Things I Liked:
This book was a sweet story about a kid learning that the things you want in life aren't always what you get. I loved Zoe and totally remember when I wanted things and instead I got something else (like a Cabbage Patch kid that my mother made instead of purchased). I laughed through all of the lunchroom scenes, especially when Zoe is sitting with the boys. This is a light and fun book with interesting characters and a useful message that won't hit kids right over the head. Here are a few of my favorite parts:
"Had Lester Rennet ever seen a school lunchroom? Did he understand that the lunchroom is a jungle, where sixth-grade beasts stalk the weak and dorky? Unfolding a revolutionary paper keyboard would be like picking a scab in a pool of sharks - the scent of blood would cause a frenzy." p 12
"I don't exactly know what smitten means, but it sounds okay, like I wouldn't mind if Colton Shell was smitten. Like it might actually be kind of good to have somebody smittening me." p 103Things I Didn't Like:
I have to admit to being annoyed at times with her parents. I think that was part of the book's appeal, though. Zoe is annoyed as well and we tend to feel the same way.
Read-alikes:
Reminded me of Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Also Shug by Jenny Han and Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ****
Got a favorite tween read?
Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage