GENRE: Novel in Verse
HONORS: 2002 American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
2002 American Library Association Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
2001 Top Ten Editor's Choice by Teenreads.com
2003 International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice
REVIEW: Ninth-grader Sophie is experiencing all the emotions of falling in love with almost every boy she lays her eyes on. In the book Sophie is accompanied by best friends, Grace and Rachel, who seem at first to be two very supportive, but later do not have the best interests in her well being. In these narrative verses, Sophie expresses the longing of affection from a passive father, and having to deal with an overprotective mother, which she has a close bond with. The story progresses to the most significant lesson that is portrayed through Sophie's secret crush on a boy in art class who is NOT at all popular. Sophie learns that looks and social status are not the end all the happiness and she succumbs to her true feelings.
OPINION: The 'novel in verse' format conveys Sophie's adolescent experiences in a first person, uninhibited perspective. This format adds a personal touch where a reader can genuinely feel what Sophie is going through. Her sporadic emotions between teen crushes and loves is the humorous part of the novel, but there is plenty of truth the scenarios. Sophie's gradual realization of what brings true happiness is realistic and an eye opening resolution for teen readers.
IDEAS: A good book for reluctant young teen readers. Also an iconic book to display for Banned Book Week. (ALA’s list of most frequently challenged books in 2004 and 2005)
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