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Description
The Present Tense of Prinny Murphy picks up the story where The Nine Lives of Travis Keating leaves off - but this time, from the perspective of Prinny, Travis's friend.
An alcoholic mother, a distracted father, a best friend who spends all his time with his new girlfriend", and three relentless schoolyard bullies: Prinny Murphy's past, present, and future certainly are "tense."
Adding to her misery, she still can't read well enough to escape from remedial lessons with the dour Mrs. Dooks. But when a kindly substitute teacher introduces her to LaVaughn's inner-city world in the free verse novel, Make Lemonade, Prinny discovers that life can be full of possibilities - and poetry.
Contributor Notes
Jill MacLean's writing has always drawn on experiences in her life. Her books are set in Newfoundland, where her son and his family now live. Over the years, she's canoed, kayaked, hiked, and snowmobiled there, travelled the coves by boat, and stayed in the outports. Little did Jill realize at the time that these experiences could all be called "research," or that her love of the province would translate into words. Jill lives in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12 to 16
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Editorial Review
"Jill MacLean's The Present Tense of Prinny Murphy is a moving, engaging, troublesome book that middle school readers will find difficult to put down. The Present Tense of Prinny Murphy is the sequel to the 2008 novel, The Nine Lives of Travis Keating. As good as the first book was, the second instalment is even better. As hard-hitting as the first book was, the second one hits much harder. While the same characters continue to face many of the same problems, MacLean's writing remains fresh and engaging. Issues of bullying, family secrets, alcoholism, loneliness, and child abuse again form much of the framework for her novel and MacLean again handles these issues in a sensitive, skilful manner that at once is interesting and informative.
Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine
"Beautifully layered and sensitively written, Prinny's story will garner MacLean - and the characters of Ratchet - yet more fans. Let's hope there is a return visit soon."
— Quill & Quire
"MacLean's novel, a sequel to the award-winning The Nine Lives of Travis Keating, is a heart-wrenching, yet ultimately hopeful, depiction of a young girl struggling in a small Newfoundland community. Prinny's narrative voice is authentic, especially when she is describing her frustrations with her mother and her love of the barrens. However, most importantly of all, MacLean realistically shows the fear, humiliation, and desperation caused by bullying and the strength it takes to fight back. This book would be useful for discussions about poetry, alcoholism, or bullying.
Very highly recommended"
— Resource Links
"While Prinny was an appealing supporting character in the previous book, she absolutely shines in this one! Plucky and determined, forthright and earnest, she is a refreshing, utterly likeable protagonist who narrates her story in a voice that is clear and true. . . MacLean once again succeeds in deftly bringing readers into the midst of this small Newfoundland outport and making us care very much about its residents. Especially Prinny Murphy."
— Atlantic Books Today
"The characters are multidimensional and believable. All of them have flaws and secrets balanced with flashes of goodness. MacLean weaves them into a raw, realistic novel that reminds readers that finding your voice is sometimes harder than using it."
— Roxbury Public Library, Succasunna, NJ
"The characters are multidimensional and believable. All of them have flaws and secrets balanced with flashes of goodness. MacLean weaves (the characters) into a raw, realistic novel that reminds readers that finding your voice is sometimes harder than using it."
— School Library Journal
"In this beautifully engaging book, Prinny, about 12, has much to deal with. . . The exotic northern setting is carefully depicted and plays a major role in both mood and plot. As Prinny learns effective ways to deal with the truly evil, completely believable Shrikes with too little adult support, readers may pick up a point or two. Although this is a sequel (The Nine Lives of Travis Keating, 2009) it out-stands alone perfectly."
— Kirkus
