Status
Available
Series
Collection
Publication
New York : HarperTeen, c2008.
Description
Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. LGBTQIA+ (Fiction.) HTML: An unforgettable coming of age novel for fans of 13 Reasons Why, It's Kind of a Funny Story, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Fifteen-year-old Jeff wakes up on New Year's Day to find himself in the hospitalâ??specifically, in the psychiatric ward. Despite the bandages on his wrists, he's positive this is all some huge mistake. Jeff is perfectly fine, perfectly normal; not like the other kids in the hospital with him. But over the course of the next forty-five days, Jeff begins to understand why he ended up hereâ??and realizes he has more in common with the other kids than he thought. "With a sprinkling of dark humor and a full measure of humanness, Suicide Notes is quirky, surprising, and a riveting read." â??Ellen Hopkins, author of The You I've Never Known and Love Lies Beneath "Like the very best teen novels, Suicide Notes is both classic and edgy, timeless and provocative." â??Brent Hartinger, author of Geography Club "Makes a powerful emotional impact." â??Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Jeff's wit and self-discovery are refreshing, poignant, and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny." â??School Library Jou… (more)
Media reviews
User reviews
LibraryThing member callmecayce
I don't know what to say about this book, not really. I read it really, really quickly. Not because it was super short (it wasn't), but because once I started, I just couldn't stop. It was just that good. It's not really about suicide, it's more about growing up. But not in that teen angst, over
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dramatic woe is me kind of way. Suicide Notes is way more real than a lot of stuff I've read. But what makes it so good is that we get a skewed point of view because Jeff, our narrator is really unreliable. Not because he lies, but because he can't face the truth of what happened just yet. which means this book is, well, really amazing. That's about it. Highly, highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member ThisTornImage
I truly enjoyed this book up until around half way through. (Warning: Spoilers.) I suspected Jeff’s sexuality by then, but I felt that what happened with Rankin was very... jarring. It felt like it went from being a boy in a psychiatric hospital to a kid being convinced to do sexual acts before
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they’re really ready. Perhaps I also just feel weird and uncomfortable because it felt like Jeff was being pushed into doing these things rather than doing them on his own. I still enjoyed the book, for the most part. It just didn’t feel like the transition from it being about him trying to commit suicide to him finding out he’s gay was all that smooth. I’ve seen some other reviews mention it has a lot of ableist language, and it does, but that bothered me less simply because it seemed like things a teenage boy would say, especially when this book was first published. Show Less
LibraryThing member bekkil1977
"Suicide Notes" by Michael Thomas Ford. It's about a teenage boy who wakes up and finds himself in the psychiatric ward of the hospital after a suicide attempt. He won't admit, even to himself, why he tried to commit suicide. The author drops some hints along the way, mostly trying to lead the
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reader off track. The book describes sex very frankly, and had some disturbing scenes. I don't know if it's something I would have wanted to read as a teenager. I was rather depressed and suicidal myself when I was younger, and reading about other people who had similar problems didn't make me feel better. In fact, it ticked me off because I (and I don't think I'm alone on this) felt that my problems were totally unique and no one else could ever understand. So, I don't know about this book. It made me feel sad, and I don't think any teen, whether they have a healthy mental outlook or not, really needs that. Show Less
LibraryThing member clio11
It's New Year's Day, and 15-year-old Jeff wakes up in the psychiatric ward of the hospital. He's positive he doesn't belong there, that his parents are overreacting like they do to everything. Sure, he tried to kill himself, but that doesn't mean everyone has to get all stressed out. He's not
Suicide Notes was a disappointment. The book feels as though Ford decided to write a "problem novel," and couldn't decide which "problem" to focus on. Jeff's reason for attempting suicide (he made a pass at his best friend's boyfriend and was rejected) was not presented in a believable way. Jeff himself is not a particularly intriguing character, and the cast of characters in the mental hospital were little more than stereotypes.
