From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10–A thoroughly welcome, laugh-out-loud addition to British chick lit told in Jess's comedienne-to-be voice. At the end of
Girl, 15, Charming but Insane (Delacorte, 2004), the teen realized that she was crazy about her clever pal, Fred, and that he shared her affection. As they're about to settle into a perfect summer, Jess's mom announces a two-week vacation visiting historical and literary landmarks–just what a teen relishes most–that will end with a trip to the beach where her artist dad lives. Along the way, her grandmother plans to scatter her grandfather's ashes in the sea near their honeymoon village. Although Jess longs to visit her dad, she despairs at the timing, especially since Fred has bought tickets to a music fest. As in its predecessor, this story relies on Jess's misconceptions, emotional dips and heights, and on characters and situations that are both sweet and wacky. In a fit of spontaneity, she boards a bus to her father's a day early and learns that he broke up with her mother because he's gay. She meets his partner, a boutique-owner and boatsman, who offers to take Granny out to sea for a private ash-scattering ceremony. Although readers will savor this novel on its own, reading
Girl, 15 first makes it even funnier.
–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Katherine Kellgren's comedic timing is spot-on in her portrayal of a (nearly) 16-year-old English girl who wishes to someday be a stand-up comedian. Jess Jordan finds herself on holiday with her staid mother, despite her plans to spend the summer with her boyfriend. From this misadventure comes a sweet and touching story of a family coming together. Jess finds common ground with her mother, discovers the truth about her father, and watches her grandmother heal from tragedy. The underlying warmth of this coming-of-age story is reflected in Kellgren's tone, and the listener can hear the smiles shared by all at the end. M.R.P. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
by Sue Limb
by Sue Limb
by Neil Gaiman
