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Read what people think about How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt, and write your own review.

How to Build a House

How to Build a House
by Dana Reinhardt
Published in USA May 2008,
240 pages.

Age range: Young Adult

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Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Patricia (aged 13)
Kept me on the edge of my seat
Harper's dad is getting a divorce from her stepmother , Jane. Just when Tarper thought that nothing could get worse , Tarper has lost her stepsister Tess because to divorce divides them.

To escape this terrible nightmare Tarper signs up to a volunteer program to build a house for a family in Tennessee that lost their home in a tornado.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat and always entertained me. I will recommend this book to all ages.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Lindsey
I loved this book!
I really, really enjoyed this book. I read it in a day. I liked the main character, Harper. As a high school student, I could relate to her - stickler for the rules, control freak, feel like you're missing out on something when you're not with your friends. I would recommend this book to other high school age kids, and I even think adults that have kids would enjoy it. I don't really think it is a book club read. I don't think this is a spoiler, but I personally wish the book had ended differently. That is my only complaint.

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Jen Ward
Tolerable, but not great
After finishing How to Build a House, I can safely sum it up in the word ‘alright’. While it is touching, can be sad, and has a good message at the end, at times I found Harper’s behavior unrealistic. For the sake of not spoiling the plot I won’t mention any examples, but she does a lot of things that aren’t explained, which then left me confused.

I did like the plot, however; the idea of it was touching, as I had said. It’s a good story of overcoming hardships and repairing relationships. But, Harper’s actions aren’t the only ones I found unrealistic. Teddy’s were sometimes too, along with a good handful of the other characters’. I didn’t get a very deep connection with them like I usually do, who also sometimes didn’t act as strongly towards certain things as much as I believe they should have.

But, maybe that’s just me being critical; at 17, I know how kids my age can react. Overall, I’d say that it is a good story for the bookworm looking for something new, but I don’t think it’ll make the best seller’s list.

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