Remembering the Good Times

Reader reviewed by Taylor K

In the book Remembering the Good Times Buck, Kate, and Travis all become great friends. When Buck comes back from his summer vacation in Cleveland with his mom and his step-dad. But when he gets back he notices some changes. First he noticed that Kate has changed from a tom-boy to a girly-girl. Second, he notices or was told that there was no more JHS it was now split up into a middle school and a high school, and he hates changes. Third and last he noticed that Kate and Travis got closer then before. At the end of the book something tragic happened, but youre going to have to read the book to find out what happened because I dont want to ruin it.
To me I loved it! But at the beginning I thought it was retarded, but by the time we got half way I was starting to change my mind slowly. It finally hit me that this book reminds me of someones life. That persons life it reminds me of is mine. Not all of the parts in the book reminds me of my life but yet some of them is exactly what does remind me of my life. Another person that might enjoy it is my sister Jordan. Actually she loves reading. She said that she would read it because it looks interesting and plus Ive told her all about it but I told her the interesting parts not the kind of boring parts. So thtas my sisters and I opinion on the book

Reader reviewed by Shayli K

In the book Remembering the Good Time there are many adventures that go on with the main characters, Buck, Kate and Trav. You will find many ups and downs between these close friends but when one starts to feel left out he starts doing his own thing. Also you will find out how one of the friends deals with the stress with school and at home.

It all starts with Buck finding out hat his mom is getting married and moving to Cleveland. After Buck finds this out he goes and lives with his dad permanently. When he moves he meets Kate and Trav. They become really good friends. They would always be playing cards with Polly, Kates grandma. The three were inseparable. But after one summer Buck stays with his mom in Cleveland. When he gets back he finds out that Trav and Kate have been spending a lot of time together. Well Buck didnt like that and thought that he was becoming a third leg. A few months later some things happen in the story that is tragic to even people that dont know Kate, Buck and Trav. So read this book and find out what happens.

I thought this book was pretty boring up until the last four chapters. I was confused and lost some of the time, but overall I thought that this book was pretty good and I was glad that we were able to read it in school. This book teaches a lesson and I think that everyone should read it. You find out that when you do something to yourself you probably hurt you friends and family more than yourself. So read RTGT and find out what happens.

Reader reviewed by Brooklyn V.

Remembering the Good Times was an assigned reading in our Language Arts class. I must be completely honest, at first I really thought this book would be quite boring and dull; but like so many times before I was wrong. Although the first few chapters where kind of boring so I must encourage you to get through the first three or four chapters before putting this book back on the shelf. Also I must warn you that if your not comfortable with reading about death like some of my class mates you might want to read something else because there is quite a lot about this sore subject.
I truly hope this will not turn you off of this book because the author, Richard Peck creates such vivid characters in the readers mind. You almost fell like your right there with Buck Mendenhall and his friends and family. Buck is the main character of Remembering the Good Times. In the beginning of this book Buck has just moved to a new town and will soon be starting a new school which he is very worried about; but before he goes to school he meets a lovely girl named Kate. A few grades later and they meet a new friend, soon to be a best friend, Trav. Trav is a rich kid who seems to have it all, a loving family, a big house, handsome looks, and great grades. Even though it looks like Trav has it all theirs something wrong, but Buck and Kate just dont see all the signs until its too late to help their very best friend. Well I hope you enjoy this book, its a winner!

