It's a Wonderful Life

Gr 7 Up—In this uninspired novel, Anna, a 17-year-old Dutch girl, resents having to spend her summer vacation in small-town America instead of partying with her friends on the beaches of Spain. Still, anything's better than the same old family vacation to France with two younger siblings in tow. While in Bakerton, PA, Anna gets her fill of local life: backyard barbecues, movie night at the rec center, the diner, and the Baptist choir. Most of her time is spent working at the antique shop where she invents famous movie origins for the merchandise to make it sell faster. After work, she follows around the local undertaker, 19-year-old Daniel, who is determined to convince her that death can be beautiful. As she makes connections with the town residents, Anna comes to see herself and her life in a new light. Her quirky habit of quoting old movies, however, may put off modern teens, and the supporting characters seem capable of only the most basic emotions.—Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY