What do you think?
Rate this book
Defining Dulcie
When her mother decides to move her to California after her father dies, Dulcie plots to steal the family car and drive back home upon their arrival, yet after meeting a girl in her new neighborhood and learning of her difficult family situation, Dulcie realizes that her presence and strong will is exactly what her new friend will need to get her through her difficult period ahead.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
9 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Paul Acampora
11 books74 followers I was born in Bristol, Connecticut and grew up surrounded by an extended mob of parents, sister, grandparents, cousins, neighborhood kids, rabbits, dogs, nurses, engineers and others that, at various times, included musicians, Italians, Canadians, cancer survivors, gardeners, chicken killers, hair dressers, poker players, checker cheaters, pony riders, shopkeepers, factory workers, elementary school teachers, auto mechanics, rock and roll fanatics, massage therapists, several people who may or may not be dead, and a crowd of other miscellaneous wheeler-dealers. I went to school at St. Joseph Elementary School and St. Paul Catholic High School. I was a voracious reader as a kid. I still am. I attended the University of Notre Dame (GO IRISH!) where, thanks to my friend John Costello and his father, Dr. Donald Costello, I earned a degree in American Studies despite the fact that the only American places I’d ever visited were summer vacations on a beach at Rhode Island and occasional day trips around New England to watch jai alia, greyhound racing or the trotters with my grandfather who, with my Uncle Joe, taught me how to ride and drive a sulky behind my very own pony named Misty (that's me and Misty at left). After college, I wandered around the country for a few years. Despite what my mother might say, I did not steal her 1973 Buick Electra. Despite what my friends might say, the car was the color of summer gold. Not piss yellow. I've lived in every state that begins with the letter U or a C. I was a Student Conservation Association volunteer for awhile giving tours at the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in southeast Utah. I spent a winter schlepping very expensive bags around the Rocky Mountains for guests of the Snowmass Lodging Company. As a Holy Cross Associate volunteer, I lived with a half-dozen friends in a tiny house in the San Francisco Bay area where we tried to be good people. I stayed in California to teach kindergarten at St. Patrick Elementary school in West Oakland. I got married (yahoo!), and my wife and I lived in “the heart of the bay,” Hayward, California for nearly ten years. When we decided to move, we put names of favorite places in a paper bag and pulled out a slip that said PENNSYLVANIA. So that’s where we live now. These days, I remain married to my best friend. I have a son and a daughter who keep me on my toes. I’ve got a day job and a kayak and tons of books that I love to read. I write early in the morning and late at night. My favorite place in the world is wherever my wife and kids are. I am especially happy when that place is next to a lake or in France. My favorite word in the dictionary is Naugahyde. I’ve been a vegetarian for about 20 years. My favorite non-home-cooked meal is cinnamon-raisin French toast plus black coffee at the Karlton Café in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. For the future, I hope my family and friends are safe, healthy and happy and that I will write dozens and dozens of new stories and novels, each one better than the last.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
May 19, 2007
This is another mediocre YA novel dealing with the death of a parent. Dulcie's father died in a school janitorial accident and her mother's way to deal with this tragedy is to move across the country. Dulcie steals her late father's truck and goes back home, only to discover that there are worse fates than losing a parent. Dulcie's voice is enjoyable, but plot is trite and the relationship between the janitors and students is unrealistic. If you want to recommend a book on the death of a parent, recommend one by Abelove and Dessen, not this one.
July 20, 2024
Don't remember it. Dec 2010
January 13, 2009
When Dulcie's Father accidentally kills himself, it's a bit of a shock. When her mother decides to move them off to California, it's more than Dulcie is prepared to take. When she finds out her mother intends to get rid of her father's truck, she officially draws the line: she takes it and drives herself back to Connecticut.
Upon arrival, she meets not her grandfather, as expected, but a girl she's never seen before standing in the flowers. Roxanne, who now works for Dulcie's grandfather, knows exactly who Dulcie is, and that her grandfather has been expecting her.
The welcome isn't as warm as she had hoped. Turns out taking off and going cross-country as a teen worries your elders. But Frank does agree to let her stay. She even gets her old job back, though as punishment she will receive no pay for the summer. She also has to call her mother. This stipulation is easier to get around: she knows when her mother is going to be at work, and always makes sure to call when she won't be there.
Back at work as a janitor, Dulcie makes fast friends with Roxanne, whom Frank has somewhat adopted, as it seems she's not necessarily well taken care of at home. The night Dulcie drops by with her to get fresh clothes on their way to dinner with Dulcie's suprise-visiting mother, Dulcie finds out just how bad Roxanne's home life is. This harsh glimpse at events causes a flurry of actions on multiple fronts, which almost lead to disaster.
In the end, Dulcie, who's always known who she is, gains a greater understanding of relationships, friendships, love, and home. Roxanne, who's never had it great, adopts Dulcie's family. While perhaps no one's ended up quite where they expected, they all know they've found their place.
An excellent book, worth reading again (and again).
Upon arrival, she meets not her grandfather, as expected, but a girl she's never seen before standing in the flowers. Roxanne, who now works for Dulcie's grandfather, knows exactly who Dulcie is, and that her grandfather has been expecting her.
The welcome isn't as warm as she had hoped. Turns out taking off and going cross-country as a teen worries your elders. But Frank does agree to let her stay. She even gets her old job back, though as punishment she will receive no pay for the summer. She also has to call her mother. This stipulation is easier to get around: she knows when her mother is going to be at work, and always makes sure to call when she won't be there.
Back at work as a janitor, Dulcie makes fast friends with Roxanne, whom Frank has somewhat adopted, as it seems she's not necessarily well taken care of at home. The night Dulcie drops by with her to get fresh clothes on their way to dinner with Dulcie's suprise-visiting mother, Dulcie finds out just how bad Roxanne's home life is. This harsh glimpse at events causes a flurry of actions on multiple fronts, which almost lead to disaster.
In the end, Dulcie, who's always known who she is, gains a greater understanding of relationships, friendships, love, and home. Roxanne, who's never had it great, adopts Dulcie's family. While perhaps no one's ended up quite where they expected, they all know they've found their place.
An excellent book, worth reading again (and again).
March 28, 2011
Caleb Allison
3-9-2011
Mrs. Jones
The book I read for this book review was Defining Dulcie by Paul Acampora. This book is one of the best books I have ever read. The main character of this story is Dulcie. Dulcie was smart, a risk taker and was not afraid to get dirty. The other characters, Roxanne and Frank worked with Dulcie as janitors. Roxanne was tough, but has a scary home life. I was surprised when Dulcie stole her dad’s red pickup and drove from San Francisco, California to Newbury, Connecticut, I did not know what she was thinking. I like the way the author wrote the story he added a little hint of humor and suspense. If I were the author I would make the book longer, funnier and change the title, for example the title would be: The Way Back Home and Other Problems. The structure of this book was nice; it was a fluid story with transition words at appropriate times. The appropriate age group for this book is ten to fourteen. I would say the theme of this book is dealing with grief and loss. The climax of this story is when Dulcie’s best friend, Roxanna crashes Dulcie’s dad car into a pond because she lost control of the truck. Dulcie reminded me of my sister because she is stubborn and hard headed. I wish the author would write a sequel to Defining Dulcie. This book had an amazing thesis and hook. This book had a great beginning, middle and end. The title Defining Dulcie fits the story because Dulcie dad always carried around a Webster’s Dictionary to look up words all the time.
3-9-2011
Mrs. Jones
The book I read for this book review was Defining Dulcie by Paul Acampora. This book is one of the best books I have ever read. The main character of this story is Dulcie. Dulcie was smart, a risk taker and was not afraid to get dirty. The other characters, Roxanne and Frank worked with Dulcie as janitors. Roxanne was tough, but has a scary home life. I was surprised when Dulcie stole her dad’s red pickup and drove from San Francisco, California to Newbury, Connecticut, I did not know what she was thinking. I like the way the author wrote the story he added a little hint of humor and suspense. If I were the author I would make the book longer, funnier and change the title, for example the title would be: The Way Back Home and Other Problems. The structure of this book was nice; it was a fluid story with transition words at appropriate times. The appropriate age group for this book is ten to fourteen. I would say the theme of this book is dealing with grief and loss. The climax of this story is when Dulcie’s best friend, Roxanna crashes Dulcie’s dad car into a pond because she lost control of the truck. Dulcie reminded me of my sister because she is stubborn and hard headed. I wish the author would write a sequel to Defining Dulcie. This book had an amazing thesis and hook. This book had a great beginning, middle and end. The title Defining Dulcie fits the story because Dulcie dad always carried around a Webster’s Dictionary to look up words all the time.
September 5, 2019
In a nutshell:
After Dulcie's father, a high school janitor, passes away in a freak accident, her mother decides to move them both to California. However, Dulcie struggles with her father's death and the sudden move. When her mom announces she'll be selling their truck, the only thing she feels she has left of her father, Dulcie decides to take the truck herself and head back home to Connecticut.
The good:
This is a great story about overcoming grief, learning from life, and finding family again. The main character has her own small adventures along the way home that help her cope with the reality of her situation, and find meaning in a world where she feels lost and alone. It's also a very quick read.
