Publishers Weekly
Twelve-year-old Fern's family members are so consumed with their own lives that Fern often feels overlooked. She has a lot on her plate, dealing with her annoying three-year-old brother, Charlie, and tart-tongued sister, Sara, as well as being publically embarrassed by her father's overzealous marketing for their family restaurant, Harry's. Additionally, Fern's mother often disappears to meditate, while older brother Holden—who is being bullied at school and is struggling over whether to come out as gay—pushes Fern away. Things become nearly unbearable when Fern blames herself for a tragic accident that rocks the family to its core. Luckily, Fern's closest friend, the perpetually serene Ran, and, indeed, her family help her find a glimmer of hope amid powerful grief. Through the eyes of Fern, Knowles (Lessons from a Dead Girl) introduces a cast of distinct, fully developed characters who exhibit authentic emotions, foibles, and expressions of love. Readers will feel deeply for the family in the aftermath of the plot's heart-wrenching turn, which pulls them closer together. Ages 12–up. Agent: Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary. (May)
From the Publisher
SEE YOU AT HARRY'S offers, on the one hand, a deft and delicate handling of commonplace traumas — how to negotiate bullying on the school bus, what it means for everyone in a family when a teenager comes to terms with his sexuality — and, on the other, the enormous and mercifully rare drama of a child’s accidental death. And while the distinction between these narrative elements — their disparate weights — may seem to an adult huge, Knowles is aware that a child’s perspective is somewhat different.
—The New York Times
Sit back in a comfortable chair, bring on the Kleenex and cry your heart out... Prescient writing, fully developed characters and completely, tragically believable situations elevate this sad, gripping tale to a must-read level.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
This novel is reminiscent of classics like LITTLE WOMEN in its exploration of the often difficult, always powerful bond among siblings. Despite its classic, timeless themes, however, it also touches on such contemporary issues as the dangers of bullying and sexual orientation... Young readers will eagerly turn the pages of this perfectly paced novel and will care deeply about what happens to Fern and her siblings. The story is so authentic and captivating that readers will come to love Fern’s family and feel a part of it. When tragedy strikes, readers will feel the blow almost as intensely as the family does. Readers will savor every bite of this bittersweet novel.
—VOYA
Through the eyes of Fern, Knowles introduces a cast of distinct, fully developed characters who exhibit authentic emotions, foibles, and expressions of love. Readers will feel deeply for the family in the aftermath of the plot's heart-wrenching turn, which pulls them closer together.
—Publishers Weekly
Highly recommended for readers dealing with their own grief issues, but any teen can benefit from the reminder that family can be simultaneously humiliating and invaluable.
—Booklist
This is a powerful, spare portrait of a flawed but loving family that experiences the unthinkable—and survives.
—The Horn Book
Knowles paints a moving and authentic picture of a family grieving.
—School Library Journal
This simple, sad, sweet book deals with many issues but does not overwhelm the reader. Knowles conveys grief, family relationships, friendship, and teen angst with dexterity and sensitivity. This is a must for middle grade collections where heartbreak is always a hot topic.
—Library Media Connection
Sometimes your heart has to break before it can heal. SEE YOU AT HARRY'S will make you weep, but it will also fill your soul with the extravagant gift of love. This may be the most beautiful book ever.
—Lauren Myracle
Heart-breaking, soul-sustaining, and all-around beautiful.
—Rebecca Stead
SEE YOU AT HARRY'S is one of the most beautiful, moving books I've ever read. Full of laughter, love, and tears, it will break your heart and put it back together again, with a little more light, a little more hope than there was before.
—Kate Messner
This story of an imperfect but loving family and how it holds together through shattering tragedy as well as everyday complications is full of true heart. Jo Knowles' love for her characters shines through on every page.
—Sara Zarr
SEE YOU AT HARRY'S is a beautiful, deeply moving story-one never shying from the flawed truths that come from being part of a big, messy family. I finished the book the way I do every Jo Knowles novel: holding it close, not wanting to let go.
—Nova Ren Suma
Jo Knowles writes a family you know in your bones-their routines, rituals, petty gripes, recurring jokes-which is why it about kills you when something equally real and terribly unexpected threatens their very existence as a family. Thankfully, Knowles brings hope-first a flicker, then a big, booming beacon of it. I loved it.
—Linda Urban
Jo Knowles has crafted a shimmering, pitch-perfect novel of love, loss, and resilience which finds the beauty in the small joys of everyday living, the comfort in the often-infuriating bonds of family, and the gentle hope that grows from the heartbreak of tragedy. Beautiful and life-affirming.
—Libba Bray
The story, as told in Fern's voice grabs, at the heart with its unfathomable anguish. Uniting many separate plots, the author creates flawless flow, in-depth characterization, and dialogue that all give superb insight into an average, loving family having a difficult time. Powerful and gut wrenching, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S by Jo Knowles is heartrending.
—The New York Journal of Books
Readers will take these authentic characters to their hearts in this powerful story of loss and love.
