As Simple as It Seems

Eleven-year-old Verbena Polter gets through a difficult summer of turbulent emotions and the revelation of a disturbing family secret with an odd new friend who believes she is the ghost of a girl who drowned many years before.

This was a good story about growing up and forming friendships that can help one find oneself when the least expect it. I read it in one setting and felt connected to the characters, I wanted to know more. Worth the read.

Verbena Ellen Colter isn't who she thought she was. Her kind, slightly goofy (and embarrassing) parents have kept an explosive family secret from her up until now, and suddenly her mood swings and angry rages are taking on a new, darker tone (at least in her mind). The real reason she is different

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from other children is that Verbena was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which affects the way she looks, how she grows, and how she learns and behaves. On top of that revelation, she's lost her best friend Annie to popular Heather, and Verbie feels like she's going to be alone forever without her. While wandering over the summer, she meets Robert (nicknamed "Pooch" by his mother's latest boyfriend) when he and his mom rent the old Allen house for the summer. Robert mistakes her for the ghost of Tracy Allen, who drowned years ago, and Verbena decides to try out being someone else -- even if it's a dead someone else. But as Verbena learns, even dead people have problems, and sometimes you have to be a real live person with real live courage. Excellent writing and storytelling, and characters you will love! 6th grade and up.

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Verbena and Pooch are endearing characters, kids will love them!

This was an excellent story about mothers and daughters and about friendship.I have to admit I got all choked up at the end. It was worthy of a tissue or two.

I enjoyed this. It reminded me of the movie "My Girl". I was glad that Bena made a friend and that she learned to love her mom just like she is. This teaches important lessons to the younger set. This book also contains an important message about fetal alcohol syndrome.

Good story about self-discovery.

Verbena struggles with a lot of new information about herself and her family the summer after fifth grade - some adventure and a new friend help her to grow into herself. I am always drawn to Weeks' characters and this book does not disappoint.

Like this book, didn't love it, the story is ok. However I really like Verbena. Her character is so well written. It is great how she comes of age throughout he story, especially after she meet Pooch. Verbena is adopted and I find that this subject is not written about much in young reader books,

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therefore, I found that storyline quite interesting. A very simple read.

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I thought this book was well written and engaging.

My 9 year old read a different Sarah Weeks book at school and came home asking me to find more. Amazon's age guidelines on this book are 8-12 or Grades 3-7. My 9 year old i(3rd grade) s pretty mature and I really would hesitate to give her this

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yet. She would have no problem with understanding it - but the themes are really pretty heavy for a kid this age. For example, there is a pretty detailed conversation about Fetal Alcohol syndrome. It was well done, I just really feel like I would hold this book until my daughter was at least 10 or 11.

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This was a sweet little story for older, primary school students about friendship and self-identity.