• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 12 to 18

Sophie is in a lot of trouble.

Sophie is on probation for stealing and is doing poorly at school. Her mom doesn't really talk to her, and the other adults in her life are pressuring Sophie to talk about her bruises. Sophie worries that if she tells, she will be sent to live in a group home. Her friend Jujube is the only person who knows the truth, and now Jujube, too, wants Sophie to speak up.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

In high school Beth Goobie studied and taught piano, wrote stories, and was the recipient of academic and citizenship awards. She worked for a year as a nanny in Holland, then moved to Winnipeg where she studied English literature at the University of Winnipeg (receiving the gold medal) and religious studies at the Mennonite Brethren Bible College. She has worked for many years with physically and sexually abused children and is concerned with issues surrounding the anger and powerlessness of those under legal age. Addressing these issues in her writing, she has published several novels for young adults, including Born Ugly, Mission Impossible, The Lottery and Before Wings, as well as poems and short stories for an adult audience in anthologies and magazines such as Fiddlehead, Malahat Review and Quarry. She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Beth Goobie's profile page

• Nominated, Stellar Book Award
• Commended, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks
• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice, starred selection

“Something Girl is so compelling that this reader couldn’t put it down until finished. Highly Recommended.”

CM Magazine

"The ending is happy yet bittersweet. The novel deals with mature themes in a quick and easy-to-read manner."

School Library Journal

"Children need to see titles such as these in library collections, because some of them may be living an existence close to this work of fiction...Highly recommended."

Hip Librarian's Book Blog

"At times difficult to read, Goobie creates a dark and moving narrative. The ending offers hope for Sophie and her mother."

KLIATT

"This is a well written story about the struggles a young girl goes through dealing with an abusive and controlling fater. Written from Sophie's point of view, the author has done a masterful job of letting the reader into Sophie's thinking."

Resource Links

"Those in the series' target audience will be rewarded with a condensed, strangled gulp of a novel, one capable of cojuring both wrenching suspense and the 'soft peace' of hope."

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