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Book Summary and Reviews of The 10 PM Question by Kate De Goldi

The 10 PM Question by Kate De Goldi

The 10 PM Question

by Kate De Goldi

  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (1):
  • Published:
  • Sep 2010, 256 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

Worry-prone Frankie keeps his family secret under control — until a bold, inquisitive girl enters his life - in this warm, witty, and captivating YA novel.

Twelve-year-old Frankie Parsons is a talented kid with a quirky family, a best friend named Gigs, and a voice of anxiety constantly nibbling in his head: Could that kidney-shaped spot on his chest be a galloping cancer? Are the smoke alarm batteries flat? Has his cat, The Fat Controller, given them all worms? Only Ma, who never leaves home, takes Frankie's worries seriously. But then, it is Ma who is the cause of the most troubling question of all, the one Frankie can never bring himself to ask. When a new girl arrives at school - a daring free spirit with unavoidable questions of her own - Frankie's carefully guarded world begins to unravel, leading him to a painful confrontation with the ultimate 10 p.m. question. Deftly told with humor, poignancy, and an endearing cast of characters, The 10 P.M. Question will touch everyone who has ever felt set apart.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Starred Review. Gorgeously written, this bittersweet chronicle of family complexities is wise but never pat—a masterful meditation on anxiety and courage that will be savored by thoughtful readers." - Kirkus

"Although rather slow moving in the beginning, this is an interesting and thoughtful coming-of-age story. Grades 6-8." - Library Journal

"Starred Review. Readers from early teens through adults will be drawn to this beautifully nuanced, unsentimental view of family life, friendship, the heroic requirements of growing up, and the rewards of speaking the unspeakable out loud." - Booklist

This information about The 10 PM Question was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

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A C Calcutt

Outstanding social message
This book portrays true acceptance by a family,of the quirky characteristics and eccentricities of all family members including the "fat aunties". Each family member is valued with their own particular eccentricities being unique and acceptable. Essentially the fact Ma has a significant mental illness is not the pivotal role of the book. The message is the acceptance of her by her family, and the accommodations they make to support her success. Eventually the need to confront the fact the illness impacts on the youngest member of the family is required.

This is a moving story of love, in a funny brash family styled manner. The humour is quirky and uniquely Kiwi.The NZ reader will spend the book trying to guess which city it was based upon. (I must admit I'm still guessing. A blend maybe.) I've only just finished this book but already look forward to a slower more savouring read.

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Author Information

Kate De Goldi

Kate De Goldi is an award-winning writer of short fiction, novels, and picture books for readers ranging from young children to teens and adults. A New Zealand Arts Foundation Laureate, she lives in Wellington, New Zealand.

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