Book Description

Clover has always wondered why a fence separates the black side of town from the white side. But this summer when Annie, a white girl from the other side, begins to sit on the fence, Clover grows more curious about the reason why the fence is there and about the daring girl who sits on it, rain or shine. And one day, feeling very brave, Clover approaches Annie. After all, why should a fence stand in the way of friendship?

Beautifully rendered in Earl B. Lewis's striking, lifelike watercolor illustrations, Jacqueline Woodson gives us a moving, lyrical narrative told in the hopeful voice of a child confused about the fence someone else has built in her yard and the racial tension that divides her world. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A must have for the 3-5 grade classroom
This is a touching story about how children don't see black and white, but see potential friendship and possibilities. Two little girls learn how to work around "the fence" that adults have constructed and find a friend. For teachers, this is a fabulous book for teaching questioning strategies in reading. The illustrations are wonderful.

A Poignant tale reflecting America's "Apartheid"
What baby boomer cannot relate to a book that portrays the "dividing line" that separated blacks and whites in this country prior to the Civil Rights Movement!!!

This story shows two youngsters, one black and one white, that come to bridge the gap by making a simple gesture of sitting on the fence that comes between their two homes.

Such a simple act has great power and the book is perfect for primary and elementary learners, thought-provoking and beautifully illustrated.

On the Fence
This picture book is an excellent book. It helps explain in simple terms what life was like during the civil war. The story involves two girls, one is white, the other is African American. They live on either side of a fence. Their mothers tell them that they can not cross the fence, the girls listen to their mothers for a while and sit on the fence but never crossing it. After a while the girls eventually cross the fence, and suprisingly no one seems to mind, so they continue their friendship.

Top Choice
Moving, simple, perfect. It needs to be in every library, and dare I say every home. It is one of those rare read alouds that will hold children ages 5-12 spellbound. A great choice for literature circles, it's especially strong for questioning.

The Fence.....
"That summer the fence that stretched through our town seemed bigger. We lived in a yellow house on one side of it. White people lived on the other. And Mama said, "Don't climb over that fence when you play." She said it wasn't safe..." Soon our narrator, Clover, sees a little white girl, Annie, hanging on the fence and staring into their yard, day after day. She was always alone. Finally, one day Clover gets close enough to the fence to talk to the little girl. They exchange names, and smiles, and pretty soon the two are sitting together on top of the fence. "My mama says I shouldn't go on the other side," I said. "My mama says the same thing. But she never said nothing about sitting on it." "Neither did mine," I said. That summer me and Annie sat on that fence and watched the whole wide world around us..." Jacqueline Woodson's eloquent and understated prose captures the feel of the old South in the 1950's, before integration, and is both poignant and uplifting. E B Lewis's elegant watercolors complement the text with expressive heartwarming and lifelike illustrations in soft summer tones. Together, word and art paint an engaging portrait of times gone by with a gentle message that won't be lost on young readers. Perfect for youngsters 7-10, or as a read aloud for younger children, The Other Side is a sensitive and evocative story, told with great insight, wisdom, and truth. "Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down," Annie said. And I nodded. "Yeah," I said. "Someday." ... Read more

Amazon.com

"This morning, my mother didn't get out of bed." So begins the saga of Francesca Spinelli, the hilarious and achingly real creation of Aussie author Melina Marchetta. Francesca used to think her biggest problem was transferring to St. Sebastian's--a school only recently turned coed: "What a dream come true, right? Seven hundred and fifty boys and thirty girls? But the reality is that it's either like living in a fish bowl or like you don't exist." But now there's this matter of her usually vibrant and annoyingly optimistic mother Mia refusing to get up in the morning. Her taciturn father doesn't have much to say on the subject, her beloved little brother Luca is anxiously looking to her for answers, and her so-called friends from her old neighborhood seem to have abandoned her. So, Francesca keeps it all inside--her frustration with school (there aren't enough girl's bathrooms and no girl's sports teams); her fear making new friends (with the few girls who do go to St. Sebastian's); and her overwhelming hatred of the smug Will Trombal, who despite being completely infuriating, is also incredibly cute. Keeping this to herself when all she wants to do is spill it to her mother is killing Francesca, but with Mia trying to make herself well again, Francesca will have to figure out how to save herself.

What makes Saving Francesca an exceptional standout in a vast field of mediocre teen chick lit is Frankie's painfully nuanced characterization. It has been ten years since high school teacher Marchetta's break out hit, Looking for Alibrandi, came out in her native Australia, and the care and precision she took in getting Francesca's voice just right is evident. As a result, there isn't a girl alive that wouldn't feel right at home in Francesca's skin. Her frank observations about boys, with their hygienically-challenged habits and their ineptitude in dealing with the opposite sex, are dead-on and riotously funny. Marchetta deftly balances Francesca's humor with a sympathetic depiction of Mia's struggle with clinical depression, creating a well-rounded novel that will prompt both laughter and tears. Fans can only hope that they won't have to wait another decade for Marchetta to gift them with another of honest and moving story. --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A light and glamorous comedy
Did you like THE A-LIST? How about the Gossip Girl series? GIRLS ON FILM is another light and glamorous read about the lives of rich and beautiful teens. If this series were on TV, it would be on the WB.

GIRLS ON FILM continues the story of Anna Percy, a New York transplant in Beverly Hills. Anna is still trying to avoid Ben and his lies, but now she has bigger problems when her sister Susan leaves rehab and comes to L.A. The other girls in school who were rejected by Ben also continue to try and make her life miserable.

Nice guy Adam has possibilities, but he can't make her forget Ben. A new internship is harder than she thought, and a family emergency may cut that opportunity short.

THE A-LIST plot loses some steam in this book. Readers will cringe at Anna's choices and possibly at the surprising ending. While she was determined to stand on her own feet in L.A. during THE A-LIST, here she is bogged down with guy concerns. Cammie is a bit of a revenging female catty stereotype here, and Anna's tentative new friendship with Sam seems untrustworthy as well.

The setting and family issues keep this one above water, though, as readers will fantasize about having refreshments at the Beverly Hills Hotel and making movies for school assignments at a posh spa. Anna's new interest in writing should give her refreshing new goals and plots in future books, too. Anna, her family and the sparkling atmosphere will keep readers interested.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

BEST BEACH READ EVER!!!
If you want the best book you can pack to take along on vacation, this is it. I'd call it pop fiction for girls with a functional brain. Anna, the heroine of this series is smart and literate -- definitely not an airhead. But since she's arrived in Beverly Hills from her rich New York prep school life, things haven't gone smoothly. She is determined to break out of her "good girl" box, which means, guys, adventures and did I mention guys? There's a great combo of reality (the kids having sex, doing drugs, being dysfunctional) and fantasy (the kids having great sex with hot guys, money to burn and every top label everything of your dreams). I like GOSSIP GIRL, but in my opinion this is a vastly superior series. Not only is it hilarious, you can actually root for Anna, and you won't regret it the morning. I heard Zoey Dean is a grad student at UCLA who actually lived a lot of what is in this series. It certainly reads like an inside job!! This is the best!!!!

