Gr 8—10—Brooke, 17, is dissatisfied. Her relationship with her mother is strained, she is smart but feels no motivation to succeed in school, and she pines for a boy with whom she has never even spoken. When she discovers that Scott is moving to New York City, to the same neighborhood as her estranged father, Brooke decides that a change in her own life is also necessary. What follows is the bittersweet tale of her transformation from a suburban Jersey girl whose life is defined by her infatuation into a New Yorker who has new friends, plans for her future, and a better relationship with both of her parents. While not everything works out exactly as she had hoped, and not everything is fully resolved by the close of the book, Brooke's story ends happily and with love. Parallels to Sarah Dessen are inevitable, but the narrative voice Colasanti has created is thoughtful and likable in its own way. The protagonist is enviably pretty, intelligent, brave, and, because of her workaholic father, has the freedom and money to run around New York City. But she is also self-deprecating and flawed. Colasanti has once again formulated a teen romance that feels realistic, which will make this novel a hit with readers.—Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
When Brooke finds out that her crush, Scott, is moving to New York for senior year, she decides to move there, too. As she relentlessly pursues Scott, she discovers that her real love is the city itself. Brooke spends much of the book uninterestingly boy-obsessed and angry, but her eventual transformation into an independent, ambitious New Yorker is gratifying.
Be the first reader to comment.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!