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Jasmin

jan truss

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Jasmin tells the story of an alienated young woman who leaves home and in the process discovers that she is a good artist as well as a good person. Jasmin Marie Antoinette Stalke is failing the sixth grade. Burdened with the responsibilities of being the oldest child in a large, poor family, she lies awake nights staring at the stars but seeing no way to succeed. She can't do her homework because of noise from her family and the television set that is always on in the main room of their small house. Her science fair project has just been ruined by Nathaniel and Leroy's careless horsing around. She doesn't know what to do. For solace she reaches for a treasured book of poems and becomes inspired to imitate Meg in her favorite from now on she will live "as she do please." She will run away. This haunting and sensitively written story of a girl's successful search for independence will resonate with many girls of a similar age.

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1982
Literary awards
ruth and sylvia schwartz childrens book award, 

This edition

Format
196 pages, Paperback
Published
October 30, 2000 by Groundwood Books
ISBN
9780888991850
ASIN
0888991851
Language
English

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About the author

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jan truss

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.5 / 5.0, 6 votes)
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6 reviews All reviews
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harveypric3
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 26,2025
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I read this book when I was probably in late elementary, early junior high. I have been looking for it ever since, and finally found it, thanks to a Goodreads forum. It felt the same as I remember. When I was young, I loved to fantasize about going out of my own and making it in the wilderness somehow--living a very rustic life and flourishing with hard work and determination. I think I may have romanticized pioneer life a little too much! Anyway, nostalgically speaking, it didn't disappoint.
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claw29
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 26,2025
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I very rarely read books more than once with the exception from this one. The first time when I read it when I was 10 years old, I reread it every year and sometimes a couple times. The last time I read it, was sometime in my teen years and I just picked up again for the first time since then about thirty years later. I have a strong connection to this book, it's very near and dear to my heart. I was drawn to the character who feels like she isn't seen or valued and runs away. She both wants to escape her life and also doesn't feel like it will matter to others if she's gone. While she is gone, she discovers she has a talent for arts and creativity. When she returns home, she realizes she was loved and missed and her talents are discovered by her loved ones and celebrated. As a child/teen - and even as an adult, really - I admired the character and could relate in a lot of ways. While I didn't want to run away, I respected her courage. This is a book that will ALWAYS be on my bookshelf.
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imamanda
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 26,2025
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My friend Portia recommended this to me as a book she loved as a kid. I'm enjoying exploring Canadian literature and so was happy to take a look at this book. I thought it was really great. Well-written, interesting, and such great characters. Very realistic too. The only thing that bugged me was I wasn't sure when the book was set. It seemed old fashioned, like set in the fifties. But then later, some of the characters reminded me of hippies, so perhaps the seventies? But I think maybe it was set when it was written, in 1982 and it just feels old-fashioned because that was (gasp!) thirty years ago! Probably. Anyway, I really enjoyed it.
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Birdie_
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 26,2025
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i absoulutly loved this book even though i dont like adventure its such a good book
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Scieska
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 26,2025
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I haven't read this book since I was very young, but it's always stuck with me. I remember relating to Jasmin while reading it. And if a book sticks with you enough that you search it up on goodreads nearly 15 years after reading it, I think that speaks for itself. I would recommend this to anyone around 10 or 11 years old, but especially to kids with big families who feel overlooked or overwhelmed sometimes.
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Freeze_Ray
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 26,2025
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Read This Book!! Touching, emotional and so not my family but I could still relate, a realistic look at a troubled family and how everything all falls to one Girl. Set in Alberta, with its beautiful scenery, I recommend this book for all.
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