The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Review 12 (EC)

Brashares, Ann. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Random House Children's Books: 2004. Print

Annotation: A sweet, summer coming-of-age story. A story about the bond of friendship.



Justification for Nomination: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a necessary read for young women. In our ever increasingly digital world, where technological advances in communication have the ability to simultaneously and instantly connect as well as distance is from face-to-face conversation, this book has value.

Author Ann Brashers depicts these unique individuals and their adventures while in possession of the "magical" pants in very fun and interesting way. Each character comes alive in their dynamic depictions.

The level of friendship-the trials and tribulations they experience as an intimate community- serves as a wonderful model for young women. The healthy, supportive friendships are refreshing without feeling fake or forced.

I recommend this book to middle and high-school age women; and I would nominate it for a Mock Printz as well.

Genre: Coming of Age

Jacob Have I Loved

Review 11 (EC)

Paterson, Katherine. Jacob Have I Loved. New York: Harper Collins, 1980. Print.

Annotation: A young girl's story about finding her place in the world.

Justification for Rejection: One of the biggest draws I have to this book is to its sense of fun and adventure. The protagonist, Louise Bradshaw, or Wheeze, as she is nick-named, has plenty of unique characters surrounding her, and with whom she interacts as she tries to figure out who she is and how she fits in the large-scheme of the world.

From crab fishing, to roaming around the bay-town, to meeting who they believe to be a German spy, Wheeze and her buddy 'Call make the best of their summer days with endless imaginations.

Author, Katherine Paterson does a wonderful job of crafting the characters and plot. Although I might not laud how dynamic the characters are, there is an appeal in their constancy and semi-predictable nature.

There are bits of humor as well as seriousness that balance quite well in this book.

Although I feel this book has many things going for it, it was a fun read. I feel it lacked to reach a certain level to merit my nomination for the Printz Award.



Genre: Coming of Age, Historical Fiction

First French Kiss and other Traumas

Review 10

Bagdasarian, Adam. First French Kiss and other Traumas. Sunburst: 2002. Print.

Annotation: Episodes of youth traumas we all get over...eventually.

Justification for Rejection: If there ever was a book to be described as "short and sweet", First French Kiss is it. Bagdasarian gives us short, sweet, funny, painful descriptions of childhood events. He recounts childhood memories from moving to a new house, his disillusionment with owning his very own gumball machine, to yes, his first make-out session.

The vignettes offer vivid detail with balance of pain and humor. The stories are quite resonant with a wide reading audience--regardless of age or gender.

Although the book offers bits and sparks of humor and emotion, for the most part, it falls flat. The language often feels to simple, and boring. The randomness of the stories is also disruptive. Understood, memory does not work in an entirely linear fashion; however, this is where the craft of editing comes in to "save the day". I feel this book could have benefited from a little more structure or storyline.

Perhaps this book offers exactly what you are looking for if that is a light, quick read, where you can pick and choose chapter titles that interest you. Although, even those, I'm afraid, don't succeed in grabbing much attention.

Like I said: a short, sweet read; not a Printz book.

Genre: Humor