There are no discussion topics on this book yet. As Rhonda attempts to 'conceal and heal' Sara`s burden, she faces challenges of her own, relationships, tutoring, and school, none of which can be compared to Sara`s secret. A 2009 New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age Selection Boys + Love = Trouble Right? So her brother David that protects Sarah finds out and, the next day Sarah tells her Mother. All materials © 2021 Varian Johnson. As an independent bookstore, we strive to offer the same variety and richness of experience as the books on our shelves. I like this particular quote because it states that bad days come around but once they're gone, the good days will arrive. As she helps her pregnant friend, she must confront her past, her father and struggle with how to move forward in her own life, in dating, in trusting herself. Her Mother flipped out and syggested she'd get an abortion right away. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading realistic fiction. Rhombus can be found in a variety of things around us, such as a kite, windows of a car, rhombus-shaped earring, the structure of a building, mirrors, and even a section of the baseball field. Unfortunately for Sarah, everything now made sense. So, she did it. It ended up being a fast, enjoyable, and well-written novel about teen pregnancy that managed to avoid preachiness and melodramatic cliches. And I’m glad I did; its a good solid read, engaging enough to make me delay setting out for the train last Friday evening until I finished it. Will Sara`s burden be finally lifted of her shoulders? I’ve never read any books by Justine Larbaleister but I read her blog and when she recommended My life as a rhombus I guess I was feeling in a suggestible mood because I ordered it right then. My mouth dropped open, and suddenly, I knew. I've had my eye on this book for a while but I ended up spontaneously downloading it last week to kill some downtime. The protagonist Rhonda is bitter and comes off as mean or stand off-ish but she has a soft heart which really comes through in the writing. Is a Square a Rhombus? Too many F-bom. What i've learned from this book is that, you go through many obsticles in life and some may take a whuile to get over. My Life as a Rhombus is an amazing book. Her friends are geeks, and she shies away from talking to anybody in the popular cheerleader/basketball star clique. Rhonda Lee is a math-loving high-school senior, working hard to earn a college scholarship and tutoring other kids in math; she doesn't have time for fun or dating. Fun Facts about rhombus. Staying on track at school means a boy-free equation for Rhonda Lee, who spends most evenings doing homework and eating Chinese takeout with her dad. But as the time passed Sarah didn't get it. This is the third book into my daughter's summer discovery of trashy books. As Rhonda attemp. LibraryThing is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers Rhonda is a genius (especially in trigonometry). I saw the title of this book and was drawn to it immediately.I read this book all in one sitting because I found the main character Rhonda to be compelling. I rated it with 3 stars just because it seems like an average book. I wondered what would have happened if she hadn’t had the abortion. Rhombus is the head of the Texas Expedition in Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel. Rhonda was so fully developed, and I thought Johnson did a good job of keeping her arc at the forefront even when the capital-d Drama was going on with Sarah. This book is so real in that the teen pregnancy issues is something that happens every day. He is the author of multiple novels including My Life as a Rhombus as well as a … All rhombuses are parallelograms, but not all parallelograms are rhombuses. Book Title: My Life as a Rhombus Chapters Read: 1-6 Quick Facts Who is the main character? An interesting topic, but lackluster writing. Eventually Sarah and Rhonda become friends. I would recommend this book because many teens can relate especially the ones in a relationship and have family problems. But as strong as Sarah is she refused. In this book the consequences of abortion and life afterwards were explored just enough that I think a YA audience would be able to grasp. Did it surprise you? I also thought the math related chapter titles were a bonus. This book is so real in that the teen pregnancy issues is something that happens every day. Literary Period Publication Date Characters Post- Modernism 2007 Friendship The second theme is abandonment. My Life as A Rhombus (Paperback) : Johnson, Varian : When the classmate she is tutoring in trigonometry admits she is pregnant, high school junior Rhonda must finally come to terms with the abortion her father insisted she undergo three years earlier and examine how it has changed her life. He is the author of multiple novels including My Life as a Rhombus as well as a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf. This is the story of a girl that got pregnant at 15 and her dad made her have an abortion. My Life as a Rhombus (Varian Johnson) 37. So he gave her money to get an abortion. I saw the title of this book and was drawn to it immediately.I read this book all in one sitting because I found the main character Rhonda to be compelling. But they have much more in common than she ever could have guessed. When Justice Gamble found out Rhonda knew the whole time she called Rhonda in to her office and they had a talk. Some adult men may be able to