From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9–Lucy, the main character in Cathy Hopkins's novel (Simon Pulse, pap. 2003), will remind listeners of Georgia in Louise Rennison's
Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series (HarperCollins). The story here is told in the first person, but not in the scatter-shot diary format favored by Georgia. Fourteen-year-old Lucy is more introspective, less self-centered, and less superficial than Georgia, if not quite as laugh-out-loud hysterical. There is plenty here on the subject of boys, appearance, and changing friendships, and there's also is a fair dose of humor. Lucy displays a sensitivity and concern for her place in her family, her friendships, and her world. Amanda Hulme's rendition reflects the voice and phrasing of a young teen very well. She also subtly but convincingly distinguishes between the other characters. As Lucy struggles with looking younger than her friends and defining what she might like to do in the future with her particular talents, she meets her dream boy and she must seriously consider what it means to grow up and to find her own way. Fans of Georgia Nicolson will enjoy this well-rounded look at another young teenager working her way through the transition from young teen to adulthood. This thoughtful novel belongs in all audio collections serving young teens.–
Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
At age 14, Lucy looks 12, while her friends can easily pass for 16-year-olds. Narrator Amanda Hulme is irresistible as Lucy and her friends, Izzy and Nesta. Hulme captures the bittersweet emotions Lucy experiences as she sets her sights on a boy, makes difficult decisions, and copes with a new girl becoming part of a longstanding friendship. There's humor aplenty as the girls resort to tarot cards, discover inflatable bras, and get bad haircuts. Young listeners will see themselves in many of the situations. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