Reader reviewed by Ashlynne K

I enjoyed Remembering The Good Times because I love stories that have strong friendships and drama. In this story Buck and Kate and Travis had great connection. Theyve showed me that a healthy friendship lasts along time. Some examples of their closeness is when Travis was stuck in Jail he wasted his one phone call to contact his best friend, Buck. Then Buck came immediately, no questions asked. Another time would be when Kate tried out for the play, she needed Buck there with her. Finally when she did get the part, Buck, Travis, and Polly helped her prepare even when they already knew she was ready.
I personally think that Kate and Buck should have dated in the story. Even though Kate seemed to be attached to Travis like they were meant to be together. Buck has always had certain feelings for Kate since the second time they talked. When Buck learned that Kate and Travis had a close relationship over the summer while he was away in Cleveland with his mom and step-dad, he became a little jealous.
Some of the things I learned from reading this book is sometimes you dont know your friends as well as you thought. Kate and Buck knew that something was wrong with Travis because of the way he acted and sometimes thought of things in a weird way. Another thing I picked up from this book was try at what you want in life and appreciate life. As an example for the part of never giving up would be when Kate wanted to be in the play so badly that she tried her best and never gave up. My other thing I said I learned was appreciating what you have and dont it waste it or take it for granted that way Travis did

Reader reviewed by Haylee L

I liked and disliked the book, Remembering the Good Times. I disliked it because the story went to slow for me like in the beginning there were a lot of details and it just went on forever. But I like the story because it is about really close friends who spend most of their time together. Travis is a nice smart kid. Kate is nice and calm. Buck is hard working. They are all different but thats what makes them so perfect together. The ending is the worst part for me. I liked it but I hated it at the same time. I did not like how Travis died. I dont think he should have at all and especially at that time when we was getting better. But I think it was the changes that shocked him. I liked it though for all the things that Polly and Mr. Kirby said about Travis at that meeting. It shocked me but I loved it! Mr. Kirby stood up for Travis and he took a hard one at it. When the school had said it was his fault, he did not stand for that. It was not his fault it might have been the schools but I am not sure why Travis did what he did. Now Polly has the biggest heart for Travis even though she thinks she is the meanest person out there. That maybe so but, she showed that heart and held it out to Travis, Buck, and Kate.

Reader reviewed by GageJ

Remembering the Good Times Critique

I thought that Remembering the Good Times was overall a good book. I liked the characters that Richard Peck created because they are easy to relate to. I didnt like the fact that the author had Trav kill himself though. He had many benefits from being smart and could have grown up to be really successful. Trav had good friends that cared about him and he really hurt them by committing suicide. I liked Bucks character because he is determined, like when he didnt give up trying to get his dads construction hat back from Skeeter. I thought it was horrible the way that Kate had decided to get back at Skeeter for harassing Ms. Slater. I didnt think that Kate would do something like that because she was always trying not to start things and didnt like violence. Trav also didnt like violence so he was mad at Kate when she did that and said that he deserved it. Trav wanted to go back and help Skeeter even though he was a menace and a jerk to everyone. Trav always knew the right things to do and thats why he made a good character. Buck was didnt really ever know to take Trav or Kates side in the conflicts because he didnt want anyone to be mad at him. I thought that this was a great book and it teaches us about how some people deal with things when something bad happens in their lives and how to think back and remember the good times.

Reader reviewed by Megan K

Remembering the Good Times was an enjoyable book to read. It not only caught my attention, but wanted me reading ahead. It was great at making interesting details throughout the book. There are many sad things that happen in this story, but it helps the reading flow along. This book tells about good times and bad times. It makes you remember the good and bad times of your life to. Some of the items in this book you can relate to with your own personal experiences. A close friend leaving, new friends coming into your life, and hard times that make your friendships come closer together.

If you pick up this book you will have it done in no time because it's easy to follow along with. Plus, it isn't to terribly long either. There are reasons for picking up this book, it has an interesting cover, the back description grabs your attention, and it's about normal day to day lives. It's not just for teenagers, or young adults. Teachers, grandparents, parents, and others will have a wonderful time with the adventure of Kate, Buck, Trav, and especially Polly. Polly is the character in the story that pulls the story together. She will know when one of the friends is having a rough time, or needs some advice. Even though she's old she is smarter than most people in her town. She knows when something is up. She'll probably be one of your favorite characters.

