Just Another Girl: A Novel

Just Another Girl!!!!!!

The interesting book Just Another Girl by Melody Carlson was a shocking yet sweet novel. This book was very catchy and really opened up my heart. It made me think how my sisters and I are. This story is about three sisters living with their divorced mother. The oldest name is Rose and is 20 years old. The middle girl's names are Aster and are the main character of the story. Than it is Lilly who has been mentally changed since birth, which is also a main character.
Aster has the responsibility that a mother is supposed to have. She takes care of Lilly although she is the big sister. I feel like I can connect with Aster because I have felt what it is like to take care of a younger sibling. It is very hard work. My little sister though is 4. I really liked this book because this is the kind of book that I would usually read. There is romance and comedy.
I would recommend this book to a girl who takes life to seriously and can't relax. This book would let the girl know that it is ok to have a life. The girl should have fun when having the life but be mature and responsible. This book really made the world make more sense to me. I really think it would be wise if some other girls read this same book.

Just Another Girl: Review.

I love Melody Carlson's books, they are very good. This book is so great! It's very real, and that's what I look for and enjoy in books. I would say anyone would enjoy this book, young or old.

Awesome story and one of my favorites this year!

I absolutely loved this story! It's going down in history as my favorite Melody Carlson book ever. I'll tell you why. Because it is so realistic and believable. I have worked for the past eight years with people who have developmental disabilities and I have clients of various ages and levels of disability. I have never read a book before that so accurately demonstrated the challenges faced by family members who are dealing with a teenager who is mentally much younger than her actual age.

The author blew me away with the accuracy because the details that are so true-to-life. She described a number of female clients that I work with. I was very impressed with how the author didn't try to be politically correct, but showed exactly how real people feel at times when dealing with such challenging behavior.

I can't say enough good things about this story. Wait, I think I already said this. Well, it's so true I'm saying it again. I have read books before that slip in characters with disabilities but they are often so stereotyped that it annoys me. That is not the case with this novel. I'd recommend this book to not only teens but also adults and family members who simply need encouragement. There are no easy solutions here, but there are themes that will edify readers and help them to see that they aren't alone in their struggles.

I also loved how the author showed that there is often help for families that they may not be aware of. These services will help people better take care of their family member. Maybe one of the reasons I also adored this story was because like Aster, I was that teenager, only I was responsible for taking care of my mother who had MS and was bedridden. Like Aster, I felt like I had no life for a number of years. It's tough being responsible for so much at such a young age. It matures you quickly when you aren't able to be a typical teen. Anyway, this book is making my favorites of 2009 list. I'm so glad I had a chance to review it!

An honest look at a girl with too much responsibility

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest look at a girl with too much responsibility, July 16, 2009
By Novel Teen Book Reviews (USA) - See all my reviews


Aster Flynn's life is not her own. She is responsible for caring for her fifteen-year-old handicapped sister, Lily. From morning till night, Lily and Aster are together, and Aster is getting burned out. When a cute boy asks Aster out, she does all she can to make the date happen. But without Aster to take care of Lily, Aster's mom freaks. Will Aster ever get a life of her own?

This book really took an honest look at how kids can get stuck with more responsibility than they should have. Teenage Aster shouldn't have to take care of her sister in such a way, but because her parents are divorced, and because her mother sees an easy way out, Aster gets taken advantage of. Aster is creative and smart about how she fights for independence and to get her parents to do their share. She loves her sister Lily so much, but I thought it was really neat how Aster realized she was even enabling Lily to remain dependent on her help. Melody Carson has a knack for creating real life between the pages of a book. Just Another Girl is a gripping story of a young woman's search for a way to be herself. I highly recommend it.

Good Teen Read

Here is a book that will appeal to most teens. I started it this morning and unable to put it down, read throughout the day all the way to the satisfying end. Although my eyes are tired, I am content that my time was well spent. The plot is interesting, the characters believable, and the ending is unpredictable.

Written in first person narrative, Aster, a seventeen-year-old modern-day Cinderella, has way more on her plate than most adults, yet she somehow manages--everything but her life. It's interesting to see how Aster handles the care of Lily, her mentally disabled fifteen-year-old sister. The character of Lily is so well-written that I found myself "seeing" her as she shouted, "No. No. No." Aster attends a youth group at church, mainly to gain an hour of relief from the burden of Lily.

Into the picture enters a good-looking guy who seems interested in her, and Aster reacts as any teen would. The birthday party tension is palpable; Aster chooses not to drink and makes a painful decision.

If you are a teenager or know a teenager, this is one I heartily recommend.

I would buy every single teenage girl I know a copy for keeps.

As far as teen fiction goes, even including other books and series from Melody Carlson herself, this is the absolute best book that I have ever had the experience to be exposed to. It is just fabulous and if I could afford it, I would buy every single teenage girl I know a copy for keeps.



Aster is "just another girl". She is 17 years old, middle child of two sisters, and about to start her senior year. Normal right? Then throw in that her older sister is beyond materialistic, her dad is a no-show, and her mom a work-a-holic. Still fairly normal, just slightly rough on the edges. Then if one also considers that her younger sister is hitting her teenage years will the body to prove it, but the mentality of a five year old left over from a birth complication and the fact that she is her full responsibility makes things even a little more difficult.

Being a teenager can be hard. I know that I would never want to go back to be seventeen. That is just an area in my life that I did not enjoy. Reading this book, I am inspired. I can see the scenes and easily visualize that situations. Aster is surrounded by the teenagers that seem to have never made a mistake and she is also surrounded by those that seem to make mistakes on purpose. Everything that occurs in her story is something that any girl could find herself involved in. A part of myself feels very influenced by Aster, knowing that if she can survive such a thing, then my issues really might be manageable as well.

I highly recommend that parents and teenage girls step into Aster's life and spend a couple days understanding what it is like to be "just another girl".

Quick Read With The Substance Of A Novel (Reviewed by TheBookworm)

Just Another Girl
By Melody Carlson
Pub. Date: January 1st, 2009
5 out of 5 stars
PG-13 - There is alcohol abuse and sexual references, but nothing graphic. I could rate it as PG, but I feel more comfortable suggesting this book for 12 and up.
Recommended

Aster has close to sole responsibility for her mentally handicapped 15-year-old sister, Lily. She loves her sister, but that just makes the burden even heavier. Aster is tired of being a nobody who gets taken for granted and left with no life of her own. When a popular high school heartthrob starts paying special attention to her, she begins to realize it's time to take action. She sets out to prove to her parents that they are capable of taking care of Lily's special needs if only they used more patience and love. But will Lily and her parents be able to handle the stress long enough to allow Aster some freedom?

Just Another Girl was a quick read, but had everything needed to make a great story. Great realistic characters, great dialogue, great descriptions that were just vague enough to allow the readers some imagination, great time choice, and more.

Aster, the main character, was incredible. She was responsible, mature, and smart. She always held onto her morals and beliefs even when she was persecuted. Aster was an amazing role model.

The book ended but not the characters. The character's bright future was ahead and full of opportunities ripe for the taking.

The only thing I didn't find believable was how Aster spilled her guts out to George right away when she met him. Realistic. hardly. Enjoyable. immensely.

Just Another Girl would be a great book for middle school and high school girls, especially if they don't have time to read a huge novel.

Date Reviewed: February 17th, 2009

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