books I've ever read in my whole life. It's so suspenceful. This book is definately an eye-opener. If you haven't read it yet, you really missed out. This is a book that you will enjoy. No, you will not only enjoy this book. You will make sure that others read it as well. Just like all the other people that made reviews. READ THIS BOOK. YOU WON'T REGRET IT.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've ever read!!!!!!, May 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Silver (Mass Market Paperback)

In the book "Silver", by Norma Fox Mazer, the main characters are Sarabeth Silver, Patty Lewis, Grant Varrow and Mark Embelsky. Sarabeth Silver is a simple girl who lives in a trailer park with her mom. Sarabeth's best friends call her Silver. Patty Lewis is a very confused, cold, girl. She lives with her uncle, whom she hates, because her mother cannot afford to rent an apartment.. Grant Varrow is the girl Sarabeth had to be friends with. Grant was popular and hung out with a "clique", consisting of Asa, Jennifer, and Patty. Mark Embelsky was the boy Silver liked. Mark goes to a different school and is obsessed with "Saving Mother Earth". The setting of this book is in Roadview Trailer Park and Drumins. Sarabeth Silver lives in the part of Roadview Trailer Park that is part of the Drumins School district.. Silver moved there because Silver's mom wanted her to go to the best school. Drumins is a rich town and everybody there has at least 3 cars. Silver, being poor, feels extremely out of place there until she meets Grant. ... I enjoyed this book because of the way the author grabbed the reader into the book. I take pleasure from books that are different and the strong subject of this book is not found in any books. The book "Silver" had something I have never in life thought about much. It was the most engaging and hysterical book I've ever read. I recommend it to any mature girl wo wants to read something out of the ordinary.