francesca, baby

by Joan Oppenheimer and Joan L. Oppenheimer

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 059000140X
• ISBN13: 9780590001403
• Release Date: January 1976
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Great! And very realistic.

This is the story of 16 year-old Francesca James and her younger sister Mary Kate. Their mother, Lillian, has been an alcoholic for five years, and their father, Gordon, is constantly away on business; therefore, the running of the household and the upbringing of 10-year-old Mary Kate rests on Francesca's shoulders. They have become quite isolated from others in the community because of her mother's drinking, and people's reaction to it. Francesca begins dating Bix, a classmate, and he, her next-door neighbor, who is also a school-mate, and Mary Kate, convince her to go to an Alateen meeting; despite her initial resistance, she soon realized her need for the support of the group.When her parents find out that she is a member of Alateen, they are furious, thinking that she is spreading lies about her mother, and giving out personal family information. But Alateen helps Francesca and Mary Kate change their thinking about both their parents, and ultimately changes their mother's thinking, too - she finally realizes that she is sick and needs help, and contacts AA.All in all, it is a GREAT story with a positive, upbeat ending.