—Washington Parent
Children's Literature - Annie Laura Smith
The reader follows 12-year-old Fern through the trials of adolescence in this story as he/she shares her journey from her family's heartbreak of tragedy to hope again. How does this young girl, who feels invisible and forgotten, cope with the world which swirls around her? Dad is busy with the family's restaurant business, and Mom is always meditating. Her older sister, Sara, is filling in a gap year since she didn't get accepted to the college of her choice. Her brother, Holden, struggles with his sexual identity. The three-year-old, Charlie, is the delight of the family, and the only family member who pays any attention to Fern. The author shows the family dynamics well—those between parents and child and those between siblings—and helps the reader to enter their world. The background in the story of Fern's parents being in the restaurant business is from the author's own family experience, and is portrayed realistically. Fern's first person narration gives a sense of immediacy to the story. In the end, it is the family's love that helps them to survive and heal from their tragedy. The author was the recipient of the 2005 PEN Literary Award. Reviewer: Annie Laura Smith
VOYA - Gabriella Chu
Themes of love, family, and identity strongly resonate with the reader because they are relatable subjects. Knowles's writing style makes the book a fast page-turner, and each chapter ends with an intriguing statement that leaves you wanting to know what happens next. The characters are strongly developed and inspirational, particularly Fern, since any tween or teen can identify with the problems she faces at home and school. Although See You at Harry's is a simple story, it is a thought-provoking book that will reach into your heart. Reviewer: Gabriella Chu, Teen Reviewer
VOYA - Jess deCourcy Hinds
Being in a big family can be lonely. Twelve-year-old Fern's siblings range in age from toddler to high school grad, and she is always in the middle of things but somehow never noticed. It does not help that she has to work at her family's business, Harry's Ice-Cream Parlor, an all-consuming enterprise. Fern aches to forge her own identity and spend more time with friends like Ran, a serene, poetic boy; however, she is always being pulled back into ice-cream parlor drama—and before she knows it, a terrible tragedy forces her to draw even closer to the family she longs to escape. This novel is reminiscent of classics like Little Women in its exploration of the often difficult, always powerful bond among siblings. Despite its classic, timeless themes, however, it also touches on such contemporary issues as the dangers of bullying and sexual orientation. The novel's plots are highly structured, yet the story seems to unfold in a loose, organic way. Young readers will eagerly turn the pages of this perfectly paced novel and will care deeply about what happens to Fern and her siblings. The story is so authentic and captivating that readers will come to love Fern's family and feel a part of it. When tragedy strikes, readers will feel the blow almost as intensely as the family does. Readers will savor every bite of this bittersweet novel. Reviewer: Jess deCourcy Hinds
School Library Journal - Audio
Gr 7 Up—Twelve-year-old Fern is quiet and conciliatory, and often taken for granted. Left to take care of whatever the rest of the family members are too busy to deal with, she feels alone and resentful. Dad is constantly trying to boost business for the family restaurant, Mom is always escaping to meditate, Sarah is spending an embarrassing post-high school gap year working in the restaurant, and Holden is teetering on the verge of announcing his sexual orientation. The glue that holds the family together is three-year-old Charlie. Everyone's biggest joy, and sometimes Fern's biggest pain, Charlie's uninhibited glee in life keeps everything in perspective. Then, while in Fern's care, a freak accident takes Charlie's life. What starts out as a wonderfully realistic look at growing up in a semi-dysfunctional middle-class family turns swiftly into an equally realistic portrait of profound loss and guilt. Knowles's novel (Candlewick, 2012) takes us step by painful step through the days leading up to the funeral, the day of the funeral, and onto the impossible process of getting back to "normal" life. Kate Rudd gives a brilliant performance as, through the eyes, heart, and soul of Fern, she gives voice to the full breadth of grief experienced by each member of the family. Listeners are taken through every stage of the dark, heart-wrenching grieving process with throat constricting immediacy, and then led slowly back into the light. A beautiful, if painful, story delivered with remarkable clarity and sensitivity through an exceptional performance.—Cary Frostick, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VA
School Library Journal
Gr 6–9—Fern often feels invisible in her bustling family. Because of the restaurant her parents run, her teenage sister's angst, her gay older brother's struggle with bullies, and the incessant cuteness of her little brother, Charlie, there isn't a lot of attention left for a quiet, literary sixth grader. She isn't invisible at school, but that's just because everyone has seen the supremely embarrassing, cheesy commercial her father forced the entire family to star in. Fern finds some solace in her friendship with Ran, who repeatedly assures her that "all will be well," but this mantra proves untrue when Charlie is struck by a car while in Fern's care. Though initially appearing unharmed, his internal injuries prove fatal, and Fern must come to terms with her loss and feelings of guilt while struggling to find her place in her family and in the wider world. Knowles paints a moving and authentic picture of a family grieving, but readers may be put off by the repetitiveness of the plot elements that at times bog down the pacing. However, the book might appeal to precocious readers who will enjoy Knowles's allusions to literary characters and use of rich vocabulary. Additionally, See You at Harry's will fill a niche for those seeking works with a gay character in which his sexuality is not the main focus of the book.—Gesse Stark-Smith, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
Kirkus Reviews
Sit back in a comfortable chair, bring on the Kleenex and cry your heart out. Seventh grader Fern, in pitch-perfect present tense, relates the dual tragedies of her family. Her high-school–freshman older brother Holden has come to the place in his life where he's acknowledged that he's gay and is taking the first painful, unsteady steps out into a less-than-fully-accepting world. Fern offers him support and love, but what she can give is not always what he needs. Their older sister, Sara, spending a frustrating gap year after high school supposedly helping with the family restaurant, makes life hard for everyone with her critical eye and often unkind comments. And then there's 3-year-old Charlie, always messy, often annoying, but deeply loved. Fern's busy, distracted parents leave all of the kids wanting for more attention--until a tragic accident tears the family apart. The pain they experience after the calamity is vividly, agonizingly portrayed and never maudlin. Eventually there are tiny hints of brightness to relieve the gloom: the wisdom of Fern's friend Ran, the ways that Sara, Fern and Holden find to support each other and their thoughtfully depicted, ever-so-gradual healing as they rediscover the strength of family. Prescient writing, fully developed characters and completely, tragically believable situations elevate this sad, gripping tale to a must-read level. (Fiction. 11 & up)