I appluad Zoey Dean for single-handidly lowering the bar.
And I completely promise, no spoilers.

A-List sucked, plain and simple. First you have your Anna Percy, aka WTF?-girl. She has no real personality. Sure, she's tall, lithe, blond, and you're reminded of this every paragraph, but it seems Ms. Dean has used this as some sort of excuse for having no real character personality, unless you can call "boring-as-all-hell" an attribute. You make the call.

Then you have the proverbial bitch-on-wheels trio, Cammie, Sam, and Dee. As if their names and their one-syllable genericness wasn't enough to piss you off just by reading them, I have more bad news: they suck. In the first book, Zoey Dean made them out to be some sort of unbreakable trio, with Dee and Sam being Cammie's bitches. Well, here's the reality: Dee just kind of gives a bad name for blond people, as if Dee wasn't a bad enough name to begin with, and Sam sort of befriends Anna and has sexual urges towards her. Oops, as it turns out, the clique is actually not-so tight after all! Turns out nobody's afraid of Cammie either!

Speaking of, I hate Cammie. She's not mean, and her dialogue just doesn't flow right. Not that anyone else's dialogue flows right, but hers is just plain annoying. Oh yeah, then there's some girl named Susan who has a big ass. She's Anna's sister with an alcohol-addled mind and trust me, you won't like her.

Next, we have Ben. Oh God, he totally rescues the whole book from a fiery death. Just kidding--you'll find no personality here either! After macking it with his underaged cousin and becoming a freaky freak who stalks Anna "So-Not-Worth-It" Percy and at random points starts acting all gay and "OMG I WANT YOU BACK LOL I WANT TO BONE YOU ANNA!!", he finally gets his girl back and then they allegedly have kinky hotel-room sex. ALLEGEDLY.

Oh yeah, and as for his ditching Anna excuse on New Year's Eve? Nope, it wasn't a drugged up movie star--it was his dad gambling away the family fortune! Oh yeah, and about those no-spoiler warnings? Tee-hee, I was just messing with your mind.

So that's the big surprise of the book. He couldn't tell Anna the truth, even though the truth was still a lot more better than his actual lie. It like that at that point, Dean expects us to go, "Oh my goodness! What a complete plot twist! I wonder if Anna will get back with Ben? Let's go host an orgy!"

But this review isn't entirely bitter. There is one good attribute to this book. His name is Adam. He is the only character who might even be interesting, but of course we don't want to see any interesting characters! We want the rich and bland good-looking ones, not the only character that might actually have a well-developed personality. Heavens no.

This book sucks. Anna bitches the whole time about how much Ben hurt her. Darling, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you're smart then you should know that bad boys are bad for a reason. If you want to have someone love you for your personality and not just for what's beneath your belt, date a Carebear.

Wow!
I loved this book! It's the perfect book to read this summer, and it's really popular with a lot of my friends! I gave it to my best friend and i got it back a month later and like 10 people read it! It's the 2nd a-list novel by Zoey Dean. It continues on from the first one when she goes back to high school. The ending was a little cut off, but other than that it was a great book and I really enjoyed it!

great book!
This book is great! Though it seems like a gossip girl wannabe, (it is) it actually is a pretty good book. This book really shows you how high school really is. How your best friend can be your worse enemy, how there's always a bitchy girl (like cammie)in your school. no matter what you do. I actually liked the first one better. The ending to this book ruined it. The author dosen't give enough personality to the characters. The plot is pretty good, better than the characters at least. What i liked about the first book is that you can't put it down. This book? At some parts i could barely finish it! I wanted to chuck this book out the window with the ending! Hopefully there will be a thrid one and it will fix the ending. There better be... Well, if you liked the first one, i'm sure you'll like this one! ... Read more

Book Description

True or False?

Fifth grader Nora Rose Rowley is really a genius.

True.

But don't tell anyone.

Nora always gets average grades so she can forgo the pressure-cooker gifted program or Brainiac Academy.

But when Nora gets one hundred percent fed up over testing and the fuss everyone makes about grades, she brings home a terrible report card just to prove a point.

Pretty soon her teachers, parents, and the principal are launching a massive effort to find out what's wrong. But can Nora convince them that tests alone are a stupid way to measure intelligence? ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A great way to open a dialogue about the value of grades
Growing up, did you think your grades and test scores were an accurate representation of the complexity of who you were as a person? Probably not. Many of us felt misunderstood when our report cards arrived with their simplified picture of our educated selves.

Nora -- a genius in hiding -- watches when the fourth grade standardized test changes her school culture for the worse. Suddenly school seems to be less about learning and more about competition, with the gifted kids streaming ahead. And Nora's best friend, Stephen -- a kind, gentle, hard-working young man -- suffers a terrible blow to his self-esteem when he freezes up and his resulting test score is abysmal.

Nora's plan and execution give the reader the opportunity to think hard about our educational culture. From parental expectations to real estate prices, The Report Card does a great job of explaining how test scores became all important despite being an incomplete illustration.

Clement's ability to sympathize with his characters makes this an ultimately hopeful read with no one minimized to "bad guy" status. Subversive thought it may be in its questionning of the subject matter, even parents who want their kids to get all A's will value the thoughtful respect with which the story is handled.

A great read!!!

Mixed Feelings
I am a teacher who adores Andrew Clements' books. I use them for class reading and for literature circles. Clements never talks down to kids-- he writes both kids and adults as people rather than caricatures or puppets to advance a plot-- and his stories are engaging and interesting.

I enjoyed reading The Report Card, although it was a bit preachier than his other books, and some characters, especially Nora's parents, are not as well developed or realistic as I expect from Andrew Clements. The debate about standardized tests is highlighted, and as a teacher it was nice to see it pointed out to kids that most teachers are not test fans either. The fact that standardized test numbers can't really tell you much about a child seems to be Clements' main point, and it's one I agree with.

My main concern about The Report Card is the mixed message it sends about being smart, especially being a smart girl. Nora, the highly gifted heroine, has been hiding her intelligence for years, in large part so she won't make her best friend, a boy, feel bad. I had expected Nora to come to a realization that her intelligence was a gift to be celebrated and shared. However, the resolution leaves Nora content to be "normal," which by Nora's definition means not to pursue any opportunities available to learn about and expand her gifts, and essentially to continue masking her intelligence so that other people won't be made to feel bad.

My worry is that girls in the target age group will read The Report Card and conclude that "normalcy" does not include intelligence. While I don't believe that this was Clements' intention, the message is there. Girls have hidden or downplayed their academic abilities far too long-- we should be teaching them to embrace their talents.

A great book!
This a truly great book! I highly recomend it to you. The characters are colorful and the plot is great. So go out to your bookstore right know! You will definatley enjoy this book.

