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- Harley, Like a Person
Harley, Like a Person
Author(s)
Genre(s)
Age Range
12+
Release Date
July 01, 2000
ISBN
1890817481
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Editor reviews
2 reviews
A girl who learns how to be her own person
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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This is another one of those books that has sat in my review pile for way, way too long. Its a great book (and, incidentally, shares a name with my cat). Im sure many of you out there have already discovered it, but for those of you that havent, heres the scoop.
Harley Columba is positive that shes adopted. Theres no way her father can be her real father. No real father would treat his daughter this way, right? And her mother? Maybe shes the real deal, but theres definitely something that doesnt click between mother and daughter. Harley likes to paint and read poetry&her parents would rather read trashy romance novels and silly mens magazines.
Harleys best friend Carla thinks shes crazy, but Harley is convinced. She even sends off for her birth certificate. But while shes waiting for that tantalizing bit of proof (which doesnt come right away or with the official state certificate), Harley starts hanging out with the cool kids. The ones that hang out on the stairs and smoke. Especially the handsome but dangerous Evan.
Soon shes even more on the outs with her parents and Carla isnt talking to her any more. When Evan is kicked out of school for dealing drugs right before the big dance, things start to really go awry.
Harley never consciously decides to do the wrong thing (or the right thing, for that matter). She just kind of&does. When it seems like the whole world is against her, Harley gathers her evidence and takes the bus to New York City where she believes her real father is: Sean Shanahan.
This is an honest and sometimes heartbreaking story (and let me tell you, Im leaving tons of good bits out of this review; but, hey, you have to read it yourself) about a girl coming to terms not only with herself but also with her past and with her family. Recommended for readers aged 14 and up.
Harley Columba is positive that shes adopted. Theres no way her father can be her real father. No real father would treat his daughter this way, right? And her mother? Maybe shes the real deal, but theres definitely something that doesnt click between mother and daughter. Harley likes to paint and read poetry&her parents would rather read trashy romance novels and silly mens magazines.
Harleys best friend Carla thinks shes crazy, but Harley is convinced. She even sends off for her birth certificate. But while shes waiting for that tantalizing bit of proof (which doesnt come right away or with the official state certificate), Harley starts hanging out with the cool kids. The ones that hang out on the stairs and smoke. Especially the handsome but dangerous Evan.
Soon shes even more on the outs with her parents and Carla isnt talking to her any more. When Evan is kicked out of school for dealing drugs right before the big dance, things start to really go awry.
Harley never consciously decides to do the wrong thing (or the right thing, for that matter). She just kind of&does. When it seems like the whole world is against her, Harley gathers her evidence and takes the bus to New York City where she believes her real father is: Sean Shanahan.
This is an honest and sometimes heartbreaking story (and let me tell you, Im leaving tons of good bits out of this review; but, hey, you have to read it yourself) about a girl coming to terms not only with herself but also with her past and with her family. Recommended for readers aged 14 and up.
User reviews
4 reviews
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0(4)
Characters
N/A(0)
Writing Style
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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harley definitely like a person
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by teena
harley like a person is a great book and harley is an amazing character. she changes in the book quite a few times and readers can connect to her. harley shows what teenagers are really like, what they're into. she has what we all want: determination. she's is determined to find her real dad, even though everyone keeps telling her she's from the same family. i enjoyed this book the first time i read it. it made me laugh, cry, and feel a strong connection with harley.
harley like a person is a great book and harley is an amazing character. she changes in the book quite a few times and readers can connect to her. harley shows what teenagers are really like, what they're into. she has what we all want: determination. she's is determined to find her real dad, even though everyone keeps telling her she's from the same family. i enjoyed this book the first time i read it. it made me laugh, cry, and feel a strong connection with harley.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Wonderful Story
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Jocelyn
Harley Columba's parents don't understand her. She loves art and poetry; her father loves drinking and criticizing her. She has nothing in common with them. Of course not; she's fourteen. However, Harley's situation is a little more than that. Harley has actual proof she may be adopted: a doll with a note from her real father, given to her long ago and stuffed in a box in her attic.
Reading this, though, I didn't feel it was a story about Harley searching for her past so much as Harley searching for herself and finding out who she really is. It's not the plot that drives this wonderful novel, but the amazing characters.
Cat Bauer is brilliant in that she doesn't put everyone and every situation into a neat little box. Every time you think you've got it figured out, something is revealed that means you're wrong. I don't mean it's suspenseful; I mean, if you think that a specific character is exactly this stereotype and will do this...you're wrong. But the characters' actions still fit in with the story. It's amazing. It's real. Real life doesn't fit into a box, but so many authors don't translate that into their stories. Cat Bauer does.
The writing style of this novel is excellent. I absolutely loved Harley's voice, and her take on the world. HARLEY, LIKE A PERSON is a powerful story, and I can't wait to get into Harley's mind again in the sequel, HARLEY'S NINTH.
*Reposted from http://teenbookreviewer.blogspot.com*
Harley Columba's parents don't understand her. She loves art and poetry; her father loves drinking and criticizing her. She has nothing in common with them. Of course not; she's fourteen. However, Harley's situation is a little more than that. Harley has actual proof she may be adopted: a doll with a note from her real father, given to her long ago and stuffed in a box in her attic.
Reading this, though, I didn't feel it was a story about Harley searching for her past so much as Harley searching for herself and finding out who she really is. It's not the plot that drives this wonderful novel, but the amazing characters.
Cat Bauer is brilliant in that she doesn't put everyone and every situation into a neat little box. Every time you think you've got it figured out, something is revealed that means you're wrong. I don't mean it's suspenseful; I mean, if you think that a specific character is exactly this stereotype and will do this...you're wrong. But the characters' actions still fit in with the story. It's amazing. It's real. Real life doesn't fit into a box, but so many authors don't translate that into their stories. Cat Bauer does.
The writing style of this novel is excellent. I absolutely loved Harley's voice, and her take on the world. HARLEY, LIKE A PERSON is a powerful story, and I can't wait to get into Harley's mind again in the sequel, HARLEY'S NINTH.
*Reposted from http://teenbookreviewer.blogspot.com*
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
The greatest book ever!
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Mai
This book isn't only known in the US! It has mannaged to be published here in Denmark too. That's where I, a Danish girl, read it, and since then I've read it serval times. Also in English.
It's a really great book that I think every girl in the world can relate to in some way. The way it's written just catches you right a way, and the story really moves me.
And then of course there is one more thing..John Lennon! The man who Harley is a big fan of, just as I am. It's so great to experiense him beeing a part of a normal teenage book!
Imagine if we really had pease in the world? Just like he wanted.
Well, I can really recomend this book to every teenager out there, especially girls.
Hugs
-Mai
This book isn't only known in the US! It has mannaged to be published here in Denmark too. That's where I, a Danish girl, read it, and since then I've read it serval times. Also in English.
It's a really great book that I think every girl in the world can relate to in some way. The way it's written just catches you right a way, and the story really moves me.
And then of course there is one more thing..John Lennon! The man who Harley is a big fan of, just as I am. It's so great to experiense him beeing a part of a normal teenage book!
Imagine if we really had pease in the world? Just like he wanted.
Well, I can really recomend this book to every teenager out there, especially girls.
Hugs
-Mai
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
The Best Book
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Winston
This book is so good is makes you never want to put it down. It also makes your mind wonder about things and makes you very sad about certain things. If you read this book and say that it is not good then you must not know anything about good books.
This book is so good is makes you never want to put it down. It also makes your mind wonder about things and makes you very sad about certain things. If you read this book and say that it is not good then you must not know anything about good books.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
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