Keep Holding On

( 62 )

Overview

A romantic and empowering book about bullying

Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes ...

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Keep Holding On

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More About This Book

Overview

A romantic and empowering book about bullying

Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself—and for the love that keeps her holding on.

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

Tormented by bullies at school and neglect at home, teenager Noelle struggles to maintain even a meager sense of self-esteem against relentless waves of abuse. There are, however, three bright stars in her life: her loyal best friend Sherea, her classmate Simon, and Julian Porter, her secret crush. At some point, this embattled teenager gets the message: Keep holding on; stand up for yourself; and do things you believe and things will get better. A soothing tome for the bullied and their friends.

Publishers Weekly
High school junior Noelle is growing up in poverty with a neglectful mother. At school she is the target of bullies who tease her about her sad lunches, corner her in the bathroom, and even shoot her with paintballs. She has even considered suicide, but after another school outcast does kill herself, Noelle realizes, “I can make a choice to do more than just survive. Which is why I’m going to start shaping my life into the one I want.” With the help of a support network that includes a best friend who has her own problems, an artistic new boyfriend, and a teacher, she begins to do just that. The topic of bullying is perennially timely, but Colasanti’s (Waiting for You) characters are rather two-dimensional, particularly Noelle’s too cruel mother and overly perfect friends. Likewise, Noelle’s transition from outcast to advocate, while inspiring, is perhaps too sudden. Even so, this is a fast read that will give readers plenty to think about and a list of resources to tap into if they need them. Ages 14–up. Agent: Gillian MacKenzie, Gillian MacKenzie Agency. (June)
VOYA
Noelle's life is realistic; she is bullied, has no friends, little food, and a neglectful, single mother. Noelle has no self-confidence and dreads life. She realizes that by making wise choices and standing up for herself, life improves. From the cover and summary, it seemed this book would be trivial, but it was enjoyable. Teens who know what it is like to not fit in will related to this story. Many teenagers will be inspired and moved by Noelle. Reviewer: Sarah Phillips, Teen Reviewer
VOYA
Sixteen-year-old Noelle's life is bleak. She has a single mom who is too self-involved and mired in her own misery to even bother keeping food on hand. Noelle is the target of two bullies at her high school, and her boyfriend, Matt, is "not ready" to go public with their relationship, content to just make out while skipping study hall. Each day at school is an endurance test—trying to ignore the taunts of her tormentors—as is life at home, wondering if there will be food for dinner or something for her lunch sandwich besides mustard and mayonnaise. Graduation is the brass ring she hangs onto in order to get through each miserable day. Noelle's situation will resonate with teen readers. Her struggles are those of real teens—trying to fit in, feeling left out, searching for love, making hard choices. Readers will feel her despair, but will also detect her inner strength. It is that strength which finally brings about changes in Noelle's life after the suicide of another of the bullies' victims. A side story of Noelle's best friend, Sherae's, date rape is told without graphic descriptions and highlights another kind of victimization. Sherae finds the courage to tell her story after she witnesses Noelle's transformation. Noelle's journey from victim to victor, while a tad too facile, is an important story for anyone who has felt the sting of their peers' cruelty. The author's note offers encouragement plus a list of organizations to which teens can turn for help is included. Reviewer: Debbie Wenk
School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up—Inspired by the author's personal experiences with bullying, this novel encourages readers to "never, ever give up." Noelle's life is bad; her mother drinks and her neglect goes unchecked. The teen eats mustard and mayonnaise sandwiches for lunch, and the smell from her unwashed clothes earns her the nickname "Rotten Egg." Her position as coeditor of the school literary magazine and the company of her science teacher and friends help alleviate her misery. Noelle eventually begins to accept aid from the people who care about her. When incredibly cute Julian shows interest, Noelle has to find the courage to change her life. This includes ending a destructive relationship and opening up about what she endures at home. When the school social worker brings Noelle's mother in for questioning, the story begins to fall apart. The woman hints at remorse, yet remains deranged. The friends take over, supplying Noelle with all she needs, including clean clothes, food, and love. It's not a horrible ending, only one that might seem illusionary to students enduring bullying and abuse in real life. Colasanti's mission to help victims and encourage teens to make a positive difference in the world is clear from her letter to readers and the back matter, which includes a list of resources. This novel could be recommended to those who enjoyed Sonya Sones's What My Mother Doesn't Know (S & S, 2001) or Courtney Summers's Some Girls Are (St. Martin's, 2010).—Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, NY
Kirkus Reviews
If Noelle can just hold on until graduation, she might finally escape the school bullies and her neglectful mother. But when the bullying goes too far, she must choose whether to run away or finally stand up for herself. Caught between her miserable existence at school and a home life that is at best impoverished and at worst abusive, Noelle believes if she can just keep her head down, she can escape to the city, where her life will really begin. Unfortunately, the brutal bullying, her mother's refusal to buy food and a boyfriend who only wants to make out in secret are making it hard for her to stay hopeful. When she is offered a position on the lit mag and her crush, funky Julian Porter, asks her out, Noelle wants to believe that things are finally turning around. Then one of their classmates commits suicide, and Noelle is determined to make sure everyone knows the truth. The familiar story of bullying is elevated by Colasanti's smart dialogue, quirky characters and richly layered plot. Readers will engage intellectually and emotionally with each character, and the countdown toward graduation that marks every chapter heightens Noelle's desperation to escape. The high level of craft in the writing even makes the cloying and overly earnest ending forgivable. Emotionally satisfying from beginning to end. (Fiction. 12 & up)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780142426333
  • Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
  • Publication date: 4/23/2013
  • Pages: 240
  • Sales rank: 95657
  • Age range: 12 years
  • Product dimensions: 5.40 (w) x 8.20 (h) x 0.80 (d)