10 year old Nora is a genius, but nobody knows it. Nora is afraid that people will think of her as somebody else, not just plain old Nora. This book follows Nora's thoughts and how she learns that no matter what she will always be herself.

a winner for anyone who has ever gotten a bad grade
In a family of high achievers, Nora Rowley seems to be the odd one out. While her sister's grades and accomplishments are extraordinary, and her brother's are certainly far from lacking, she brings home a report card full of Ds. For years, Nora has convinced her parents, teachers and friends that she is nothing more than average; her brightest talent is on the soccer field.

Nora, in truth, is anything but average. She takes college-level astronomy courses online and taught herself to understand Spanish by watching television. In short, she's a genius, but she hides her abilities from almost everyone because she doesn't want to be singled out.

The only person who knows this is the school librarian, who discovers Nora's list of visited websites and sees Nora for what she is. Nora, in turn, confides in Mrs. Byrne. As an experiment, she is purposely scoring low to average on tests in order to show everyone that intelligence is not necessarily equal to your test scores. What she starts, instead, is a revolution.

For anyone who has ever received a low test score and said, "I thought I did better than that!" or "I'm smarter than that!" this is a book to check out. As he did with FRINDLE and THE SCHOOL STORY, Andrew Clements creates a perfect setting to raise the question of "What if?" and take it beyond simple answers while keeping the story believable. Kids are heroes, and everyone wins in the end.

--- Reviewed by Carlie Webber

Clements Writes Another Winner
Fifth Grader Nora Rowley is a genius. However, she decided in kindergarten that she wished to be best friends with Stephen, a middle of the road kid, and that meant being a normal kid. Now she is in 5th Grade and dislikes what seems like many peoples obsessions over grades, and especially the way tests make Stephen feel, and so she hatches a plan to make people think twice about what they mean. This enjoyable novel carries not only Clements typical theme of the power of what kids can achieve but also a thoughtful discussion of grades and standardized testing. The ending sees Nora's opinions evolve and will leave readers with some things to think about. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Can't put it down kind of book
Alright, I'm not one to finish many books. i read the first chapter and decide its boring but i couldn't put this book down i finished it in one day! Elvira Woodruff really pulls you into the story right from the beginning.

Another Woodruff Winner
I'm a huge fan of Elvira Woodruff's. I first started reading her books when my kids did, now that they're grown I keep reading them. In fact, I buy them and save them for my (fingers crossed) grandchildren. This one is my favorite along with the Christmas Doll. She is such an amazing writer, right up there with E.B. White and CHARLES DICKENS!
But now for the Ravenmaster. I don't know how she does it, but from page 1 I am right there in the tower of London with Forrest and Rat and the secret prisoner. I care from the very beginning what happens to each of them, and I also care for all the other characters in the book, 'cept one, but I'll let you read it so you can discover the Fagan.... Anyway, I highly recommend this book for any age child, even one in her fifties like me! I will be very suprised if this book does not become a classic. It should--and it should end up with a few awards, too. In my humbe (o.k.--I'm a librarian, too) opinion.

a five star read!
Not only does Woodruff write a darned good story, she knows her history. What a dynamite combination! What a great read - full of memorable characters, an intriguing setting and a plot that'll keep you breathless until the satisfying ending.

THIS ONE DESERVES MAJOR AWARDS
Ravenmaster's Secret has it all - well-rounded characters, interesting time period, fascinating setting and an intriguing, action-packed plot.
Read it with your children or by yourself and find your heart touched by lines like these: "I do know that a man's greatness cannot be measured by his size. 'Tis a man's character that is the source of his strength. And weakness there cannnot be hidden."
This one's a winner and will stay with you long after you've read it.

I can't stop thinking about Rat, Forrest and Tuck
I can't stop thinking about the characters in this book! And they aren't just people, theres ravens too! Also a castle with drawbridges and a moat that smells really bad. But the best thing about this book is the way the author makes you feel as if you're right there back in time! I really loved Forrest and Maddy, My favorite was Rat and I was worried about all of them when they tried to escape. I loved how you were on the edge of your seat, wondering what was going to happen next. I've never been to England, but I feel as if I've been to the Tower of London after reading this book.It was a scary, exciting, and best of all fun. It's now my all time favorite book. ... Read more

Book Description

It’s time for the end of year parent-teacher conference, and Hank’s in a panic. He’s afraidthat his teacher is going to tell his parents that he has to repeat the fourth grade. So Hankcreates an elaborate scheme to have his parents win an out-of-town trip so they’re goneduring the conference days. Of course, the plan backfires. Will Hank have to stay infourth grade forever? ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Excellent story and Beautiful illustrations!
I have loved this book since it first came out. The pictures are beautiful- very detailed and fun to look at. I have never seen such pretty flowers and colors in a children's book. Since reading this book, I am a big fan of Miss Spider and collect Miss Spider toys, books, etc. The story sends a very good message to kids. The story rhymes which makes it fun to read aloud.

I fell in Love with Miss Spider at her tea party!
I happened upon Miss Spider about three years ago at the Denton public library. At the time my daughter was 3, I love the prose, I love the art, I love Miss Spider!

David Kirk does a wonderful job of creating an adorable "mis-fit" Miss Spider is so misunderstood! None of the other bugs want to come to tea. The story breaks your heart then shows how persistance and kindness pay off!

My daughter isn't as thrilled by the books as I am. but then again, I LOVE them. Thank God for people with such great imaginations as the author and illustrator of the Miss Spider series. I recommend Miss Spider to everyone, not just kids, the lessons are profound and the flowing prose style is wonderful. This is my very favorite book to read to children. I am a life long fan of Kirk!

Beautiful
The artwork in this book will keep any child interested. It took my daughter a few reads to get into the story and she still prefers Miss Spider's New Car, but we read this book often.

Vividly Gourgeous Illustrations-A Joy to Read!
~ Miss Spider's Tea Party is one of those children's books that brings delight to the adult reader as well as the child.
~ The illustrations are beautiful and vividly intricate, but not too complex for children to enjoy, the story has a very gentle wit, that adults will appreciate.
~ Poor Miss Spider invites all kinds of insects to tea, but for some reason they seem reluctant to befriend her. : - )

~ Happily, her naturally sweet charm wins her popularity in the insect kingdom over, as well as a true fan in the reader. Children really seem to love this simple tale, mostly for the beauty of the illustrations, and the sense of a happy conclusion approaching.

I highly recommend this as a book you can enjoy reading with your child. And I would definitely also recommend the sequel "Miss Spider's Wedding"!

