Broken Soup

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Author(s)

Jenny Valentine

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

Genre(s)

General Fiction

Age Range

12+

Release Date

January 07, 2008

ISBN

006085071X

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Positive. Negative. It's how you look at it. . . . Someone shoves a photo negative into Rowan's hands. She is distracted but, frankly, she has larger problems to worry about. Her brother is dead. Her father has left. Her mother won't get out of bed. She has to take care of her younger sister. "And" keep it all together . . . But Rowan is curious about the mysterious boy and the negative. Who is he? Why did he give it to her? The mystery only deepens when the photo is developed and the inconceivable appears. Everything is about to change for Rowan. . . . Finally, something positive is in her life. Award-winning author Jenny Valentine delivers a powerful and life-affirming story of grief, friendship, and healing that will resonate long after the last page.

Positive.

Negative.

It's how you look at it. . . .

Someone shoves a photo negative into Rowan's hands. She is distracted but, frankly, she has larger problems to worry about. Her brother is dead. Her father has left. Her mother won't get out of bed. She has to take care of her younger sister. "And" keep it all together . . .

But Rowan is curious about the mysterious boy and the negative. Who is he? Why did he give it to her? The mystery only deepens when the photo is developed and the inconceivable appears.

Everything is about to change for Rowan. . . . Finally, something positive is in her life.

Award-winning author Jenny Valentine delivers a powerful and life-affirming story of grief, friendship, and healing that will resonate long after the last page.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Life is Like Broken Soup

June 19, 2009 (Updated: June 04, 2026)

Overall rating

3.0

Plot

3.0

Characters

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Writing Style

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In Broken Soup, three freaky things happened to upset fifteen-year-old Rowans life. The first thing was that her older brother died from a freak swimming accident in France. As a result, her mother withdraw into herself and her father withdrew from her daily life, moving out of the house, leaving Rowan to care for her mother and her younger sister, Stroma.

The second thing was an unknown boy standing behind her at the local coffee shop handing her a photo negative which he said dropped out of her bag. She knew she didnt drop it.

The third occurrence was Bee, a high school senior she never knew or socialized with, coming up to her at lunch and asking about the negative. She was also in line at the coffee shop.

This confluence of events and their later unraveling, leads to totally unimagined and unforeseen results. You see, the negative was a photo of her brother, looking extremely happy. The boy, Harper, who gave Rowan the negative, is a New Yorker traveling around Europe (Rowan lives in London) whose current address is an ambulance with all the creature comforts of home. And Bee, well, Ill let you find out who Bee is.

Jenny Valentine has written an intriguing second novel. The main characters are interesting and, in some cases quirky: from Stroma, the precocious six-year-old, to Harper, living in an ambulance, to Carl, Bees father who smokes marijuana and is more like a father than Rowans own father. There is some intrigue as Rowan seeks more information about the photo and about her brother. There is love on many levels: boys and girls, mothers and fathers, parents and children. And finally, there is the realization that not all burdens should fall on the shoulders of a fifteen-year-old. Broken Soup is a quick but fulfilling read.

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MY REVIEW OF JENNY VALENTINES BOOK BROKEN SOUP

August 24, 2010 (Updated: June 04, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

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Reader reviewed by Chandra

I love this book it is so awsome. I had to read it because it was assigned to us to read in class but once i started reading it I couldn't stop, cause it was such a great book. I loved it so much once i finished it I wanted more so I went to the Library and borrowed Jenny Valentines first book Finding Violet Park and that was awsome to. I wish I could read more books written by her but I can't find any.

EVERYONE SHOULD READ HER BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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A new and good read

April 29, 2010 (Updated: June 04, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

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5.0

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Reader reviewed by Lia

This is an amazing book, I love the courage this girl has to support her
family and keep life going after her brothers death, her moms
depression,her dad separation from her mom and her taking care of her 6
year old sister. it is well written, sad and funny but is such a good
read. this book is amazing.

Positive. Negative. It's how you look at it. . . . Someone
shoves a photo negative into Rowan's hands. She is distracted but,
frankly, she has larger problems to worry about. Her brother is dead.
Her father has left. Her mother won't get out of bed. She has to take
care of her younger sister. And keep it all together . . . But
Rowan is curious about the mysterious boy and the negative. Who is he?
Why did he give it to her? The mystery only deepens when the photo is
developed and the inconceivable appears. Everything is about to
change for Rowan. . . . Finally, something positive is in her life.

Guest

Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0

A new favorite!

July 12, 2009 (Updated: June 04, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

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N/A

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Reader reviewed by Sara

Title: Broken Soup
Author: Jenny Valentine
Publisher: HarperTeen
Date Published: 2009
Genre: Young Adult
Main Themes: Grief, Death, Family, Love, Friendship
Pages: 216
Plot:
From inside book jacket: "Positive. Negative. It's how you look at it...

Someone shoves a photo negative into Rowan's hands. She is distracted but, frankly, she has larger problems to worry about. Her brother is dead. Her father has left. her mother won't get out of bed. She has to take care of her younger sister. And keep it all together...

But Rowan is curious about the mysterious boy and the negative. Who is he? Why did he give it to her? The mystery only deepens when the photo is developed and the inconceivable appears.

Everything is about to change for Rowan... Finally, something positive is in her life."

I've had this book on my desk for about 2 weeks and kept passing it over and now I am mentally kicking myself! I cannot put into words how great this book was. I LOVED it! This is only Jenny Valentine's second novel and have my fingers crossed that there are many more to come.

Broken Soup was heart-wrenching and tear-inducing. It was funny and witty. It was filled with twists and turns yet perfectly predictable. It was real.

Rowan is an amazing character. I thought she would seem young to me since she is only supposed to be 15, but she is very mature (in part because of her home life, but also just personality-wise). Her little sister, Stroma, is hilarious and a ray of light in the darkness of Rowan's current life. And Harper... ah, Harper... is absolutely marvelous. I'm pretty sure I have to add Harper to my list of favorite love interests now... He was perfectly written and a perfect complement to Rowan.

I love Jenny Valentine's writing style, her voice, her characterization! I think that is a major reason as to why this book is so great - Valentine is simply a wonderful writer. That, paired with an amazing plot line, makes this one of my new favorite books!

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A)!

I'm definitely going to look for Valentine's first novel (Me, The Missing, and The Dead) and keep an eye out future novels! I highly recommend Broken Soup - HIGHLY! :)

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