The book's plot is generally predictable, as Jeff slowly grows to trust his psychiatrist and the others in the ward. Several semi-consensual sexual encounters between Jeff and Rankin, another patient, left me uneasy. One final encounter passed beyond "semi-consensual" into full blown sexual assault - Rankin climbs naked into Jeff's bed and ignores his repeated statements of "don't!" I was very disappointed that the assault wasn't treated as such - although Rankin is sent away, even Jeff's psychiatrist doesn't condemn his actions as sexual assault, merely describes them as inappropriate.
For a better treatment of life in the psychiatric ward, I'd recommend Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of a Funny Story.
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really crazy, not like the other kids in the ward. He just made a mistake, and as soon as he gets out everything will be fine. Right?Suicide Notes was a disappointment. The book feels as though Ford decided to write a "problem novel," and couldn't decide which "problem" to focus on. Jeff's reason for attempting suicide (he made a pass at his best friend's boyfriend and was rejected) was not presented in a believable way. Jeff himself is not a particularly intriguing character, and the cast of characters in the mental hospital were little more than stereotypes.
The book's plot is generally predictable, as Jeff slowly grows to trust his psychiatrist and the others in the ward. Several semi-consensual sexual encounters between Jeff and Rankin, another patient, left me uneasy. One final encounter passed beyond "semi-consensual" into full blown sexual assault - Rankin climbs naked into Jeff's bed and ignores his repeated statements of "don't!" I was very disappointed that the assault wasn't treated as such - although Rankin is sent away, even Jeff's psychiatrist doesn't condemn his actions as sexual assault, merely describes them as inappropriate.
For a better treatment of life in the psychiatric ward, I'd recommend Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of a Funny Story.
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LibraryThing member FlanneryAC
It feels a little weird to say that I felt a book about a 45-day program in a juvenile psychiatric unit was really funny. But it was—in parts. This book, written in journal entries from day one of the program until the last day, focuses on Jeff’s evaluation of why he tried to kill himself. His
Jeff introduces us to the other young adults in the unit, some of whom come and go during his stay. He also has to see a psychiatrist during his time in the program, the delightful Dr. Katzrupus. (or Cat Poop, as Jeff dubs him) At first, I felt like we weren’t getting to know each supporting character well enough but isn’t that the point? I mean, Jeff is in this program solely to figure out what his issues are. These are his journal entries we are reading. And it all felt real—I felt anxious with him, sad for him, mortified with him, and so hopeful that maybe it would all work out. The relationship he had with his sister made me laugh the most, though.And the way he came out to his family was just perfect.
While this book definitely deals with a lot of morbid topics, the feel is decidedly optimistic for the most part. I enjoyed the fact that Jeff was very matter-of-fact about most things and the conversations he had with people didn’t really tiptoe around the serious stuff. His doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Katzrupus was a highlight as well.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a male voice in the female-saturated YA world. Though I hope this wouldn’t affect anyone’s choice to read a book or not, there are some M/M sexual scenes. Just putting that out there. I’ll definitely read more from this author.
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voice is reminiscent of Holden Caulfield, only he doesn’t call everyone phonies—just whackjobs. Jeff introduces us to the other young adults in the unit, some of whom come and go during his stay. He also has to see a psychiatrist during his time in the program, the delightful Dr. Katzrupus. (or Cat Poop, as Jeff dubs him) At first, I felt like we weren’t getting to know each supporting character well enough but isn’t that the point? I mean, Jeff is in this program solely to figure out what his issues are. These are his journal entries we are reading. And it all felt real—I felt anxious with him, sad for him, mortified with him, and so hopeful that maybe it would all work out. The relationship he had with his sister made me laugh the most, though.
While this book definitely deals with a lot of morbid topics, the feel is decidedly optimistic for the most part. I enjoyed the fact that Jeff was very matter-of-fact about most things and the conversations he had with people didn’t really tiptoe around the serious stuff. His doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Katzrupus was a highlight as well.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a male voice in the female-saturated YA world. Though I hope this wouldn’t affect anyone’s choice to read a book or not, there are some M/M sexual scenes. Just putting that out there. I’ll definitely read more from this author.