Wove a Web Around Me
My daughter and I love this book. The wording is terrific and the paintings are fantastic. She started turning the pages when she was 4 months old as she couldn't wait to find out what happened next with Little Miss Spider. Even at her age she's picky about books. I've been trying to read Eloise to her for days, but no go. However, Miss Spider is always a hit. Fortunately, it's so well written that I don't get tired of reading it time and time again. ... Read more

Book Description

Georgia Nicolson has started dating the Sex God (aka Robbie). So life should be perfect...except in Georgia's life, nothing is ever perfect. Her cat, Angus (the size of a small Labrador), is terrorizing the neighborhood. Her sister, Libby (who is slightly mad), hides her pooey knickers at the bottom of Georgia's bed. Her mother is clearly devoted to making Georgia's life miserable, and even her best friend, Jas, is "half girl, half turnip."

Then the Sex God breaks it off because she's too young. It's time for a plan. It's time for a Red Herring. It's time for Georgia to become a "heartless boy magnet!"

Reviews (137)

Look out! Georgia Nicholson is back...
After reading ANGUS, THONGS and FULL-FRONTAL SNOGGING I couldn't wait to read this book, and I am very happy to announce that I was not in the least bit disappointed. Georgia Nicholson is just as entertaining as before, and her diary is just as much fun to read. She has to deal with being forced to go to "Kiwi-a-Gogo Land" (aka New Zeland), executing "Operation Rubberband", being around her crazy friend Jas, and a number of other things, while also being back at school under the tyrannical tutleage of Slim & co., and at the mercy of the "Bummer Twins."

The writing is excellent, since, unlike in most books that are supposed to be the diary of a teenager, the style of writing is kept realistic. Georgia is neither profoundly deep nor repulsively shallow. She's pretty normal, if there is such a thing. The one real problem that I have with this book is that I can't really relate to any of the characters because their way of life seems so completely different. Maybe it's because I'm from the USA and this is a very British story. It doesn't bother me all that much, but it is a little weird, and is the reason that I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5.

Anyone who read and enjoyed ANGUS, THONGS AND FULL-FRONTAL SNOGGING will definitely get a kick out of reading this book. Probably teenage girls will enjoy this and AT+FFS more than any other group of people. The only thing left to say is thank goodness Louise Rennison is already working on two more installments of Georgia's diary, because after all:

"What in the name of pantyhose is going to happen next?"

I LAUGHED SO HARD MY SIDES HURT!!!!
It is now official! This series of Georgia Nicolson's confessions by Louise Rennison, are by far the best comedy books I have ever read! I absolutely loved the second book, On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God; it was just as good, maybe better than the first book, and I could NOT stand to put it down!

Georgia Nicolson is a fourteen-year-old British girl who lives in England. She attends an all-girls school and has four best friends: Jas, Jools, Ellen, and Rosie, who go to the same school as Georgia. Georgia has a little sister, Libby and a cat, Angus. Fortunately for the readers, Georgia's little three-year-old sister Libby, is still unknowingly "torturing" Georgia with her regular routine of secretly hiding the dirty nappies at the foot of Georgia's bed, peeing in corners of Georgia's room, and bringing all of her dolls, lifeless creatures made of food, as well as herself to sleep in Georgia's bed. What a life! Georgia's psychotic half-Scottish, half-domestic beast of a cat, Angus, continues his proud parade of teasing and taunting the next-door neighbor's two poodles and occasionally digs holes in their yard too. He still continues to think he is a dog - he might as well be, as he already is the size of a small Labrador.
This book starts exactly where the first book left off - Georgia's great-bosomed mother telling Georgia the worst thing she could possibly hear after working so hard to become the girlfriend of a sex god: she and the family are moving to New Zealand as soon as possible, where Georgia's father is currently working.

After an incident the family does not have to leave for New Zealand; however, Georgia manages to land herself into a great deal of trouble because of some small, childish prank: suspension. What perfect timing too - right before her father returns home from New Zealand. Great. It's quite comical how Georgia's mother tells Georgia to fake sick for the first couple of days her father is home, and then to make a great and unexplainable recovery.
Later in the book, something awful happens to Georgia and to undo what happened to her, she must use her former boyfriend, Dave the Laugh, as a "red-herring." Her plan doesn't go as accordingly, though. What happens is she becomes attracted to Dave again and has to constantly remind herself that she is not doing this to get Dave, but to get someone else. Even though she always reminds herself of this, she and Dave end up snogging and she isn't one bit regretful!

One thing that I really enjoyed and thought was wicked funny in this book was that Georgia was constantly asking God for help and to fulfill her wishes (a.k.a. make the sex god go out with her again). When the man upstairs doesn't "grant" her anything she asked for, she resorts to asking Buddha for help, and considers becoming a monk so that maybe her wishes will be more likely to be granted.
I can't say one thing I didn't like about this book - it was great all around!!

LOL funny diary #2
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, I'M NOW THE GIRLFRIEND OF A SEX GOD made me laugh even more than ANGUS, THONGS, AND FULL-FRONTAL SNOGGING. The type of British humor Rennison uses in Georgia's diaries is some of the best, so when all else fails, including plot and character development, you still get a grand laugh. But I felt I enjoyed this plot more than the last. I also felt I got to know Georgia Nicolson better as a person.

For one thing, she is naive. At 14, she and her friends are at the age when they cannot differentiate between true love and true lust. Sex God, a.k.a. Robbie, is the object of Georgia's affection. They aren't together all that long when Robbie dumps her, saying she is too young for him (he is 17, I think). At any rate, Georgia is crushed that he dumped her. She "loved" him, or so she thought, and loved kissing him. Not only has he dumped her, but it also appears he has gone back to his girlfriend, "Wet Lindsay." FYI, a "wet" is someone who is drippy, dorky, and irritating. According to Georgia, those are qualities Lindsay posesses.

Georgia wants to make Robbie sorry that he dumped her. She pretends to fancy a boy she calls "Dave the Laugh." However, Dave is oblivious to Georgia's true motives and is actually totally smitten with her, probably to the equivalent Georgia is smitten with Robbie. When she finally dumps Dave the Laugh, he angrily deems her a "heartless whatsit."

Okay. So he didn't take it too well.

Sex God is not the only thing on 14 year-old Georgia's mind. There's Libby, her rambunctious little sis who stores Scuba Barbie in Georgia's bed, along with her dirty panties that she frequently lifts her dress to show the gawking passerby. And there's Angus, still the mischief-causing fat cat we know and love from book one. He's still hell-bent on terrorizing the neighborhood and all of its animal residents.

With the same humor, except in greater quantities, I believe, Rennison has managed to write yet again another hilarious novel. And just like in book one, there is a glossary to define all British slang terms. Their language is quite amusing. I don't expect great literature from Rennison - I expect humor. I always get it.

Worth your time.

At least I'm wearing large knickers
I loved the book but I prefer the original title (At least I'm wearing large knickers). Georgia isn't as clueless in this book but she's still full of delightfully silly teenage angst. Libby, her sister, reminds me so much of my brother. He and I are similarly apart in ages as G and L although Libby makes him look like a saint at that age. I'm looking forward to reading Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas!

