Set typically in america this is a young person's book, I would suggest aimed at girls. Well that is when I first read it. The fact that this book of the many that I purchased over the years is still in my posession says much about the staying power of the story and the quality of the writing, the is not the babbysitters club franchise. (books that you read only in teen years)
What I remember the most, here I have to admit that I have not actual;ly reread the book for years, is the echoing lonleness and desolation that judy manages to give the character, Yet still managing to have a little simple joy, like jumpin up and down to break in new walking books.
Judy blume is a good writer, not just a good writer for teen's.

Judy Blume was my favorite author when I was young. It was nice to read a book of hers that I had never read before. This was one of her more serious books. I feel that it accurately portraits a family coping with the loss of a loved one. ( )

15-year-old Davey's life is shattered when her father is murdered. As the first person on the scene Davey has vivid memories of the night but has no one to talk to about it. Davey's mother withdraws into herself, to the extent that she accepts the offer of her in-laws to stay with them. Thus begins a long road to acceptance for Davey and her family. Davey is helped along the way by Mr Ortiz, who is dying of cancer, and his son. ( )

I loved this book. It was like my first adult book, and I could read it without worrying about upsetting my mother.
Davey's father dies, and they all thrown into mourning. Actually he doesn't just die, he was killed. Davey sleeps with a bread knife under her pillow and gets panic attacks in school. Her mother can barely function and remains in a drug induced supour in the months following her husband's murder.
The fear and hopelessness Davey felt after her father is killed stayed with me. I referenced her sleeping with the bread knife under her pillow, and almost forget where I got that image.
I haven't read this in years, I'm due for a re-read. ( )

After Davey's father is killed in a hold-up, she and her mother and younger brother visit relatives in New Mexico. Here Davey is befriended by a young man who helps her find the strength to carry on and conquer her fears.

I first read this as a young teen and it was one of my favourites when I was a young teen. Judy Blume has a sympathetic take on life for teenages and although she might now seem a bit dated I do think this book, with its themes of loss, could still strike a chord with young teens today. ( )

I read this because it's on the ALA's list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books (1990-2000) and I'm slowly working my way though the list. This is one of the few Judy Blume books I managed to miss when I was younger and I have to say, I'm quite surprised that it's on this list at all. I found absolutely nothing objectionable about the book at all. I agree that the subject matter might be unpleasant to some, but for anyone who's experienced (or might experience) the sudden (and possibly violent) loss of a loved one (and everyone does at some point in their lives) this book is an exceptional read. Not only does it deal with one families struggle to deal with the sudden, violent death of their father/husband it also deals with other types of loss and grief issues. Included in this book are the difficulty of being childless for a couple that wants children (the aunt and uncle), Wolf's experiences with the inevitable loss of his father to cancer, Jane's drinking to cope with the intense and often unrealistic expectations of her family and her own fears about wanting to live her own life but being afraid to at the same time. Tiger Eyes manages to convey an intensity of emotion with regards to each family members fear, grief, anger, and depression...and manages to do it without being depressing or having the main character wallow in it. The struggles of Davey and her Mother are very real, they "feel" authentic, you get a depth of emotion in the reading and I think that is what makes this an excellent book. I think it's a shame anyone would try to censor this, to pretend that death doesn't occur or that there aren't difficult issues in families that lead to children and/or parents making bad/self-destructive choices. I think it's a very good thing that there are books like this that allow readers to enjoy a good story and realize that we are each human and must come to terms with our problems as best we can. I give Tiger Eyes five stars and two thumbs up...highly recommended!! ( )

Amazon

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Exceptional and Touching, June 10, 2007
By Amy Graham (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews

"I read this because it's on the ALA's list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books (1990-2000) and I'm slowly working my way though the list. This is one of the few Judy Blume books I managed to miss when I was younger and I have to say, I'm quite surprised that it's on this list at all. I found absolutely nothing objectionable about the book at all. I agree that the subject matter might be unpleasant to some, but for anyone who's experienced (or might experience) the sudden (and possibly violent) loss of a loved one (and everyone does at some point in their lives) this book is an exceptional read. Not only does it deal with one families struggle to deal with the sudden, violent death of their father/husband it also deals with other types of loss and grief issues. Included in this book are the difficulty of being childless for a couple that wants children (the aunt and uncle), Wolf's experiences with the inevitable loss of his father to cancer, Jane's drinking to cope with the intense and often unrealistic expectations of her family and her own fears about wanting to live her own life but being afraid to at the same time. Tiger Eyes manages to convey an intensity of emotion with regards to each family members fear, grief, anger, and depression...and manages to do it without being depressing or having the main character wallow in it. The struggles of Davey and her Mother are very real, they "feel" authentic, you get a depth of emotion in the reading and I think that is what makes this an excellent book. I think it's a shame anyone would try to censor this, to pretend that death doesn't occur or that there aren't difficult issues in families that lead to children and/or parents making bad/self-destructive choices. I think it's a very good thing that there are books like this that allow readers to enjoy a good story and realize that we are each human and must come to terms with our problems as best we can. I give Tiger Eyes five stars and two thumbs up...highly recommended!!er's death during a holdup of his 7-Eleven store in Atlantic City" (Amazon).

Davey Wexler’s father is shot and killed at his 7-Eleven Store. Her, her mother and her brother Jason move to New Mexico to stay with relatives and try to recover from shock. Never feeling more alone, Davey discovers a private place in the depths of the Los Alamos canyon. There she meets Wolf, who seems to understand the rage and fear she feels at her loss. He, too, had faced tragedy but is persuing life and encourages her to do the same. Slowly Davey realizes that she must hold on to the memory of her father’s love for her rather than dwell on his death. But is she ready to leave the past behind and step toward the future? ( )

i read this book a good few years ago and although i cant remember much of it i do remember that it reallt got to me. I am a hugh fans of the fudge books that she wrote but this is so different - a real credit to her.

I have only the vaguest impression of this book, since it's been more than 20 years since I read it. I enjoyed all of Blume's books, though. ( )