Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Puffin Books
Pages
147
Description
When the unconventional English teacher who helped her conquer many of her feelings of insecurity is fired, a junior high student uses her new found courage to campaign for the teacher's reinstatement.
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1974
Physical description
147 p.; 6.9 inches
ISBN
9780142404362
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Deenie by Judy Blume
User reviews
LibraryThing member msmunky
Summary - This story was about a girl whose name is Marcy Lewis. She is a teenager, thirteen years old and in the ninth grade. There are some problems Marcy is dealing with in her life. She hates school, hates being fat, hates her principal and her father. Marcy has a four year old brother named
Critique - I enjoyed parts of this book, but it seemed to drag on and on. I liked how Ms. Finney did fun things in the classroom to motivate her students and you could see how they began to grow academically and socially. I did not like the relationship that Marcy had with her father and I thought he was very cruel. I know that there are children that have parents just like her dad and it is a very sad thing. I would enjoy reading something that had a little more excitement in it and where I could wonder what would happen next. To me, the mood in this story was sad. I have read other selections I enjoyed better.
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Stuart and never had any friends except Nancy Sheridan. She doesn't have any self confidence and has always thought of herself as looking like a blimp with wire-frame glasses and brown hair. Marcy and her father never get along. He is not physically abusive to her but very verbally abusive. Then came along a wonderful teacher full of life with so much to give her students. She had a love for teaching and a love to see her students learn. Marcy actually felt like someone cared for her and saw her for who she really was. Just when everything seemed to be going well, Ms. Finney had been let go of her duties. Mr. Stone the principal did not like the way that this "stranger" had come into his school and changed things - maybe for the better. The book goes back and forth with Marcy and her family issues then to the issue of Ms. Finney being released from her duties. There was a hearing on whether Ms. Finney should be reinstated and at the very end, the school board voted that she should be allowed to come back and teach. However, Ms. Finney resigned because of all the division that the issue had caused in the town and in the school. She felt like she could no longer be an effective teacher. Many good things had come out of Ms. Finney and the things that she had taught the students. The things that she taught were not only academic things but how to get along, stand up for what you believe and to be yourself. Marcy became a stronger person and her self confindence began to improve. Marcy's relationship with her family began to change except for her relationship with her father.Critique - I enjoyed parts of this book, but it seemed to drag on and on. I liked how Ms. Finney did fun things in the classroom to motivate her students and you could see how they began to grow academically and socially. I did not like the relationship that Marcy had with her father and I thought he was very cruel. I know that there are children that have parents just like her dad and it is a very sad thing. I would enjoy reading something that had a little more excitement in it and where I could wonder what would happen next. To me, the mood in this story was sad. I have read other selections I enjoyed better.
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LibraryThing member kgriffith
Danziger's writing captures the essence of teenage girls better than anyone else's that I've read and can recall. Her characters are brilliantly developed, which brings you deep into the heart of each subplot and makes the outcomes truly important to you. This book can comfort - and perhaps even
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encourage - any young woman whose self-image is less-than-stellar, particularly if her home life is a contributing factor. Show Less
LibraryThing member 4sarad
The main character in this book is in the 9th grade, but I feel like this book is for a much lower reading level than that. I thought the book was rather boring and definitely too old fashioned for most readers today (speaking about listening to rock records and going to a party in a purple pants
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suit). Overall I didn't care for it. Show Less
LibraryThing member gbartlett
Marcy Lewis is overweight. Her father dominates their family. She has a very low opinion of herself and she hates gym. Then Ms. Barbara Finney arrives as her English teacher. She is young, innovative and caring. She involves the students in learning as well as starting a group for students to
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discuss their feelings and get to know themselves better. Marcy begins to learn more about herself and to feel better about herself. She is enjoying school and making friends. Then, Ms. Finney is fired. The students decide to support her and organize themselves to help her. Marcy and her friend Joel are major leaders in the attempts to support Ms. Finney. During the time between the firing and the hearing, Marcy and her mother both grow in their confidence and understanding of each other. Marcy stops eating to compensate for her failure. She becomes a leader and finds the courage to speak up both to her father and to the principal. Ms. Finney is reinstated, but realizes she won't be an effective teacher in the district and resigns. Marcy and Joel feel they have been let down, but their parents help them realize that her position would have been impossible. Throughout the process, Marcy learns to think for herself, stand up for herself, and make her own decisions. She also has her first date and her first kiss, but she still hates gym. Show Less
LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
This was over-recommended to me as a child, and I deliberately avoided it, even though I'd enjoyed a few books by the same author. I think I would have enjoyed it then more than I did now, reading it as an adult.