The bad:
This book felt forced to me. While I can appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish in telling the story, overall, it just felt kind of rushed, disjointed, and unfinished. This book was placed on South Dakota's Young Adult Reading Program list, but having read a number of other books on their annual lists, I'm not entirely sure how this one made it on. Overall, I'm not sure I'd recommend this one to anyone, however, I can't say it was a bad book, it just wasn't very good either.
After Dulcie's father, a high school janitor, passes away in a freak accident, her mother decides to move them both to California. However, Dulcie struggles with her father's death and the sudden move. When her mom announces she'll be selling their truck, the only thing she feels she has left of her father, Dulcie decides to take the truck herself and head back home to Connecticut.
The good:
This is a great story about overcoming grief, learning from life, and finding family again. The main character has her own small adventures along the way home that help her cope with the reality of her situation, and find meaning in a world where she feels lost and alone. It's also a very quick read.
The bad:
This book felt forced to me. While I can appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish in telling the story, overall, it just felt kind of rushed, disjointed, and unfinished. This book was placed on South Dakota's Young Adult Reading Program list, but having read a number of other books on their annual lists, I'm not entirely sure how this one made it on. Overall, I'm not sure I'd recommend this one to anyone, however, I can't say it was a bad book, it just wasn't very good either.
December 14, 2016
Defining Dulcie is very sad as for the part that poor Dulcie dad's died going for there to the story the mother of Dulcie want's to leave to California but not happy of the idea Dulcie agree's to go. Everything goes okay for her until her mother says that she would like to sell the car of her dad. In this part of the story Dulcie decides to go back to New bury. Finding out that most of the thing that she knew had changed.
September 7, 2017
Following the accidental death of her father, Dulcie Morrigan Jones is taken to California by a mom who decides that she and her daughter should move away from Connecticut to reinvent themselves. But Dulcie doesn’t think she needs reinventing. Dulcie's solution? She steals her dead dad’s Chevy pickup truck and heads back home to Connecticut.
October 9, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was quick and easy to read (I finished it in one sitting), while not sacrificing character development or depth to the plot. Dulcie’s sarcastic sense of humor gave me a few laughs in a book that is otherwise quite serious, dealing with death, abuse, and strained familial relationships.
June 18, 2019
I love the characters in this book--especially the book's voice, Dulcie. My only regret is that the book wasn't longer. I could have happily enjoyed a hundred or more pages about Dulcie and her family and her new friend, Roxanne. The bits of humor as Dulcie describes moments from her journey back home were a plus. Four stars.
August 8, 2022
This book has a special place in my heart. It’s a very mediocre book with not many shocking things happening which is why it’s something I will read over and over and never get sick of it. It is a book that makes me feel calm and leaves a feeling of peace. It is a book with no heavy plot but just a young brave girl.
December 6, 2017
A somewhat unbelievable tale of a girl who Longs for home after the death of her father. Everything was a little too cute and squeaky clean for me.
February 7, 2019
I really think I've read this before...nothing wrong with it, just sort of...fine. I did love Frank!
September 16, 2019
very forgettable
September 17, 2020
Coming of age?
October 5, 2020
I read this it's jut because we need to present a book review in our class but I didn't expect that this book will make me realize a lot of things omg huhu probably, gonna read this again! 💗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2022
My least favorite Acampora book, but I still love his work. I feel like there was more that could have been fleshed out in this one, but it was a good read.
March 15, 2017
There are so many novels out there dealing this theme that you need to have new ideas and excellent writing skills in order to make it work. Neither of which can be found in here. But if you want something quick and easy to read in one sitting, you found it.
June 1, 2012
The book, Defining Dulcie by Paul Acampora is a story about a girl named Dulcie heading off to California with her mother to start a better life after Dulcie’s father’s passing. Her father was a janitor and accidentally killed himself with one of the toxins while cleaning on the job. In the beginning of the story, Dulcie does not have a particularly life at home; she works as a janitor like her father, and lives with her mother while paying visits at her grandfather’s house. After arriving in California, she begins to grow a hatred towards her mother and her life. Dulcie’s mother wishes to rid all items belonging to her husband, for they are starting a new way of life which should not be ruined by a sorrowful past. However, Dulcie does not want the last thing owned by her father to be thrown out; his truck. After unsuccessfully protesting to keep the truck by rationing out the cost and sustainability of the vehicle, she decides to leave a note to her mother that she is hijacking it and traveling back home, her real home. “‘It’s not running away when you’re going back home.’” (Acampora 25)
In my opinion, I believe this book does have some life lessons installed in the story including being respectable to your family, caring for one in need, and many other things you can do to be a good citizen by using civic virtue. For instance, when Dulcie heads back home to her grandfather’s house, she learns that there is another girl named Roxanne who works for him by cleaning up his house and such. Dulcie soon discovers as she becomes close friends of Roxanne that she has a very squalid home life. Dulcie’s family in a way adopts her as her own by taking care of her, for she does not have that supervision at home. Another thing I did like about the book is that I could relate to it. “... Sitting in the parking lot, I wasn’t sure whether I was fixing things or breaking them. I wasn’t even sure if I was running toward home and away.” (Acampora 27) I liked this quote because it’s another thing I can relate to, making big decisions without truly knowing the consequences of them. I usually do not choose books based around a teen’s defiance towards a parent based on what the parent did or said. I just thought it was interesting to connect to the book in that sense. However, it failed to captivate me like many other books by not incorporating many action scenes.