On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend od the Sex God
A book review by Megan Seeds on
On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God
by Louise Rennison
for the seventh hour English class of Mr. Tom Feltie

Georgia Nicolson seems to be just another normal protagonist from yet another diary-style book. She's got a mom, dad, sister, uncle and cat who all seem to be parts of this teenage, English girl's life. But, this family isn't so close to standard after all. Considering her language and vocabulary are all authentic British aphorisms, her sister is near 'mad,' her uncle is 'bald as an egg in leather pants' (in fact Libby calls him 'Eggy' at one point), her cat (Angus) has the body and 'ferociocity' of a large bulldog (he tries to eat Mr. and Mrs. Next Door's poodles and yet he lets Libby drag him around with out mauling her hand), and her parents are... well...you know, they're perfectly stereotypical parents.
All this adds up to make a book of confessions full of 'hilariocity.' To me, at least. Because of the type of humor in On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God, it would not be very suitable for any audience over the age of eighteen, under the age of ten and not of the female gender. This fact makes the book less desirable to me. That fact also discourages me to encourage others to read it.
I feel that at my age, I should be reading novels that will help me on the path to the great schools I hope to attend; this book wouldn't really help me in that area. Although it would help one who needed to know about teenage life in the united kingdom, it doesn't help many others. After I read it I felt less mature because of some of the scatological humor that the book includes.
Overall, it was a very fun book and a good read. But, it is not apropos for a very diverse audience. If you want to learn something out of what you read, On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God is not for you. (Sorry!) But if you want a quickly moving book that will make you laugh (and you are a 10 to 17 year old girl) you are sure to enjoy On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God. (Did I mention I liked the book?) ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

In this emotional sequel to Diary of a Teenage Girl, Caitlin O'Conner faces new trials as she grows in her faith and strives to maintain the recent commitments she's made to God. As a new believer, Caitlin begins her summer job and makes preparations for a Mexico mission trip with her church youth group. Torn between new spiritual directions and loyalty to Beanie, her best friend (now pregnant), Caitlin searches out her personal values on friendship, romance, dating, life goals, and key relationships with God and family. Tough choices threaten her progress, and her yearclimaxes in her realization that maturity sometimes means life-impacting decisions must be made ... by faith alone. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Kaitlyn Hennessy Bak Middle School of the Arts period 3
Melody Carlson continues her captivating writing in It's my Life: Diary of a teenage girl (book 2.) This book was just as wonderful as the first. Caitlin O' Conner's life never stops being interesting. She has many temptations with her new religion and has problems with her friends. In this novel Caitlin's church youth group goes on a mission to Mexico and there she feels she found her purpose in life, helping others who are less fortunate than her. This mission changes her views on a lot of things and will change yours too. Melody Carlson sucks you in and keeps you in till you reach that back cover and that's when you go buy the next book in the series. Any teen girl will love this book because we can all relate to Caitlin's life. That is why I give it 5 stars, but you must read all of the books in the series in order to get the full effect. But, trust me you'll want to read them all once you've read one.

The Diary of A teenage girl, book 2 is Awesome!
It was as exciting as i thought the first one was! In this book she goes more in-depth into life's challenges of any teenage girl living right now. Carlson sure knows how to capture a readers attention. Every single issue she writes about in the book is something that almost all girls can relate too. The very moving storyline keeps you reading from the beginning to the end. You can's stop reading it! If you're a girl going through some tough times right now. This book, and her first one, are the perfect books to read. You'll find out that a lot of things she writes about is very similar to what you're going through. So check this book out! ;)

Lindsay Bein book review: Diary of a teenage girl.
The book that I have chosen is called Diary of a Teenage Girl. This book is about a girl who wants to fit in but still abide by what she thinks is what God wants from her. Her mother and father do not get along. She is constantly fighting with her father. At one point she gets into the popular group and learns it isn't so great. She goes to a party and there is drinking, so she gets drivin home by her friend's boyfriend, who soon likes her. Then the young man in her youth group dies and she is faced with a great deal of pain, so she talks about it with her aunt who went to the church. Her two best friends also went to the church. They are a boy and a girl and had been going out for a long time. They decided they would be together forever so it would be okay to have sex. Now her friend is faced with a more serious problem, she is pregnant. Once again she looks to her aunt for advice, and her aunt takes her friend in, but her friend still has to work and take care of the baby that is about to be born.
I think this book is a good way to learn new coping skills. This young girl is faced with some very rough problems and her coping skill is praying or talking. I think this would be a good book for all teenagers to read if they need a little pick-up.
When I started reading this book I couldn't set it down. I didn't set it down until I was completely done. I would recommend this book.
It would also be a good book for parents to read about the every day troubles teenagers face. It is a very good book abou making good choices, and one that I would give to friends to read. It was a hard book to find, but I'm sure with a little help from the internet it can be found.

A great book for Christian Teens!
I loved the first Diary of a Teenage Girl and the 2nd installment didn't disappoint. We need more books out there that display Christian values. Melody Carlson is an excellent storyteller! Another author you might want to check out is Edee Wilcox. She is a new author who has written a book for those girls who have already overstepped the boundaries of purity and are struggling to get back to a relationship with God.

Diary of a teenage girl (book 1)
When i first got this book, i read the first chapter and endded up liking it so much that i read the whole book in one night! it is a great and inspirartional book and i give it 100 stars!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The offbeat style of this wonderful story--and of Julie Vivas'sperfectly matched illustrations--couldn't be summed up better than by the oddness of the first sentence: "There was once a small boy called Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge and what's more he wasn't very old either." Wilfrid lives next to a retirement home, filled with folks like "Mrs. Jordan who played the organ" and "Mr. Hosking who told him scary stories."But his favorite old person is 96-year-old Miss Nancy. Everyone says Miss Nancy has lost her memory, and despite the fact that Wilfrid doesn't even know what a memory is, by accident he helps her find it. Mem Fox's original take on the capacity of children to help the old remember is especially notable for its non-patronizing focus on old people. (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Try to remember the kind of September...
Mem Fox fans are a livid crew.If you've ever met one then I think you might know what I mean.When you meet a Mem Fox fan, it is more than likely that you may find yourself grabbed bodily as your arms start to fill with Mem Fox book after Mem Fox book.Mem Fox fans love her work and are quick to recommend everything she's done in a thrice.If you should feel like giving in and reading her works, then let me recommend that you begin with the delightful, "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge".A touching tale of a boy and his elderly friend, the book explores the nature of memory itself in a way that children can understand.