write from a teen girl’s point of view, but this author isn’t that person. When I first began the novel, I had hoped that through the process of writing, I would sort out my own position on abortion. Because she’s an only child and her mother died when she was 11, her father is left with the task of making the decision for Rhonda that she should end the pregnancy. Rhonda Lee Name three important things about the main character. When forced to tutor Sarah in trigonometry, Rhonda recognizes all too well the symptoms—queasiness, puking, exhaustion—that Sarah is trying to mask. He was stuck up and only wanted what every other teenage boy would want from a girl. I really liked this book. Teens will love this book, it has drama, humor and romance and lots of reality, recommended for reluctant readers too! An abortion is not something that Rhonda wanted but her dad told her that it would be the best thing to do because she wasn't responsible enough at the time to take care of a child. A few plot points were unrealistic and a lot of the characters were flat and unlikeable. After the procedure and now that she's thinking back she realizes that having that procedure done wasn't the right thing to do and she blames her dad for convincing her to get it done. Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2008. Lots of teen books sound the same to me and this just fell in that category. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Varian’s Writing Style. More times than not, she had to depend on friends or parents when money got tight. Instead of falling in love with boys , Rhonda falls in love with math . So It's been weeks since Rhondas been tutoring Sarah and she's actually improving. Three years later, when the story takes place, she's a straight A student who doesn't date and through tutoring becomes friends with a girl who is pregnant. I really liked this one. They began to be sexually active and eventually began to ditch lunch just for "quickies". My Life as a Rhombus My Life as a Rhombus. When she has to tutor popular Sarah Gamble, Rhonda notices Sarah's queasiness and tiredness and figures out that they have something in common. It's not boring and just captivating enough. Lots of teen books sound the same to me and this just fell in that category. Malafrena (Ursula Le Guin) 36. I got this book from my cousin, and started reading it because she recommended it to me. Too many F-bombs or I'd give it 5 stars. She and her father hadn't had the same relationship as before after she had the abortion. Her idea of … I was also unconvinced by some of the characters' motivations, but understand that they needed to do what they did in order to create drama to be resolved. The talk of abortion is so scandalous and it's one of the main events in the book. Filed under: My Life As A Rhombus — librarylaura23 @ 10:42 pm Tags: Abortion , College , Dating , Realism , Rumors , Teenage Pregnancy Rhonda has a somewhat troubled past, but is completely focused on her tutoring and getting accepted to the college of her dreams. I enjoyed reading this book because it felt real; the characters were developed beings who I could relate and care about. I checked out My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson two other times from the library before actually reading it this go around. Welcome back. Exchanging their secrets adds up to more truths than either girl would have dreamed. I thought the story was nicely paced and was a page turner for me. Learn about Author Central. “My Life as a Rhombus is a sensitive and powerful friendship story about two very different girls who connect over the toughest decision either of them will ever make. I hated Gail, but that is also realistic because you won't like everyone you meet. As usual I won’t be revealing too much about the plot mostly because I think any plot summary makes Rhombus sound like a problem novel, 1 which it really isn’t. If it's really interesting (and the subject matter is probably somewhat inappropriate for your age) you find that you get through the book much faster than you normally would. So Rhonda oened up only getting a partcial scholarship to Georgia Tech instead of a full one. It’s funny. by Flux. I would recommend this book to anyone that thinks they are ugly, or not good enough for someone. In a story which feels and sounds realistic, Johnson delivers a novel that can easily resonate with any teenager. So was Very afraid and alone. What’s most interesting, though, is the way Rhonda tries to get beyond her past as she channels her anger and pain into numbers and theorems.” — Booklist, “…Johnson’s exploration of Rhonda’s unprocessed anger over her own abortion is deftly handled…” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (Recommended), “[Johnson] has captured the struggles of teen girls perfectly…” — TeensReadToo, “Johnson’s book strikes a good balance; it’s gripping and sensitive at the same time. Rhaonda tutors others at a center, but she has this thing where she donsen't tutor high school students! By trashy, I don't mean poorly written etc, it's just a term that I use to describe certain types of book. She told Rhonda that if she didn't convince Sarah to get an abortion she would no longer write her recomendation letter for her. In the book, a seventeen year old girl named Rhonda becomes the tutor of a rich, spoiled, and pregnant girl named Sarah Gamble. The plot of the book is that friends don't have to be perfect. Amazon Reviews - My Life as a Rhombus User-submitted reviews on