Meet the Author

Susane Colasanti

Susane Colasanti is the author of When It Happens, Take Me There, Waiting for You, Something Like Fate, and So Much Closer. Growing up in the country, Susane couldn't wait to start her real life in New York City, where she's lived for seveneen years. Susane's own experiences with bullying inspired her to write Keep Holding On.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 62 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(38)

4 Star

(12)

3 Star

(5)

2 Star

(2)

1 Star

(5)
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 62 Customer Reviews

  • Posted Thu May 31 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    more from this reviewer

    This book was just beautiful. It was sad, but really uplifting t

    This book was just beautiful. It was sad, but really uplifting too. It is a touching and emotional story about overcoming bullying. I don't even know where to start with this review or even where to go with it really. I have been reading much more contemporary lately, but I still find it hard for me personally to review. This book broke my heart, but also made me smile. It's definitely a very emotionally draining book to read if you are a sympathetic reader.

    Noelle is one of those characters you just really ache for. At some times I did feel a bit angry at her, but I totally understand why she did or didn't do certain things. High school is rough and it's a shame that she was embarrassed, but the fault really lies on her mother. It's sickening that her mother just kind of gives up and Noelle is basically trying to take care of herself. He mom is embarrassing, she is ashamed that she is poor and has nothing. I remember how horrible some kids can be to the people who didn't have as much. She isn't the only one getting picked on, but what is sad is that she is too ashamed to even hang out with another girl who is being bullied too. She is afraid that it will make things worse for her. She keeps saying how she wishes that people would do something, stand up for others, whatever, but then she won't do it either.

    I loved Julian. He is such a great character. He is plenty well off, but he doesn't act all high and mighty like the other kids do. He isn't ashamed to talk to people who get picked on, or stand up for them. He doesn't feel the need to be in the cool crowd. He like Noelle because of who she is, not because of what she has, or more accurately, doesn't have. There needs to be more Julian's in this world. He is a good example of how people should treat each other and act. Is he perfect, no. Nobody is perfect, but he is pretty close.

    The bullies made me so angry, but besides them, the teachers and others made me angry too. Like, how can the teachers just stand by and let people be treated so badly. Warren I totally wanted to punch in the face...repeatedly. And Carly too! Ugh! Just the things that they do and say it so horribly sad. They treat people however they want, throw food at people, push them verbally attack them, I could go on and on. My heart was aching through so much of this book.

    I loved that Noelle still had a good friend to stick with her through things. Sharae was really awesome and always reassured Noelle that she was a great person. Noelle had still hid a lot of stuff from Sharae, but her are Sharae have a great heart to heard and tell each other about the secrets they have been hiding and how they feel. Sharae has her own issues in this book to that are very serious too.

    This book was just very real. I have seen these things happen for real. This book brought out a lot of my emotions, mostly anger, anguish, and disappointment. So many of the characters really, really disappointed me, but that's realistically how it is. I also did feel very happy at a lot of moments. I liked the strength that Noelle eventually found in herself with the help of Sharae, Simon and Julian. I also loved how brave Sharae was. She not only stands by Noelle, but she stands up for herself and what is right where a lot of girls wouldn't. I highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults. The message in this book is just so heartbreaking, but wonderful. You can overcome bullying, don't let it define you. Find your inner strength.