Marcy Lewis lives with a doormat mother, an abusive father, no confidence in her
Marcy is an interesting character, and she felt very alive to me. But her family situation was so horrible, and yet so clichéd, that I kept losing my grip on the story, reacting to it as a historic artefact rather than a piece of fiction. In the evening, Marcy's mother greets her father at the door with a drink, he says that we works hard to support the family, he shouldn't have to talk to them as well. I think that the strong characters and realistic relationships (especially between Marcy and her little brother, and Marcy and her mother) make this novel rise above the standard problem novel, but I just couldn't suspend disbelief enough. As a 10-13-year-old, I would have bought it much better.
I'd give this to fans of realistic stories, not looking for a big romantic sub plot, and also to readers interested in civil rights and student activism. It is also an example of how family abuse can be entirely non-physical, that emotional neglect can be as harmful as violence.
Marcy Lewis lives with a doormat mother, an abusive father, no confidence in her
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friends, a weight problem, and a significant lack of confidence. When a new English teacher has Marcy's class looking at themselves and asking questions about life, Marcy finds a voice, and starts making new friends. The school administration, unhappy with the unorthodox teaching methods, suspends the beloved Ms. Finney, and Marcy comes out from hiding to stand up for what she believes is right. Marcy is an interesting character, and she felt very alive to me. But her family situation was so horrible, and yet so clichéd, that I kept losing my grip on the story, reacting to it as a historic artefact rather than a piece of fiction. In the evening, Marcy's mother greets her father at the door with a drink, he says that we works hard to support the family, he shouldn't have to talk to them as well. I think that the strong characters and realistic relationships (especially between Marcy and her little brother, and Marcy and her mother) make this novel rise above the standard problem novel, but I just couldn't suspend disbelief enough. As a 10-13-year-old, I would have bought it much better.
I'd give this to fans of realistic stories, not looking for a big romantic sub plot, and also to readers interested in civil rights and student activism. It is also an example of how family abuse can be entirely non-physical, that emotional neglect can be as harmful as violence.
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LibraryThing member RGQuimby
Clever and funny. A good example of a fallible heroine. Slightly dated (references to "grass" and the emerging feminist movement) but still appealing.
LibraryThing member BridgetMarie
Though I've never been in a position like Marcy's, I still found her relatable and understood everything she went through. Good kid fiction.
LibraryThing member elizabethholloway
What a disappointment this book was! I’ve seen it since elementary school and always wanted to read it. Now, though, I have to say this book will not stand the test of time. Marcy is in ninth grade, overweight, and feels ugly. The she meets this cool English teacher who changes her life. This
Many of the themes are universal--self-image, a special teacher, a disfunctional family. But the story itself is dated. The principal's daughter has run off to a commune. Marcy's assertiveness inspires her mom to think about woman's lib. Her mom might even dare to work outside the home! Moreover, the characters are pretty one-dimensional. Marcy's mom is passive, her brother is loving, and her dad is so overbearing and psychologically abusive, it's a wonder the family stays together. The book is geared for grades 5 to 8, but I would not recommend it.
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teacher wears a macrame necklace and studies Marshall McLuhan. She asks students about their feelings and has a self-actualization group after school. But all this touchy-feely stuff is too much for the school administration. The cool English teacher is suspended and Marcy discovers inner strength and self-confidence as she fights for her favorite teacher.Many of the themes are universal--self-image, a special teacher, a disfunctional family. But the story itself is dated. The principal's daughter has run off to a commune. Marcy's assertiveness inspires her mom to think about woman's lib. Her mom might even dare to work outside the home! Moreover, the characters are pretty one-dimensional. Marcy's mom is passive, her brother is loving, and her dad is so overbearing and psychologically abusive, it's a wonder the family stays together. The book is geared for grades 5 to 8, but I would not recommend it.