Amazon often have helpful information about themes, characters, and other relevant topics. Sarah feels that she lost the love of her mother. His newest Jackson Greene novel, To Catch A Cheat, will be released in Spring 2016. They also don't like to use the "A" Word (Abortion). In striving to enrich the lives of all readers, TeachingBooks supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read. And for three years, that’s exactly what she does. Just like Rhonda in this book! In his YA debut, author Varian Johnson offers a realistic, heartfelt, and thoughtful take on unplanned teen pregnancy from the perspective of a young math whiz trying to reconcile her future and past.” It shows the struggle of teen pregnancy through the characters own experiences, and from being a bystander to it. Against her will, Rhonda grows to like Sarah, and her brother David, and realizes that she needs to face her past. Along the way, she begins to tutor rich, beautiful Sarah Gamble (one of the kinds of friends Rhonda stays. My Life as a Rhombus. Just really loved Rhonda's arc, love how smart she is, love how much that didn't keep her exempt from. But suddenly, she’s asked to tutor one of the rich, snobby cheerleaders (the exact kind of people her father wants her to stay away from because the boy who got her pregnant is “one of them”), and her life changes. Just like Rhonda in this book! :), I have never read a book by Varian Johnson, he writes about a tough subject using a steely female protagonist, Rhonda, who has made mistakes and as a result, changed her way of life, friends, etc for the nex few years. Rhonda is one tough chick but you understand why, but it is her mother's best friend, Helen, who really forces Rhonda to think about why she continues to push people away; her father and Sarah's brother David. About the book: Boys + Love = Trouble. Now she's a wallflower, a smart girl who tutors kids at the community center, dreams of going to Georgia Tech on a scholarship, and watches the popular kids with a mixture of envy and disgust. Varian Johnson (born in 1977) is an American writer, who writes contemporary young adult literature. And for three years, that’s exactly what she does. Website by Websy Daisy. It's definitely worth your time if you'r. I have never read a book by Varian Johnson, he writes about a tough subject using a steely female protagonist, Rhonda, who has made mistakes and as a result, changed her way of life, friends, etc for the nex few years. in the begining of her freshman year she met a guy, that came from a whealthy background. While Rhonda needs a scholarship for college, some kids at her private high school, like beautiful Sarah Gamble, seem to coast along on popularity … I felt like the author handled a number of difficult topics with sensitivity. Overall I'm glad I read this book. As she helps her pregnant friend, she must confront her past, her father and struggle with how to move forward in her own life, in dating, in trusting herself. On a particularly ordinary day, while tutoring her favorite eight year old twins, she gets notified that she has a new student to tutor. There are a small (and growing, knowing what I do about some wonderful 2013 releases) number of YA novels that focus on a protagonist who needs so badly to forgive herself but just can't quite, and it's a journey that done well is really beautiful. (Yael Shy) 40. In the story My Life as a Rhombus Rhonda has stayed away from the popular crowd but it eventually found her. None other than the most popular girl in her grade, Sara. While Rhonda needs a scholarship for college, some kids at her private high school, like beautiful Sarah Gamble, seem to coast along on popularity and their parents' money. The young woman already had one child (an eight year old) and upon discovering that she was pregnant again, she eventually decided to have an abortion. The item may be missing the original packaging (such as the original box or bag or tags) or in the original packaging but not sealed. This is one of the better YA novels I've read and I look forward to reading more of Johnson's work. All squares are rhombuses, but not all rhombuses are squares. I chose this book because i love math and the title had a mathematical name in it, also in the background there was a board with math equations written on it. I felt like the author handled a number of difficult topics with sensitivity. He wants her to concentrate on her grades, and stay clear of boys. In this book the consequences of abortion and life afterwards were explored jus. Normally I like to steer clear from the pregnancy teen novels because they only make me annoyed but this wasn't what I thought. Fresh, original, timely, it is an outstanding read.” — Monica Edinger, educator and author of Africa Is My Home Especially after her father found out. Varian holds an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and currently lives outside of Austin, TX with his family. She Kept on with her life and just wanted to see where it would take her. Friendly. What really resonated with me was that when I offered to go to the clinic with her, she declined. My Life As a Rhombus by Varian Johnson (2008, Perfect) The lowest-priced item in unused and unworn condition with absolutely no signs of wear. She’s black, she used to be pregnant, and she’s in high school What important settings do the characters visit? My Life as a Rhombus Paperback – January 8, 2008 by Varian Johnson (Author) › Visit Amazon's Varian Johnson Page. We’d love your help. She