The True Colors of Caitlynne Jackson [Hardcover]

Carol Lynch Williams (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Caity and her sister Kara get along pretty well, considering their home life. By sticking together and staying out of their mother's way, they manage to make it to school on time, get meals together, and protect one another from their mother's terrifying and seemingly random verbal and physical attacks. A few sympathetic friends, like Brandon from next door, make a big difference. But when their mother storms out of the house with a suitcase and doesn't come back, they have to face a new reality--they can't cope entirely on their own for long. Yet, as Caity comes to realize, there is a lot they can do to take control of their future. This sensitively written novel deals frankly with parental abuse, but is ultimately about the resilience and resourcefulness of young people who beat the odds.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

During the first disturbing chapters of this novel set in Florida, Williams (Kelly and Me; Adeline Street) graphically describes the abuse of two sisters by their apparently psychotic mother. Mrs. Jackson's behavior is never predictable; still, it comes as a shock to the reader as well as to 12-year-old Caitlynne and 11-year-old Cara when she storms out the door with her suitcase and typewriter to write a "blockbuster bestseller." Left with 43 dollars and a fresh batch of bruises, the girls feel relief when their mother is gone. But when the money is spent and Cara nearly drowns in a swimming accident, Caitlynne realizes they need adult help. Without a phone and inspired by the characters in the novel Homecoming, they set off on a day-long bicycle trip to their grandmother (who, according to their mother, doesn't even like them). This tale of abandonment and survival effectively expresses the gradual strengthening of Caitlynne's spirit, yet portraits of some important minor characters, including the grandmother, are as vague as the two-dimensional characterization of the children's monster-mother. The author is more successful at conveying the bond between two sisters in trouble. Scenes showing the girls' attempts to soothe each other's physical and emotional wounds add a strong undercurrent of tenderness to this often harrowing drama. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8. Caitlynne, 12, is not sure whether to breathe freely or panic when her physically and emotionally abusive mother packs the car and takes off, leaving her in charge of her 11-year-old sister. Caitlynne, watching the single taillight of the old family car in retreat, makes the best of the situation despite her fear. By contrast, Cara, 11, is lighthearted and looking for fun. When their slim resources evaporate, the two are desperate and find help from their grandmother. Adding the only incongruous note to the plot, their ferocious mother tracks them down and must be apprehended just as they begin to feel secure. The stark, punishing environment from which the girls escape fosters endurance and clear values, reflected by the sustaining relationship of the sisters as well as Caitlynne's evolving artwork. The book is packed with visual imagery, from the blinking taillight to the calming waters of the mosquito-infested lake on which they live. As she did in Kelly and Me (Dell, 1995), Williams again demonstrates her facility at mood and character development. For suspense and emotional wallop, compare this novel to Marilyn Sachs's The Bear's House (Avon, 1989). Truer colors are hard to come by.?Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; 1St Edition edition (January 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385322496
• ISBN-13: 978-0385322492
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,274,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Put It Down!!!!!, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The True Colors of Caitlynne Jackson (Turtleback)

I Started Reading This Book Just Today, like around maybe 11:00 in the morning. I Couldnt Put It down Until I finished It Around 4:00 pm!!!!!! It Was Soooooooooooooo Good! I hope there is a sequel to it cause It was very intresting!!!!! Also, Carol Lynch Williams's Other Books are good too! I Started and Finished One of her Other Books Just yesterday! One I had Read Before too!!!!! It Just Goes To Show that her books are always intresting no matter how many times you read them! I definetly want to start a colection of her books to give to my kids (When I Even Have Kids)!!!!!!! This book is also good for any age too!!! I am almost 16 and Still Loved This Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any one who needs a good book, This is it!!! I recomend it to anyone even if they dont like reading!!!!! Read It And You Will See What I Mean!!!!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Caitlyn Jackson" will touch you, March 9, 1999

By 

Jenni "jenni35" (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The True Colors of Caitlynne Jackson (Hardcover)

When I read this book in 1997, I didn't know that I'd still be thinking about it 2 years later. The story is a powerful one. Will their mother return? And, if not, will Caitlyn be able to handle it? This book is a real page turner that will keep you reading all night (and thinking about it for a long time). Definitely a must read!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Colors of A Vibrant Book, August 15, 2000

By 

Claudine (Elkton, Md USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: True Colors of Caitlynne Jacks (Library Binding)

I opened to the first page of this book and became twelve year old Caitlynne Jackson. I wasn't a character in a book; I was a flesh and blood seventh grader with real feelings and real experiences. I was just like any other seventh grader, looking for acceptance among my peers and fumbling though my first "real" relationship with a boy. But something was dangerously different. Instead of having a mother whom I could talk to and relate to, I was a statistic - one of the thousand of silent children who spent my days dodging harsh blows to both my flesh and my self esteem. I was a victim of verbal and physical abuse myself as I struggled to protect my younger sister, Cara. When things spiraled out of control, I still tried to be the competent one, the one taking care of the details while Cara got to be the kid. Except I couldn't always keep her safe - couldn't always be there when things went bump in the night. And then, the difficult decision and learning to trust. This is not a story about a little girl. Carol William's characters are flesh and blood children with whom all of us can relate.