Book #41: “My Girl” by Patricia Hermes

 

My Girl

Patricia Hermes

 Released: January 1st, 1992

My 11th book for 2024 was Patricia Hermes’ “My Girl” novelization.

I found this at the local Wonderbook the other day.  My sister had this movie growing up.  I've seen bits and pieces of it, but never sat down and fully watched the entire thing.  I remember goofy things such as the bingo hall, and something towards the end with bees that made my sister cry.  After reading the novel, it all makes sense.  I'm a huge Macaulay Culkin fan, so I'll have to check it out.

There are themes of death sprinkled in throughout the book.  Vada has to endure life without her mother.  Her dad runs an in-home funeral parlor.  She and her best friend Thomas muse about things such as Heaven and things beyond life.  It's an interesting perspective on how kids feel when dealing with such things as they do not fully understand the trauma of loss the way an adult does.  In some ways, even adults struggle to cope with it as well.

The story also deals a lot with change management.  Vada is getting older and sees changes in herself occurring.  There is a natural proclivity towards adult things (taking classes, love, writing, jealousy, etc.)  She is also dealing with changes in her family when a new woman shows up and applies for the make-up job her father has posted for his funeral parlor business.

The story also shows the influence life events have on children.  When Vada hears about her dad's high school teach passing from throat cancer, she worries about pain she feels in her throat.  She pines deeply for her teacher Mr. Bixler but struggles to see that the comfort and love she believes she has in him, is actually brought out the best in Thomas.  When her dad begins courting Shelly, she doesn't understand that she isn't replacing her mom, but rather stepping into a role that helps her out due to her mom's untimely passing.

The poem at the end is simple, and yet beautiful.  It's not so much about the substance or some great life-changing inspiration.  Rather, feeling the pain we all share from life and understanding that getting the grief out in the ways we know how and allowing our friends and family to help ease the pain, is a natural part of growing up in life.  Vada has to learn how to accept Shelly.  Her dad's changed behavior.  Her grandmother's senility.  Thomas' insights into seemingly adult-level understandings.  She does so in a beautiful way.

Here is what I learned:

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• Vada was born jaundiced.

• She once caught hemorrhoids from a truck stop bathroom.

• She calls his grandmother Gramoo.

• Her mother passed away when she was born.

• She is concerned that something is wrong with her throat.

• Thomas J is her best friend.  She can tell everything to him.

• Mr. Bixler is their fifth grade teacher.

• Thomas is allergic to almost everything.

• He is also easy to torment.

• Vada and Thomas met at the playground when they were two years old.

• Harry Sultenfuss is her dad.

• Her dad is an embalmer.

• He smokes cigarettes.

• Her Uncle Phil works with her dad part time.

• Phil also works as a bartender.

• Charles Layton was her dad’s high school teacher.

• He died of throat cancer.

• Shelly De Voto is applying for the make up artist job.

• She graduated first in her class from Roosevelt College of Cosmetic Arts.

• She also worked for two years at the Dino Raphael Salon.

• She gets hired at $110 a week.

• Vada is a hypochondriac.

• Both Vada and Thomas are eleven years old.

• Vada has a crush on Mr. Bixler.

• Mr. Bixler is teaching a creative writing class at the local community college for the summer.

• According to Harry, Phil is a womanizer.

• Vada and Thomas mix their blood together with cut from a fish hook, and a mosquito bite.

• Judy’s dad runs the new theater in town.

• Shelly was afraid of the munchkins in the Wizard of Oz.

• Vada wears a mood ring her uncle got her in Miami.

• Uncle Phil is a war vet.

• He has a plate in his skull.

• Harry plays the tuba.

• Uncle Phil sleeps in a casket.

• Thomas jump ropes even though he’s not supposed to due to asthma.

• Shelly has a fold up bed.

• Thomas is a Ringo Starr fan.

• Shelly reads smut.

• She is also divorced.

• Vada once ate a hairball and was given castor oil afterwards.

• Harry plays bingo every week.

• Gramoo once had a hangnail on her toe that got infected.

• The movie “Love Story” makes Shelly cry.

• Gramoo has an interest in Phrenology.

• Thomas expresses a fear of riding a horse and falling off in Heaven.

• Shelly has been married previously.

• Thomas collects “bug houses” like bee hives.

• Vada’s mom’s favorite flowers were dahlias.

• "Weeping willow, with your tears running down, why do you always weep and frown? Is it because he left you one day? Is it because he could not stay? On your branches he would swing. Do you long for the happiness that day would bring? He found shelter in your shade. You thought his laughter would never fade. Weeping willow, stop your tears, for there is something to calm your fears. You think death has ripped you forever apart. But I know he'll always be in your heart.”

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Overall, a good read.  This book naturally is aimed more towards kids, but as such it helps deal with themes such as loss, moral issues, growing pains, and other things.  It was a good read, and I enjoyed it.

Recommended for kids, and fans of the film.

On to Book #42: "Friday the 13th Part 3" by Simon Hawke