True to Form - by Elizabeth Berg (Paperback)

About the Book

"In this warm and engaging novel, New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Berg revisits the heroine she so lovingly brought to life in Durable Goods and Joy School. It is 1961, and thirteen-year-old Katie is facing a summer full of conflict. First, instead of letting her find her own work for the season, Katie's father has arranged for two less-than-ideal baby-sitting jobs -- one for the rambunctious Wexler boys and another for Mrs. Randolph, a kind but elderly, bed-ridden neighbor. To make matters worse, Katie has been forcibly inducted into the 'loser' Girl Scout troop organized by her only friend Cynthia's controlling and clueless mother. A much-anticipated visit to her former home in Texas and ex-best friend Cherylanne proves disappointing. And then comes an act of betrayal that leaves Katie questioning her views on friendship, on her ability not to take those she loves for granted, and, most important, on herself. 'One thing to say about you, Katie, is that you are true. You should be proud of it, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise,' Cherylanne insists. But whether or not Katie will ever feel true to herself remains to be seen. From the writer whose work The New Yorker calls 'strong' and 'timeless,' True to Form is a delicately told tale of a young girl wise beyond her years, whose growing pains finally awaken her to the clarity of forgiveness and a greater understanding of the complicated world around her. Full of the anguish and the joys of adolescence in a much more innocent time, True to Form is sure to make readers remember and reflect on their own moments of discovery and self-definition"

Book Synopsis

An act of betrayal leaves a teenaged girl in 1961 wondering if the only person she can ever truly trust is herself in the finale of the "rich...timeless" (The New Yorker) Katie Nash series.

Thirteen-year-old Katie Nash is not looking forward to her summer. Her father has enlisted her in two difficult jobs--babysitting the rambunctious Wexler children and looking after her elderly, bedridden neighbor.

Luckily, she does have something to look forward to: a trip to her Texas hometown to visit her best friend Cherylanne. But people and places change, and Katie is devastated to realize Cherylanne is no exception.

A summer of upheaval for both a young girl and the country at large, True to Form is a relatable and evocative "journey of self-discovery and personal redemption" (The Seattle Times).

Review Quotes

"[W]ritten with great tenderness and understanding . . . [True to Form] takes readers back to their own days of awakening. . . . It flows with grace and beauty and a clarity that have not been so inspiring since some of the classicists."-- "The Communicator"

"Elizabeth Berg, as usual, explores her main character in detail. Readers develop sympathy for Katie on her journey of self-discovery and personal redemption."-- "The Seattle Times"

"In Katie, Berg has created a narrator true to adolescent form at a time when the larger world was beginning to change dramatically."-- "Chicago Tribune"

"Katie Nash is someone we can relate to, especially if we are of an age to be nostalgic about Pat Boone, Prell shampoo and Green Stamps. . . . Plus, to give Berg her due, she (or Katie, if you prefer) is capable of some lovely writing."-- "Chicago Sun-Times"

About the Author

Elizabeth Berg is the award-winning author of more than twenty-five books, including the New York Times bestsellers True to Form, Never Change, Open House, The Story of Arthur Truluv, Night of Miracles, and The Confession Club. She lives outside of Chicago. Find out more at Elizabeth-Berg.net.