The Turnabout Shop [Hardcover]

Colby Rodowsky (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

After her free-spirited mother dies, Livvy is uprooted from her New York home and sent to Baltimore to live with her mother's old college friend, a woman Livvy has never heard of. Jessie is nothing like Livvy's mother: She's sensible, likes to weave, and doesn't even have pierced ears. What she does have is The Turnabout Shop, where she and her mother sell antiques, and a family larger than any Livvy has ever known. She also has a bunch of warm, quirky neighbors, including a girl Livvy's age. Set down to live among strangers, Livvy begins again from scratch, discovering that even without her mother, she can still learn and laugh and love, and take root in a whole different world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author of Remembering Mog offers another sensitive rendering of loss, this time focusing on how fifth-grader Livvy begins a new life after her mother's death. Through a series of imaginary notes to her mother ("I decided I would write it out to Althea?not on paper, though, but only in my head"), Livvy states her impressions of her new guardian, all-too-sensible Jessie Barnes ("You could have told me she was a moth instead of a butterfly"); her new Baltimore neighborhood; and Jessie's "old and dusty" antique store called the Turnabout Shop. Despite the heroine's complaints about Jessie and homesickness for New York, readers will know, almost immediately, that Livvy has been placed in good hands and will come to cherish Jessie as much as her mother did. Less complex and psychologically tense than the author's previous novel, this nonetheless poignant, quiet story offers a reassuring view of coming to terms with grief and unwelcome change. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?A touching story about the acceptance of loss and change. Livvy's world is shattered when her free-spirited mother dies and leaves instructions for the child to be sent to live with a college friend of whom she has never spoken. In poignant and sometimes funny monologues directed at her mother, Livvy reveals her feelings about having to adjust to a very different life. Her guardian, Jessie Barnes, is a serious, sensible woman who owns an antique shop and seems never to have had a fun-loving moment. In addition, she has a large extended family. Livvy, whose previous life consisted of just her and her mother, feels surrounded by strangers and is sure that she'll never fit in. Soon, though, things get a bit better. She finds a good friend in her new fifth-grade class and gets to know some of her neighbors. Even the new relatives have some good points. The hardest thing for Livvy is getting along with Jessie. Over time, though, they come to some understandings and develop a realistically hopeful relationship. Livvy finally realizes that although no one can ever replace her mother, she can still have a happy life and a true sense of belonging. The characters are all well developed and the situations are entirely believable. What stands out most here, though, is Livvy's voice. Its blend of humor and heartbreak makes this a very real and unforgettable novel. Youngsters in similar situations will have a particular empathy with Livvy, but all readers will enjoy this heartwarming story.?Arwen Marshall, New York Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (March 27, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374378894
• ISBN-13: 978-0374378899
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,348,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent story on the hard to talk about topic:GRIEF, October 31, 2011

By 

Tonda Groetzinger (NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Turnabout Shop (Paperback)

Grief is something that is still taboo=lots of people walk around stuffing their feelings because this world still has not accepted the fact that not everyone is happy every second of the day. This book has helped even me an adult start to deal with some of the emotions of sadness one feels when their mother/father passes away.

This book is well written-yes there may be sad parts=but that is life. There are smiles and cries. thats the way it is but the part where the author describes Livvys reluctance to unpack her things at her new home is similiar to when someone's spouse/parent dies and you have to pack up their belongings. Sometimes its easier to leave it=almost pretending they never left you. But eventually you have to pack it up or move. Livvy laying on her bed crying when asked to unpack her things over a week later totally took me away...how sometimes i just want to lay on my bed and cry that my mother has passed. I think we all need to allow ourselves time to grieve=in the story the author has shown how the new mother has been distant but not because she doesnt feel maternal feelings=because she knows how hard this must be for Livvy so she does something not too many people understand=gives Livvy space. Lets Livvy approach her when she is ready instead of constantly being in her face asking her if she is ok or cracking jokes or plain being annoying. Folks when someone is struggling with grief-give them some room. They will come to you when they feel better until then give people room to breathe. This book is great for adults and children who have ever lost a loved one=whether it be a human or a pet=grief is grief and the more space you give someone=the easier it is for them to work through it=I am not saying you should ignore said person=just realize they may not always want you to talk them to death.

Well written story-even Livvy learns what some people do for others without a regret or hesitation=one line in there says from livvys mom-she said to Jessie in college="One day I want you to just take a flying leap" And yes Jessie finally did.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Turnabout Shop, December 1, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Turnabout Shop (Paperback)

The Turnabout shop is a great book. Throughout the story alot of exciting and sad things happen With Livvy (The main Character) and Jessie Barnes (Her "mom") . When you read this book you won't want to stop!

4.0 out of 5 stars The Turnabout Shop, December 1, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Turnabout Shop (Paperback)

The Turnabout shop is a great book. Throughout the story alot of exciting and sad things happen With Livvy (The main Character) and Jessie Barnes (Her "mom") . When you read this book you won't want to stop!