Barry's Sister is a wonderful book that I like because it shows some conflicts that children face in real life. This story is about a twelve year old girl, named Ellen. One day when she came back from school, her mom told her that she was pregnant. When she heard that, she felt jealous, but after all she was only beginning to face her long-hidden rage against her father a Naval officer aboard a nuclear submarine, for being away most of the time. She didn't like the idea of a new baby that would mess up her life, so she prays that the baby would disappear. When her brother Barry was born, he had cerebral palsy. Ellen felt that her terrible prayer was responsible, so she suffered overwhelming guilt. She decided that she hated Barry and wanted nothing to do with him. Then her mother's new friend, Maribeth, who had a disabled son, helped Ellen to see things differently. Maribeth explained to Ellen all about disability and cerebral palsy. So, then, Ellen understood and began to see things differently, and became dedicated to Barry, almost becoming a mother to him. She saw herself as a mother, caring for her cub, single-minded and ferociously protective. This is mostly interesting for girls but it does have appeal for any girl about age 12 or older. Mothers would also find it interesting.

This book was ok, not great. When the main charecter (Carrie) moves in with her Grandmother, she faces a new school, and new friends. When she meets Mona, a young girl her age, they slowly become friends. As Carrie learns some unbeleivable facts about mothers, including her dead one, she finds out many things about life.

I did enjoy reading Missing Girls a lot. Carrie reminded me of my best friend & Mona of me. just by the way they act & their family. I was interrested in lucid dreaming just like Carrie. I don't think it ever happened to me...not that i recall. I liked hearin Mutti's stories of the war. What made me happy, yet sad was that Carrie does look like her mom, when she was younger. Carrie is very surprised to also find out her mom, Liesl, was a vey depressed girl at one time, just like Carrie.She does find her place...even though her & Mona are "missing girlz" at least they found each other. Just like I found my bud, T.With each other we can ease our pains & help each other out. Like Mona had said, Carrie wants some1 to come in the pit with her, like Mona. That's how i feel with her. This book was good & it really reminded me of "real" life. If you are interrested in dreams or even the war ou'll like reading Missing Girls. It's good book for any girl or even a guy. Do enjoy!

The title craftily compares 13 year old Carrie to the real 'missing girls' of the book, a background story of young girls who run from unsatisfying home lives, sometimes to be found dead, sometimes remaining missing. Carrie has symbolically run from her own unsatisfying life, by withdrawing, overeating, and choosing not to relate to her grandmother, who she is living with. Her grandmother, a survivor of the haulocaust, has her own demons.

When Carrie becomes friends with Mona, Carrie experiences a false awakening as she tries to fit into what she perceives as the perfect American family, which is a contrast to her immigrant grandmother who can't seem to get the American way of life. But she learns that appearances can be deceiving, and Mona and Carrie begin a journey to understand their genuine selves. Carrie faces up to fears, comes to terms with her mother's death (four years earlier), and turns a subtle and mostly silent love for her grandmother into a wonderful relationship they both need.

There are morals to the story, but the book is decidedly devoid of the sickly sweetness and neat tie-ups that are characteristic of literature for young adults. I highly recommend this book for teenagers and adults alike.

This book is about a girl named Ellen Carpenter who takes on the responsibility of caring for her little brother, Barry, who has cerebral palsy. The book deals with the hardship that Ellen feels when her parents bring a civil lawsuit against the doctor's who delivered Barry, and hold them responsible for Barry's condition. This book explores what a real life courtroom drama is like and what people go through during a trial. This book is a great drama book that I think everyone should read. I haven't read a book like this before, but if given the opportunity to read another book like this I would. The author gives such realism to the story that it makes you feel what Ellen's going through. It just makes you want to get in the book and try to fix everything that is wrong and say it's going to be alright. What made me wqant to read this book is after I read the back cover of the book it immediately made me want to read it. In my personal opinion I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend this book to everyone I know. The part of the book that really touched me is when Ellen is testifying during the trial and the way she responds to a question the defense attorney asked her. Ellen says, "Do you know what it's like looking at someone you love and seeing that they will never be able to survive by themself? If you don't know what it's like then you shouldn't be asking me these questions." This quote was very powerful and moving to me and it make me want to read the book so much more. Her feelings seemed so real that I almost cried when she said that. I can't relate to Ellen becuase I do not have a little brother with cerebral palsy, but I can relate with the emotions she is feeling. Even though I really enjoyed reading this book I would not reccommend it to younger children, because they would not understnad the mesaning of the book and they would probably not be interested in a book like this. This book is more for mature adults who understand a little about courtrooms.

This is one of those books that you can't put down. You read it in the bathtub, at work, at school. You get so involved in Ellen's life and the outcome of Barry's future. You want to choke the doctor that did to him. It's one of the books that you read over and over again and you are still at the edge of your seat waiting for the verdict. I can't wait to read it again!