And the book that I have chosen to review is:
Fifteen by Beverly Cleary
First published: 1956
Publisher(of this edition): Avon Books, Inc.
Number of pages:203
ISBN: 0380728044
So, first off--I'm a big fan of old stuff. Old movies(and by old I mean like 1930-1950), Old-ish music, but particularly old books. The way they smell, the way there's usually no junk in them, etc. And I'm a huge fan of the 50's in particular. Like, soda fountains, poodle skirts, and swing-dancing. I think it's just adorable! And this book is set in that era. So smiley face #1 :)
Now, second--I love, love, LOVE cute love stories. And this is one of those. Smiley face #2 :)
Jane Purdy is a pretty average girl. She's 15. She babysits. She's kind of insecure. And, she wishes she had a boyfriend. Well, on the way to a babysitting appointment one day, she's thinking to herself "Today I'm going to meet a boy." Guess what? While she's babysitting, a boy comes into the house to deliver horse meat for the dog. He helps her out of a tricky situation with the kid she's babysitting(involving a bottle of permanent blue ink and a beige-y white carpet). That night she's eating dinner with her parents and the phone rings. And it's the delivery boy! And he wants to go out with her! Right about this point, I'm thinking: No way! That NEVER happens.
So she goes out with him. And it's amazing. Both Jane and Stan are such sweet, lovable characters. This book is adorable, but it also has a realistic amount of awkwardness in it combined with the stupid things we do to impress people, and then the freedom that comes from being yourself.
But if you want to know the rest, you've got to read the book. ;)
Emily this is a great review! The proof: I would grab it and read it right now if I could, and I don't especially like the 50's. You have been recommending good books to me for years, but now I get to read your reviews in polished writing form. Hooray! More to come I am sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was kind of nervous about writing this one 1) because it was the first one, and 2)because I wasn't really following most of the "book blogging" rules/suggestions that I had come across. So I appreciate the feedback! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I get comments, they buoy me up and make me want to keep posting. I'm sure you have found this to be true, as well. For, what is the point in writing(especially things you like/are proud of)if no one takes notice of them?
And, you are welcome to borrow it! Just let me know when you want to/have the time.
Em, I think this is an awesome review as well. I especially like the part at the end where you wrote "Both Jane and Stan are such sweet, lovable characters. This book is adorable, but it also has a realistic amount of awkwardness in it combined with the stupid things we do to impress people, and then the freedom that comes from being yourself."
ReplyDeleteI feel like those lines sum it up in such a way that I would surely want to read it, if I hadn't already, and that I feel happy about because it captures what I loved about it when I did read it. Nice job!