Thoughts before reading:
Is this about Robert pining over Stacey and wanting her back, or about Robert having depression? I'd like to see a book about mental health. That's a subject long overdue, and one that could benefit a lot of kids.
I absolutely hate this cover. Stacey and Robert both look like they're around 35, their clothes are terrible, and their facial expressions are ridiculous.
The basics:
Andi has recently broken up with Robert, and ever since he's been really down, and hasn't dated anybody else. It's been a few months since Jacqui mentioned the problem to Stacey (Mystery #33, around Valentine's Day). She hasn't seen much of him since she checked in with him afterwards, but one day her and Claudia hit the mall for a spring shopping spree and they run into Patti, Robert's 12 year old sister. She flat out tells Stacey that she blames her for Robert being so down, because he was fine before their break-up, and now Stacey never even bothers to call him anymore. Stacey points out that Robert broke up with HER, not the other way around (not to mention cheated!). She still feels guilty though, and promises to call him later that day. Claudia suggests that maybe he was depressed before they broke up, and it was actually the underlying cause... he knew something was wrong, so he thought it was the relationship. (Pretty intuitive, especially for Claudia.)
After playing phone tag all weekend, Robert and Stacey finally talk on Monday, during school. Stacey tells him she's worried about him. They end up walking home together and talking, and Robert opens up about how things seem pointless, life feels boring, he's not interested in anything anymore, and it feels like "we all just keep repeating the same pointless, stupid activities over and over until we die. So in the end even life itself is pointless" (pg 34). (I've felt like this since I was 14 or so... these are all essentially true statements.)
Stacey's really concerned, and is determined to be there for Robert and help him through this. She just hopes he doesn't get the wrong idea about their relationship in the process. They start spending time together, and at first, Robert does seem like he's getting cheered up... but then Stacey finds out he quit the baseball team and never mentioned it to her. When she tries to talk to him about it, he gets annoyed and tells her to butt out of his life.
Next, she decides to try talking to his old friends. They mostly just confirm things she already knows, although Heather tells her that Robert is still in love with her.
Robert ends up calling to apologize. He also tells Stacey he's grounded now, because he's failing every subject. He doesn't care though, because school and college are pointless. Stacey cares though, and promptly starts tutoring Robert every day, and trying to get him back on the baseball team. The coach does agree to take him back, and she's thrilled. She also invites him to the May dance, as friends, but fails to mention Ethan.
Her joy is short lived though, because Robert immediately stops showing up to practice again. Stacey's discouraged, and calls a radio talk show doctor for advice. The doctor tells her the problem is too big for her to handle, so to let herself off the hook and seek an adult's help. When she tells Robert he needs to get help, however, he blows up at her.
That night, after she's gone to bed, Robert wakes her up by throwing rocks at her window. She slips outside, only to find him sobbing. He explains that he has a terrible pain he carries around inside, and he doesn't know what to do. Stacey invites him in and encourages him to call an adult he can confide in. Robert agrees this time, and calls his coach. All of this commotion wakes up Maureen too, but when Stacey explains what's going on, she's very understanding.
Shortly after this, Stacey comes down with the flu. Robert calls to tell her that his talk with his coach really helped, and he also reached out to his friend Alex. She's relieved, and learns that she can't lose herself in someone else's problems.
Stacey and Robert do end up attending the dance together, and she finally tells him about Ethan. Afterwards, they hug and share a nice moment, exchanging platonic I-love-you's.
Side plot: A new farm just opened outside Stoneybrook, called Strawberry Fields Forever, where you can pick your own berries. A bunch of the kids go, and everyone ends up with way too many berries because they get sick of them. Kristy holds a strawberry festival, and sells strawberry recipes. (Yeah, that's really it.)
Timeline:
It's May.
Misc. thoughts:
*Ghostwritten by Suzanne Weyn.
*Patti's a real bitch to Stacey during their conversation, and Stacey's really understanding that she's just worried about her brother. I would have been pissed, and likely not gotten involved at all as a result of her making hostile accusations.
*I've pretty much always struggled with depression, and the feeling that things are pointless, so Robert rings really true in here. This book does a great job portraying depression.
*In spite of my pessimistic outlook, however, I like Stacey's POV on why things aren't pointless: "Sometimes you do things just for fun, to enjoy life. You do other things to help people around you. To show your love and respect for them. And the rest of what you do is to build a good life for yourself in the future." (pg 61)
*I wish I'd had this book when I was younger, but I never read this far. I think it would've been one I'd revisit, and hearing some of these things from my favorite character would have done me some good.
*Stacey has to write an autobiography in English... again?! Couldn't they have used literally any other assignment?
*This book has one of the first mentions of the internet! Kristy and some kids go into a strawberry chat room... probably not a good idea in real life, haha.
*Stacey wonders if so much worrying about Robert has churned up her insides and let the flu germ reach her? Haha Stacey, try having anxiety 24/7...
Books mentioned:
None
My rating:
4 stars. This really rang true, and I'm glad this book exists. It's about time mental health was addressed on page, instead of just mentioned in passing later. Also, Stacey was a star in here.
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