$10.39 with 20 percent savings

List Price: $12.99

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Wednesday, July 29 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or Prime members get FREE delivery Tomorrow, July 24. Order within 10 mins.

Only 2 left in stock (more on the way).

$$10.39 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Shipper / Seller

Amazon.com

Returns

FREE 30-day refund/replacement

Gift options

Available at checkout

Available at checkout This item is a gift. Change

Payment

Secure transaction

$2.09

Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc... Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc... See less

$3.98 delivery July 28 - 30. Details

Or fastest delivery Monday, July 27. Order within 9 hrs 35 mins. Details

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

$$10.39 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Ships from and sold by World of Books (previously glenthebookseller).

Add to List

Added to

Unable to add item to List. Please try again.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (36) from $2.09 + $3.98 shipping

Image Unavailable
Image not available for
Color:

Follow the author

Hillary Frank

I Can't Tell You

by Hillary Frank (Author) Format: Paperback

(17)

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$10.39","priceAmount":10.39,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"10","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"39","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"2ITMiGrfS5E4OcSgpo4zAdMwMBhJzRjkHgO6M6UeJVNrtFP3ZrfkZuEpo4gNDNjMz8Uzd0bsvHKzZ1nIn9AinW%2BlERgCb2tAMnn069gIWtD5h4%2BzootDpYE4VLkcpF4UmqIfYy0vFC4%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$2.09","priceAmount":2.09,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"2","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"09","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"2ITMiGrfS5E4OcSgpo4zAdMwMBhJzRjkp55Vsr77h2b00AjvRAZX7M5MyGVtK%2FDTNQtYu%2B20a3J9r6PwgXFcnhbw%2Ba7iDZKOnvI9HuJGvwbLK7AaLnWJ%2BebnY2jLwf0022OVNT%2Fsucbc3yJVJmf2LRA2uV07tesF7nRhAk6A6zGaeanoqV8OePRSRqwfkgBN","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

After he opens his big mouth in a big fight with his best friend, Jake concludes that talking = trouble. He decides that communicating through writing is safer. Through notes scribbled on napkins and in notebooks, on upside-down calculators, and on walls with pudding-covered fingers, Jake explores new ways to express himself. But there are also the notes he never sends. To his flirty friend. Who is just a friend. But could be more than a friend. But isn’t—or is she? Hillary Frank’s inventive style envelops her readers in a new dimension of storytelling. Jake + Xandra = a story about what it means to be “just friends.” All without saying a word.

Report an issue with this product or seller

Reading age

12 years and up
Print length

208 pages
Language

English
Grade level

7 - 9
Dimensions

5 x 0.5 x 7 inches
Publication date

October 25, 2004
ISBN-10

061849491X
ISBN-13

978-0618494910

See all details

The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Nothing to See Here: A Read with Jenna Pick
Kevin Wilson

Paperback
$10.82
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 28
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
This Is Where It Ends
Marieke Nijkamp

Paperback
$5.96
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 28
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Lisey's Story: A Novel
Stephen King

Paperback
$9.35
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 28
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
This Thing Called You
Ernest Holmes

Paperback
$12.95
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 28
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Closer to Nowhere
Ellen Hopkins

Paperback
Teachers' pick
$8.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 28
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Not Nothing
Gayle Forman

Paperback
$8.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 28
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–During a huge fight with his best friend and college dorm-mate, Jake says something he cannot take back. As a result, he decides to communicate with everyone by writing–using dry-erase boards, Post-its, stained napkins, etc.–figuring he can better control what he has to say by not opening his mouth. Friends at first find him weird, but then play along and decide it's cool. His mother is sure he is cracking up, but his father goes along with him. All the while, he's obsessed with trying to find out if Xandra likes him or, you know, likes him. Each character Jake interacts with is represented by a different typeface and, in some cases, a "handwriting key" might be helpful to keep track of who's who. This unique writing style makes for attentive reading–and guesswork–as readers eavesdrop on Jake's otherwise typical social life and try to decipher what is actually going on. His inner struggles with feelings, friendships, and forgiveness are believable, but despite the highly personal nature of the story, the correspondence comes across as somewhat removed and impersonal as readers witness Jake's struggle to understand himself and, oh, yeah, maybe–or maybe not–to win the girl.–Roxanne Myers Spencer, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Ultimately, the novel's engaging jumble of correspondence amounts to a study of vulnerability, tentatively concluding that, when it comes to romance, playing it safe can be a risky approach.

