Customer Reviews

The Year Without Michael (Bantam Starfire Book)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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!

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

The Year Without Michael is an adventurous book that deals with losing a family member and the effects. Just imagine what it must be like to lose someone you love and really not know where he or she has gone. The Year Without Michael keeps you on the edge of your seat. On many incidents you think they found Michael, but they didn't. I wanted to find out where Michael had gone, so I couldn't put the book down. They Year Without Michael has lots of twists and turns. While trying to cope with losing a loved one they have other problems. The mother takes it out on her daughters, which turns her daughters away from her. So, if you are looking for a book with lots of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, read The Year Without Michael.

I read this book more than ten years ago, when I was in junior high school. It was amazing. All the people who were dissappointed by ending should think about the families that really go through this ordeal. For too many of them they never get closure. Soon after reading the book I had the opportunity to meet the author. She was asked if there would ever be a follow up, and her reply was no. In her eyes, Michael had died, and there was nothing left to write.

This is an awesome book by Pfeffer! It is a great book that I read when I was 10 years old and loved. It is probably meant for kids older than 10, but it is great! Micheal disappears and the family is torn apart. The mother takes it out on her daughters, and they turn against their mom. It is a wonderfully written book but the ending leaves you hanging. You never know what happens to Micheal, and you feel so upset. Why don't we find out what happened? The book leaves you with a powerful feeling for days. I would prefer closure. But the meaning is so much stronger and sticks with you after the end. I wish there was a sequal, but in real life you don't always find out what happened to missing people, so it is very realistic.

I know this is true to life and I do not want to spoil the book for anyone, but I would have liked a nice ending to this book. This book draws you in and is written well, but even though this is probably the way it would actually go and does go for far to many, the book's depressing ending was too tormenting for me. I recommend it, but do not recommend it. It would depend on how you can deal with reality. I usually read books to escape that. so it is up to you.

This author really looks at human nature and focuses on teens and how they deal with difficult situations. Her "Life As We Knew It" series is superior.

Many of the critical reviews posted here call this book "depressing". Be advised that "The Year Without Michael" is not a feel-good story. Period. It is a human drama filled with the full range of negative emotions. Though there are moments of humor and hope, they are few.

You expect that, when an unimaginable tragedy like this occurs in a family, it will either draw them closer together, or tear them apart completely. Jody's family, already in crisis, reaches its breaking point with Michael's disappearance. Each family member is alternately selfish, cruel, depressed, guilty, and hateful. Everyone blames himself and each other. As the others become increasingly unstable, Jody finds herself caught in the middle, trying to hold things together and suffering for it. And Michael has literally disappeared without a trace.

Try this one if you enjoyed Ms. Pfeffer's "moon" novels - it's a survival story of a different kind. But no one should read this novel for its entertainment value or for a happy ending. If you're especially sensitive to a darker kind of story, pass on it.

I found this book when I was a freshman in highschool and we had to read SSR. Silent, sustained reading. I never thought that a book that I found in the school library could be so touching and change my outlook on life. This book is so inspiring and absolutely beautiful. It is thought-provoking and heart-breaking. I won't give away the end, but the ending definitely makes you think and makes your heart hurt. I saw a little bit of my own family in this story. Like the book says this book is about separating and coming together, breaking apart and becoming whole. I am now a sophmore in college, five years after reading this, and of all the books I've read (political science, government, and even To Kill a Mockingbird) this is still my favorite. Read it and you'll understand!