Joanne Greenberg is most well-known for her book “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden,” but she has written many more books, though not as well known, are excellent reads!
When I read, I like to feel for the characters, get inside their heads; be eager to know what they will do/think next. Joanne’s characters are human, flawed, and somehow even the most flawed I feel such compassion for, even though they sometimes break my heart.
The first of her “newer” books I discovered was “Miri Who Charms,” which I finished in two days, then passed on to my Mom, who also had the wrong impression Joanne never beat her “Rose Garden” book. Mom agreed with one reviewer who stated that Joanne “writes like a house on fire.” We shared and discussed more her books.
Next I perused her WEB page and decided to try “Appearances.” Powerful stuff; read what it is about; it’s a tough subject, but her characters work their way through it; it is a haunting and beautifully written novel.
At this point it was clear to me that I wanted to read as many of Joanne Greenberg’s books as possible. I ordered and read “Age of Consent,” “In This Sign,” then re-read Rose Garden. Then I read “The Monday Voices.”
Some time passed before I looked up Joanne Greenberg again on Amazon, and I found she had written yet another book, “All I’ve Done for You.” Like the others, it haunted me, as did “Age of Consent,” which I could only find in a rather beat up, used paperback. I slogged through “In This Sign,” and I’m not sure why, but it was a hard read for me. I finished it though.
A few months ago I came across an interview with Joanne on the WEB, and I was happy to see that she had written more books, which I ordered and read in quick succession: Jubilee Year (AMAZING), followed by “On the Run,” then a used hardback copy of “With the Snow Queen.” I’m not much of a short story reader; I prefer to be swept up into novels, but I was captivated by “With the Snow Queen,” and the other stories in that book; no less swept up, eager to turn the page.
I would love to see more of her books re-issued and back in print, read in schools, book clubs, etc. I have read Joanne’s work at various stages of my life: Teens through middle age, and now as a young senior. I hope you read this and are inspired to discover more of her work.