Cursed by Karol Ruth Silerstein Book Review

Teen Book Review by G4 (7th Grade)

“ Warning:  Chronic pain may cause irritability, sarcasm, and bouts of profanity.”  This quote on the book cover inspired me, and will inspire other teens to pick up this book, “ Cursed ”, by Karol Ruth Silverstein.  The protagonist of this book is Erica, who suffers from arthritis at age 14.

Erica, also known as Ricky, suffers from a bad case of chronic arthritis.  She cuts school to avoid being humiliated by the other kids, and lies to her parents about doing this.  She deletes messages and burns letters from school regarding her truancy.  Unfortunately for Ricky, her parents discover her secret.   She missed so much school that the principal tells her that she might have to repeat 9th grade.  She is shocked by this news.

With the threat of being held back looming on her, she decides to change her ways for the better. But, will this action be too little, too late?  Will she manage to pass 9th grade?  Check out this novel to find out.

I recommend this book to all teens, because everybody has difficulties in life somehow, and this book shows one way of dealing with it.  Ricky is a good role model, as she is changing her ways to make her life better.  She has an improved work ethic with studying, and she got the courage to help a person in distress, therefore becoming her friend. She learned that helping others is eventually helping herself.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, because it is very inspiring and funny.  Also, it is very realistic.  However, I think there could have been a little less profanity in this novel.  Other than that, it is a perfect book in my opinion