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge lives next to an old folks home and (as the book is quick to point out), "he wasn't very old either".Just a scrappy young boy, Wilfrid likes all the old people in the home, but his favorite is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper because she has just as many names as he does.One day Wilfrid hears his parents tsk tsking over the fact that Miss Nancy has lost her memory.Wilfrid asks what a memory is and his pop explains that it's something you remember.This definition doesn't sit well with young Wilfrid, however, and he runs over to the neighbors to get a little more clarification.What he finds instead, however, are mixed messages.I mean, Mrs. Jordon says a memory is something warm, while Mr. Hosking says it's from long ago.Mr. Tippett says it's something that makes you cry while Miss Mitchell claims it's what makes you laugh.And to top it all off Mr. Drysdale says it's as precious as gold, period.Using his head, Wilfrid decides to put things from his own memories into a box to give to Miss Nancy.After giving her the things one by one, Miss Nancy suddenly realizes that she does remember bits and pieces of her life by going through the objects.We watch as a medal reminds her of her brother who went to war and didn't come back, and a puppet reminds her of one she herself owned and would entertain her sister with.And that is how a small boy helped Miss Nancy find her memory again.

The fear behind a book such as this is that it might unduly raise the expectations of those kids whose beloved grandparents suffer from such memory sapping diseases as Alzheimer's or dementia.After all, Wilfrid makes it look so easy.But if used conscientiously the story is a sweet intergenerational tale for all kids to enjoy.Who wouldn't want to run around playing with a bunch of wise elders like this crew?There is a definite sense that Wilfrid is a great comfort to these people and his easy going camaraderie with them is a joy to behold.The story is a well told one, hinting at the backgrounds of these different men and women but never exactly telling anything specifically.I was also pleased to find that Miss Nancy's memories were not purely cheerful ones.She remembers sad facts as easily as happy ones, suggesting that perhaps nothing is worth forgetting.And where else will preschoolers be given the chance to discuss the nature of memory itself?

Add to Mem Fox's adept narration the color imbued illustrations of artist Julie Vivas and you've got yourself a hit!Vivas has such an original eye-catching style that it's difficult not to recognize it instantly.It's a little like a rounded out Patricia Pollacco.Here the elderly sport slippers and elastically-challenged socks as well as fabulous multi-colored dresses and baggy pants.Wilfrid is your average kid, skateboarding in the old folks home and climbing hither and yon.I was especially taken with the shot of him lying upside down between his parents as he father lazily carries his teddy bear.Most interesting are the pictures of Miss Nancy's past.Here the young red headed Miss Nancy (looking a little like Wilfrid's older sister, perhaps) sports lank black tights, high brown button shoes, and eclectic purple silk loose-fitting chemises.Kids won't notice the obviously odd clothing, but parents may pause a moment and wonder just how exactly it is that Miss Nancy found such clothes back then.

Still, it's a lovely tale.Full of wit and imagination.Many picture books contain active elderly characters, but few contain so many within a single book.Here we have a story that gives respect to the older AND younger members of our society at the same time.We owe so much to both that it's nice to see a story that gives them the fun color filled adventure they so richly deserve.

feel-good book
sappy, feel-good book.if that's what you're looking for, it's not bad.even with that, though, there's not much originality

This is one of my favorite books
I really like this book.I read it today for the second time, but I remember it from when I was younger.This story has siplicity for young children and a wonderful story line for any age.I am going to get this book for my children when I grow up and hopefully my little sister will read it some day.

Miss. Nancy's memory
Title: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Author: Mem Fox
Favorite Characters: Mrs. Jordan, Mr. Hosking, Mr. Tippett, Miss. Mitchell, and Mr. Drysdale

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge was a curious little boy who loved the old people that lived right next to him, especially Miss. Nancy.In the story, Gordon finds out that Miss. Nancy has lost her memory.There is a slight problem, though, he doesn't know what a memory is!He asks everyone what a memory is and everyone gives him a different answer.
After everyone's different answers, Gordon goes out to look for Miss. Nancy's memory. Gordon ends up bring a box with a football, a puppet, a medal, a shell, and a warm egg to Miss. Nancy.What does this all have to do with her memory?Find out by reading the book...

Wonderful Book - Not a Good Alzheimer's Lesson
This book is a beautiful story with a wonderful ending, but not if you are trying to teach kids about what it means to have Alzheimer's Disease.I see this book mentioned quite a bit when exploring children's books on this disease.In the story, the boy successfully finds the woman's memory and she returns to her old self.This might send the wrong message to a child trying to understand why their grandparent doesn't remember them; they might think they can return his or her memory.I love this book, and would recommend it to anyone, but I would not recommend it as a teaching tool for kids on Alzheimer's Disease. ... Read more

Book Description

Author Patricia Reilly Giff's Newbery Honor-winning Lily's Crossing is now available for the first time in paperback!

Every summer Lily and her father go to her family's house in Rockaway, near the Atlantic Ocean.But the summer of 1944 is different.World War II has called Lily's father overseas, Lily's best friend Margaret had to move with her family to a wartime factory town, and Lily is forced to live with her grandmother.

But then a boy named Albert, a refugee from Hungary, comes to live in Rockaway.He has lost most of his family to the war.Soon he and Lily form a special friendship, and they have secrets to share.But they have both told lies, and Lily's lie may cost Albert his life. ... Read more

Reviews (83)

Great Book!
Lily's Crossing was a good book.It was a good book because it described things well.This is what Lily's Crossing was about.

Lily is a little girl who lives in Saint Alban's. She is 12 years old. In the summer she goes to live with her grandma in Rockaway, NY.She has to play the the piano because her dad bought her a piano to play. She doesn't like the piano. Right now her dad is in the World War 2. He is an engineer. He is not going to be home until the war is over. Lily really misses her poppy. Her best friend Margaret has to move because of the war. She has to go with her father and her family because her dad got transferred with his job. In the book, Lily meets a kid named Albert.

In order to find out what happens next, you will have to read the book. I would recommend this book to you, because it is really good and exciting.

Friends Forever
Lily's Crossing, a popular Newberry Honor Book, is wonderful for readers of all ages. Patricia Reilly Giff brings the whole story to life with her amazing adventures and her remarkable characters. Lily, an eleven-year-old girl with a life full of happiness, is living through the tough times of World War II. Her father has to move away to help strengthen America in the war. It doesn't end there! Every summer Lily goes to the beach with her friends but not the summer that her father leaves. Lily's best friend has to go away with her family because her family has to help out with the war. Just when Lily thinks that her life is ruined, she suddenly meets a boy named Albert. They became best friends, but can they stay out of trouble with her lying? Will Lily say something that can cost Albert his life?
This book is highly recommended because it shows just how important friendship can be. Lily is an amazing girl who shares her wonderful world with everyone. Her story can help many people during rough times with friends because she teaches people never to give up on friends. When Lily realizes that her best friend must move away, she feels miserable! She and Albert have their rough times at the beginning, but in the end, they become best of friends! The book also presents life during World War II. It presents the reader with a whole new world in the little town named Rockaway, New York where families and friends become close knit and help each other out. Also, by inviting everyone over to dinner. The war helps Lily become closer to her friends and family during these rough times. It also helps her to become trustworthy with her friends and to stop lying to everybody.
Lily's Crossing should definitely be at top of the list of best novels because the reader will feel a part of an unforgettable world. So me people may see Lily's Crossing a very mellow and sometimes boring book. Despite these views, the reader is bond to feel a connection to the characters life experiences! Even if Lily's Crossing isn't the number one book to many people, there is definitely a whole lot to learn from this little girl, for example, what it was like to live during World War II. It also can help many people understand who true friends are and how powerful friendship can be.
~ Once reading this book, it will change the readers life forever ~

Lilys Crossing
Lily's life is not the best. Her father is at war, and she has to move.
She has no friends until she meets Albert.
Lily has told many lies, but now she has told one that may cost her a friend. Lily has two major events in her life; will Albert follow his heart, will her father return?

