Dear Nobody
Berlie Doherty

Puffin Teenage Fiction 2001

152p pbk$14.95

ISBN: 0-14-131176-2

The book is about a girl who falls pregnant. To help her deal with the shock and her worry, she writes letters to her baby which she calls Nobody.

The genre is young adult fiction. The age most probably intended for this book would be 13 to 18 year olds. It would appeal to this audience because pregnancy is a thing that can happen to anyone. The choice of topic is a good one because a lot of females these days are falling pregnant earlier. This book may help them deal with their pregnancy.

 

The story line is not that great, but the way the book is formatted makes up for it. The layout is easy to read and easy to understand. The language is not complicated so all can read it to follow the story. I though the book was good because it is dealing with a situation quite common these days. I would recommend this book to other readers especially women, as it is about issues we might face.

Amy, rural New South Wales

Dear Nobody is a very touching, reality-based story written by Berlie Doherty. It is a story that tells us that mistakes can often take away our life and dreams. It is about a determined girl named Helen, who starts to face challenges, hardships and troubles when she gets pregnant by her boyfriend named Chris. Helen and Chris are trapped and scared. Theyre barely eighteen and have to face serious consequences at a very young age.

Helen dreams were shattered, she dreamt of going to college on scholarship and learn music and Chris going off to university. Helen tried to open up to her mum, but she thought her mother wouldnt care about her feelings and she would end up being lectured. Even though she didnt talk to anyone about her feelings, she turned to her unborn baby, her little Nobody and writes down her thoughts.

Helen faces betrayal from her best friend and also Chris. Helen has been feeling insecure and cant trust anyone. At the start her father forces her to give the baby for adoption or for abortion. She is reluctant and continuos to stick to her words. She thinks about the baby everyday and cant take her mind off.

Soon Chris forgets about Helen and the baby for quite some time and has fun. Somehow, Helen and Chris have to find a way to face the future, but the question is, is it together or apart?

Shamaila, aged 16, Canberra, ACT