The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee
4/5
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About this ebook
Barry Jonsberg
BARRY JONSBERG was a high school English teacher in Darwin, Australia, before he began his career as an author. His young-adult novel It’s Not All About YOU, Calma! was awarded the Adelaide Festival Award for Children’s Literature. His widely acclaimed, bestselling novel My Life as an Alphabet was adapted into the film H Is for Happiness, and a film adaptation of Catch Me If I Fall is now in the works. Barry still lives in Darwin with his wife, Anita, and their dog, Zorro.
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Reviews for The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee
55 ratings12 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It took me a bit to get into this, but by the end I was rooting for Candice. I think things wrapped up too neatly, but I liked that!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I received this book through the early reviewers program at librarything and thoroughly enjoyed it.This is a young adult novel, but adults will enjoy it as well. Candace is a quirky and interesting character, and her interactions with the other characters will make your middle school readers want to finish this book quickly. They will enjoy the short chapters as well - one for each letter of the alphabet. The book's humorous tone will also be a big draw.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Quirky book about a girl who makes her first friend, who happens to be from another dimension, and helps put her family back together. Very enjoyable read. Kids will enjoy it - though they may want to try jumping out of trees after doing so!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure, this book offers a unique insight into the The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee. Candice's unique outlook on life and the people she interacts with make for an entertaining read that at times had me laughing out loud. This is a quirky, sentimental book that everyone should make time to read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5"The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee" is a quick, heartwarming read. The main character, Candice, is very intelligent and is considered weird for this. She just wants to make friends and fix her dysfunctional family. Her mother is a cancer survivor who suffers from depression, her dad and uncle have an ongoing dispute about a patent, and her younger sister is dead. She has her own quirky way of looking at things, but that is what makes this story so unique. Some of the things that her and her friend Douglas talk about are hard to understand at first, but start to make more sense as the story goes along. I would recommend this book to younger readers, but it would be enjoyable for older readers too.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I received a copy of Barry Jonsberg's fictional novel, The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee compliments of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program and appreciated the opportunity.The author shares the story of 13 year old Candice Phee, a girl who has spunk, spark and her own unique view of the world. The challenges of a young lady with a strong-will and the determination to bring happiness back into her family's life. Although there is plenty of humour in the book, it does share an equally somber tale of grief and loss. I truly enjoyed the titles of chapter as they followed the alphabet of Candice's path in life. All of the characters in this book have their own distinct and quirky qualities. The author has a clear understanding of the challenges of having Autism/Aspergers syndrome. He gives the reader a view of his knowledge through the lens of a young lady who does not allow her social inequities get in the way of her goals.This is a quick read for adults given that it is geared for Middle-School students. I could have easily read it all in one sitting. I would recommend for students ages 12+ and in turn, would also suggest it as a fun read for adults.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5So this was super cute. When I read the summary of this book I thought it was going to be paranormal in some way but it's not, and that doesn't make the book any less great. Candace, the main character, is a twelve year old with numerous quirks but a good heart. Her adventures in trying to make her family whole again are not to be missed. I'd recommend this if you want something heartwarming to read.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Candice Phee has a ton of quirks and an even quirkier family with it's share of problems. Her baby sister died of SIDS, her uncle "stole" her father's patent, her mother had cancer and is depressed, and her dad has not had a breakthrough in years. The comical story of Candice trying to save her family is worth a read. I found myself totally immersed in another person's perspective and laughed out loud more than once.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5"The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee" is a lovely book. Candice is funny, smart, and her story is engaging. While at times I did think the dialogue between Candice and her best friend, Douglas Benson From Another Dimension, was a tad bit unrealistic even for a girl who's favorite book is the dictionary, Candice was a fun protagonist. Her story is that after the death of her little sister, the financial rift between her father and uncle (who's lovingly called Rich Uncle Brian by Candice- she's very precise), and her mother's depression her family is completely dysfunctional and lost. 12-year-old Candice, who is unlike any character I've read before, tries to bring them all back together. It's a cute and heartfelt story and presents a refreshingly uncynical look at the world and human nature. I'm glad I got to read this book.I received an advanced uncorrected proof of “The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee" through librarything in exchange for an honest review.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Before I start, it should be noted this book had been released previously in Australia under the title of “My Life as the Alphabet.” In addition, I should point out that having read/review three rock romance novels by Nicky Wells, I’ve already became adjusted to the British spelling and usage of words contained in this book, which for some readers might take a little getting used to.When I first once opened the book and flipped through the pages I immediately got transported to the first grade [or was it Kindergarten] and had a primer to read. You know what I’m talking about; A is for Apple, B is for Boy, C is for Cat.As I read the first chapter of this book, “A is for Assignment,” I immediately began to realize that you need to read as Barry Jonsberg meant it to be read. You need to read coming from the first person POV of Candice Phee herself, as she’s the one who’s actually writing this story.This came about because her teacher, Miss Bamford, had given her an assignment to write a simple essay consisting of twenty-six paragraphs with each paragraph starting a letter of the alphabet concerning something which had happened to you in the past. However, Candice, knowing she couldn’t adequately tell her story in a mere twenty-six paragraphs, decided to write several paragraphs for each letter instead; and even mentioned she’d already written sixteen paragraphs for the letter “A” at one point. And as you might suspect she already envisioned having problems with the letters “Q” and “X.”Candice’s entire family seems to be dysfunctional as her father’s despondent because a certain confrontation which had occurred eons ago; her mother’s totally depressed to do a double mastectomy and having lost a child to SIDS. Her now rich Uncle Brian uses his wealth attempting to win other people’s affection. And even though she has no idea whatsoever in terms of what she’s doing, Candice is continuously trying to fix her family’s multitude of problems on her own. It is because of this she seem to be the embodiment of being “quirky” in her personality.As we read subsequent chapter and letter of the alphabet, we see more and more of the episodic existence Candice has to endure to survive. I truly enjoyed reading this, the first of Barry Jonsberg’s books I’ve had the pleasure to read. I feel it would be best suited to be read by children aged ten or more, and in the fifth grade. While the book would be something girls would tend to read more than boys—boys should not be forgotten as part of the audience of potential readers, since some of things Candice did, boys would be usually more apt to do than girls.I believe the US title for this book is more appropriate than its counterpart in Australia and the rest of the world since it more aptly describes Candice’s world one letter of the alphabet at a time.I consider myself privileged to have received a free ARC [Advanced Reader’s Copy – Uncorrected] copy of this book, which I got as part of GoodRead’s GiveAway program. The above has been my honest opinion regardless the manner I’ve received this copy of the book. And I’m there happy to give “The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee” the 5 STARS it deserves.Robin Leigh Morgan is the author of “I Kissed a Ghost,” a MG-YA Paranormal romance novel.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Thanks to LibraryThing for the uncorrected advance proof of “The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee." I found this book refreshing as it is unlike any other book I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found the main character charming. I think with the main character having such a different approach to things it encourages the reader to open their mind. I would certainly recommend it.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5This book just didn't appeal. I did not like Candice's voice at all and thought she needed bringing down a peg or two!