Sundae Girl is about a girl named Jude who comes from a broken home. She lives with her mum, granddad and grandma and sees her dad and his new girlfriend: Victoria, on the weekends. Jude's family are far from different and Jude often finds herself hiding her families true characteristics when she is in public. Her dad is an Elvis impersonator who goes to parties dressed in catsuits whilst singing. Her mum is an alcoholic who is chasing broken dreams and tainted promises. Her grandma has Alzheimer's so she seems to forget things and her granddad, is a granddad. Jude often believes she's the only sane person. However after her dad announces he is marrying Victoria, Jude's mother takes a turn for the worse and soon it's not only her own life she's damaging, but Jude's as well. Alongside the family mayhem, Jude has to balance being a kid and having crushes and being an awkward teenager.Personally, I think this book is hard to critique. There were some really strong points that I adored about this book, however there were also some points which made me feel like the book was flat and almost a little boring. I loved the idea of her mum being an alcoholic and having the perception of Jude battling her mothers addiction in her own life, as this was interesting and real. Also, I loved how the book didn't necessarily have a happy ending when it came to the death of someone, because it just meant that the book wasn't trying to cast out any fairy tale endings or happy ever afters. However, small things in this book seem to make me just feel a little bit odd and makes me feel like the book lacks a few things. There were some factors in the book that weren't really needed and kinda dragged the story on slightly. I understand Alex, the bird boy, being a leading character because he's Kristina's brother, however it doesn't really connect with the story that much - in my eyes, so I felt that it wasn't necessary. The book is really good at highlighting addictions of parents and family members as well as the truth of broken homes, and how sometimes a grandparent is all you need. It also is amazingly beautiful at showing the sadness of Alzheimer's and how it can effect the younger ones around you. However there were some times in the book: 'the music was so sad that it made me want to slit my wrist' which I thought were really unnecessary and almost like it was a push too far and as if the book was just lacking something so Cathy replaced it with something else.Personally, Cathy is an excellent author, however I feel like this book just wasn't for me but it was for me too. It took me a while to even consider reading this because I'm not the target audience anymore so I was contemplating the big risk. If you like some harsh drama and a little bit of oddness, this book is for you.
If you're looking for a light, happy read, this is it. It took me a day to read, and that's not all in one go. You know, procrastinating on the internet, going out and meaning to buy clothes, etc etc. Despite it being short, I adored it.Let's start with Carter. Because holy moly I LOVE CARTER! He is the absolute cutest kid I've ever laid eyes on. If I was 13, I would want him to take me on dates. As it is, I'm happy with being his best friend. And shipping him and Jude like mad. Here, let me convince you of his adorableness. Valentine's Day. Carter has been crushing (very noticeably) on Jude for a while now, so we expect him to do something. And what does he do, you ask? He sneaks little lollies,Candy Conversation Hearts for Valentine's Day with messages on them - kiss me, hug me, I love u - into her books, and bag, and locker, and even her boots after sport. I mean, what more could you possibly ask for? I loved how he refused to give up, no matter how many times Jude refused him. He was by far the best bit of this book. Although, I would've liked a little more detail about those two. He just liked her, and that was that. He seemed like the kind of guy that gets bored easily (roller-skates and BMXing, for example). What made her the exception?While we had the light-hearted Carter, it wasn't all fun and girly. Jude's Mum was the centre of the plot. She was, although she wouldn't admit it, an alcoholic. She denied it furiously, and even her parents liked to pretend it wasn't happening. But it was. She made scenes, she embarrassed Jude, she treated her parents and her boyfriend horribly. But she was what made the book more real. She gave a reason for all the other plot bits that wouldn't have made sense. Plus, she made me like Jude, because I felt so sorry for her. I could go on about this, but I really don't want to ruin it for you. Because you are going to read it, right?The only thing I'd change is the length. It was meant to be a short, sweet book. But I really wanted more detail. I wanted to know if their happy ever after really lasted. I wanted to know what Giovanni (the Mum's boyfriend) did in his spare time, and how they met, and all those sorts of things. I wanted to know more about the grandparents. Really, I wanted more depth. However, that's not to say it wasn't still amazing! A perfect book to get out of a reading slump, or when you just don't want to think.
What do You think about Sundae Girl (2007)?
This book has a very sweet but emotional storyline. Jude, the main character, is in a very tight situation. Her dad is a crazy Elvis Presley impersonator, about to have an Elvis themed wedding to his girlfriend, Victoria. Jude's Mum is "forty-four years old, going on fourteen." And Jude's grandmother, who seemed to be the only one holding the family together, now has the 'old-timers disease.' When Jude's mum starts with the alcohol again, Jude's whole life starts to spiral out of control. Of course, she definitely has no time for boys. Well, not until Kevin Carter comes along.Carter: Cute, determined, romantic. The guy with the floppy straw-coloured hair and hazel eyes, completely in love with Jude -and not ready to give up.Jude is struggling to look after her messed up family, but things go from bad to worse. It's like she's following a fading rainbow, looking for a pot of gold that's never going to come. But then, perhaps Carter's her pot of gold?Jude tries to resist her feelings for Carter, as not to further complicate her life. But who can resist valentine sweeties and a cute blond boy who wants to walk you home? Jude soon realises that Carter is not just another obstacle, but, in fact, her hero.I love this book because the way Cathy Cassidy wrote it, I really got to know the characters. It definitely put me in Jude's shoes, and it even made me fall in love with Carter by the end of it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a little bit of humour, a little bit of adventure and a little bit of romance.
—Vinola
It's almost scary how I can relate so much to the main character in this book. She's everything I am. This book has stayed with me for a very long time, and it will always have a place in my favourite books list because it's just so relatable. I can understand the pain she is going through when her mum shuns her out of her life and the trauma it must cause for her to see her mum drunk and an alcoholic everyday. Carter is my favourite character because he's just a genuinly nice guy and I wish there were more people like him in this world. Overall, an astounding book written by a very talented woman
—Madeleine
I loved this book. I love Cathy Casssidy. I think she really knows about what our teenage lives are like! The story is about a young girl girl called Jude, whose family is not the most normal of families! Her dad and his girlfriend are obsessed with Elvis Presley and Doing 60's/70's Tribute Shows. Her Grandmother has Alzheimers and her Grandfather is constantly looking after her. And then her Mother is an Alchoholic. She has dog called Toto, because of the fact her Mother loves the film 'The Wizard of Oz'. Jude is then liked my a boy called Justin Carter at her school, who follows her around and won't leave her alone. Her Mother starts drinking and smoking again, and when Jude thinks that nothing can get worse, Kristina Kowalski starts on her case. When her Father's wedding comes up and her Mum takes her to the other side of Scotland, Jude cannot get through to her Granfather back at home, no matter how many phone calls she makes. She remembers Carter and calls him. He races around back at home, making visits back and forth bewteen Jude's Mum's Boyfriend, Giovanni, and Jude's Grandparents taking messages. Jude soon finds out, with the help of Carter that her Grandmother has had a stroke, and Giovanni comes to pick them up from Scotland in his Ice Cream van. Sadly, Judes Grandmother dies in the end, but on a happier note, her mother does start to go to AA meetings and gets her Drinking problem sorted out in the end. She ends up marrying Giovanni in Italy.I thought this book was brilliant! I think Cathy really tells it as if she is Jude herself, and gives a lot of detail!Infact, I'm going to read this book again tonight!:)
—Maddie