Lily!
While on the yearly summer trip to Rockaway, New York, Lily experiences some hardships. In 1944, everyone's life has changed. WWII has become familiar with every family. As soon as they get to Rockaway, Lily's father announces that he will be going overseas due to the war. She does meet a Hungarian refugee named albert. Lily and Albert turn out to become good friends. She overcomes lying the summer of 1944. Patricia Reilly Giff makes this story very easy and interesting. I completely fell in love with Lily.

I would give this book 3 stars
I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars because it is a good book but it is not as good as other books I have read. I also think it was not very detailed and there were parts in the book that didn't make sense. My favorite thing about the book is that Patricia Reilly Giff makes an unbreakable friendship between Lily and Albert.
One thing I think the author should have done differently is to have explained things a little better. My favorite character was Gram because she might have not shown her love for Lily but really she would do anything for Lily. Gram reminds me of my Godfather, Bill, who unfortunately was in a plane crash. My least favorite character was Margaret because she was very naughty and mean.
One part that really made me think was when Lily went to save Albert in the storm. It made me think "Would I do that?" and "What would I do in that position?"
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read it. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the diary ... of a spider. But don't be worried -- he's more scared of you and your gigantic shoe! Actually, he's a lot like you. He goes to gym class and has Grandparents Day at school. But he also spins sticky webs, scales walls, and takes wind-catching lessons. Lucky for him, his best friend is a fly!

Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, the team behind the #1 best-selling Diary Of A Worm, spin a hilarious tale about the upside-down web world of an eight-legged charmer and his unlikely friend, Fly.

Book Description

Winner of 17 Children's Choice Awards nationwide, here is Louis Sachar's most beloved novel.

An IRA/CBC Children's Choice ... Read more

Reviews (141)

I thought that this book was excellent.
I read chapters 1-5 to many third and fourth grade classes in the NYC public schools. The children enjoyed the book greatly. Their favorite parts were when Bradley talks to his toy animals, makes up stories about doing well in school and starts making a friendship with the new kid Jeff. Each class has always reacted to the dialoque between Bradley and the other characters like "give me a dollar or I'll spit on you," to Jeff, "Call the zoo if you dont believe me",to his parents, "Lori loudmouth" to Lori, his classmate, Get out of here to his sister who barges in his room and says "what are you doing playing with your animal friends?" and Bradley responds "No I am arranging them in alphabetical order, it's a project for school." After I finish reading a section, I will hear a few kids saying the lines to themselves and laugh too. They also like the part when Bradley tells the guidance counselor that he eats dog food. I see how much the children relate to this book and many of the children who are not big readers have been inspired to read and get the book after I have read the first four chapters. I enjoy the rationale behind the book and how Bradley starts to grow and learn.

Bradley Chalkers=Me
I read this book, Sunday (Feb. 17, 2002) while I was going through a sad time. I love this book, and when I first read it when I was in middle school, I knew it was a special book. "There's a Boy in the Girl's bathroom" is funny, heartwarming, genuine, sincere, and powerful.

Bradley Chalkers---he is considered the "monster" in the book because he misbehaves, and he thinks he is a "monster" on the inside and the outside. His counselor, Carol, sees Bradley as the sweetest little boy deep inside himself. At first, Bradley doesn't want to listen to her, but then he does, and his life makes a beautiful transition. He is the person that he always was supposed to be. The likeable boy that everyone comes to adore.

"There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom" is a story about a little boy that changes. It touches me so much because in that 195 page you see Bradley change into the person that he was meant to be. I was feeling bad yesterday, but when I read that it makes me realize that if Bradley Chalkers, a fifth grader, can change his life so young, we all can too. It feels good to know that we can all grow and mature with a little help for people who care about us.

My Favorite Novel of ALL Time
I think i've read this book at least once a year since I was in the fourth grade, and I'm 19 now, so that would mean I've read it a little over 10 times. It's absolutely incredible. People do always give me funny looks when I say it's my favorite book, but I'm not going to lie to them. Sadly, my 10 year old copy is quite a bit dog eared now, so it's great to see they're still printing new editions.

There's A Boy is unlike a lot of other children's novels out there, even unlike a lot of other Sachar books. Where most kid's books offer simple, crazy set ups, a bit of conflict and an ultimately happy ending, There's A Boy doesn't do that. Instead, the setup is a little more sad than comical, the wacky events are all very true to life and the ending is quite a bit more bittersweet than would be expected. But that's exactly what this book needed, if everything ended perfectly the point would be lost.

There is also so much to like about this book, in that sense. Bradley and Jeff are amazingly complex characters, and so are the minor ones, too, (Notice how Mrs. Ebbel wants Bradley to succeed but still blatantly ridicule him in front of the class "Of course, there was one F"). Carla might seem like she's on the edge of perfection, especially in the eyes of the children, but her SPOILER final letter to Bradley indicates a bit of empitness and sorrow in her life.

If there's any criticism of the book, and, yes, I do have some, it's how it treats the relationship between the younger male and female characters. I'm not against it, but the roles seem oddly stereotyped for a book that defies most cut-outs. The fight in the rain is a perfect example, and kid who's read half a dozen books knows how this one is going to turn out. And Colleen's affection for Jeff is another bothersome plot point. No fifth graders act like that, really. It's too bad Sachar felt like he needed to place these plots in there when the resolve at the birthday party seems forced and un real (we all know Bradley is crazy, but this crazy? I don't buy it).

My sort of dream for these past ten years has been to turn There's A Boy into a feature length film, possibly with the changes listed above. Not a kid's film, though, one aimed at adults that emphasizes the sadness and pain in the novel. It'll never happen, but it's fun to take a scene from the book and imagine it as a scene in a real drama movie. It could happen. I hope.

So buy the book! You won't be dissapointed but maybe a little teary-eyed by the end. I'll probably order this edition to keep up with the times. At least the cover design on this one is a little more colorful.

Never loses its appeal
I was first read this book when I was seven years old, and now ten years later, about to graduate high school, it is still one of my favorites.

