Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It![GiZmO;]](/img/generic-user-small.png) “This book is about a girl named johana, about (15-17). she is a A+” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Paul veers from irrational anger to tenderness when he's with Johanna, frequently bruising her arm and at one point beating her. Johanna's love for Paul keeps her from leaving the relationship but perspectives from more emotionally experienced girls at school help her see that Paul is not going...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“This book is about a girl named johana, about (15-17). she is a A+”
GiZmO;] wrote this review Monday, November 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“so far its really good”
Ben P wrote this review Monday, August 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
TeensReadToo.com wrote this review Monday, July 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Paul offered Johanna a ride home, and suddenly shy, "good girl" Johanna is saying, "I want you to kiss me." A junior in high school, Johanna has long admired the handsome, fast-driving senior. Now things have changed. She has found the nerve to make a move.
Although nothing happens immediately, Paul eventually begins paying attention to Johanna. Little does she know it's because he and girlfriend Carla have split up, and he needs a replacement. Whatever the reason, Paul and Johanna become a couple.
Grades used to hold top priority for Johanna, but they've been moved to second place to make room for hours spent with Paul. Needless to say, her parents are not thrilled and neither is her best friend, Pam. Paul wants to spend so much time with Johanna that he demands she choose between her best friend and him. There is no choice - Paul is the love of her life.
As time passes, Johanna begins to notice that Paul's gentle caresses are becoming painful slaps, squeezes, and pinches. His loving words are now put downs said not only in private but also in front of their friends. Johanna doesn't know about Paul's hidden problems, but she's learning fast.
Paul's personality surfaces in the novel through letters written to "Dear Dead Dad." His father left when he was twelve, and news came later that he died in a car accident. His mother lost her husband, then her home, and then she "found" Jesus, and Paul began fending for himself. Anger issues and drinking problems begin complicating his relationships. He always apologizes and promises that "things will change," but doubt about their relationship haunts Johanna.
In THINGS CHANGE, Patrick Jones paints a chilling picture of physical and emotional abuse. People often question why the abused continues to "love" the abuser and refuses to seek help. Johanna's story attempts to show how loss of friendships and alienation of family keep the abused from reaching out. This emotion-packed novel tells a story that shouldn't be ignored.”
“Opened my eyes to the reality of abuse.”
Brittney Riffle wrote this review Wednesday, June 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“great book for a teenager who is going through the stage where she?he wants to be independent and the parents are just too pushy. the line said by one of the females really gets you thinking.
Becca J wrote this review Friday, June 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
"if he did it once, he'll do it agian."
you dont realize how true that quote is until you sit down and really think about it...
this book brings the parent issues and teh teenager growing and falling in love issues together, mixing in a very modern story that is re played in a household, or with an abusive bf?gf....
”
“I really liked this book!! It was super good and presented the problems that occur from alcoholism and abusive relationships. Paul and Johanna seemed very cute at first, and their relationship was helping Johannas self-esteem as well as social status. Her being with Paul gained her new friendships as well as being known by more people. But her morals began to go down. She was super mean to her mom but it's kind of understandable since she was such a jerk to Johanna. Then Paul began to get very mean to her. Reading about the abusing parts was so hard to even get through while reading this book. I love that her friend, who had already experienced a very similar situation, told Johanna to take control and get out of the relationship. I really loved this book, I recommend it to everyone, guys and girls.”
Jessica Nicole wrote this review Tuesday, June 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a really nice book on dating abuse, alcoholism. It kind of goes into a little bit too much, but over all patrick jones did a really nice job.”
riddhi wrote this review Tuesday, May 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a very good book I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed all the heated moments. It made me think of situations that I have encountered throughout my life with my mother.”
Mya Cottrell wrote this review Friday, May 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Things Change was the most moving book ever in my entire life. In this book there was a girl named Johanna who was like an A+ student until one day where she met a guy name Paul that she had an attration towards. She didn't know what kind of mess she was going to get into, until she experienced the most hurtful relationship. As I was reading through the painful parts of the book, I swore I cried so much, I started to hurt myself.
Elaine C wrote this review Thursday, March 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This is definately a must read book. :)”“Paul veers from irrational anger to tenderness when he's with Johanna, frequently bruising her arm and at one point beating her. Johanna's love for Paul keeps her from leaving the relationship but perspectives from more emotionally experienced girls at school help her see that Paul is not going to change. Clunky dialog; story calculatingly written to cover the teen developmental assets the author is an expert on; and characters not deeply drawn.”
Salsabrarian wrote this review Monday, February 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
