Survival of a Catholic Schoolgirl by Janice Haas Kasten
America House - 2000
ISBN: 1588510360 -
General Fiction

Reviewed by Robyn Glazer, MyShelf.com
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Judy Schwartz did not have an easy time growing up. Her father was always working, her mother hated her, and Aaron, one of her many siblings, constantly tormented her while the others ignored her. Judy's mother, Ester, is a very sick woman who deals with psychological problems and confining religious problems. Ester's hatred of herself and her children lead Judy to have some very deep issues that she does not know how to deal with. Judy is in need of constant attention, and to get this, she turns herself into the class clown, often ridiculing herself just to get a laugh. She has no luck with relationships, as she is very needy. As time passes, she begins to act like her mother in regards to paranoia. She becomes obsessed with the fact that people don't like her and they are laughing at her. As Judy goes through her mental breakdown, there is no one to help her and the reader must sit and watch this downward spiral, knowing there is no outlet for Judy.

I am conflicted by my reaction to this book. While I thought the mental issues were very important, well explained, and told, there were times when I just wanted to slap Judy. She never thought about anyone but herself, and I thought perhaps that would change as she got older, but it never did. What made this book stand out were Judy's opinions on anything and everything. If I didn't necessarily agree with them, they never failed to let me see her point. I believe this is a book that I will keep and reread because this is one of those books that will benefit from a second reading.