True to Form : A Novel

In this warm and engaging novel, New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Berg revisits the heroine she so lovingly brought to life in Durable Goods and Joy School.

It is 1961, and thirteen-year-old Katie is facing a summer full of conflict. First, instead of letting her find her own work for the season, Katie's father has arranged for two less-than-ideal baby-sitting jobs -- one for the rambunctious Wexler boys and another for Mrs. Randolph, a kind but elderly, bed-ridden neighbor. To make matters worse, Katie has been forcibly inducted into the "loser" Girl Scout troop organized by her only friend Cynthia's controlling and clueless mother. A much-anticipated visit to her former home in Texas and ex-best friend Cherylanne proves disappointing. And then comes an act of betrayal that leaves Katie questioning her views on friendship, on her ability not to take those she loves for granted, and, most important, on herself. "One thing to say about you, Katie, is that you are true. You should be proud of it, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise," Cherylanne insists. But whether or not Katie will ever feel true to herself remains to be seen.

From the writer whose work The New Yorker calls "strong" and "timeless," True to Form is a delicately told tale of a young girl wise beyond her years, whose growing pains finally awaken her to the clarity of forgiveness and a greater understanding of the complicated world around her. Full of the anguish and the joys of adolescence in a much more innocent time, True to Form is sure to make readers remember and reflect on their own moments of discovery and self-definition.

Amazon.com Review
In her 10th novel, True to Form, Elizabeth Berg finds her way into the year 1961 and into the head of 13-year-old Katie Nash at the start of her summer vacation. Katie's world is smooth and easy with endless possibilities and sunshine. You almost expect sitcom-style canned laughter when she whines in frustration or stomps up to her room and turns the radio way up, but then almost everything Katie does fits that era's squeaky-clean conventionalities. The younger daughter of a remarried widower, Katie craves popularity, a great summer job, and a direct line to the local DJ to make requests. Newly transplanted from Texas, she settles in with her only friend, Cynthia, who shares her views on status and appearance and boys. Between a regular babysitting gig for a household of little boys and caring for an elderly bedridden woman, her summer is off to a less than auspicious start. Cynthia's mother's plot to start a Girl Scout troop and to camp out for a weekend in their living room doesn't help. Berg's plot doesn't exactly mine new territory, but Katie emerges as a girl who sees the world differently from the rest of her peers. Her poetic perspective on her surroundings and her predicaments should eventually win readers over. The period backdrop feels unformed against this portrait of a young artist-to-be, but Katie imbues it with fresh eyes. --Emily Russin

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Value Friends, Make New Friends, and Keep Your Feet on the Ground, 2008-03-25
Be sure to listen to the reading of this book by Arija Bareikis. She's terrific!

Imagine that you are a thirteen year-old girl whose mother has died, and your authoritarian father (who is in the Army) gets you two jobs for the summer that you don't want. Obviously, you are going to do the jobs . . . but your stomach is churning with dread. What is there to look forward to?

Katie Nash ends up having the summer of her life, learning new meanings to friendship, making new friends, and finding out important lessons about herself and the challenges of being a teenage girl. She brings a caring heart to her life that takes this book from being somewhat of a formula book into one that will bring many smiles.

Although I was never a teenage girl, Ms. Berg's writing took me back to those days and the desire to be an adult . . . while my parents had other ideas.

Part of the book's charm is that Ms. Berg knows how to let her characters grow and change in ways that you usually don't expect.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to re-create 1961 and think about the importance of becoming open to more possibilities.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

The realities of being thirteen, 2008-03-13
Following the recent death of her mother, 13-year-old Katie Nash and her family have moved to Missouri, the latest of her father's military postings. It's the summer of 1961, and Katie keeps busy with her two jobs - babysitting the rambunctious Wexler boys and helping care for her elderly disabled neighbor Mrs. Randolph.

Initially Katie is less than thrilled with both prospects. The boys all but tear each other apart each day, and Katie is uncomfortable with the elderly.

