By: Hillary Frank Publisher: Graphia Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Graphia Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 208 Publication Date: October 25, 2004 Reading Level: Young Adult
Product Description: After he opens his big mouth in a big fight with his best friend, Jake concludes that talking = trouble. He decides that communicating through writing is safer. Through notes scribbled on napkins and in notebooks, on upside-down calculators, and on walls with pudding-covered fingers, Jake explores new ways to express himself. But there are also the notes he never sends. To his flirty friend. Who is just a friend. But could be more than a friend. But isn't—or is she? Hillary Frank's inventive style envelops her readers in a new dimension of storytelling. Jake + Xandra = a story about what it means to be "just friends." All without saying a word.
Talking + me = trouble "Talking + me = trouble." Though it's simple and to the point, the statement of main character, Jake Jacobson, describes most of the events in I Can't Tell You, by Hillary Frank. The novel, however short, is full of realistic occurrences, like the loss of close friends, relationships gone wrong, and learning how to cope with your mistakes. The story's ability to relate to high school and college students makes it a spectacular page turner for teens of all ages that are just looking to escape the fantasy world and unravel a realistic, relatively simple, yet enjoyable read. The plot, though basic and easy to follow is very likable and readable. Jake Jacobson, a college student, and his best friend, Sean have a falling out over a few things Jake said about Sean's previous relationship. To protect himself from losing anymore friends or making any other mistakes through speaking, Jake decides to write notes instead. Through his note writing he gets closer to his friend, Xandra, and soon he begins to think of her as more than a friend to wrestle and joke with, but as a girl he might actually love. Interesting and unique writing techniques are used by Hillary Frank in I Can't Tell You. Written entirely through notes to his friends, and to his unborn sister, it's easy to get an insight on how Jake might be feeling at any given time and therefore it's easy to become attached and to keep reading to find out if Jake will ever open his mouth again. I Can't Tell You is a quick and interesting read that I suggest all young adults pick up from their local bookstore or library, curl up in a comfortable chair and read to the end. Through romance, college life, and "the funny" I've come to find that this novel is one I've wanted to read on more than one occasion, and I highly recommend it.
Quick read, is that a bad thing? I am writing this the morning after reading I Can't Tell You, the entire thing, front to back, etc. etc. Once I got used to the clever all-journal style of writing it was easy to just breeze by and get 190-something pages done in three hours. I liked it, as a boy who considers himself *very* masculine I find it hard to admit but, "I liked the love story" I was sweet, and largely original. But it's more than that, as a Senior in High School who keeps a journal (like the narrator), has a seething disdain for my peers (the narrator gets there around page 30) I really saw an authentic portrayal of my situation. Crazy that a woman author could do that huh? Why did I give it four stars? Because I never trust five star reviews, and you shouldn't either. Oh and the English Proffessor in the book 'speaks' exactly like mine, so while being cool, thats creepy to have Mr. S talking to me through a book I'm reading in bed. END RAMBLING
More Then Just Friends?
The majority of books I have read in my life, have all been based upon the front cover. I can't tell you, that this book is different then the other ones (did you like that play on words), I was attracted to the slick cover, and but of course its bright neon green color. What would stop me from putting this book in my hands, absolutely nothing. Although it took me about half the book to understand the format of it, before I started to appreciate it. I can't tell you written by Hillary Frank takes to new levels. A story between best friends is told through letters, napkin writings, white board notes, anything that the author could think of. I recommend reading this book to experience something new, something creative, and fresh.
In all, I enjoyed this book, I continued reading until I could find out what would happen between best friends Xandra and Jake. I was engaged with the same problem, a problem of having to be 'just friends' but I am sure everyone has had the same problem. Whether they be the ones making sure to stay as just friends or wanting to be more the just friends.
The problem with this book, is that it just ends. I understand why authors do this, but it is just so frustrating. I wanted more, I wanted to know what was going to happen between Jake and Xandra, will they be more then just friends, if so, it gives hope for me. I know a lot of teens deal with this problem of having to be just friends. I can't tell you, is almost like advice, maybe even a scenario of what could happen between two friends. If you have ever had this problem you would enjoy this book. If you want to learn a simple 'love story' then you would enjoy this book. Most of all, read this book to experience a new way of reading.
Bizarre and plotless, if creative This is a novel unlike any I have ever seen, but having said that (and yes, it's creative and I am sure the author is smart and witty and interesting), it is also almost inscrutable. Only a teenager who cares about very minor soap-opera, self-absorbed sorts of little things will be able to tolerate this book. It's all little notes written on greasy paper bags and stuff like that. I think teens will enjoy the fact that it's about COLLEGE kids, but what an annoying group of people-who-think-they're-so cool. It's hard to take. I can't tell you how hard to read it is...
THE BEST BOOK EVER I CAN'T TELL YOU! I think this book was the best book ever.This book writen by Hillary Franks is about teenagers.This is mostly about Jake, Xandra and Jake's best friend Sean.Jake is a big talker so then he deisides to write leters to his friens and to Xandra.Jake is trying to win Xandras love by sending leteres and useing up-side down calculaters.Jake uses any type of paper or anything he finds just to write to his friens,he uses note books,composite notebook,board on Jakes door and on Xandras,paper note with orange cover , and many other things.This is probably the best book you will ever read I totaly recomend it if you are a person who like to right notes.Tise all takes place in there college in a very cold seasone (winter).Jake gets in a fight with Sean and that is because Jake and his big mouth kills it then latter Jake tells Sean all this stuff then the y latter are friends agin.
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