The story is touching. It's not your average children's book, where there are bad guys and good. In this story, there are shades of gray as our oringally unlovable protagonist can turn his ways around. It's also a story about friendship, the growth and development, and the many different bonds between children, parents, and teachers. And most importantly, in traditional Sachar style, it's a really funny story, as well, making it enjoyable for adults and kids.

This is truly one of my favorite books and because of it, I figured out what I want to study to be next year when I go to college: a guidance counselor for children, just like Carla.

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
By: Louis Sachar
Reviewed by: P. Kim
Period: 6

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom is about a boy named Bradley Chaulkers that is hated by everyone in his class due to the trouble he causes. He doesn't do his homework, is a troublemaker, and also repeated a grade. Then a boy named Jeff Fishkins comes to his school and sort of becomes Bradley's friend. Soon Jeff decides to ditch Bradley to move to other friends. Everyone hated Bradley except Carla the new counselor. She enjoys talking to Bradley about his problems, and knows he can change into a better person. Bradley soon comes to Carla daily and with her help Bradley eventually changes into a better person.

I like this book for many reasons. One reason why I like this book is because it tells about a boy that has difficulty with the world in a humorous way. It gives great details about the life of Bradley Chaulkers. I also disliked the book because when I was hoping that the book would be about boys going into the girl's bathroom but when I started reading the first few chapters my smile turned upside down.

These are two of my favorite Quotes in the book, "Give me a dollar or I will spit on you." And, "I'll give you a dollar if you be my friend." I like these quotes because they are back-to-back sentences in which the whole conversation works out between Jeff Fishkins and Bradley Chaulkers.

My favorite part in "There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom" is when Bradley is invited to a birthday party and has no clue what to do when he plays games there. He even forgets to wrap his birthday present. But, luckily he has guidance so he wouldn't have to be embarrassed. I like this part because it shows him doing embarrassing things in front of people. ... Read more

Daphne Durham

Audacious author Lauren Myracle accomplishes something of a literary miracle in her second young-adult novel, ttyl (Internet instant messaging shorthand for "talk to you later"), as she crafts an epistolary novel entirely out of IM transcripts between three high-school girls.

Far from being precious, the format proves perfect for accurately capturing the sweet histrionics and intimate intricacies of teenage girls. Grownups (and even teenage boys) might feel as if they've intercepted a raw feed from Girl Secret Headquarters, as the book's three protagonists--identified by their screen names "SnowAngel," "zoegirl," and "mad maddie"--tough their way through a rough-and-tumble time in high school. Conversations range from the predictable (clothes, the delicate high-school popularity ecosystem, boys, boys in French class, boys in Old Navy commercials, etc.) to the the jarringly explicit (the girls discuss female ejaculation: "some girls really do, tho. i read it in our bodies, ourselves") and the unintentionally hilarious (Maddie's IM reduction of the Christian poem "Footprints"--"oh, no, my son. no, no, no. i was carrying u, don't u c?").

But Myracle's triumph in ttyl comes in leveraging the language-stretching idiom of e-mail, text messaging, and IM. Reaching to express themselves, the girls communicate almost as much through punctuation and syntactical quirks as with words: "SnowAngel: 'cuz--drumroll, please--ROB TYLER is in my french class!!! *breathes deeply, with hand to throbbing bosom* on friday we have to do "une dialogue" together. i get to ask for a bite of his hot dog.'"

Myracle already proved her command of teenage girl-ness with Kissing Kate, but the self-imposed convention of ttyl allows a subtlety that is even more brilliant. Parents might like reading the book just to quantify how out of touch they are, but teens will love the winning, satisfyingly dramatic tale of this tumultuous trio. (Ages 13 to 17) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Be prepared for a little schock talk
After the first few pages of TTYL I put the book down and rang up my 20 something school teacher daughter to corroborate or correct Myracle's use of current teenage girl talk. "Yes, Dad," she assured me, "thirteen year old girls know about and talk about that kind of stuff." Shocked but somewhat relieved by this confirmation from someone I respect who is much closer to the teenage scene than I am, I read on. What a delightful read it was! Maddie, Snow Angel and Zoe couldn't be closer if they lived together. They share pain, pleasure, and intimate thoughts and come up with ways to help each other through difficulties. Don't get hung up on the sex talk. Sex is NOT the theme of the book. Friendship is.

OMG THIS BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!
OMG!!
I loved this book every time i got to the book store im always hoping to find a book that has to with girls that are in my grade that are in my grade tho i could relate to Zoe with her innocentness Maddies tough side and Angela's playfull side! I still loved who when one is in danger they were are always there for each and thats how iam wit my friends (BaBak) Great read go get it!

Bridget*

The Downfall of Society
In the future, robot archaeologists will be sifting through the rubble of a long dead human civilization, patiently searching for the ultimate cause of mankind's extinction. After sifting through the remains of our fallen society, searching through libraries and the streets of ghost towns and the insides of long-dead computers, they will eventually find the horrific shout that set off the avalanche that would destroy us.

They will find TTYL.

It will be the first time a robot weeps.

ttyl(Talk to You Later)
Lauren Myracle strikes again, with another fantastic novel! This book I have to say is one of my favorite books. This book hooks you 'till the last page. I read it in 3 days but I'm a slow reader so that's pretty fast for me. You'll never want to put this book down. All teenage girls can really relate to this book. TTYL is all about 3 highschool girls that are trying to make it through their first year. The 3 of them have been best friends since 7th grade. They have a really good, strong, bond with each other. This book not only talks about boys but it talks about stuff that can teach you a lot. I don't wan't to give the whole book away but one of the girls go to a party and gets drunk. You are gonna die because theres not a sequel. Oh ya, and the whole entire book is done in IM's so that makes it really fun. It;s really fun to put yourself in one of the girls position. You can totally relate to all of these girls in different ways. I totally recomend that you not only get it from your library but that you buy it. It's totally worth it. There is so much more that goes on in this book that i want to tell you but my guess is that you want to find it out for yourself. I hope that my review helped you.

A Genuine (Girly) Gem
Myracle's book recounts three best friends' hopes and heartbreaks as they forge their way through tenth grade -- all told through instant message and chatroom transcripts. Angela, known by her screenname, SnowAngel, is bubbly and boy-crazy, while Maddie, or madmaddie, is the group's resident "tough" girl. Zoe, or zoegirl, rounds out the bunch as the good-girl intellectual. As the plot progresses, however, each girl embarks on a course that challenges her persona, leading to consequences that range from winsome to woeful.
This work's merit stems largely from its smart dialogue, daring format, and ability to capture true teenage emotions (and emoticons). Yet, Myracle's book also surpasses those of a similar genre because of its keen attention to contemporary cultural references. With such inclusions as Starbucks®, Krispy Kreme®, Lizzie McGuire and That 70's Show, the author widens her book's scope, conveying both the girls' personal universes and their awareness of a greater outside world. Theirs is a highly commercial reality, a fact of which Myracle is aware and sensitive to in her choice of formatting. ... Read more