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LibraryThing member PhoebeReading
Warning: this review might make me sound like an old person.I couldn't help but read The Cat Ate My Gymsuit with a bit of wistfulness. Though the characters, voice, and situations likely still remain true to life, I suspect that there just isn't a place for books like Danziger's in the current
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world of children's and young adult writing.It's the story of Marcy, a fat middle schooler whose horizons are opened up by her new hippie teacher, Ms. Finney. Ms. Finney encourages her students to be in touch with their feelings--a radical concept for many of these small town kids who grew up in a world without Mister Rogers. When the teacher's radical politics and teaching style get her fired, Marcy and her friends decide to try some "radical" (for the time) tactics of their own.But what's notable about this book isn't necessarily the central driving plot, which is undeniably dated and is unlikely to resonate with modern teenagers. What's notable is Marcy, and her family. The misunderstood oldest child of a cowed house wife and verbally abusive father, Marcy relates her home life in a way that feels incredibly true-to-life. Interchanges between Marcy and her younger brother, and Marcy and her mother (particularly conversations about her mother's budding feminism) are really truly touching.Unfortunately, I just think that the niche for this sort of book has been supplanted. Marcy and her friends are undeniably teenagers, and deal tangentially with teen issues (peer pressure around drinking, first dates), but the voice--while well-rendered--is incredibly simplistic, as is the plot. The length and development are more akin to a modern low middle grade book than something that teenagers would want to read. For all its strengths, I couldn't help but close the cover and think "Who would read this?" Sadly, the only answer I could conjure was "nostalgic adults." Show Less
LibraryThing member satyridae
Man oh man, this is dated. I remembered loving it as a kid, so I picked up the audio at the library. The production is excellent, but the book's become a period piece. Women's libbers, Ms. vs. Miss, kids who smoke "grass", and crying mothers everywhere. The moral is much more apparent to my jaded
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adult eye, and the preaching shows. Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, it was a good book. There are certainly parts which are timeless, still valid, but I recommend reading something current instead. Danziger's afterword, added for the 30th anniversary, is better than the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member aimless22
Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, felt like the fattest person in the room, or felt shy beyond imagination can relate to this book.
LibraryThing member Brainannex
Better and different from what I expected.
LibraryThing member ycinto1
Summary:
Marcy Lewis pretty much hates everything about her life. She thinks she is fat and unattractive. Her father is verbally abusive and her mother is a wreck of anxiety. However when she gets a new English teacher her life starts according to her to "suck a little less". Her new English
Marcy is devastated when Ms. Finney gets in trouble for not saying the pledge of allegiance. The board of education will hold a trial to determine if Ms. Finney is fit to teach the children.
Marcy and her friends decide they want to help Ms. Finney. They get together to plan a sit in but they are suspended from school before they can do so. Throughout the process of trying to fight for Ms. Finney Marcy makes new friends and discovers she can have a social life. Her mother also finds her own voice in backing up Ms. Finney.
Ms. Finney wins her case but ends up resigning.
Review:
I did not think this book was particularly entertaining. I liked the themes of it. Family, friendship, first love, Verbal abuse, and self image.
However I do not think these themes were well developed. Marcy and her Mother do gain some confidence and Marcy makes one knew friend. However most of her problems are resolved. For example her self image. Although the title of the book, it's opening lines, and many other comments throughout the book imply this is a main theme, Marcy's self image never improves during the book. By the end of the book she is still failing gym because she is too self conscious to wear her gymsuit.
I almost feel like the author tried to take so much in this few hundred pages that she was unable to develop any of them well.
However there is one thing I like about the book. The characters are relatable. A lot of little girls could see themselves reflected in Marcy.
Marcy Lewis pretty much hates everything about her life. She thinks she is fat and unattractive. Her father is verbally abusive and her mother is a wreck of anxiety. However when she gets a new English teacher her life starts according to her to "suck a little less". Her new English
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teacher, Ms. Finney, is fun and makes learning interactive. she cares about her students beyond their ability to preform on tests. She even stars an after school club where Marcy makes new friends. Marcy is devastated when Ms. Finney gets in trouble for not saying the pledge of allegiance. The board of education will hold a trial to determine if Ms. Finney is fit to teach the children.
Marcy and her friends decide they want to help Ms. Finney. They get together to plan a sit in but they are suspended from school before they can do so. Throughout the process of trying to fight for Ms. Finney Marcy makes new friends and discovers she can have a social life. Her mother also finds her own voice in backing up Ms. Finney.
