Tomato Girl (3M)
Tomato Girl is a heartbreaking novel of love, desire, and madness.
Ellie is in love with her father Rupert and just adores him. She loves spending time with him — especially when she can help him in the store he manages. Not only does Ellie’s father takes care of her when her mother is unable to, he also manages and cares for Ellie’s mother when she is in one of her ‘moods.’
Although Rupert loves his daughter dearly, he is also falling in love with the girl who brings in the tomatoes at his store. This has severe repercussions for everyone involved, not only leaving poor Ellie caught in the middle but also worsening her mother’s mental condition.
Pupek manages to make us sympathize with all the characters involved and thankfully, also provides other characters for Ellie to lean on in a difficult situation. Her best friend Mary, a concerned teacher, and a loving black couple all do their best to support Ellie. Tomato Girl really makes one realize there are consequences to every personal decision, and that all our choices will affect our family members as well.
While I liked the book, there is a magical element to the book at the end that I didn’t care for, and I sometimes felt Ellie’s voice was too old for 11, and sometimes I thought she seemed too young for that age. These are minor criticisms, though, and Jayne Pupek is certainly a promising new novelist.
If you’d like an autographed copy of this book, just comment on this post. All I ask is that you haven’t read the book yet, and that you’ll make an effort to read and review it on your blog in the next 6 months. (Sorry, I have to limit this to North America.) Winner: Lynne
2008, 298 pp.
(3.5/5)
[...] you’d like a copy of this book, just go to Novels Now, where I am giving away an autographed copy. All I ask is that you haven’t read the book yet, [...]
I’d love a copy of this book. I’m in the midst of collecting my “midmester” reading for Christmas break, and I’d love to include this novel.
I have read both good and okayish reviews about this now
But I would love to read it 
[If this giveaway is open internationally :)].
thanks 3M
Oh! I’d love to win this book. Thanks for the offer, 3M! (I’ll put it on my sidebar under Giveaways.)
[...] books published in 2008, and we’ll be doing the same in 2009. I’m also having a giveaway there for an autographed copy of Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek. There are a few restrictions in that you must not have read the [...]
I’d love to win a copy of this book! I’ve been seeing it everywhere and really would like to read it. Thanks.
Would love to read and review this! Many thanks for the offer.
The site is wonderful. Please don’t enter me, it was an accident before.
Ooh Please enter me. This one looks really good. I promise to adhere to your terms.
I would love to win this book!
I have this book on my wish list, so I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
oh wow i’d love this book
I’ve had this book on my wishlist for a while. I would love to win this and review it. Thanks so much for the offer!!
i’d love to win this book.. do enter me!
ramyasbookshelf(AT)gmail(dot)com
I would love to have a copy of this book. Please enter me in the drawing.
This sounds like an amazing book! I would so much love to read this.
I’d really like to read TOMATO GIRL. Please enter me; thanks for the chance, and I promise a review!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
I would love to win this book! I have read many great reviews and I am patiently waiting for this book to arrive at the library. A copy of my own would be even better=)
I do not have a blog but would love to write a review for you to post of your blog.
thanks!!
I’ll love to win this book. Please enter me. Thanks. =)