    21 out of 21 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sat Jun 30 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Definitely one of the best books I've ever read

    it took me a while to finally decide to buy this book. Considering I'm a 17 year old guy it didn't really catch my attention at first. After reading more about it, i came to the conclusion that it would be worth the money. It definitely was. Like Amabe421 said in her review, this book will break you down if you're a sympathetic reader. i found myself on the verge of tears throughout half of the book, and the other half teansing every muscle in my body ready to throw the book across the room because of how angry some of the characters made me. although this book is very emotional from a negative aspect, all of that energy is then focused on creating an inpspirational thought process from the main characters point of view. this positive thinking that Noelle later gets a hold of changes her life for the better, as well as the lives of those around her. she goes from a poor, rejected loser and bully victim to a courageous girl who learns to make the best out of her life. This book tought me so much on how important it is to make every second count and enjoy life with the ones you love, and how there is always hope no matter how bad your situation is - life will always get better. It also tought me that there is ALWAYS something to eat in the pantry and fridge. This is a must read for EVERY teen whether you have been bullied or not. it will teach you how valuble life is and how to not let a barricade(s) completely block you from your hopes and dreams. Defintely one of the best books I've ever read

    14 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jan 18 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Hmm

    I wonder.... no summary?

    5 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Dec 30 00:00:00 EST 2011

    ...

    You kidding nosumary only... that must be a really interesting book but all her others are the best i love this author!!!!

    5 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Wed Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Not the best book out there.

    This is a difficult review for me to write because I feel strongly about bullying in schools. I feel that there is no excuse for it and it needs to be stopped. It's one of the most disgusting things one human can do to another, in my humble opinion. I also feel that it is important to talk about the bullying problems in schools and open up a dialogue in order to solve the problem, and Colasanti is attempting to do just that. For that reason and that reason alone, I am giving this book a higher rating than I would have otherwise. I did not like the narrator/main character, Noelle, and Colasanti did a lot of telling instead of showing. Furthermore, there are many inconsistencies between the picture that Colasanti is trying to paint and what seems to be the reality of the situation.

    Noelle is bullied because she is supposedly extremely poor. However, I've seen people who were extremely poor, and they aren't too proud to take a free lunch because that's the only meal they'll be getting that day. They would not turn down a free meal that they are qualified for because it would embarrass them to eat it. They are more focused on survival than what other people think. On the weekends, these people are unable to eat anything again until they get to school to get their free lunches. THAT is the poverty that Colasanti seemed to be hinting at, but Noelle's actions and words were in stark contrast with that. Noelle wasn't as bad off as she thought she was, in my opinion. At least not with the money issue. She was poor, yes, but she was not impoverished. There is a difference.

    Also, Noelle makes fun of a teacher for wearing the same pair of pants twice and on a schedule, however she's supposedly so poor that she doesn't have enough clothes to wear either. Hypocritical much? Then when she sees others get bullied, she turns the other cheek, yet she complains with others do the same to her. Seriously, do unto others and all that, Noelle. Look into it.

    My biggest pet peeve about this whole novel was the fact that Colasanti doesn't show us anything. I couldn't relate to Noelle, and this was a first person narration. I did not feel what she was feeling. Furthermore, I couldn't "see" what was going on. Noelle just told the reader what she wanted them to know. Considering how I feel about Noelle's character, I obviously didn't trust what she told me very much. Needless to say, if Colasanti had shown instead of told and Noelle had been a likable character, I would have enjoyed this book much more.

    Regardless of my irritations with this novel, the message in Keep Holding On is extremely important. It lets people know how people who are bullied feel. I doubt bullies are the most empathetic people in the world, but I think that addressing a problem and opening up a dialogue about it are the first two steps in solving it, and at least Colasanti did that. If nothing else, this novel should be read simply for the anti-bullying message that it portrays. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is strongly opposed to bullying, but I would suggest checking it out from the library before buying it.

    4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Tue Jun 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    more from this reviewer

    A heartbreaking and moving read, Keep Holding On deals with the

    A heartbreaking and moving read, Keep Holding On deals with the all-too-current topic of bullying. Though at times it seemed to go just a bit over the top, overall it was a book that can definitely give hope to all those teens out there who feel that they just don't fit in (and really, isn't that just about every teen, at one time or another?). For adults, it's a disturbing and eye-opening look at what really goes on in the world today--just in case they've forgotten junior high and high school, or somehow went through them both with complete blinders on. Although most of what Noelle faces daily is "real world" bullying, technologically-enhanced bullying is touched on briefly in the book as well, and Colasanti provides readers with a wealth of resources at the end of the novel where they can go to get help or at least feel like someone else out there understands what they're going through too.

