The Year Without Michael (Bantam Starfire Book) [Paperback]

Susan Beth Pfeffer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1988 | Series: Bantam Starfire Book

Bad things aren't supposed to happen to good people.  But somewhere between home and the softball field, 16-year-old Jody Chapman's younger brother disappeared, and now the family is falling apart.  Her parents hardly speak to each other, her younger sister is angry and bitter, and Jody's friends, always so important to her, are slowly slipping away.  It seems that all anyone can do is wait.  Wait--for Michael to walk in the door.  Wait--to stop missing him.  Wait--to stop waiting.  When a private detective can't uncover a single clue about Michael's disappearance, Jody's urgent need to find him drives her to make a last desperate attempt to hold her family together.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pfeffer chronicles the disintegration of a family in this bold, heartbreaking book about a missing child. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9-12 The week before he is to begin his first year of high school, Michael Chapman disappears on the way to a friend's house. This book is a gripping chronicle of his family's reaction during the year after that disappearance. The focus of the narration is Michael's practical 16-year-old sister, Jody, who tries to support her taciturn father; her mother; and her younger sister, whose personality conflict with her mother becomes dangerously destructive under the pressure of Michael's loss. All the while Jody is trying to cope with her own anxiety and pain. The novel is beautifully structured, carefully taking readers through the first week of events, and then highlighting the difficult birthdays and holidays as well as small landmarks such as Jody's realization that she no longer thinks about setting a place at the table for Michael. These are followed by a section in which members of the family desperately seek a return to normal life, and finally by one in which the family must confront the fact that Michael might never return (he hasn't by the book's end). Readers are held not only by the suspense of wanting to know what happened to Michael but also by a need to find out what happens to his family. While topical novels abound in literature for young adults, few offer the taut structuring, sound characterization, and honest dialogue that in this case turn a book about a contemporary problem into an exploration of more universal themes. Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 1987 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 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf; paperback / softback edition (August 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553273736
• ISBN-13: 978-0553273731
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,242,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

SUSAN BETH PFEFFER is the author of many books for teens, including Life As We Knew It and the bestselling novel The Year Without Michael. She lives in Middletown, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids!, August 11, 2000

By 

M. Glanzer "nuts about books" (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Year Without Michael (School & Library Binding)

I listened to this story on audiocassette and was surprised when I found out it was aimed at 9-12 year olds. I am almost 40 and enjoyed it. The story is about 13 year old Michael Chapman who disappears without a trace and leaves his family wondering whether he is dead or alive. The story is seen mainly through the eyes of his older sister, Jody, who is at first sad, and depressed. Then as the months go by without hearing anything about her brother, she decides to get on with her life, and it seems to be going well for awhile, but reality catches up with her and she realizes that things are never going to be the same. Her mother takes it hardest of all and with nowhere else to throw her anger and frustration, takes it out on her youngest daughter. The story had a realistic view of how this would probably have felt for the different members of the family. I hoped too, that Michael would suddenly show up in the end, or that they would at least find his body and be able to put things to rest, but that isn't the way the author chose to end the story. We are left without an easy ending and I think a sequel would be a good idea. I recommend this book to any age group, young or old.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent book!!!, April 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Year Without Michael (Bantam Starfire Book) (Paperback)

The book A year without Michael is one of the best books I've ever read. I'm not much into reading, but when my English teacher informed my class we'd have to read books this year to get a good grade, I chose to read A year without Michael. I literally couldn't put the book down. I would read every chance I got, even while some of my teachers were lecturing! The book was very suspenseful. Throughout the whole book you wonder what happened to Michael and the ending I thought was very surprising. I thought that the book was a very good reflection of the real life. Things like that really happen these days and I think Susan Beth Pfeffer showed all of us who haven't gone through a family member diapering what a family does go through and all the hard times they must overcome. The book also shows us how family members take their anger out on other family members by verbally abusing them and physically abusing them. I would recommend that everyone, even those like me who don't really like to read, read this book-You'll love it too!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BOOK FOR ALL AGES, October 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Year Without Michael (School & Library Binding)

This book is a great book.I was surprised after I find out itwas for ages 9-12. I read this book when I was 12 , I am now 15 andstill love this book! The only bad part is that the author left youwondering what happened to Micheal,and his family.This book would begood for all ages. My favorite character's were Kay,and Jody. I hopethat there will be a sequel. Some other good books are GentleAnnie,Say Goodnight Gracie,Homecoming,and Say Goodnight Gracie.Thanks