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LibraryThing member presto
Jeff wakes to find himself in hospital, and subsequently learns that he is in the psychiatric ward and that he his signed in for a 45 day stint. He admits he tried to commit suicide by slashing his wrists, but is reluctant to admit why he attempted it, not to his doctor, Dr Katzrupus, not to the
Jeff tells his own story, fifteen years old he has a way with words, a ready response and a smart-Alec sarcasm behind which he hides, yet he is a very likable and endearing youngster. He gives a day by day account of his time in hospital, of his daily sessions with his doctor and his interaction with is fellow young patients, and the weekly visits of his parents and young sister.
Suicide notes is an eminently readable diary, thoroughly engaging and full of wit and humour. Jeff's sessions with Dr Katzrupus (for whom he has his own nick name) alone are a delight, his evasive answers and attempts at twisting things round, at getting the upper hand. Off course nothing will change for Jeff until he can admit to himself that he has a problem, but how long before he can, and how will he and his family deal with it if and when he does?
His problem? - he is gay. A problem many teenagers no doubt have to face and come to terms with, in this entertaining story MTF provides a realistic, helpful and positive path to acceptance.
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other four teenage patients in his unit, and least of all to himself. Of course he is convinced there is nothing wrong with him, he is in the "nuthouse" by mistake, and he will be going home as soon as every one realises their error.Jeff tells his own story, fifteen years old he has a way with words, a ready response and a smart-Alec sarcasm behind which he hides, yet he is a very likable and endearing youngster. He gives a day by day account of his time in hospital, of his daily sessions with his doctor and his interaction with is fellow young patients, and the weekly visits of his parents and young sister.
Suicide notes is an eminently readable diary, thoroughly engaging and full of wit and humour. Jeff's sessions with Dr Katzrupus (for whom he has his own nick name) alone are a delight, his evasive answers and attempts at twisting things round, at getting the upper hand. Off course nothing will change for Jeff until he can admit to himself that he has a problem, but how long before he can, and how will he and his family deal with it if and when he does?
His problem? - he is gay. A problem many teenagers no doubt have to face and come to terms with, in this entertaining story MTF provides a realistic, helpful and positive path to acceptance.
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LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
On New Year's Day Jeff is taken to a psychiatric ward because he tries to kill himself. Jeff insists that he's not crazy - he doesn't see why everyone can't just get over it and leave him alone - but he's enrolled in a 45-day program at the hospital. He has to endure group therapy and sessions with
Jeff's irreverent sarcasm drew me in from the beginning and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was also intrigued by Jeff's suicide attempt - what caused him to try to take his own life? He was obviously hiding something and I wanted to know what. I'd hand this to teens who liked Julie Halpern's Get Well Soon (another funny take on psychiatric hospitals) or Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of a Funny Story (although the tone is different).
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Dr. Katzrupus (whom he nicknames Cat Poop). Jeff keeps insisting there's nothing wrong, but as his stay progresses and he gets to know some of the other kids on the ward Jeff just might start to figure out some stuff about himself. Jeff's irreverent sarcasm drew me in from the beginning and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was also intrigued by Jeff's suicide attempt - what caused him to try to take his own life? He was obviously hiding something and I wanted to know what. I'd hand this to teens who liked Julie Halpern's Get Well Soon (another funny take on psychiatric hospitals) or Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of a Funny Story (although the tone is different).
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LibraryThing member gracie16
The novel, Suicide notes by Michael Thomas Ford describes how a young boy is afraid of being gay. In the beginning Jeff struggles with being confused of being in this mental hospital. Throughout the middle he slowly learns that the reason why he's in the mental hospital because he tried to kill
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himself. By the end he has learned that the reason why he was in this mental hospital for trying to suicde because he was gay. 295/295pages. Show Less
LibraryThing member flannabanana
It feels a little weird to say that I felt a book about a 45-day program in a juvenile psychiatric unit was really funny. But it was—in parts. This book, written in journal entries from day one of the program until the last day, focuses on Jeff’s evaluation of why he tried to kill himself. His
Jeff introduces us to the other young adults in the unit, some of whom come and go during his stay. He also has to see a psychiatrist during his time in the program, the delightful Dr. Katzrupus. (or Cat Poop, as Jeff dubs him) At first, I felt like we weren’t getting to know each supporting character well enough but isn’t that the point? I mean, Jeff is in this program solely to figure out what his issues are. These are his journal entries we are reading. And it all felt real—I felt anxious with him, sad for him, mortified with him, and so hopeful that maybe it would all work out. The relationship he had with his sister made me laugh the most, though.
