Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey

I read this book when I was in Junior High, it was one of those stories that I remembered vaguely but I knew I had liked at the time. It’s very short and in the format of journals assigned by Tish’s English teacher, Mrs. Dunphrey.

Tish has been forced to grow up much faster than the normal fifteen year old. Some might say she’s even more grown up than her mother who forgets she has children and only pines for the love of her life. The love of her life is less than perfect, in fact, he’s a terrible man who beat his family and then left them for two years. Tish takes care of her younger brother Matt, feeding and clothing both of them with the little money she makes at her part-time, minimum wage job.

This story is sad, a brief look at a broken home. One that I was happy I decided to reread in the end. If nothing else, it made me thankful that my parents were always there for me growing up, even if we didn’t always see eye to eye. If you have people who love and care for you cherish it because not everybody is so lucky.

Reader reviewed by Chioma

Another one of my favorite books by Magaret Haddix. This book takes us through the life of a girl named Tish Bonner who has a lot of troubles going on in her life. Tish's english teacher gives everyone a journal in which they are supposed to write in at least four time a week. At first Tish immediately dissmisses the assignment. But then she starts to write in it as if it were a diary. But at the end of each page she writes Dont Read This. So her teacher doesnt read the entries marked like that.
Tish has to deal with a lot of family problems. Tish's father is never around. He comes and goes for months at times. And because of it her mother is a wreck. Then all of a sudden Tish's mother leaves for California to find their father leaving nothing but a note. Now Tish has to survive on her own paying bills, and being the care taker of her little brother.
This is a very interesting book and will really make you see how fortunate you really are.

Reader reviewed by Monica

This book was excellent. Many people have a picture made in their mind that everyone's life is like the "American Dream". However, that's not the case. Tish, is struggling between work, supporting herself and her younger brother, and dealing with her irresponsible mother and her abusive dad. Mrs. Dunphrey, Tish's english teacher assigns each student to write 4 journal entries a week. Though at first, Tish found it pointless as the story progresses she finds that writing about her problems is a great way to deal with them.

While reading this book, i caught myself appreciating my family and friends. You realize how precious life really is when you see how bad some people have it. It's sad to say that this is reality, and things like these happen everyday. I love how it is in a diary format. Also, i enjoyed knowing how Tish overcomes her situation.

Reader reviewed by Christine

The book, 'Don't you dare read this mrs.dunphrey' by margaret p. haddix, is about a girl named Tish Bonner. For her english class, her teacher has assigned the class to make 4 journals throughtout the week. At first, Tish was annoyed with the thought, but as things started happening at home, Tish needed something to distract her. Tish's home life jsut keeps getting worse, and with the confidentiality level of the journals, she is able to express herself, without anyone finding out. Until it gets to the point that soemthing must be done.
This book was very eye-opening, and insightful. It was well written, and intruiged me to read more of Margaret Haddix's books.