On a rating scale of 1-5, I would give this book a 2. Reason being, I did not care for its concepts like fiction books. Not only was it unoriginal to me, but quite bland. “When you drive away from everything you know, you leave behind the mirrors that tell you who you are.” (Acampora 21) This quote is meaningful for those not as understanding in life as older readers, but it’s a basic comprehension of mine so it just seems poorly written. In an analysis, the story seems full of good life lessons for younger children to be taught. Older kids/people already know these concepts and how to use them in their own life. This is why I believe this book should be for the younger, not the older and wiser. The youngest age for reading this book would be 10, for it is not a inappropriate and gruesome read. Overall, I believe someone should only read this book if they are young and have not learned many lessons in life so far.
Read
August 27, 2016This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.
After a string of pretty lousy selections at the Little Free Library within walking distance of my house, I was just about ready to give up putting in the effort to go over there and swap out my books. When I pulled out Defining Dulcie, I sighed and shrugged - I figured it was the best of bad options, and would turn out as mediocre as the other books I'd gotten there.
When I actually read it, though, I realized that I'd been gravely mistaken. This is a very good book, one I'm so glad to have read.
I know that Dulcie's mother means well, but I can't help but hate her for the way she rips Dulcie away from everything she knows and loves. That's why, when she prepares to sell Dulcie's dad's car, I can totally relate with Dulcie's impulse decision to steal the car and drive cross-country to go back to her home. I am most definitely a fan of the familiar, of being comforted by what I can feel and see and touch; being ripped away from everything my father had ever owned in that way would feel to me (the way it does to Dulcie) like I was losing him all over again.
I really love Dulcie's grandfather, who takes her in once she gets back to her hometown. He's the kind of grandfather everyone wants to have: warm, funny, loving, understanding - and above all else he's simply just kind. He takes in Roxanne, a cheerful but wounded rising senior who's helping out at the school during the summer so she can spend as much time as possible away from her abusive mother at home.
And yes, I said "helping out at the school." There is a school involved, even though the story's set during the summer. But Dulcie's grandfather isn't a principal, or a teacher, or even some sort of summer volunteer; no, he's a janitor. And so was Dulcie's father, until he accidentally mixed some cleaning chemicals that shouldn't have been mixed and wound up dead on the bathroom floor. Yikes. It's very interesting watching Dulcie's grandfather, and reading memories about her father, because it's clear that both men take/took a great sense of pride and accomplishment in their responsibility to keep the school pleasant and clean. I haven't read too many books, frankly, about kids whose parents hold jobs that are traditionally viewed as being menial; I kind of wish I read more of them now, because it lends a really interesting perspective to things.
So yes, I do recommend Defining Dulcie. Don't let its small size and older release date fool you: it's a powerful, well-written novel about parental relationships, life goals, and - above all - dealing with grief. I truly enjoyed reading this little gem I found in a Little Free Library, and I hope you get the chance to read it too.
After a string of pretty lousy selections at the Little Free Library within walking distance of my house, I was just about ready to give up putting in the effort to go over there and swap out my books. When I pulled out Defining Dulcie, I sighed and shrugged - I figured it was the best of bad options, and would turn out as mediocre as the other books I'd gotten there.
When I actually read it, though, I realized that I'd been gravely mistaken. This is a very good book, one I'm so glad to have read.
I know that Dulcie's mother means well, but I can't help but hate her for the way she rips Dulcie away from everything she knows and loves. That's why, when she prepares to sell Dulcie's dad's car, I can totally relate with Dulcie's impulse decision to steal the car and drive cross-country to go back to her home. I am most definitely a fan of the familiar, of being comforted by what I can feel and see and touch; being ripped away from everything my father had ever owned in that way would feel to me (the way it does to Dulcie) like I was losing him all over again.
I really love Dulcie's grandfather, who takes her in once she gets back to her hometown. He's the kind of grandfather everyone wants to have: warm, funny, loving, understanding - and above all else he's simply just kind. He takes in Roxanne, a cheerful but wounded rising senior who's helping out at the school during the summer so she can spend as much time as possible away from her abusive mother at home.
And yes, I said "helping out at the school." There is a school involved, even though the story's set during the summer. But Dulcie's grandfather isn't a principal, or a teacher, or even some sort of summer volunteer; no, he's a janitor. And so was Dulcie's father, until he accidentally mixed some cleaning chemicals that shouldn't have been mixed and wound up dead on the bathroom floor. Yikes. It's very interesting watching Dulcie's grandfather, and reading memories about her father, because it's clear that both men take/took a great sense of pride and accomplishment in their responsibility to keep the school pleasant and clean. I haven't read too many books, frankly, about kids whose parents hold jobs that are traditionally viewed as being menial; I kind of wish I read more of them now, because it lends a really interesting perspective to things.
So yes, I do recommend Defining Dulcie. Don't let its small size and older release date fool you: it's a powerful, well-written novel about parental relationships, life goals, and - above all - dealing with grief. I truly enjoyed reading this little gem I found in a Little Free Library, and I hope you get the chance to read it too.
August 5, 2020
Defining Dulcie / by Paul Acampora -- New York : Dial Books, c2006. (168 pages)
SUMMARY: When sixteen-year-old Dulcie's father dies, her mother makes a decision to move them to California, where Dulcie makes an equally radical decision to steal her dad's old truck and head back home.
REVIEW: I read this title many years ago and remember loving it because it had an old pick-up truck and a road trip. I am happy to announce that I still love this title after having just reread it. I like the three main characters of Dulcie, her grandfather Frank, and her new best friend Roxanne. The story is in short chapters that moves quickly through the story and is remarkable good for a first time novel from a new author. I am also fascinated by the witticisms throughout the book that are quoted from all the stories and quotes that are posted on the janitors door at the school. It is also refreshing to see someone enjoy their job which most people would see as menial labor and not a career. I also love roadtrips because of the unique places you find and this story mentioned a few that Dulcie stopped at along the way -- the fainting goat farm, the monastery for Holy relics, etc.
TITLE COMES FROM: (page 20-21) ...Until they find out, we could be anybody we want to be. If we stay in Newbury, I'll just evolve from janitor's wife into janitor's widow" - "You can't define people like that," I said. - "Of course you can.....Leaving Newbury gives us a chance to define ourselves." - "I don't need to define myself." - "If you don't do it, somebody else will do it for you," said Mom.
FURTHER FUN: 1) start a post-it note door for quotes and witticisms; 2) look around your area to see if there are any unusual tourist spots and visit them; 3) send friends/family postcards from a vacation location; 4) make a postcard tourist book of some of your favorite places to go; 5) Have a janitor appreciation day at school
SUMMARY: When sixteen-year-old Dulcie's father dies, her mother makes a decision to move them to California, where Dulcie makes an equally radical decision to steal her dad's old truck and head back home.
REVIEW: I read this title many years ago and remember loving it because it had an old pick-up truck and a road trip. I am happy to announce that I still love this title after having just reread it. I like the three main characters of Dulcie, her grandfather Frank, and her new best friend Roxanne. The story is in short chapters that moves quickly through the story and is remarkable good for a first time novel from a new author. I am also fascinated by the witticisms throughout the book that are quoted from all the stories and quotes that are posted on the janitors door at the school. It is also refreshing to see someone enjoy their job which most people would see as menial labor and not a career. I also love roadtrips because of the unique places you find and this story mentioned a few that Dulcie stopped at along the way -- the fainting goat farm, the monastery for Holy relics, etc.
TITLE COMES FROM: (page 20-21) ...Until they find out, we could be anybody we want to be. If we stay in Newbury, I'll just evolve from janitor's wife into janitor's widow" - "You can't define people like that," I said. - "Of course you can.....Leaving Newbury gives us a chance to define ourselves." - "I don't need to define myself." - "If you don't do it, somebody else will do it for you," said Mom.
FURTHER FUN: 1) start a post-it note door for quotes and witticisms; 2) look around your area to see if there are any unusual tourist spots and visit them; 3) send friends/family postcards from a vacation location; 4) make a postcard tourist book of some of your favorite places to go; 5) Have a janitor appreciation day at school
August 23, 2008
Dulcie's dad died, and her mom moves her from Connecticut to California. But after, like, an hour in CA, Dulcie steals the truck and goes back to CT, where she lives with her grandfather, a school janitor, who's sort-of mentoring Roxanne, whose mom abuses her.
This is a short book--you could read it in an hour. I didn't like Dulcie, although I was clearly supposed to empathize with her.
Probably it's because my own mother would never have let me get away with stealing her truck and her credit card and taking a cross-country road trip alone. At age 16.
No, MY mother would have canceled the card and issued an APB. Then after I'd returned, my life would have been MISERABLE. Death row inmates would have more freedom that I would.
But Dulcie's mom seems more passive, like, "Gosh, call me when you get there," or, "Gee, I sure miss you when you're on the other side of the continent." I don't understand that parenting model.
In the end, Dulcie stays in CT with her grandfather and Roxanne moves to CA with Dulcie's mom. Um ... ?!?!?!?
There is some catharsis in the climactic showdown where everybody rescues Roxanne from her looney-tunes mother, but it seemed very Special-Episode-of-Growing-Pains to me.
Though it may sound like I hate this book, I actually found the writing to be good. And I liked Dulcie's emotional journey as she worked through the aftermath of her father's death. There were no trite epiphanies or magical ghostly farewells; she just missed her daddy. That rang true to me.
I think girls ages 11-15 would like this book. Yeah, the ones who love Lurlene McDaniel, they would eat this right up.
This is a short book--you could read it in an hour. I didn't like Dulcie, although I was clearly supposed to empathize with her.
Probably it's because my own mother would never have let me get away with stealing her truck and her credit card and taking a cross-country road trip alone. At age 16.
No, MY mother would have canceled the card and issued an APB. Then after I'd returned, my life would have been MISERABLE. Death row inmates would have more freedom that I would.
But Dulcie's mom seems more passive, like, "Gosh, call me when you get there," or, "Gee, I sure miss you when you're on the other side of the continent." I don't understand that parenting model.
In the end, Dulcie stays in CT with her grandfather and Roxanne moves to CA with Dulcie's mom. Um ... ?!?!?!?
There is some catharsis in the climactic showdown where everybody rescues Roxanne from her looney-tunes mother, but it seemed very Special-Episode-of-Growing-Pains to me.
Though it may sound like I hate this book, I actually found the writing to be good. And I liked Dulcie's emotional journey as she worked through the aftermath of her father's death. There were no trite epiphanies or magical ghostly farewells; she just missed her daddy. That rang true to me.
I think girls ages 11-15 would like this book. Yeah, the ones who love Lurlene McDaniel, they would eat this right up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2008
This book has a great opening sentence: "If this were a movie, I'd probably have to kill off my father in the very first scene."
Unfortunately, the rest of the book doesn't quite deliver on the promise of its opening. Dulcie's dad is dead because of a freak janitorial accident (mixing the wrong cleaners), and when her mom moves to L.A., Dulcie takes off back home in her dead dad's truck to find herself.
One of my beefs with the book is that Acampora doesn't show what Dulcie is up to while she is driving--instead, he weaves in (highly improbable) stories of her trip into the second half of the book. So in the middle of dinner with her grandpa and her new best friend (who conveniently has conflicts of her own that draw attention away from the lack of external conflict in Dulcie's life), Dulcie will suddenly reveal her experience at, say, the fainting goat farm, or visiting a reliquary and getting a bean stew recipe off of a nun. The biggest problem with this technique for capitalizing on responsible Dulcie's one chance to have madcap adventures is that it makes it seem like Dulcie's got nothing of interest to say in the "real" now.
All in all, I found the book to be a little too wholesome for my taste--pretty much altogether lacking in the hormonal woes and other complications that come with figuring out who you are in high school. Incidentally, the unfortunate image on the cover of the book also makes Dulcie look like a pre-teen.
(Listened to on audiobook.)
Unfortunately, the rest of the book doesn't quite deliver on the promise of its opening. Dulcie's dad is dead because of a freak janitorial accident (mixing the wrong cleaners), and when her mom moves to L.A., Dulcie takes off back home in her dead dad's truck to find herself.
One of my beefs with the book is that Acampora doesn't show what Dulcie is up to while she is driving--instead, he weaves in (highly improbable) stories of her trip into the second half of the book. So in the middle of dinner with her grandpa and her new best friend (who conveniently has conflicts of her own that draw attention away from the lack of external conflict in Dulcie's life), Dulcie will suddenly reveal her experience at, say, the fainting goat farm, or visiting a reliquary and getting a bean stew recipe off of a nun. The biggest problem with this technique for capitalizing on responsible Dulcie's one chance to have madcap adventures is that it makes it seem like Dulcie's got nothing of interest to say in the "real" now.
All in all, I found the book to be a little too wholesome for my taste--pretty much altogether lacking in the hormonal woes and other complications that come with figuring out who you are in high school. Incidentally, the unfortunate image on the cover of the book also makes Dulcie look like a pre-teen.
(Listened to on audiobook.)
Read
March 9, 2011When I first looked at the front cover of this book there was no telling what it was about,so I didn't no if I should of read it or not,then I looked at the blurb, still nothing just a bunch of quotes an phrases from characters.Before actually sitting down to read this book I abandoned it a couple of times,but never judge a book by it's cover.
When I opened the book and read the first page it actually started interesting,usually it takes the second chapter of a book before I actually understand it and am interested an hooked on the book.This story is interesting because it mainly talks about the stops Dulcie made in states on her trip from California back to Newberry. One of my favorite parts about this story was the end when everything turns out to be ok from all the madness that happened in this story. This story reminded me a little of "The Brand New Kid" by Katie Couric because Dulcie helped Roxanne the same way in this story. In the story "The Brand New Kid" Lazlo is a new kid in Mrs.Kincaid's second grade class and no one likes him and a girl named Ellie doesn't like Lazlo at first along with the other children but then Ellie sees how mean the other kids are and gives Lazlo a second chance and helps Lazlo make other friends.Although this book doesn't really have the exact same point to it it can still relate to Dulcie helping Roxanne as Ellie helped Lazlo.
But if you really are interested in this awesome book by Paul Acampora read it to find out more.
When I opened the book and read the first page it actually started interesting,usually it takes the second chapter of a book before I actually understand it and am interested an hooked on the book.This story is interesting because it mainly talks about the stops Dulcie made in states on her trip from California back to Newberry. One of my favorite parts about this story was the end when everything turns out to be ok from all the madness that happened in this story. This story reminded me a little of "The Brand New Kid" by Katie Couric because Dulcie helped Roxanne the same way in this story. In the story "The Brand New Kid" Lazlo is a new kid in Mrs.Kincaid's second grade class and no one likes him and a girl named Ellie doesn't like Lazlo at first along with the other children but then Ellie sees how mean the other kids are and gives Lazlo a second chance and helps Lazlo make other friends.Although this book doesn't really have the exact same point to it it can still relate to Dulcie helping Roxanne as Ellie helped Lazlo.
But if you really are interested in this awesome book by Paul Acampora read it to find out more.
January 21, 2013
Dulcie Jones and her mother are heartbroken when her dad dies accidentally at his janitorial job. Dulcie's mom feels they need a change and takes them cross-country to California...Dulcie doesn't agree. She heads back to Newbury, Connecticut in a 1968 Chevy pick-up to live with grandpa Frank. While there, she meets Roxanne, a lonely girl who has taken a part-time job with Frank for the summer. Dulcie and Roxanne become friends.
Little by little, Dulcie learns about Roxanne's horrific home-life...a physically and emotionally abusive mother, a filthy home, and a sub-standard life. When Dulcie's mom comes 'home' to Newbury at the end of the summer, she expects Dulcie to go back to California with her, but life, Dulcie, Frank, and Roxanne have other plans.
Defining Dulcie takes a tough, realistic view of abuse and how it is emotionally scarring for the participants and outside observers. It takes special people to stand up for what's right and to help those in need. In the end, lives are turned around and scenarios are played out in a way not thought possible.
Little by little, Dulcie learns about Roxanne's horrific home-life...a physically and emotionally abusive mother, a filthy home, and a sub-standard life. When Dulcie's mom comes 'home' to Newbury at the end of the summer, she expects Dulcie to go back to California with her, but life, Dulcie, Frank, and Roxanne have other plans.
Defining Dulcie takes a tough, realistic view of abuse and how it is emotionally scarring for the participants and outside observers. It takes special people to stand up for what's right and to help those in need. In the end, lives are turned around and scenarios are played out in a way not thought possible.
January 22, 2014
What is it like to feel lost in life? In the book "Defining Dulcie", by Paul Acampora, that is exactly how Dulcie feels. Dulcie has grown up being a janitor. Her dad was a janitor and her grandpa is a janitor. When Dulcie's dad accidentally mixes the wrong chemicals and dies, Dulcie is devastated. Then when her mom decides to move them to California, Dulcie feels as if her life has been turned upside down. " Acampora deftly mixes the bitter with the sweet throughout this first novel. ", says Publishers Weekly. Along Dulcie's journey she steals a truck, goes on lots of pitstops, meets Roxanne, and tries to find herself. I would recommend this adventure book to 6th graders and older. I didn't particularly like this book, as I didn't find myself connecting to Dulcie's character at all, and thought it was not well written. "Defining Dulcie" leaves you with a couple questions on your mind as you read it. What would it be like to experience such a painful loss at age 16? Will Dulcie ever find herself?
