About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
Fourteen-year-old Pamela Collins is struggling to come to terms with her mother's death.
Somewhat shy, Pamela is thoughtful, full of passion, often funny, and sometimes tearful as she learns to cope with the emotional overload the tragedy has brought to her life. Her favourite things include walking alone in Lynn Canyon Park, the art of Emily Carr, and a certain boy with a "wicked grin." At the moment she dislikes her English teacher, shopping, and being singled out for special treatment because of her motherís death. Pamela is tall and slim and mostly uncomfortable with her rapidly changing body. She is unsure of herself and unsure of the loyalty of her friends.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12 to 18
- Grade:
- 8 to 12
- Reading age:
- 12 to 18
Awards
- , Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers Choice Award (YRCA)
- Short-listed, Tiny Torgi Literary Awards for Books in Alternative Formats
- , Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (MYRCA)
- Commended, American Library Association (ALA) Best Books for Young Adults
- Winner, The National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award
- Commended, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks
- Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice, starred selection
- Commended, American Booksellers Association (ABA) Pick List
- Commended, CBC "This Morning" Book Panel Selection
- Winner, Canadian Library Association (CLA) Young Adult Book Award
- Commended, New York Public Library (NYPL) Best Books for Teens
- , Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards - Young Adult / Middle Reader
- Commended, Ontario Library School Association (OSLA) The Teaching Librarian - Best Books for You
- , Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Award
Editorial Reviews
"This is a YA novel to watch come awards time."
"The subject is dark, of course, but Holubitsky writes Pam's diary entries with a rollicking lightness 12- to 16-year-olds will relish."
— The Georgia Staight
"Authentic and insightful."
— Publisher's Weekly
"Holubitsky deftly captures the clumsy sulkiness that hides adolescent heartbreak."
"This is a story that manages to avoid traps of obvious confessionality while still compellingly revealing the pain and labor of adjustment to loss."
— Center for Children's Books
"Full of sharp, funny observations and up-to-date references."
"Holubitsky shows real talent for writing about the world of teens and the slow road to emotional healing."
— KLIATT
"In this gentle and introspective look at the emotional overload of a teenage girl, younger readers will find themselves relating to and caring about the realistically drawn characters."
— VOYA
"A novel whose strength comes from the way in which it leads us to recognize the contemporary world of the teen herd while it applauds those who are determinedly their own people."
— Edmonton Journal
"Deals with complex issues with great honesty; it ends with resolutions that answer our questions while leaving the door open for more possibilities. All in all, a wonderful book."
— The Observer
"Holubitsky has successfully caught the nuances of adolescent life with its mercurial highs and lows."
"Highly recommended."
— Children's Literature
"Sometimes funny, sometimes tragic and always powerful."
— Resource Links
