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Kimberly
Twenty-one-year-old Ben falls in love with his singing partner Kimberly but finds their relationship strained by the divorce that is tearing apart her Mormon family.
151 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1992
About the author
Jack Weyland
60 books227 followersJack Weyland is the best-selling author of young-adult fiction for the Latter-day Saint market. In fact, the modern genre of Latter-day Saint-themed popular fiction is one he is largely responsible for creating with his overwhelmingly popular novel Charly. His interest in fiction began with a correspondence course in creative writing taken during a summer at BYU where he was doing research work. Since then he has published more than two dozen books, and over fifty of his short stories have been published by the LDS Church magazine The New Era.
Born in Butte, Montana, Jack received a B.S. degree in physics from Montana State University and a Ph.D. in physics from BYU. Currently he teaches physics at BYU-Idaho. He formerly taught physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Jack and his wife, Sheryl, are the parents of five children and have four grandchildren. His hobbies include racquetball and singing.
Born in Butte, Montana, Jack received a B.S. degree in physics from Montana State University and a Ph.D. in physics from BYU. Currently he teaches physics at BYU-Idaho. He formerly taught physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Jack and his wife, Sheryl, are the parents of five children and have four grandchildren. His hobbies include racquetball and singing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 27, 2013
Arghh, this was such a cute book :) I'm a sucker for LDS love stories, whether it is a book or not. And even though this is only my 2nd Jack Weyland book, he has officially been promoted to my favorite authors. Just to show how cute of a book this was, Ben and Kimberly stared at each other. "What are you doing here?" he asked. She didn't want to open her heart up in front of all these people. "I wonder if you could help me. I'm looking for a monkey wrench." He excused himself and let her into the main part of the store. "Don't they have hardware stores in Utah?" "I like personal attention for my hardware needs. I was hoping I could get that here." "We pride ourselves on personal attention." "How personal?" She said without thinking, and then started to blush, "Sorry." He looked at her strangely but didn't say anything. A minute later, in the plumbing supplies section, he said, "These are our monkey wrenches." She hefted one of the wrenches. "Do the monkeys complain much?" Their eyes met. "Ben, what I really want is to marry you." His mouth dropped open. "Uh...well...okay, but I have to work until six." She smiled. "It doesn't have to be today." Seriously, adorable! I loved this book and all the relatable lessons it teaches. I loved all of the characters and how realistic they seemed even for this being an older book. The humor that was mixed in made it so fun to read. I am glad I got the opportunity to read this book and I look forward to reading many, many more by Jack Weyland.
September 1, 2024
I know it’s so hard to guess what this book is about, but “Kimberly” is about Kimberly and her family. At first, life was going pretty well for them. Then, something happened, and everything changed dramatically. I think the story was really interesting. I got sucked in, and couldn’t put the book down (which very rarely happens to me!). I really like how it starts off with something funny. Ben is waiting for someone to show up for an audition, when, “Glancing up, he saw a girl struggling to get through the door while balancing two college textbooks and a three-ring binder in one hand, a guitar case in the other. It was a great act, but it only lasted until she got inside. Then the books and binder crashed to the floor. …She turned to him and smiled. ‘I’m practicing dramatic entrances today. So, how’d I do?’”(Weyland, 1). I really like how it doesn’t only have that mushy romance stuff, but also makes things funny, and shows embarrassing moments. I also really liked how it taught important truths through conversation with the characters. Ben was talking with Megan, Kimbery’s younger sister, helping calm her, and said, “Things don’t take over your life unless at some point in the beginning you give them permission”(99) this helped Megan know that she can move forward without being afraid that she’s going to suddenly do something really wrong like she was worried about. I loved reading this, and hope many others can read this wonderful story.
May 24, 2017
I loved the book, “Kimberly” by Jack Weyland! The book begins as Ben, a college student needing more money, holds auditions for someone who plays acoustic guitar and sings. The purpose for this relates to the idea that him and a partner can get singing gigs to earn money. A girl named Kimberly decides to audition, and from the first note she sings and the first chord she strums, Ben knew that they were a phenomenal match. The book goes on as Ben and Kimberly learn to become friends and help each other through trials. I really liked the way the words in the book were displayed! I was hooked from the first sentence! I also like the author's style of writing. I know when I read one of his books I don’t have to worry about things becoming inappropriate. I also love the lack of swear words. This book was so easy to get into! There weren’t any areas of it that felt difficult to charge through. I was constantly hooked! One connection I can make in this book is the love of music. It was exciting to watch Kimberly and Ben excel in this area because I know how it can feel. I’ve always loved choir and concerts because of the feeling in the air when everything comes together! There’s no other way to describe it better than MAGIC! I love it! The way Jack Weyland writes, I feel connected to the characters experiences in performing. I think that the life lesson in this book, which I can’t provide evidence for because of spoilers, is that you should never limit your options. It is important to be open to life’s new experiences even and especially when it feels like bad timing. I loved this book so much!
