Here's to You, Rachel Robinson (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

PW's starred review lauded Blume's "ability to shape multidimensional characters" in her followup to Just As Long As We're Together. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-This is the second book in what will likely become a trilogy revolving around three 13-year-old friends, Stephanie, Rachel, and Alison. In Just As Long As We Are Together (Orchard, 1987), Stephanie described the turmoils of the first half of seventh grade. Here, Rachel picks up the narrative. Her intelligence and drive have always set her apart, and now her emotions are in a state of turbulence. The unwelcome return of her rebellious brother from boarding school unsettles her family, which is dominated by the intense and highly successful Mrs. Robinson. Charles wreaks havoc through his volatile behavior and cruel, but often insightful, attacks on his sisters and parents. Rachel also struggles to find a balance at school, where increasing pressures threaten to overwhelm her. While dealing with these concerns, she becomes attracted to an older man and longs for her peers to accept her. A master at conveying the values and mores of the upper-middle class, Blume excels in her descriptions of family life and adolescent friendships. Her characterization is powerful and compelling. Rachel's strong narrative voice, couched in simple, direct language, realistically conveys her intense self-preoccupation. Though Rachel is an unusual personalitity, the author never loses sight of the common threads running through the lives of all teenagers. She draws on the universal themes of awakening sexuality and emerging identities to capture and hold her audience. Preteens will snap this one up.
Maggie McEwen, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, ME
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440409462
• ISBN-13: 978-0440409465
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #188,400 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read!, August 4, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Here's to You, Rachel Robinson (Paperback)

Read this book! Even if you don't usually like Judy Blume's stories, this is a good one.

Rachel's a straight A student, who is also gifted at music. She ends up with problems, though, because her teachers expect her to participate in more activities than she can cope with. And then there's Charles, her brother, who is a total pain. At the same time she's trying to stay friends with Alison and Steph. What can she do?

The only problem I found with this book is that there is no real solution - the end isn't that good. But I think it's worth reading anyway, because the storyline is quite interesting. I particularly liked it because I could easily relate to the girl in the story.

Apart from a few problems, fantastic!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A story that explains how all pre-teens have problems, April 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Here's to You, Rachel Robinson (Paperback)

This book is a great story that really explains how ALL pre-teens to teens have problems. Whether it is family problems, such as your parents splitting up or your brother being a pain in the butt, or problems with your friends, such as worrying that they don't like you anymore. The three main characters, Rachel, Stephanie, and Allison all have one or more of these problems. Rachel, (the main character) is having problems with her brother, Charles. Stephanie's parents just split up and her mother is dating again. And Allison's mother has re-married and is pregnant with a second child. As you read this story you will laugh, and you may cry. Judy Blume did an excellent job with making her characterse so realistic.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever!!, September 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Here's to You, Rachel Robinson (Hardcover)

I have read this book countless times, and I always come back to it when Im feeling that there isn't anyone like me, and maybe Im just a weirdo. Rachel is so smart, and Im not "a child prodigy" but I can completely relate to her. And just the way Judy Blume writes & describes things, i don't think anyone can get as realistic. I think this was even better then the first, and I hope one with Allison will be written! And maybe some more about Stephanie & Rachel.