Horn Book

The insight Jake gains from his self-imposed silve is satisfying, if not entirely profound. The insights readers will gain, however, are perhaps deeper, as Frank manages to convey a credible boy's-eye view on matters of the heart.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

All in all, the author creates a story both clever and heartfelt.

Publishers Weekly

The creafully constructed, seemingly accidental nature of Jake and Xandra's story combines the banal with the amateur pholisophizing of college, and invites interesting comparisons between sexual sophistication and real understanding of how to relate with others.

Kirkus Reviews

Frank's experiment is fascinating.

Booklist, ALA

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 25, 2004
Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 061849491X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0618494910
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.1 ounces
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.5 x 7 inches
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
Best Sellers Rank: #3,325,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,835 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction about Emotions & Feelings
- #2,662 in Teen & Young Adult Clean & Wholesome Romance
- #3,908 in Teen & Young Adult Friendship Fiction
Customer Reviews:
(17)

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Hillary Frank

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

17 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

Top reviews from the United States

Mid-Praire Teen
Talking + me = trouble
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2008
Format: Paperback
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
"Talking + me = trouble." Though it's simple and to the point, the statement of main character, Jake Jacobson, describes most of the events in I Can't Tell You, by Hillary Frank. The novel, however short, is full of realistic occurrences, like the loss of close friends, relationships gone wrong, and learning how to cope with your mistakes. The story's ability to relate to high school and college students makes it a spectacular page turner for teens of all ages that are just looking to escape the fantasy world and unravel a realistic, relatively simple, yet enjoyable read.
The plot, though basic and easy to follow is very likable and readable. Jake Jacobson, a college student, and his best friend, Sean have a falling out over a few things Jake said about Sean's previous relationship. To protect himself from losing anymore friends or making any other mistakes through speaking, Jake decides to write notes instead. Through his note writing he gets closer to his friend, Xandra, and soon he begins to think of her as more than a friend to wrestle and joke with, but as a girl he might actually love.
Interesting and unique writing techniques are used by Hillary Frank in I Can't Tell You. Written entirely through notes to his friends, and to his unborn sister, it's easy to get an insight on how Jake might be feeling at any given time and therefore it's easy to become attached and to keep reading to find out if Jake will ever open his mouth again.
I Can't Tell You is a quick and interesting read that I suggest all young adults pick up from their local bookstore or library, curl up in a comfortable chair and read to the end. Through romance, college life, and "the funny" I've come to find that this novel is one I've wanted to read on more than one occasion, and I highly recommend it.
Read moreRead less
Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report
Sending feedback...
Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again
dSavannah
Very true to life....
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2014
Format: Paperback
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
I read - and loved - the author's first book, Better Than Running at Night, and so picked up this one to see if she was able to continue her unique and interesting narrative style.
Not only does she continue it, she turns it on its head, with a completely NEW narrative style: the story is entirely told via notes written on napkins, dry erase boards, etc.
I'll admit, it's kind of hard to get used to the style, and at first I wondered what in the heck was going on, but once I fell into the rhythm, it made total sense.
Jake is a college freshman, and he stops talking out loud after a huge fight with his best friend and roommate. Of course, he still has to communicate, so he turns to writing, and he finds is not necessarily any better at not being misinterpreted when he's writing instead of speaking.
Jake is struggling with the loss of that friendship; the desire to turn a friendship with a girl, Xandra, into something more, but fear at loosing that friendship; his parents; what to do with his life after college, etc. In short, all of the things you struggle with mentally at that age.
The author perfectly captured the angst and joy and sadness and fear of that time in your life... almost uncomfortably so for me, 20+ years on from all that... yet, still not so far away that I've forgotten the "does he like me, does he not like?" dance....
I gave this four stars because there was more to be explored, and more I wanted to know, but the narrative structure kind of limited that; however, a great YA read overall.
Read moreRead less
One person found this helpful
Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report
Sending feedback...
Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again
Ryan Selvy
A creative approach to a great story
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2011
Format: Paperback
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
"I Can't Tell You" by Hillary Frank is an interesting approach to a great story. The novel does a great job creating the atmosphere of actually reading the main character's notes without getting too cheesy. Notes remain realistic and the story flows nicely. A great light read.
Read moreRead less
Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report
Sending feedback...
Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again
Amazon Customer
Moving and funny
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2010
Format: Paperback
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
