‘My Life as an Alphabet’ by Barry Jonsberg
Life may seem like a piece of cake for little old Candice Phee, but in reality life is another dimension for this 12-year-old girl.
You may think that Candice is an average Year 8 girl in the sunburnt town of Albright, but in many respects she lives a very tough life. Due to a family feud, her father and uncle do not talk to each other anymore. As the death of Candice’s newborn sister, Sky, is introduced in the book Candice experiences depression and guilt.
One day at her school, Candice is given an assignment. Her task is to write her life in 26 paragraphs, but each paragraph has to start with consecutive letter of the alphabet. Candice then recounts her life in order to write the assignment, along the way she tries to remember the people who made her what she is.
I really enjoyed the book, ‘My Life As An Alphabet’ because it was fascinating to learn about how this young girl handles teenage depression and creates a whole other universe where she can be herself. It was very engaging how Barry Jonsberg describes the toughest of times for Candice, but suddenly turns the worst of times into an advantage.
The ending of the story was very creative as a former character is brought back in for the final word.
I would recommend this novel to teenagers from age 13-16 as it tells the tale of a young girl facing the teenage life that lies ahead. This book was compelling and it had many ups and downs with Candice discovering who she really was: Candice Phee, a girl whose life really is an alphabet. I would rate this book 4.5/5 stars.
Bobby.T, Year 9
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‘No family is perfect… we argue, we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times.
But in the end, family is family…The love will always be there.’
Candice Phee, a twelve-year-old girl from the town of Albright, enjoys school and has a best friend called “Douglas Benson from another dimension”. Douglas Benson from another dimension thinks he is from another dimension after a recent fall from a tree. Candice’s sister Sky died when she was only a couple of weeks old in her sleep. Candice’s dad and uncle both dislike each other and they do not talk much.
Candice received an assignment at school one day to write a story of her life. It has to have 26 paragraphs with each paragraph starting with the letter of the alphabet. For example C is for Chaos. The reader then goes on an adventure throughout Candice’s life along with Douglas Benson, Sky, Candice’s dad and Candice’s uncle.
I liked this story a lot because it reminds me that not everyone has a perfect family, in fact no family is perfect. While reading this story I realised that friends can be crazy, families may fight or argue and you may get bullied at school but life moves on every second of your life. I would recommend this to both boys and girls between the ages of 12-16, because the characters Candice Phee and Douglas Benson are 12 years old and it mainly focuses on teenagers because the story states the things that teenagers have to go through in their life.
Luke J., Year 9
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“Laugh-out-loud funny and wonderfully touching… An extraordinary book…a book you won’t neglect.”
Candice Phee is a nearly thirteen-year-old girl, who’s on an inspiring mission to bring light, laughter and love to the treasured ones around her. Throughout the book, Candice Phee is hilariously honest and a bit … odd at times, and somehow, through all the things she tries to accomplish, she effortlessly succeeds in making sure that everyone she loves and cares about, including her pet Goldfish (Earth-Pig-Fish) is living a happy and positive life, despite the weird mistakes and confusion she easily creates.
At school one day, Candice was given a task to write 26 paragraphs all about her life, and each paragraph had to start with the next letter of the alphabet. Throughout the novel, Candice gives you a unique insight into her fascinating, fun, quirky and harsh life, of how her family is “torn-apart,” due to her mother’s battle with cancer, and her father’s falling out with his brother over business. Although it may not sound like Candice has the prefect family that everybody wishes for, she is constantly trying to repair her family with happiness.
I really enjoyed reading ‘My Life as an Alphabet’ as it was a brilliant view of a young girl’s own unique experiences of how she copes with family issues, neglect, depression, loneliness and confusion in the eyes of a thirteen year old. I believe by reading this book it helps girls and/or boys to understand some of life’s hurdles thrown at you. Even though the author portrays a lot of sadness and heart felt moments, it is an ‘hilarious and lighthearted comedy-drama award-winning novel,’ and I would definitely recommend this book to young adults from ages 14 years and up. The author, Barry Jonsberg is a brilliant author by captivating his audience and making them want to read on endlessly. Candice Phee really did live a topsy-turvy life but dealt with troubles and made them the best times in her life. I honestly thought that this was one of the best novels that I have ever read and I am willing to rate this book 4/5 stars.
Courtney H, Year 9.