has the highest marks in her grade, and tutors those who don't. Let me share my opinion. In his YA debut, author Varian Johnson offers a realistic, heartfelt, and thoughtful take on unplanned teen pregnancy from the perspective of a young math whiz trying to reconcile her future and past.” — Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of Tantalize, “…there’s wry humor here, and the sometimes raw dialogue is well done. Teens will love the emotional peaks and valleys of the tale and be gratified by the conclusion.” — Ellen Wittlinger, author of Hard Love, “My Life as a Rhombus is a sensitive and powerful friendship story about two very different girls who connect over the toughest decision either of them will ever make. On a particularly ordinary day, while tutoring her favorite eight year old twins, she gets notified that she has a new student to tutor. Just really loved Rhonda's arc, love how smart she is, love how mu. I know i have been slacking, bt i know i can get were i need to get. Which to her is much more convenient and keeps her out of trouble . They take a trip to atlanta because Sarah was wanting to get an abortion. The talk of abortion is so scandalous and it's one of the main events in the book. I chose this book because i love math and the title had a mathematical name in it, also in the background there was a board with math equations written on it. The rich, snobby cheerleader, Sarah, is pregnant and alone, and she and Rhonda become friends. It seems every book brings its own set of unique challenges. She's been in Sarah's place in her past ... popular , pretty and pregnant . Rhonda delt with the worst prblem there is to deal with while in high school and also at such a young age. This book is about teenage pregnancy, popularity, and tryin. All positive reviews › BookLove3. This is the third book into my daughter's summer discovery of trashy books. A 2009 Texas Library Association Tayshas High School Reading List Selection, A 2009 New York Public Library “Stuff for the Teen Age” Book Selection, Finalist, 2009 Texas Institute of Letters Award for Best Young Adult Book, Nominee, 2010-2011 Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award. I loved how the relationships changed between the characters and how Rhonda was desired even if she wasn't the best looking. The book "My Life As A Rhombus" is a very good book...so far. I’ve never read any books by Justine Larbaleister but I read her blog and when she recommended My life as a rhombus I guess I was feeling in a suggestible mood because I ordered it right then. 2. The Complete Poetry and Prose (William Blake) 38. My Life as a Rhombus was inspired by a friend I met a few years ago. But suddenly, she’s asked to tutor one of the rich, snobby cheerleaders (the exact kind of people. I I haven't read so much about the subject of abortion in YA fiction yet and I thought the way the author handled it in terms of Rhonda and her friendship with Sarah was good and well thought out. I I haven't read so much about the subject of abortion in YA fiction yet and I thought the way the author handled it in terms of Rhonda and her friendship with Sarah was good and well thought out. In the book, a seventeen year old girl named Rhonda becomes the tutor of a rich, spoiled, and pregnant girl named Sarah Gamble. The story of Rhonda Lee is one I feel many teenagers can identify with—at 14, she got pregnant and had an abortion. They had to move it to a more private place like Sarah's house because of Sarah's mother not wanting anyone to know about her daughter being tutored. This book is about teenage pregnancy, popularity, and trying to get good grades despite the tempations of drinking and boys. See search results for this author. Staying on track at school means a boy-free equation for Rhonda Lee, who spends most evenings doing homework and eating Chinese takeout with her dad. It shows the struggle of teen pregnancy through the characters own experiences, and from being a bystander to it. Rhonda delt with the worst prblem there is to deal with while in high school and also at such a young age. His novels for older readers include Saving Maddie and My Life as a Rhombus. Her and Sarah becomes good friends ... and soon falls in love with Sarahs brother ... Rhonda faces all kinds of obsticals that she has to deal with a. She's hated rich stuck up kids ever since what happened with her and christopher. Determined. Now she is a senior and she tutors at a community college, stays away from guys (they only lie to you anyway)and will do almost anything to get a scholarship to Georgia Tech. 5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved It!!!! I thought the author's writing style was fabulous because he provided lots of details and used imagery about every event. As the days go by, Rhonda learns that Sara has made the same HUGE mistake that she did in her 'not-so-innocent' past. My Life as a Rhombus 24 September, 2009 If you haven’t already read My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson I’m really going to have to insist that you do so. She had gotten herself into this predicament and now it was up to her to get herself out of it. One day A girl named Sarah Gamble comes along for tutoring, Rhonda argues with her boss telling him she dosen't want to tutor a high school student especially a rich stuck up girl. While i was reading the book, i felt like i was right there next to the characters, feeling what they would feel and fitting in with their conversations. The story follows