Neufeld, J. (1969). Lisa, Bright and Dark. New York, NY: Puffin Books.
ISBN-10: 0141304340
•Plot Summary
Lisa Shilling has everything going for her, at least on the surface. She is intelligent, beautiful, has a wondering relationship with her equally fantastic boyfriend (Brian), and three of the best friends a teen could have (Mary Nell, Betsy, and Elizabeth). Unfortunately for Lisa and her friends, she is also losing her mind. When explaining to her parents over the dinner table doesn't cause Lisa's parents to believe her condition, and her school counselor (Mr. Benrstein) seems unwilling to help, her friends agree to work as a group to help Lisa work through her problems. It takes Lisa stabbing herself with pin holes to have Mr. Bernstein talk to her parents, and then he only advises that her problem is related to stress and problems with Brian. She is sent to a home with elderly people, left alone to do as she likes, even after her return. But Lisa's bright days are dwindling, and more often she is wearing dark clothing, skulking about, whispering or talking to people that aren't there, and instilling fear in her classmates and school faculty. When she attacks brutally Elizabeth, the friends try speaking with her Lisa's parents, but they never see her odd behavior. Her English personality shields away that part of Lisa from their view, making it impossible for her behavior to cause them concern. Lisa's mother is concerned more with her image than her daughter's potential behavior, and Lisa's father is often away on business. As Lisa's behavior becomes more and more erratic, the friends agree not to let Lisa out of their sight. Betsy has finally realized why Lisa made friends with the coolly beautiful Elizabeth, and why Elizabeth did not fight back when attacked-Elizabeth experienced something similar. One evening while they are grouped at Betsy's house, her father comes into the room, and even Lisa greets him warmly. From there, she turns around, walking through a plate glass door. Bloody, she passes out on the lawn, and her mother is called. Mrs. Shilling strikes Elizabeth when she tries to explain she needs to listen, that Lisa is ill, and then tells the girls that Lisa's problems are their fault. She insists they not be around her daughter any longer, and after her stay at the hospital ends, Lisa returns home. Summer is closing in, and everyone except Betsy is scheduled to leave. Elizabeth also disappears for a few days, and Betsy is left to wonder what happened to her. When Elizabeth returns, it's because she has been to New York, and has brought her own former psychiatrist (Neil Donovan) home to see Lisa. News arrives in the paper that a teenage girl had swallowed barbiturates and been hospitalized, prompting the friends to find out if it was Lisa. Confirming that it was, and knowing her father is on his way back, the band of five (friends and psychiatrist) go to visit Lisa. She cries, glad there is someone finally present to help her, and the friends soon learn she is expected to return to school in about seven months. She may have a harder time than before, because the odd behavior that scared her schoolmates into silence won't be as apparent, but the story of her being in care will make her a target of ridicule.
•Critical Evaluation
Well-written, creative, yet informative look at life for a teen whose life is going out of her control. Lisa's plight is heart-wrenching, without being overly dramatic. Her friends' attempts at aid are individualized, and believable.
•Reader’s Annotation
Recommended for older teens, and those curious about mental health problems.
•Information about the author
John Neufeld was born in Chicago, and at age ten decided that he wanted to be a writer. He worked at writing through high school and college, finally moving to New York, where he worked in publishing.
He has written thirteen novels, primarily for young adults. Lisa, Bright and Dark was made into a television program, and was made a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year.
•Genre
Realistic Fiction
•Curriculum Ties
Psychology
•Booktalking Ideas
Mental health issues, depression
•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 10-12/Ages 15-19
•Challenge Issues
N/A
•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
Mental illness runs in my family, and my mother has suffered from several "episodes" in her struggle. Even in today's society often goes misdiagnosed or untreated, especially among teens, and for many of the reasons held by Lisa's parents. I almost didn't include this one in my novels, because it was very personal, but I felt it was important to include a title such as this one in my selections.