Ms. Finney wins her case but ends up resigning.
Review:
I did not think this book was particularly entertaining. I liked the themes of it. Family, friendship, first love, Verbal abuse, and self image.
However I do not think these themes were well developed. Marcy and her Mother do gain some confidence and Marcy makes one knew friend. However most of her problems are resolved. For example her self image. Although the title of the book, it's opening lines, and many other comments throughout the book imply this is a main theme, Marcy's self image never improves during the book. By the end of the book she is still failing gym because she is too self conscious to wear her gymsuit.
I almost feel like the author tried to take so much in this few hundred pages that she was unable to develop any of them well.
However there is one thing I like about the book. The characters are relatable. A lot of little girls could see themselves reflected in Marcy.
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LibraryThing member jguidry
This was a decent coming of age novel. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I was actually coming of age, and going through similar experiences. Now, I'm looking at the characters with the benefit of wisdom that comes with age. However, having said that, Danziger created some phenomenal
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characters that were very relatable. At one point, when Marcy's father was being a worse emotional abuser than normal, I actually called my father and told him I loved him for not being like that. The best part was the ending, the problems were resolved in a realistic manner. Everything was not rainbows and butterflies", but life went on anyway." Show Less
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
Paula Danzinger was another staple author of my early adolescence. She doesn't hold a candle to Judy Blume for emotional or moral/ethical depth, but she still wrote a number of compellingly readable titles filled with humor and a realistic amount of angst.
Marcy is in ninth grade and she's shy, has
"I hate my father. I hate school. I hate being fat."
Her father is verbally abusive and not at all subtle about it.
She hates school because she's bored. She's intelligent and not at all challenged, until Ms. Finney comes along and teaches English in a whole new way.
She's fat and she's opting to completely fail gym because there's no way she's changing and showing in front of the other girls. She has a running list of hilarious excuses for why she doesn't dress out for gym each day (hence the title of the book).
These three themes are woven into a story that's basically about peace, love and understanding. It is so a book of its time (early 70's), but it's also funny and empowering. Through Ms. Finney's teaching Marcy makes new friends and they all learn the importance of standing up for what they believe in.
At 119 pages, this book is short. As a result, it tackles these themes only shallowly and a lot of people aren't going to like the whole fat angle. But for me, it had nostalgia going for it and I liked that Danzinger didn't have Marcy going on diets or crazy exercise plans; Marcy just starts opting out of the junk food and ice cream. At the end of the book (which doesn't end all that satisfactorily btw), Marcy's still "fat" but the reader is left with the idea that she's making positive changes regardless of whether she'll get a smaller waist or not.
Marcy is in ninth grade and she's shy, has
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no self-esteem - although lots of pragmatism - and a pretty lousy home life. The first three lines of the book run:"I hate my father. I hate school. I hate being fat."
Her father is verbally abusive and not at all subtle about it.
She hates school because she's bored. She's intelligent and not at all challenged, until Ms. Finney comes along and teaches English in a whole new way.
She's fat and she's opting to completely fail gym because there's no way she's changing and showing in front of the other girls. She has a running list of hilarious excuses for why she doesn't dress out for gym each day (hence the title of the book).
These three themes are woven into a story that's basically about peace, love and understanding. It is so a book of its time (early 70's), but it's also funny and empowering. Through Ms. Finney's teaching Marcy makes new friends and they all learn the importance of standing up for what they believe in.
At 119 pages, this book is short. As a result, it tackles these themes only shallowly and a lot of people aren't going to like the whole fat angle. But for me, it had nostalgia going for it and I liked that Danzinger didn't have Marcy going on diets or crazy exercise plans; Marcy just starts opting out of the junk food and ice cream. At the end of the book (which doesn't end all that satisfactorily btw), Marcy's still "fat" but the reader is left with the idea that she's making positive changes regardless of whether she'll get a smaller waist or not.
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LibraryThing member mutantpudding
Good, but a little too much diet culture.
Awards
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1979)
Nēnē Award (Nominee — 1980)
California Young Reader Medal (Nominee — 1977)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Winner — Middle School — 1986)
Flicker Tale Award (Nominee — 1983)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1977)
Call number
J3E.Dan