- Hardcover: 234 pages
- Publisher: Henry Holt & Company (27 May 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0805080805
- ISBN-13: 978-0805080803
- Product Dimensions: 19.7 x 13 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,698,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
Johnny has had a bit of a tough life so far and he has always been somewhat of a freak. When he was younger, his father died and his mother completely fell apart. Johnny had to learn how to pay the bills and practically take care of the both of them. When Johnny ended up falling into the Goth scene, his mother somehow came out of her funk and became all concerned for Johnny. All Johnny wants to do is party with his friends and drink. But, one night at a club, this girl gives him some sort of drug when all he wanted was an aspirin - and he ends up in the hospital from a drug overdose.
Of course, after the overdose, his mother sends him to rehab, and while there Johnny discovers Debbie Harry of Blondie singing in French. He is immediately taken aback. Debbie's voice blows him away, and it doesn't hurt that she's a complete bombshell.
After Johnny gets back from rehab, things are a bit weird between him and his mother. His mom can't handle it, so she sends him away to live with his Uncle Sam and his daughter, Bug, in South Carolina. Johnny is flaming angry at first, but once there realizes that his Uncle is pretty great and Bug is an awesome little kid. And of course, there's Maria Costello (as in Elvis). She's an interesting girl who Johnny takes a liking to pretty quickly. When Maria discovers Johnny's love of Debbie, and that secretly Johnny wants to be like her, she buys this dress that looks like one of Debbie's and tells Johnny about a drag contest in New York. At first Johnny doesn't know whether she's serious or if she's making fun of him.
With trying to practice for the contest, helping Bug with projects for school, getting bullied nonstop by some guys who used to be Maria's friends, and dealing with the fact that his mother can't handle him, Johnny has a lot on his plate.
DEBBIE HARRY SINGS IN FRENCH was a great debut novel by Meagan Brothers. It puts you inside the head of a pretty confused young man. Things are tough enough for teenagers in the first place, but when you throw in the loss of a parent things can be even harder. The title had me intrigued when I first picked up this book and it didn't let me down. Johnny was a really great in-depth character and so was Maria.
If you're in the mood for reading about a slightly troubled boy who turns to Debbie Harry and his girlfriend Maria to keep him from starting to drink again, then this is a great book for you.
Reviewed by: Breanna F.
Of course, after the overdose, his mother sends him to rehab, and while there Johnny discovers Debbie Harry of Blondie singing in French. He is immediately taken aback. Debbie's voice blows him away, and it doesn't hurt that she's a complete bombshell.
After Johnny gets back from rehab, things are a bit weird between him and his mother. His mom can't handle it, so she sends him away to live with his Uncle Sam and his daughter, Bug, in South Carolina. Johnny is flaming angry at first, but once there realizes that his Uncle is pretty great and Bug is an awesome little kid. And of course, there's Maria Costello (as in Elvis). She's an interesting girl who Johnny takes a liking to pretty quickly. When Maria discovers Johnny's love of Debbie, and that secretly Johnny wants to be like her, she buys this dress that looks like one of Debbie's and tells Johnny about a drag contest in New York. At first Johnny doesn't know whether she's serious or if she's making fun of him.
With trying to practice for the contest, helping Bug with projects for school, getting bullied nonstop by some guys who used to be Maria's friends, and dealing with the fact that his mother can't handle him, Johnny has a lot on his plate.
DEBBIE HARRY SINGS IN FRENCH was a great debut novel by Meagan Brothers. It puts you inside the head of a pretty confused young man. Things are tough enough for teenagers in the first place, but when you throw in the loss of a parent things can be even harder. The title had me intrigued when I first picked up this book and it didn't let me down. Johnny was a really great in-depth character and so was Maria.
If you're in the mood for reading about a slightly troubled boy who turns to Debbie Harry and his girlfriend Maria to keep him from starting to drink again, then this is a great book for you.
Reviewed by: Breanna F.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Tough and Beautiful
30 May 2008
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a beautiful, one of a kind book-- it is funny and tender and it also rocks! Johnny's voice is so warm, so believable across all his hardships and inner struggles, and Maria is heartbreakingly genuine. The story is fresh, life-affirming, without turning away from sorrow.
The book really captures what it feels like to be in love: not just young love, but deep connection at any age. I read this book on a plane and was both laughing (out loud) and at other times literally wiping tears from my eyes.
The story also celebrates the healing power of music and the way our heroes, however unlikely, can help our true, best self emerge. The writing itself is sensational: easy-going and true.
This is not just another young adult book. It is a wholly moving, terrifically entertaining story about first love, emerging sexuality, and of course Blondie. A+.
The book really captures what it feels like to be in love: not just young love, but deep connection at any age. I read this book on a plane and was both laughing (out loud) and at other times literally wiping tears from my eyes.
The story also celebrates the healing power of music and the way our heroes, however unlikely, can help our true, best self emerge. The writing itself is sensational: easy-going and true.
This is not just another young adult book. It is a wholly moving, terrifically entertaining story about first love, emerging sexuality, and of course Blondie. A+.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
HIghly recommended
18 Jun 2008
Format:Hardcover
An engaging, touching, endearing, funny, and beautiful story about the struggle to know oneself. An easy, enjoyable read that makes you laugh out loud and touches you at the same time. I'm terrible at writing reviews, but I just finished this book and felt the need to tell others. Buy it, read it, you won't be disappointed.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Fan Mail
1 July 2008
Format:Hardcover
There's something in everyone that makes us feel distanced from our peers at one time or another. During the teenage years, that distance can be felt most keenly, and mocked fiercely. This novel deals with the feelings of some of those children who pass through the gauntlet of being "different".
Some kids achieve a comfort zone with their individuality; some, unfortunately do not, and end up drugged out, or compromise their principles to fit in, or, in extreme cases, choose to end it all.
This story explores the lives of two such teens, and how they deal with their respective pains and attempt to find a place for themselves in the world is the premise of this sure-handed first novel.
Geared for the teen audience, the book does not dumb down the language, nor preach homilies; instead, it speaks clearly to all teens who question those things that make them who they are, especially if those things fall outside the "norm" of what society tolerates.
A very promising start from an author I hope we hear much more from.
Some kids achieve a comfort zone with their individuality; some, unfortunately do not, and end up drugged out, or compromise their principles to fit in, or, in extreme cases, choose to end it all.
This story explores the lives of two such teens, and how they deal with their respective pains and attempt to find a place for themselves in the world is the premise of this sure-handed first novel.
Geared for the teen audience, the book does not dumb down the language, nor preach homilies; instead, it speaks clearly to all teens who question those things that make them who they are, especially if those things fall outside the "norm" of what society tolerates.
A very promising start from an author I hope we hear much more from.
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