In the story you will notice that the three friends have a place where they can think and just hang out. It is in Kate's backyard in an orchard. Kate, Buck, and Trav are all connected to the orchard. It has a special meaning to them. Once you read the book you will know what each one has that connects them to the orchard. As usual the orchard doesn't bring all happy memories back.

Remembering the Good Times also faces Buck with some hard decisions. Should he move with his mom and new step-dad, or should he stay with his dad where all his friends are? In the end Buck makes the choice that makes the most sense, but it is difficult without both your parents living in the same state as you. Luckily Buck has Kate and Trav to help him through this rough patch.

I hope that after reading this you won't wait to read this wonderful book. This book is great. It teaches to be thankful for the great friends and family that you have to cherish every moment that you have with them because you never know when something could go wrong. Remember there are always going to be good and bad things in your life.

Reader reviewed by Sam






Remembering the Good Times from Richard Peck was in overall in my opinion a good book and for a lot of reasons in it. It was good because the author described many things within the book with an enormous amount of detail in everything the book talked about. The book described clearly what Buck felt about things and why. For instance the book said that Buck felt very angry that Skeeter took his fathers helmet of their yard. It was no accident either, and he wanted Buck to see so they would fight later. It also shows things about Buck that he not really at all Slo or Sub, while his friend Kate is a hard-core Slo and Trav a basic Sub. Skeeter noticed that and picked on Buck on that time even though he was a problem for other people so the book made sense why he picked on Buck. Also the Book made it obvious that there was something always going on all the time whenever it was school or friends.

For instance Buck hated change wishing that everything would stay the same forever, like good times and not always ready what was coming next. Or it was usually between friends where Buck would feel jealous or left out, that being because Kate and Trav were a couple, despite that they were still friends and went through a lot of stuff together. So to add it all together it was fun to read because it showed how things change even, though Buck did not like showing that thing are always changing and that you have to change with it. However when Trav committed suicide I didnt like that everyone in the school acted that he was their friend all along.

Reader reviewed by Jake H.

Through my personal thoughts I didnt think the book was great, but it was an OK book. I thought it was OK because Im not a real fan of these types of books. Although its not my type of book there are parts that actually got to me and dragged me into the book. Some parts also appealed to my emotions a bit too. Some parts seemed like they lacked that real, wow I really want to read on, stuff. Still it was an OK book.
The story was great too. One thing I didnt like is most of the time they were jumping around in the story. It would be a day then the next period its a whole year later, after it says that it only tells so little things about what the characters did and sometimes it said so little things it made me think is that all they did for a whole year. Still the storyline was great and it worked up real well.
One more thing I thought crazy was a part in the book called suicide. One of the main characters who started out small and worked his way up to advance and everybody knowing him to suicide. It just seemed a little weird. He started out small then got into advance classes in school and becoming the schools best student. Eventually he got stressed then he just went of and died. To me thats a little weird.
Its a good book but I dont think its a great book but still, If this book sounds appealing to you, then go try it but its like I said I think its an OK book and not a bad book.

Reader reviewed by Michaela

I read the book Remembering the Good times by Richard Peck. Its about three friends in high school that go through a very troubling problem when one of the friends takes his life. Its strange how the friend that seems to have it all going for him is the one that takes his life. Buck is the narrator of the story and one of the friends. Bucks mom just got remarried and he decided to move in with his dad in the small town of Slocum in a trailer. Kate is also one of the friends that lives with her mom and her great grandmother, Polly. Her mother doesnt really take care of her and seems to not care about Kate. Then there is Travis or Trav. His parents really care about him and he is doing well with money. He also has awesome grades and has enough money to go to a good collage. Polly, Trav, Kate, and Buck start to hang out and become good friends, wasting away the summer days playing cards. When high school starts Kate and Trav become much closer and Buck fells left out. Trav fells unchallenged by high school and had some problems with growing up. When Trav takes his life Kate and buck become closer because they are dealing with the same pain, Polly also deals with pain because she became Travs friend over time. I was assigned this book for a school class. I usually dont like the books I am assigned although I did enjoy this book.