While this book definitely deals with a lot of morbid topics, the feel is decidedly optimistic for the most part. I enjoyed the fact that Jeff was very matter-of-fact about most things and the conversations he had with people didn’t really tiptoe around the serious stuff. His doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Katzrupus was a highlight as well.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a male voice in the female-saturated YA world. Though I hope this wouldn’t affect anyone’s choice to read a book or not, there are some M/M sexual scenes. Just putting that out there. I’ll definitely read more from this author.
Show More
voice is reminiscent of Holden Caulfield, only he doesn’t call everyone phonies—just whackjobs. Jeff introduces us to the other young adults in the unit, some of whom come and go during his stay. He also has to see a psychiatrist during his time in the program, the delightful Dr. Katzrupus. (or Cat Poop, as Jeff dubs him) At first, I felt like we weren’t getting to know each supporting character well enough but isn’t that the point? I mean, Jeff is in this program solely to figure out what his issues are. These are his journal entries we are reading. And it all felt real—I felt anxious with him, sad for him, mortified with him, and so hopeful that maybe it would all work out. The relationship he had with his sister made me laugh the most, though.
While this book definitely deals with a lot of morbid topics, the feel is decidedly optimistic for the most part. I enjoyed the fact that Jeff was very matter-of-fact about most things and the conversations he had with people didn’t really tiptoe around the serious stuff. His doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Katzrupus was a highlight as well.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a male voice in the female-saturated YA world. Though I hope this wouldn’t affect anyone’s choice to read a book or not, there are some M/M sexual scenes. Just putting that out there. I’ll definitely read more from this author.
Show Less
LibraryThing member richardderus
Rating: 2.5* of five
All the points are for the ending, which is entirely worth the long, tedious, acne-inducing slog to get there.
Seriously...does the world NEED to hear about adolescence anymore? Is there something we missed, as adults, while going through that training ground for evil demons
Basically...no more. No no no. Poke me with a fork, I'm done.
All the points are for the ending, which is entirely worth the long, tedious, acne-inducing slog to get there.
Seriously...does the world NEED to hear about adolescence anymore? Is there something we missed, as adults, while going through that training ground for evil demons
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called "junior high" (that's middle school for the under-fifty set)? If so, is it something that we actually *need*?Basically...no more. No no no. Poke me with a fork, I'm done.
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LibraryThing member GrytaJME
Eh. The reviewers I read were far too enamored of this.
LibraryThing member rmboland
I don't feel like I have much to say in regards to a review. This was a quick read, and to be honest, I didn't connect with it enough to form a deep opinion of it's content.
The book, overall, was well written, but when it came to the much awaited "why," I kind of felt cheated. The entire 3/4 of
The book, overall, was well written, but when it came to the much awaited "why," I kind of felt cheated. The entire 3/4 of
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the book held me in a suspenseful anxiety that I was CONVINCED would lead to a mindblowing reveal-I don't feel like that was delivered. Though, I am far from heartless. The reveal was NOT something to take lightly-I wholeheartedly believe in seeking help the SECOND your feelings lead to an inkling of suidical thought. I suppose I just wanted more from this book-character and plot wise..*shrugs* Show Less
LibraryThing member NBLibGirl
I really enjoyed this book despite it being somewhat predictable. First, it is quite funny, despite the subject matter. And I find myself continuing to think about how convincingly Ford wrote the suddenness of Jeff's decision to take his life. There have been several teens in my very small
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community who have taken their lives in the last 2-3 years, with all the predictable shock and heartbreak and guilt for everyone left behind. The assumption I've been making (yes, yes, I know, ass+u+me . . .)is that the desire to commit suicide has to be something that creeps up on a person over a long period of time - surely someone would notice, wouldn't they? Ford, in Suicide Notes, has convinced me it could just as easily be a very sudden and almost casual, if all too irretrievable, act. Show Less
LibraryThing member GrytaJME
Eh. The reviewers I read were far too enamored of this.