    Susane ends the book with a personal message--that she too was bullied, and that there is a point in one's life where most of us really do come to find that we really don't want to be just like everyone else and that our differences are to be celebrated, not hidden. Unfortunately, it usually doesn't happen until after high school--all those adults who try to tell you that high school years are the best of your life are for the most part dead wrong. I think this book can do a great job of reaching its target audience, and am definitely planning on adding it to my classroom library for next September.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Wow!

    This book was pure AWESOME. I seriously love susane colasanti! I cried, laughed, and sang my heart out to this book.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 2013

    This book

    This book was good the first tike i read it, but when i tried to read it again it was so sad i just couldnt get past chapter 4

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 2013

    Keep holding on

    She woundn't stop complaning... Stupid

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 2013

    Power to the ppl! Lol

    WoW! This book is a great read. From begining to end it had me hooked. I loved the charecters and how the heroine stayed strong. DONT GIVE IN TO THE ABUSE! like...who cares what ppl think. Its your life...do you like it? If not change. :)

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Thu Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 2013

    more from this reviewer

    Really Relatable

    I really like this book because it addresses the subject of bullying with grace. It has had a huge impact on me and helped me open up about my own bullying experiences. If you have ever been bullied or known someone who was bullied I suggest you read this book.

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Apr 03 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    AWESOME BOOK!!!!!!!

    This book is awesome. It tells of how an outsiders life is and how people feel bout themselves. Bullying is something that needs to be stopped. This book had had me stronger and made me see that no matter the bad that had happened or is going on in your life that hope,love, and friendship is always there and will help make you stronger. All the pain makes you stronger,therefore your still standing. That is how this awesome book made me feel. Read this amazing book "Keep Going On".

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2013

    Hell no

    I hate about this i know how dp this book dhuu

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Feb 24 00:00:00 EST 2013

    I hate your reviews.

    No offense, but this is for REVIEWS. Not effin summaries. We will read the author's summary to find out what it's about. Or maybe even...the book?! Yeah, this book was fascinating. A wonderful read. But ya'll are starting to piss me off, k?

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Sep 29 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Grrr last book

    This is my last book from susan ! CANT WAIT !

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Sep 23 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    amazing

    i luved this book. its sad and made me cry at.parts

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Tue Jul 03 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    I really like Susane Colasanti; her book "When It Happens&q

    I really like Susane Colasanti; her book "When It Happens" is one of my favorite books. But this book went in a totally different direction then her other books. I was expecting more romance with the story line.
    This book may not be good romance novel but it is an eye opener about bullying. The main character goes through nothing but hell for most of the book.
    The ending of this book is a happy ending but not very realistic. I love Susane Colasanti but this is not her best work.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Thu Jun 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    more from this reviewer

    This story is really good. I mean so good, that I want to re-rea

    This story is really good. I mean so good, that I want to re-read it again.
    What I adore most about this book is how great the issue of bullying is written. The reader meets Noelle, a young girl who has been bullied for a long time. Builled by not only her peers but by her mothers. I adore the tough life that is painted out for the reader. Noelle is poor, in a single parent home and doing her best to survive and get the heck out of there. I loved her ambition to work, save money and go somewhere, where she is not a prisoner.


    The love interest in this book is exactly what I wanted. Nothing to fast, but a slow friendship that forms with trust and then love. I like that Noelle trust is hard to earn. He gave her the space that she needed and is there as a friend when the time came.


    The plot wholy captured me. I adore reading each new plot twist as well as the build up to Noelle buring strenght that she has gathered all these years. To finally stand up for herself. *fist pump* That part totally felt good. Like "Booyah! In your face" good.


    Keep Holding On paints a dark image of what bullying is like. It's not something pretty or documented with facts. It's raw and edgy with hope that anyone can hold on to. Masterfully written with a dark tale turned beautiful, this book you will need to read.


    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jun 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    This book was amazzing it shows how victims of bullying cna over

    This book was amazzing it shows how victims of bullying cna over come anything if they really tired to. Noelle proved that you don't have take your life away because of someone stick up for yourself once in awhile.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Thu Jun 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    incredible piece of work. simply awesome.

    incredible piece of work. simply awesome.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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