But within a short time, Katie begins to enjoy the time she spends in both homes. By being clever, Katie is able to control - and even build a rapport with - the three Wexlers, and it's clear to her that the Randolphs are an extraordinary couple - who just happened to get older.

Katie's summer would be wonderful - except for some shocking news from her best friend back in Texas. All of a sudden, the two-years-older Cherylanne, who always seemed so mature, is seen by Katie as the child she really is.

This final novel in Berg's trilogy about Katie follows the events of just one summer, when she is forced to grow up in ways that readers will be able to identify with themselves...




0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

A beautiful, simple book, 2007-05-29
"True to Form" beautifully illustrates the small challenges and trials of growing up in one of the most realistically stunning novels I've read in a long time.

In this coming of age novel, we are reunited with young Katie Nash, of Berg's previous novels, who is facing some difficult choices apropos for a young girl at the age of 13. While, as many have noted, we're not exactly breaking new ground here, Berg writes beautifully and with such authenticity that it's nearly impossible not to enjoy the ride.

Katie's struggles are relatively minor, but they are vividly drawn portraits of the challenges of a thirteen year-old girl, and watching Katie work through it with the pluck and shortcomings of a precocious young girl is an absolute delight. Unlike other novels that deal with childhood betrayal, Katie's transgressions are fairly simple, and more typical of a girl her age - she backstabs a close friend in the name of being 'cool' - yet it is so wonderfully written that every scene leaps off the page. This is not a book that's high on plot - it's more of a simple, beautiful character study of a young girl coming into her own, warts and all.

I absolutely reveled and delighted in it, and it's short enough to be a quick summer read while frittering away a hot afternoon by the pool.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

THE CONTINUING STORY OF KATIE, 2006-09-08
"True to Form" is actually a sequel to one of Berg's previous books, "Joy School." Once again, the writing and plot seem aimed at a young adult reader. To a mature reader, the book may appear juvenile in content and writing style.

Katie, the main character, has moved to Missouri with her strict army-dad, her new step mom and the two family dogs. She has also found a new best friend in Cynthia. One of the strongest characters in the book is Cynthia's Mom who is just a tad bizarre. Katie wins a radio contest and the prize is a plane trip anywhere she would would like to go. She chooses to visit her former best friend in Fort Hood, Texas, where she once lived. There is a lesson for Katie from this trip - nothing is ever quite the same as it was.

The plot of "True to Form" is not exceptionally exciting, but the well-developed characters are what gives the book warmth, humour and style. "True to Form" is certainly not once of my favourite Berg novels; however, it is an okay read and we have the opportunity to find out how Katie's teen years are progressing.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent!, 2006-02-28
I have no idea how long this book has been on my bookshelf. I was bored the other night and needed something to read ~~ not too thick of a book and something that I can sink my teeth in. After having read Berg's other books, I thought, oh I can't go wrong with this one! Yep! I didn't go wrong! For such a slim book, it really packed in a story that makes me want more!

Katie Nash is living in St. Louis. She is lonely. She has only one friend, Cynthia. She still keeps in touch with her best friend from Texas, Cherylanne and visited her for a few days after winning a contest on the radio. Katie was planning to have a nice quiet summer ~~ but her father has other plans. She has two babysitting jobs and they both impacted her life in more ways than one. She has to babysit three little boys and help an elderly couple with the caretaking of the wife. Katie didn't want to take these jobs ~~ she had dreams of glamourous jobs like working the concession stand at the local pool or something else. Just not babysitting.

This is one of the best written books I have read in a long time. Berg describes the midwestern summer nights so perfectly or even the long summer days. I grew up in the Midwest and just lived in those descriptions. Katie is a budding poetress and her thoughts are so similar to what I had as a teenager ~~ it felt like I was reliving my past through the words of this book. I love it when I find a good book like this ~~ because it's a keeper and it hits close to home. It is about a young girl growing up ~~ and it is about life, viewed through the eyes of a young girl.

If you have a chance to, I would recommend this book for you to read. It is one of the most unforgettable books you'll ever have a chance to read. Katie will stick with you long after the last page has turned.

2-27-06

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