November 29, 2016
This book is absolutely breathtaking. Jack Weyland had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Weyland’s writing style is very honest, he writes things how they are and because he does that it makes the characters more relatable. He doesn’t try to glamorize Kimberly and Ben’s relationship, he tells it how it is and I personally believe it makes the book better. He’s also very spontaneous, you never know what’s coming next until it’s already there. While I wouldn’t normally read a romantic novel this book not only changed my view of romantic novels but it has also sparked my interest in exploring different genres that I wouldn’t normally be interested in. Some might not like it because it’s a love story, but what can I say I’m a hopeless romantic. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I have to say I am likely to read another one.
February 23, 2008
This was an interesting book with logical problems and reasons for those problems. But the characters' situations were hard for me to connect with. I remember that the guy thought Kimberly's hair was beautiful and wanting some guy to one day think of my hair like that. I guess that's something to gain from the book.
May 9, 2009
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it as a teenager and it helped shape me. It's about an LDS divorce. I read read it a few years after my parents divorce. It was a big help to me. Divorce is so painful for the kids. This books talks about that. In a world where divorce is too common place we often forget how it might affect the kids.
December 21, 2007
Most Weyland books tend to be written to the purpose of some teen hardship. Because of this he usually deals with very real and very hard topics for teens. Teens need these issues discussed, some earlier then others. Kimberly addresses divorce,affairs and eternal marriage.
January 18, 2013
This book was probably a 3.5 star rating. I really like it, but it made me realize how painful a divorce can be- which depressed me. I thought it was sweet how Kimberly comes to feel in the end. I really good read- I strongly recommend it.
March 26, 2011
"kimberly"is my first known book of jack weyland. i really like it because it's madly intended for teens like me,and i can relate a lot of parts there.. i have also read "michelle and debra",and i guess i want collecting some books of weyland.i am excited to read such books of him
December 8, 2015
This book was a good look into the life of a seemingly perfect family. But we learn quickly that even a perfect family has its troubles. This story shows what it is like to be a normal girl thrown at life all at once. I loved it.
January 27, 2008
THIS WAS MY FAVORITE JACK WEYLAND! It was a sad story but I loved how it was written
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June 19, 2008It ws a great book... loved the atmosphere. i guess i learnt hw important it is to listen to the lord
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June 26, 2008Read in high school. Don't remember the plot.
August 6, 2008
I remember reading Jack Weyland's books when I was a teen. I think this one was one of my favorites.
September 18, 2011
Interesting and good read.
October 6, 2008
This book was so good, and I loved the musical aspect to it. I loved the realistic problems and how they dealt with it, but it actually was hard. It wasn't peachy and fantastic all the time.
November 16, 2013
I went through a phase where these kind of books were all that I read. I'm really glad I'm over that. This one is particularly formulaic and cheesy.
January 21, 2009
It was so sweet! He is with her until the end... which is never.
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August 13, 2009good book no truing back when you read it
August 17, 2009
sad and sweet
August 21, 2009
i loved this book!!! i have read it over and over!!! :)
September 6, 2009
I liked this book and i realized how painful a divorce really is. I'm glad my parents love each other.
January 7, 2010
Didn't love the way this ended.
February 24, 2010
I just love this book!
July 12, 2010
Read this as a teenager and loved it!
October 18, 2013
music gig, parents divorce, kids struggle with theft, not wanting to live, and being afraid of commitment
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2015
This is a book I have had for a long time and finally decided to read it. It was just an o.k. read for me tho' I do like Jack Weyland.
December 11, 2015
Very interesting!
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June 9, 2016Loved this because they tried to keep things on a friend level but failed!
March 11, 2024
I’ve loved this book for so many years now!
Fun fact: It’s actually based on my mother’s family and their childhood/adolescent experiences. Jack Weyland actually met with my mom and her sisters and brother, 1 on 1, and wrote some of the book and its content based on my mom’s journal! My mom told me there are various quotes or feelings she wrote in her journal that are actually written almost directly in the book.
Jack Weyland actually told my mom, after reading her journal, that she would be a great author.
Anyway, although I’m biased, with it being so close to home, it truly is well written! And I hope it adds some desire and dimension to know that this story is actually based on someone’s life!
Fun fact: It’s actually based on my mother’s family and their childhood/adolescent experiences. Jack Weyland actually met with my mom and her sisters and brother, 1 on 1, and wrote some of the book and its content based on my mom’s journal! My mom told me there are various quotes or feelings she wrote in her journal that are actually written almost directly in the book.
Jack Weyland actually told my mom, after reading her journal, that she would be a great author.
Anyway, although I’m biased, with it being so close to home, it truly is well written! And I hope it adds some desire and dimension to know that this story is actually based on someone’s life!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews