Where I Belong, by Mary Downing Hahn
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Where I Belong, by Mary Downing Hahn
PDF Ebook Online Where I Belong, by Mary Downing Hahn
No one is kind to sixth-grader Brendan Doyle: his foster mother, his teachers, his classmates, and especially the thugs who bully him. He takes refuge in books, drawing, carving, and daydreaming. When Brendan stumbles upon an old man near his tree house in the Virginia woods, he is quick to believe that this is the magical Green Man, guardian spirit of the forest. Brendan's need to immerse himself in his fantasy world becomes more acute, until he meets a girl with secrets of her own who may just keep his feet on the ground.
Where I Belong, by Mary Downing Hahn- Amazon Sales Rank: #109126 in Books
- Published on: 2015-09-08
- Released on: 2015-09-08
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 7.90" h x .80" w x 5.20" l, 1.00 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 240 pages
From School Library Journal Gr 5–8—No one expects much from troubled sixth grader Brendan Doyle. His grades send him to summer school, and his foster mother Mrs. Clancy bears him no great love. To add to his troubles, a local group of miscreants taunts and attacks Brendan on a regular basis. His life changes when he discovers a neighborhood forest replete with magical serenity. It reminds him of J. R. R. Tolkien's books and the other fantasies he loves to read. He decides to build a treehouse there as an escape from the outside world. Under his tree, Brendan encounters the "Green Man," a disheveled man who resembles Brendan's idea of the mythical spirit who protects forests. Together with Shea, a girl Brendan meets at summer school, the three outcasts enact idyllic forest living even as reality threatens to destroy this fragile peace. Readers expecting one of Hahn's signature ghost stories may find this story something of a departure. Much more a traditional "issue" novel, Brendan's mystical tale blends in issues associated with urban youth, homelessness, and crime. Hahn's prose continues to target reluctant readers. Short, declarative sentences make for an approachable middle school title. The first-person narration is appealing, and the story goes down a predictable path kids can easily follow. For readers who, like Brendan, might prefer art and nature to other school subjects, Hahn's novel will likely be a winner. Give this to fans of Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia (Crowell, 1978) for a forest hide-out story with a tween twist.—Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT
Review
"Another solid outing from veteran Hahn."—Kirkus "Hahn gives Brendan a narrative voice that is urgent, contemplative, and believable in this nuanced story about transformation, trust, identity, friendship, and loss." —Publishers Weekly "This is quintessential middle-grade realistic fiction, with an unvarnished depiction of the miseries that can be visited upon a quiet sixth grader and the succor that can be found in the hard-won friendship of peers and the attention of understanding elders."—Horn Book Magazine "A gentle and moving story."—Booklist "The fantasy of a forested getaway spot and the universality of Sam’s self-doubt give this strong appeal to a wide audience, who will start prowling their own neighborhoods for secret arboreal hideaways." —Bulletin
About the Author
MARY DOWNING HAHN, a former children’s librarian, is the award-winning author of many popular ghost stories, including Wait Till Helen Comes, which is being adapted for film. An avid reader, traveler, and all-around arts lover, Ms. Hahn lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her cat, Oscar. Visit her online at www.marydowninghahnbooks.com.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Realistic, Very Personal Novel About Being Bullied And About The Power Of Friendship ... By delicateflower152 From the first paragraphs of "Where I Belong", Mary Downing Hahn grabs the reader and evokes a sympathetic response for the protagonist, Brendan Doyle. Her sensitive treatment of Brendan and of other unique characters propels the story forward and leaves the reader with many issues to consider.Brendan's lack of confidence and low self-esteem leap from the first page and punch the reader in the gut. Abandoned by his mother at birth, he views himself as unlovable - "...What did she want with a baby like me...". Mired in the foster care system since infancy, twelve-year old Brendan was a crack baby; he is "different". Bullied by his peers and by Ms Funkhauser, his fifth-grade teacher, Brendan's interest in art and reading and his long hair exacerbate his problems. He believes Mrs. Clancey his foster mother is more interested in her crossword puzzles and television than in him; she only seems to pay attention to him when she needs his help with her crossword puzzles. Brendan feels helpless; it is only in the forest that Brendan feels a sense of worth "...As soon as I cross the train tracks, I leave the ordinary world behind ...I walk silently, a warrior's walk..."Mary Downing Hahn does an excellent job of describing the feelings someone in Brendan's situation may have. Writing in the first person, present tense form she creates a personal narrative that is realistic and very believable. His self-deprecating humor emphasizes the low opinion Brendan has of himself and the low value he places on his individual worth. When telling the reader about his math homework, Brendan says "...long division... which has no value ... except to sort the stupid kids from smart ones ... you know where that puts me..." He has no friends and spends his time in the forest, hoping to meet the mythical Green Man. His longing for the Green Man reflects the powerless feeling Brendan has and his desire for a hero. He says of the Green Man "...he fears nothing. He is just. And powerful ..."Accepting the friendship of Ed, the homeless Vietnam veteran, and of Shea, his summer school classmate begins Brendan's transformation. Only when Brendan opens his heart and allows himself to believe in and trust someone is he able to stand against his tormentors and to believe in himself. As he begins to value others, Brendan is also able to value himself and build a relationship with Mrs. Clancey. The concluding section of "Where I Belong" is emotion-packed and may require a box of tissues.Parents and/or grandparents may want to read "Where I Belong" prior to recommending it to younger, advanced readers or more sensitive youngsters. There are several acts of violence toward Brendan and others. These may be painful for readers who are experiencing or who have experienced bullying. Mary Downing Hahn refers to the Ancient Mariner and to novels by Charles Dickens - these references may need to be explained to younger readers."Where I Belong" is an easy book to read; language and personal friendships are appropriate for the target audience. More mature readers may find the novel resolves characters' issues too neatly, but the targeted reader will appreciate the resolutions presented."Where I Belong" is a book that raises difficult issues. It should provide an excellent starting point for discussions about self-confidence, friendship, and bullying.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Finding Out That You Aren't Alone By The Invisible Pam I love books like this. They are what I call 'small' books. They aren't about world events nor are there kick-butt action heroes. Instead they are about humans. About our expectations and how we can read people wrong. And yet magic happens. Sometimes. When the wind blows the right way and the right person, persons, comes along. Somehow it can all work out right, raising us up from the ashes.These 'small' books come in all genres. THE GIRL IN THE ARENA actually qualifies and it was in speculative fiction. BUBBLE WORLD was another and it was in the scifi category, while A SNICKER OF MAGIC had just that... magic, or rather in the magical realism camp. There's a little bit of that in WHERE I BELONG, but only at the end and even then it's debatable.WHERE I BELONG begins with the ashes of Brendan Doyle's life. He's friendless and purposely failing in school. He doesn't fit in because he doesn't see the world the way everyone else does, and he doesn't have the skills to explain 'where he is'. And equally, the adults don't have the skills to reach him. Everyone flounders and because there's no real communication, the adults are frustrated, and Brendan is alone.That is until he finds a tree, meets a bum, and finds a new kid at school whose life is almost as messed up as his is. In the real world we'd conclude that this combination of factors was doom to be disastrous, but in Mary Hahn's world, it's the path to freedom and magic.WHERE I BELONG is not a perfect book. The voices are perhaps too mature for kids who are supposed to be going into middle school --which means they are just leaving the 5th Grade. But I didn't care. This was just an enjoyable, quick and satisfying read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Not a ghost story, but fans will be pleased anyway By Emily J. Morris I fell in love with Mary Downing Hahn a good twenty years ago in elementary school. Ever since then I've considered a good go-to source for spooky children's literature. Perhaps I'm not so familiar with her more recent work as I was surprised to find this a detour from her eerie hauntings. That is not a thing, as she still tells a great story.Brendan is a foster child struggling with life. He doesn't care about school, he has no friends, and his foster mother doesn't understand him. So he makes a tree house in the local woods where he soon meets an old man he believes to be the Green Man of the forest. Soon a new friend, Shea, joins them and life seems to be going somewhere at last. Until Ms. Hahn throws in a fine twist.No, it's not a ghost or horror story, just a more-or-less down-to-earth tale about a boy trying to find his place in life. The story is simple and straightforward. Despite Brendan's pity party, he's a likable and engaging character. Yes, Ms. Hahn is writing a somewhat normal story this time around, and she does it well. It's honest, sweet, and heartfelt.
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