LibraryThing member ZabetReading
This and other reviews can be found on Reading Between Classes
Cover Impressions: The cover is simple, clean and to the point. It isn't something that would normally attract me to pick up a book, but after having read it, I like it.
The Gist: Jeff has been sentenced to 45 days in a psych ward
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following an attempted suicide. Despite his insistence that he is not a "nut job", he must endure therapy and group with other kids that society has deemed disturbed. As time goes on the patients start to seem less crazy - or is it that Jeff is becoming more so?Review: Suicide Notes is one of those books where I never really know where to start with the review. Each chapter follows a different day of Jeff's 45 day sentence and this works really well to keep the story flowing. Jeff is funny, self-deprecating and an all round little shit. But a loveable little shit. As the narrator, he spends the beginning of the book lying to his doctors, himself and, consequently, the reader. His sessions with Dr. Cat Poop were laden with humor and thinly veiled disdain and it was compelling to watch as Jeff's walls broke down and he became tired of lying all the time.
The secondary characters are fascinating in and of themselves. As Jeff opens up, we begin to learn more about these characters but they continue to hold a sense of mystery. We watch them struggle, make breakthrough and suffer setbacks. No one is miraculously "cured" and we are left to wonder what happened to them upon release.
This novel deals with some pretty heavy issues, Suicide, Arson, Drug Use, Sexuality and Self-Hate to name a few. I fully admit that while I would allow my own children to read this one once they reached a mature age, I would not recommend it to my students due to the frank talk of sex, description of sexual acts and description of attempted suicide. As an adult reader I can appreciate the realism and sincerity behind many of these scenes but I would be concerned that many parents might not share this view.
Teaching/Parental Notes:
Age: 16 and Up
Gender: Both
Sex: Masturbation, Groping, Oral Sex.
Violence: Suicide and attempted suicide,
Inappropriate Language: LOTS: Fucking, Suck my Cock, Retarded, Fag, Jacked Off, Pissing, Queer, Bitch, Dick, Asshole,
Substance Use/Abuse: Underage Drinking, Talk of Drug Use
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LibraryThing member widdersyns
I don't know. I feel like all depictions of people in mental health facilities for YA audiences show the person as extremely resistant to treatment. Always in the same snarky way, too. It was decent. I would definitely recommend it for teenagers who like that sort of thing. But it wasn't really one
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of those YA books that transcends the classification. Show Less
LibraryThing member emcnellis16
Sentenced to a psychiatric hospital for forty-five days, Jeff begins a journal of his experiences, encounters, and discoveries. Jeff is a typical teenager – sarcastic, disrespectful, and belligerent. He doesn’t believe he belongs in the ward, nevermind the scars on his wrists. When his doctor,
But as the days pass, and Jeff interacts with the other patients, he begins to see that even troubled teens deserve kindness and respect.
Ultimately, Suicide Notes is a novel of self-discovery and tolerance. By the end of the book, Jeff is able to acknowledge and love himself – as well as move toward healing the relationship with his parents.
I found Suicide Notes to be a realistic look at the difficult questions all teenagers face –
Who am I?
What do I want?
What makes me happy?
How do I fit in?
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whom Jeff has nicknamed Cat Poop, attempts to bring his problems to light, Jeff responds with typical off-color remarks.But as the days pass, and Jeff interacts with the other patients, he begins to see that even troubled teens deserve kindness and respect.
Ultimately, Suicide Notes is a novel of self-discovery and tolerance. By the end of the book, Jeff is able to acknowledge and love himself – as well as move toward healing the relationship with his parents.
I found Suicide Notes to be a realistic look at the difficult questions all teenagers face –
Who am I?
What do I want?
What makes me happy?
How do I fit in?
Show Less
LibraryThing member donhazelwood
Really good book - went a direction I didn't think it was going to go - but knowing the author I should have guessed.
Good book, Michael - I look forward to reading more of your stuff!
Good book, Michael - I look forward to reading more of your stuff!
Awards
ALA Rainbow Book List (Selection — Young Adult Fiction — 2009)
Original publication date
2008-10-01
Physical description
295 p.; 19 cm
ISBN
9780060737559