John Neufeld

"daddy, I think I'm going crazy".

Mary Nell looked up astonished.

"Oh Mr. shilling said. "Why is that?"

"I can't tell you", Lisa said. "I just think it's true. And I'm frightened."

Lisa, Bright and Dark by John Neufeld

Possible triggers..Mental Illness, attempted suicide.

My Review:

This book is described by critics as "a work of art" and it is.

I first read this as a child and have reread through the years. It remains just as great a read now as then. This book was way ahead of it's time as there was not much YA about mental illness. Of coarse times have changed and we know much more then we did then but the book ages well and this story of one young woman's tragic illness and her band of loving and loyal friends who go all in to help her remains a magnificent and important read.… (more)

Gina is well-endowed compared to other girls her age and she’s aware of how boys react to that. She’s new to the California area and still emotionally scarred by the time a group of boys groped her in the public swimming pool back East. Three boys in her class (Ben, Eddie and Felix) plot to gang rape her assuming she must be experienced. Eddie is the only one who shows up at Gina’s door. Gina, who has had a kind of crush on Eddie, takes his intentions by mistake and when he makes his move she bites his neck and knees him. He runs off but at school he brags about his “conquest.” After hearing what’s being said, Gina formulates a plan to speak up in class and set the story straight. Didn’t quite get the complete angst of her having a large chest and the characters seemed two-dimensional. But her standing up for herself was a good way to handle the situation.… (more)