When she was good by Norma Fox Mazer

Bibliographic Information:

Mazer, N. (1997). When she was good. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN# 0590135066

Plot Summary:
Em has grown up in a dysfunctional family. Her mother slowly died of depression. Her father, an abusive alcoholic, has remarried a woman who wants nothing to do with his children. That leaves Em living in the city with her emotionally disturbed and physically and mentally abusive older sister, Pamela. Em must become the bread winner as Pamela won’t deign to work. Pamela’s voice is constantly in Em’s head telling her that she isn’t good enough; she is a hypocrite and a liar. Em struggles to find and keep jobs to pay their rent and other bills while Pamela sinks deeper into psychosis. Em notices an older, well put together woman who lives in their building. She is intrigued by this woman and tries to befriend her. However, having virtually no social skills, she scares the woman who tells her bluntly to leave her alone. Suddenly Pamela dies. Em is now free, but must suddenly become independent. All of life she has been told what to do and now she must decide for herself.

Critical Evaluation:
This is an intense book. Em lives in such a sad, violent situation. It is hard to imagine how anyone could survive. However, Mazer creates a very strong character in Em, though Em doesn’t realize this fact. Em keeps trying; she perseveres. Her character is quite interesting in that she hates her sister, yet she loves her sister. At Pamela’s funeral Em prays that she won’t “suffer in hell.” I can only imagine wanting my tormentor to suffer as much as I had. Perhaps in some way Em understands that Pamela was mentally ill and not 100% responsible for her actions. While this book might depress some teens, for others it could be an eye opener. They may draw strength from quiet Em. She shows them that even though one is in a difficult situation, one can remain positive and keep trying.

Reader's Annotation:
When her emotionally disturbed and abusive sister suddenly dies, Em must figure out how to manage life on her own.

Information about the author:
Norma Fox Mazer was born in New York, NY in 1931. She has written well over 25 books many of which have received multiple awards. "It's not hard to see why Norma Fox Mazer has found a place among the most popular writers for young adults these days," observed Suzanne Freeman in the Washington Post Book World. "At her best, Mazer can cut right to the bone of teenage troubles and then show us how the wounds will heal. She can set down the everyday scenes of her characters' lives in images that are scalpel sharp," the critic continued, adding that "what's apparent throughout all of this is that Mazer has taken great care to get to know the world she writes about. She delves into the very heart of it with a sure and practiced hand." This ability may come from when she was a teen. She felt like an outsider and was called “the ‘Cold One’” by her family. She finally realized that adults were just “play-acting; they weren’t, in fact any older, any more grown-up than I was.” Mazer lives in Manhattan with her husband Harry, who is also an author.
http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2150/Mazer-Norma-Fox-1931.html

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; Sociology

Booktalking Ideas:
• Why does Em’s mother behave the way she does?
• What are the characteristics of an abuser? Of someone being abused?
• Why does Em focus on the woman in her building?
• Do you think Em will make it? Why? Why not?
• Do you know someone who is in an abusive situation?
• If so, please contact: 1−800−799−SAFE(7233) orTTY 1−800−787−3224.
• OR go to http://www.ndvh.org/
• If you feel that someone you know suffers from a mental illness, please contact 1-800-950-NAMI or go to http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/About_Mental_Illness.htm

Reading Level/Interest Level: The widest age range, according to the reviews, is 14 – 18.

Challenge Issues:
Family violence; physical abuse; language; abuse

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Six positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on 10 Best Books Lists
• Appears on one state/provincial reading list


Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~aYME6w:3 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.