How to Build a House, Dana Reinhardt
How to Build a House, Dana Reinhardt
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How to Build a House

Author: Dana Reinhardt

Narrator: Caitlin Greer

Unabridged: 5 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/27/2008

Synopsis

HARPER’S DAD IS getting a divorce from her beloved stepmother, Jane. Even worse, Harper has lost her stepsister, Tess; the divorce divides them. Harper decides to escape by joining a volunteer program to build a house for a family in Tennessee who lost their home in a tornado. Not that she knows a thing about construction.

Soon she’s living in a funky motel and working long days in blazing heat with a group of kids from all over the country. At the site, she works alongside Teddy, the son of the family for whom they are building the house. Their partnership turns into a summer romance, complete with power tools. Learning to trust and love Teddy isn’t easy for Harper, but it’s the first step toward finding her way back home.

About The Author

Dana Reinhardt lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two daughters. She is the author of A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life and Harmless, which are both available on audio from Listening Library.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Susan's Reviews

What a great read! Teddy and Harper were so sweet. She finally finds someone who is real, who doesn't take advantage of her decent nature. Harper's world was in chaos, so spending the summer building a house for people who'd lost their homes after a tornado struck was a welcome relief for Harper. I w......more

Goodreads review by Thomas

It may be my fault, but I did not really get this one. It could be because the beginning of school stress, but I felt like it failed to capture my attention - I only read a few pages at a time until I eventually finished it. The plot was original: a girl named Harper volunteers to rebuild a house ov......more

Goodreads review by Becky

Reinhardt, Dana. 2008. How To Build A House. The third time isn't the charm. (Her first two novels are: A Brief Chapter In My Impossible Life and Harmless.) It may just be time for me to dissent from public opinion and admit that Dana Reinhardt's books just aren't to my liking. It might be easier on......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer

Reviewed by Tasha for TeensReadToo.com Harper's life is falling apart. Her father and step-mother, whom she considers a mother, are getting a divorce, and her step-sister/best friend, Tess, won't talk to her. Then there's Gabriel. He's been Harper's best friend since they were twelve, but now he just......more

Quotes

Starred review, Publishers Weekly, April 7, 2008:
"As intimate and intelligently wrought as her previous YA novels . . . this meticulously crafted book illustrates how both homes and relationships can be resurrected through hard work, hope and teamwork."

Starred review, School Library Journal, June 2008:
"Harper is a sympathetic, believable character whose narrative voice expresses wit and heartbreak, and her emotional journey will have tremendous appeal for mature teen readers."

Review, Los Angeles Times Book Review, July 27, 2008:
"Written with a light touch that belies the heavy subjects of divorce and blended-family dynamics, [the novel] is also well-paced."

Awards

  • Book Sense Children's Pick List
  • Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
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