I absolutely devoured this unique book. "I Can't Tell You" is an excellent read. It is filled with humor and emotion and I felt an incredibly strong connection to the main character, Jake, and his "relationship" with his friend, Xandra. I felt and related to Jake's desperation to tell Xandra he's in love with her, and his struggle to hold her at arm's length as not to ruin their close friendship. Jake's despair over watching Xandra be with someone else and losing his best friend, Sean, is entirely realistic.
Frank uses realistic teenage language, and does not try too hard to sound like a college student - in my opinion, she is right on target. The format of this novel is a little difficult to adjust to at first, but I had no problem with it later on. At times, however, I wished this book could have been written as a "regular" novel, as I strived for some details that could not be explained through Jake and Xandra writing on napkins, dry erase boards, etc. The ending of this book was also a disappointment, which is why I only give this four stars. I desperately wanted Xandra and Jake to end up together - when they didn't, I felt as if all the hope I had for them diminished, even if it seems both characters are going to be all right without each other.
All in all, this was a great read and I highly suggest it.
Read moreRead less
Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report
Sending feedback...
Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again
Sarah
I devoured this book
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2005
Format: Paperback
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
I CAN'T TELL YOU by Hillary Frank may be one of the best young adult books I've read in quite some time. It's funny, heartbreaking, and easy to relate to...and it doesn't try to glorify being a young adult or falling in love.
After a huge fight with his best friend Sean, Jake decides that he can't ever get into any trouble if he just stops talking altogether. As his friendship with Sean is dying, he becomes closer to his friends Paul, Roger, and Xandra. But when Jake realizes that he doesn't just want to be friends with Xandra, things start getting a bit messy. He doesn't know how to explain himself and he doesn't know what do about it, so...he decides to do nothing.
Told entirely through notes passed back and forth, I CAN'T TELL YOU is an interesting and original story. The friendships between Jake and Paul, Roger, and Xandra are all incredibly realistic, and the course of a friendship turning into unrequieted love is scarily accurate.
Highly recommended.
Overall grade: A+
Read moreRead less
2 people found this helpful
Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report
Sending feedback...
Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again
wanderingchild81
Delicious!!!
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2005
Format: Paperback
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
"i can't tell you" by Hillary Frank is a wonderfully delicious story that will draw the reader in from the very first page. Jake is just a normal college student who after opening his big mouth in a fight with his best friend, decides that talking altogether is dangerous and a waste of time. From then all of the communication between him and his friends is through notes and messages. We then follow Jake on his hilarious journey to win the heart of Xandra and discovers the true meaning of "just friends". Highly recomended!
Read moreRead less
One person found this helpful
Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report
Sending feedback...
Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again
Noor
Bizarre and plotless, if creative
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2006
Format: Paperback
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
This is a novel unlike any I have ever seen, but having said that (and yes, it's creative and I am sure the author is smart and witty and interesting), it is also almost inscrutable. Only a teenager who cares about very minor soap-opera, self-absorbed sorts of little things will be able to tolerate this book. It's all little notes written on greasy paper bags and stuff like that. I think teens will enjoy the fact that it's about COLLEGE kids, but what an annoying group of people-who-think-they're-so cool. It's hard to take. I can't tell you how hard to read it is...
Read moreRead less
2 people found this helpful
Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report
Sending feedback...
Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again
Amazon Customer
More Then Just Friends?
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2006
Format: Paperback
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
The majority of books I have read in my life, have all been based upon the front cover. I can't tell you, that this book is different then the other ones (did you like that play on words), I was attracted to the slick cover, and but of course its bright neon green color. What would stop me from putting this book in my hands, absolutely nothing. Although it took me about half the book to understand the format of it, before I started to appreciate it. I can't tell you written by Hillary Frank takes to new levels. A story between best friends is told through letters, napkin writings, white board notes, anything that the author could think of. I recommend reading this book to experience something new, something creative, and fresh.
In all, I enjoyed this book, I continued reading until I could find out what would happen between best friends Xandra and Jake. I was engaged with the same problem, a problem of having to be 'just friends' but I am sure everyone has had the same problem. Whether they be the ones making sure to stay as just friends or wanting to be more the just friends.
The problem with this book, is that it just ends. I understand why authors do this, but it is just so frustrating. I wanted more, I wanted to know what was going to happen between Jake and Xandra, will they be more then just friends, if so, it gives hope for me. I know a lot of teens deal with this problem of having to be just friends. I can't tell you, is almost like advice, maybe even a scenario of what could happen between two friends. If you have ever had this problem you would enjoy this book. If you want to learn a simple 'love story' then you would enjoy this book. Most of all, read this book to experience a new way of reading.
Read moreRead less
One person found this helpful
Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report
Sending feedback...
Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again