highschool senior, Rhonda Lee, as she helps one of her fellow tutoring students who is pregnant. Other Names. Rhonda was so fully developed, and I thought Johnson did a good job of keeping her arc at the forefront even when the capital-d Drama was going on with Sarah. If I had to rate this book out of 5, I would give it a 4. The story of Rhonda Lee is one I feel many teenagers can identify with—at 14, she got pregnant and had an abortion. When forced to tutor one of the schools richest and most popular girls , Rhonda bonds a friendship that she would never see come true. Buy a cheap copy of My Life as a Rhombus book by Varian Johnson. Course then I had to reread the last chapter because I’d skim-read so much of it. A great, satisfying read the keeps you turning the pages to see what Rhonda the Rhombus will do/say next! You can follow Varian on Twitter @VarianJohnson. The opposite interior angles of rhombuses are congruent. What is Sarah brother name and the boy that got Sarah pregnant name, See 1 question about My Life as a Rhombus…. “The Parker Inheritance is a remarkable and rich book, one that kept me reading late into the night, absorbed and captivated. She discovers a huge secret about her that happened to herself when she a freshman. By trashy, I don't mean poorly written etc, it's just a term that I use to describe certain types of book. While that is happening Rhondas own story starts to come out, and soon things in Rhondas perfect on track life start to change. Every one has their own beauty that some people might not see, and if someone dosen't respect another person it simply means that they want to be treated that same way. Sarah has a big secret herself, she tells Rhonda she's pregnat. Add to Wish List. by Varian Johnson. A friend had this book on her classroom shelves. A Journey Around My Room (Xavier De Maistre) 39. Are you an author? Start by marking “My Life as a Rhombus” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Sarah's brother is David, and the boy who got Sarah pregnant is Johnnie. This is the story of a girl that got pregnant at 15 and her dad made her have an abortion. In "My Life as a Rhombus", Varian Johnson gets inside the mind of a teenage girl (quite a feat for a male author) while tackling the tough issues of teenage pregnancy and. She said that it wasn’t my place; it wasn’t my responsibility. My favorite quote was "It's not perfect,but it could be worse." 708 votes. One of those books about Important Issues that has a gripping enough story to keep you going, but the writing didn't wow me. Which to her is much more convenient and keeps her out of trouble . Eventually she gave in to tutoring her because her boss told her how Sarah's Mother was Justice Gamlble. Hmm…I’m still trying to figure it out. All rights reserved. She's been in Sarah's place in her past ... popular , pretty and pregnant . boyfriend x what she thought was love = an abortion a screwed up life. My daughter and I especially liked all the math references. The plot of the book is that friends don't have to be perfect. Rhonda and her dad Gained their relationship back. Rhonda used to be one of the popular girls at her prestigious prep school, but all it got her was trouble. Now she is a senior and she tutors at a community college, stays away from guys (they only lie to you anyway)and will do almost anything to get a scholarship to Georgia Tech. He has little tolerance for frivolity and is a very demanding teacher for those willing to learn. He wants her to concentrate on her grades, and stay clear of boys. As the days go by, Rhonda learns that Sara has made the same HUGE mistake that she did in her 'not-so-innocent' past. Because she’s an only child and her mother died when she was 11, her father is left with the task of making the decision for Rhonda that she should end the pregnancy. If anything, all I’ve realized is that it’s a hell of a lot easier to be pro-life or pro-choice when you aren’t the one that can get pregnant. It’s funny. Rhonda also finally left her poast behind and took on a knew boyfriend (Sarah's Brother David). Rhonda is a genius (especially in trigonometry). Click to read more about Details: My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson. (Taken from the Q&A at the back of the novel). Everything began to go in the right direction for Rhonda. I liked the title so I asked if I might borrow it. “Without a bit of preaching, Varian Johnson gives us a story of two teenage girls who are faced with the consequences of unplanned pregnancies. This process is important for all therapists, but we believe specifically Christians need to a have a process to stay above reproach and remain ethical in the counseling field. The story follows highschool senior, Rhonda falls in love with math get grades. Asked if i try harder then it wont TeachingBooks supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right for... 'Ve had my eye on this book is so real in that category who loves math when she a.., the reader meets the narrator, Rhonda refuses at First wrong with this preview of, Published January 2008... Always wondered how people read books so fast, but all it got her was Trouble be! Popular girls at her prestigious prep school, but not all parallelograms are rhombuses her shoulders right... A senior at Piedmont and tutors those who do n't like to steer clear from the popular but. Which to her is much more convenient and keeps her out of Trouble Sarah Gamble ( one of the Expedition. 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