November 17, 2014
I enjoyed this little book. It was a quick, sweet read. The ending wasn't what I was wanting, but overall I liked the book. What I love about Paul Acampora are the little bits of wisdom he puts all over the place in his books. Here was one of my favorites:
"For the first time since Dad died, I felt a bright stab of unexpected happiness. Maybe it was the laughter. Maybe it was the fact that I was worried about somebody other than myself for a change."
I love that! When my kids left home to go to college and they would call and be sad or depressed or homesick, I would tell them to go out and find someone to serve. That always takes you out of yourself and helps you to see your own problems with another perspective. I love how this author puts little tidbits like that in his books, and I hope that the kids who read these books pick up on some of those things. So even though I didn't love this book quite like I loved I Kill the Mockingbird , I definitely recommend it as a good story with a good moral.
"For the first time since Dad died, I felt a bright stab of unexpected happiness. Maybe it was the laughter. Maybe it was the fact that I was worried about somebody other than myself for a change."
I love that! When my kids left home to go to college and they would call and be sad or depressed or homesick, I would tell them to go out and find someone to serve. That always takes you out of yourself and helps you to see your own problems with another perspective. I love how this author puts little tidbits like that in his books, and I hope that the kids who read these books pick up on some of those things. So even though I didn't love this book quite like I loved I Kill the Mockingbird , I definitely recommend it as a good story with a good moral.
January 29, 2024
When Dulcie's father dies in a freak cleaning accident, they barely have time to pick out a headstone before her mother decides that a change in scenery will help them with the grieving process. So she uproots Dulcie from the only home she’s known and moves her across the continental United States from Newbury, Connecticut to San Leandro, California. Dulcie isn’t ready to leave all her memories behind. She doesn’t want to make a new start in a strange place. Her mother’s decision to trade her father’s truck for a small sedan proves to be the catalyst Dulcie needs. She leaves California with $300 from her mother’s stash and drives her father’s 1968 red Chevy pick-up back home to Newbury and her grandfather. While Dulcie learns how to heal the strained relationship between herself and her mother, she befriends Roxanne whose wretched home life puts Dulcie's situation in a clearer perspective.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
January 11, 2008
This book was very interesting, because it is about this girl that lost her father in a terrible accident. Her mom made her move halfway across the coutnry to move to California. Dulucie decided that she didnt want to live in California with her mom so she steals her dads old truck and moves back to Conneticut without her mother knowing. When she returns back to Conneticut she meets a whole lot of new people and become friends with them. But while her summer is going great trouble strikes her and her new friends.
I would recommened this book to anyone really, it is a short story, but it very good. Paul Acampora does and excellent job of explaning the life of a young teenage girl who lost her father. He's a very creative writer who thinks outside the box. Anyone can read this book anf like it. This book is Fiction.
I would recommened this book to anyone really, it is a short story, but it very good. Paul Acampora does and excellent job of explaning the life of a young teenage girl who lost her father. He's a very creative writer who thinks outside the box. Anyone can read this book anf like it. This book is Fiction.
April 23, 2008
This book is about a girl named Dulcie that is living a rough life. Her dad has died and her and her family has moved to California. She doesn't like it at all because she doesn't know anybody there. She is old enough to drive and so she thinks that she is going to get her dad's car. Dulcie plans on going back to her hometown in Connecticut and living there with one of her friends. Dulcie figures out that she has a pretty good life compared to some people. She finds strength and has good generosity to live her life without her dad.
I think this book was pretty good. Their were parts that I didn't like, but that is usually what happens in every book. The good part about it is that it shows that even if your life doesn't go the way you want it, there are options you can take to get around them and make it better!
I think this book was pretty good. Their were parts that I didn't like, but that is usually what happens in every book. The good part about it is that it shows that even if your life doesn't go the way you want it, there are options you can take to get around them and make it better!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2014
Although this novel is written about a 16-year-old, the surface level way it brings up big issues makes it perfect for Middle Grade. This doesn't sound like a positive thing, but it is. I often have concerns about putting books in front of my 6th grade students because they delve too deeply into heavy issues that are not appropriate for a child of even a year older. The problems faced by the characters in the novel are dealt with great care and handled appropriately, allowing the students to consider big problems and to learn about positive ways to deal with difficult topics without being submerged in the nitty-gritty of issues that are not developmentally appropriate.
Aside from the big issues, the novel is laced with witty and creative humor and quirky, real characters that kept me reading. In fact, I accidentally read the whole book in one night.
Great read!
Aside from the big issues, the novel is laced with witty and creative humor and quirky, real characters that kept me reading. In fact, I accidentally read the whole book in one night.
Great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews