The Fifth Floor

By: Julie Oleszek

Narrated by: Kristen Jones

Seven-year-old Anna was smiling when she was given the news. It’s not that she misunderstood what she heard, but her smile froze as her brain stopped thinking and her breathing slowed. To her older sister Frances, Anna’s smile looked like one of ignorance and foolishness, but both were misconceptions. Anna’s smile was one of horror. She was the reason Liz would not be returning home.

In this single moment, Anna’s childhood shifted from happy-go-lucky to an emotional rollercoaster of destruction and guilt. A decade later and suppressed by her childhood secret, 17-year-old Anna barely hangs on to daily life, but many things can go unnoticed in a large family. That is, until Anna stops eating altogether.

Far beyond what her family fully understands, Anna’s situation is about to get worse when late one night, sitting quiet and alone on the same couch where it all began ten years earlier, her mother asks, “What are you doing?” and Anna responds, “Waiting for Liz.” Bewildered, Anna’s mother turns to Dr. Ellison, a relaxed and competent psychiatrist who immediately hospitalizes Anna on the fifth floor of Advocated Hospital. Ten years is a long time to harbor a secret. Will Anna reveal the truth?

©2015 Julie Oleszek (P)2023 Julie Oleszek

A must read series

Julie Oleszek is a master at voicing the mind of a young woman in crisis. Her writing is incredible-I’ve read this whole series. The books just keep getting better and better.

Compelling and emotional!

With no ability to recognize the immediate crisis she faces, seventeen-year-old Anna defiantly resists efforts for help, resulting in hospitalization in a mental health unit. As the story flashes back more than a decade, five-year-old Anna begins to tell her story of life in a large family and continues through high school. The vivid descriptions and tiniest details told through the powerful first person POV hooked me, as many of the family traditions and mores of the time rang true.

This riveting account of her treatment, with pitfalls and successes, brought me to tears more than once. The writing captures the realistic emotions and behaviors that accompany such traumatic childhood experiences of death, loss, abandonment, and guilt. Highlighting the challenges facing young adults today, this compelling story underscores the need for mental health awareness more than ever. I connected with the characters, so well brought to life in the exceptionally skilled narration, and highly recommend this well-written coming-of-age story.

WOW!!!

The Fifth Floor
By: Julie Oleszek
Narrated by: Kristen Jones

Wow! A coming of age saga. This just hit all the emotions as the novel progresses. I had to take a break, because I wasn't ready for it to end.

I give very few books a 5 star rating, but this is absolutly one that gets that rating.

Narrated by: Kristen Jones. This narrorater does an excellent job of portraying a teen during a very traumatic period in her life.

I was given this audio book at my request. I offer my honest opinion in a review, under no obligation.

Exquisite story and detail!

I loved that Julie told a story about a young girl who was traumatized as a child. Unfortunately, that trauma was not recognized by anyone, even herself.

Heartfelt and uplifting. This story helps to explain past traumatic events, and offers hope.

There are angels.

The fifth floor

This book brought me to tears many times. Being one of 10 children,not knowing her place once her nearest in age sister dies,Anna just stops eating.Her parents take her to doctors ,yet no one can understand her.Kristen Jones was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A Coming of Age and Grief Story

This is a story about a 17 yr old girl’s inpatient stay for Mental Health problems. It is so well written that even though Anna is a typical teenager you can feel her hurt under the sarcasm. The Narrator did a wonderful job bringing all the characters to life. Highly recommend to teens and adults.

Loved it!

Loved the story. Loved the narration. A definite must listen.
Wish I could give it more stars!

Inner Turmoil and Mental Health

I loved this phenomenal story that shines a light on how surmised guilt and mental health can play off each other. I enjoyed how the author used Anna's sarcasm to disguise what was truly going on in her life. The characters are well developed and truly believable they sound like people you run into every day. I highly recommend this book. The narrator did a fabulous job bringing the story to life as well as my emotions. This is my honest, unbiased review that I am freely giving. I rethis audio book for free upon my request, but it has no bearing on my review.

Great story

Completely enjoyed listening to this story from the references of the 70s and 80s when I was about the same age to the struggles and successes Ana had in dealing with her past

Great read!

This book was beautifully written, heartfelt and raw. Learning to love and forgive after trauma.