What Every Girl Except Me Knows

Age Range
12+
ISBN
0440418526
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2 reviews
Is growing up harder without a mother?
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Nora Raleigh Baskin's first novel is a work to be proud of. The narrator, twelve-year-old Gabby, rings absolutely true.


Gabby's mother died, somewhat mysteriously, when she was only three. She feels that not having a mother has handicapped her in some way as she peers into the mysterious world of womanhood opening up in front of her.


She wonders, as pretty much all girls (with or without a mother) do, if she looks right, acts right, is right. Things are starting to look up when her father's girlfriend Cleo starts to help her out and she makes friends with Taylor, the new girl in school.


But then Cleo is suddenly gone and Gabby's friendship with Taylor has some rocky periods as they work through perceived and real differences in their lives. The resolution comes when Gabby takes things into her own hands (enlisting only the help of her brother, who seems like he could use an epiphany or two as well).


The best parts of this book are the scenes between Taylor and Gabby. Ms. Baskin knows a few things about girls and friendship and her knowledge shines through in their conversations.


While the book obviously concentrates on 'girly' things, the male characters are also drawn with a nice eye for detail. All around, this is a great book and one that I highly recommend (and, on the plus side for adults reading it, the cover is tame enough to take on a plane without feeling silly).

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what every girl except me knows
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Reader reviewed by erin



I thought this book was great because every girl has to go through these stages its most likely harder without a mother to support you.I wish cleo did'nt leave it was kind of rude of her just to take out the page in her journal.But i think the ages for this book is most likely 11+ in my opinion it was one of the best books i have ever read!
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goooooooood book
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Reader reviewed by Cat

I really really like this book. It's funny and touching and it tells you how to deal with stuff in your own way. You should definetely read this book because you will enjoy it a lot. I know I did. I especially liked the scenes with Taylor becasue they were the funniest to me. You will really relate to it.
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YEAH!!
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Reader reviewed by Ben

Gabby Weiss is facing young womanhood with no mother, a father who loves her but is distant, and an older brother who's... well, a typical big brother. Until Taylor came along, she never even had a best friend.

Though filled with self doubt, Gabby is very courageous deep down. Instead of withdrawing she reaches out to those around her, with touching results.
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Awesome
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Reader reviewed by Karissa

I thought it was great. It is the best book I've ever read!!! I loved how she made it seem as if you were right there. It was really great for an author's first novel. Nora did an awesome job with this book and I really enjoyed it!!!

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how is this so great?
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Reader reviewed by Tiffany Gunder

This book simply touched me.Gabby goes through a lot of rough times, but she always seems to get through it. I think the author did a fine job, indeed on her first novel.

Tiffany
12
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My thoughts
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Reader reviewed by Lilian

I loved this book because as i was reading it I was realizing that we were going through the same experiance although I do have a mother I still think we have a lot in common. I also loved it because it was fun to read and it was very well written.
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Great
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Reader reviewed by MELISSA 888

I am 13 and i found this book very enjoyable since i have a friend who doesnt have a mother and has to go through this. She has an older sister but they are not very close.

This book would help a lot of people who are going through this situation.

Thank-you for writing this i have now realised how hard it is ithout a mother and how valuable mothers are.
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Lively coming-of-age story
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Reader reviewed by Dylana

This was one of the best books I've read this year. Its so realistic, emotional, complex, and fun. Its perfect for young girls who are growing up, especially without a mother. It also has underlying images about the world around us, like the river, that add beautiful details to the story.
It is about a young girl named Gabby. She lives with her brother and father, Her mother died when she was 3, and she has no memories of her, but she likes to think she does. She takes notes on what she sees other women doing, so she knows how to act when she finally becomes a woman. Then her dad plans to marry Cleo, and Gabby is so happy. Life is starting to look good, until Cleo suddenly leaves saying she's not ready to be a mother. Gabby feels like this is her fault.
But Gabby does make a very great friend at school, Taylor. They share inside jokes and are as close as ever. Taylor can read Gabby's thoughts really well. You'll love these characters. Gabby still feels something is missing from her life though, and she goes on a journey to New York City with her brother to the apartment they last saw thier mother in when she died. But surprises turn up.
This book is very gripping and written beautifully. I loved it! In the end, Gabby's whole family comes together and new good changes are on there way. You'll learn a lot about the difficulties of growing up and about accepting what is real in life. I know you'll enjoy this novel.
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The BEST book ever!!!!!
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Reader reviewed by Caroline M.

Dear Nora Baskin, your book, "What Every girl(Except me)Knows was the best book i have ever read!!!!!! I loved it because I can relate to most of the stuff the characters were going through!!! The main character Gabby is also around my age so that was cool too! What would be even more cool was if there was a series of the book, "What Every Girl (Except me) Knows.I would read ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From,
your number one fan!!!!!!! sideways smiley face : )
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Hidden courage
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Reader reviewed by Tonya Martin

About halfway through reading this book I looked on the back cover flap to check out the author. I was amazed to discover that this was Nora Raleigh Baskin's first novel because it is so sharp and skillfully written.

Gabby Weiss is facing young womanhood with no mother, a father who loves her but is distant, and an older brother who's... well, a typical big brother. Until Taylor came along, she never even had a best friend.

Though filled with self doubt, Gabby is very courageous deep down. Instead of withdrawing she reaches out to those around her, with touching results.
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