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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very down to earth high school love story about growing up, making decisions, and experiencing first love. Easy for adolescents to relate to. Definitely not a glorified love story. Worth a read.
#modernmrsdarcy banned book
#readharder childrens classic before 1980
#readharder childrens classic before 1980
I never had the chance to read this one as a teen, and I'm glad I read it now. While some of the story is outdated (Katherine's sister Jamie has a hobby of hooking rugs, the teens listen to records, Michael and Katherine are asked if they "go together") the emotional impact of the story still resonates today.
I remember my first love-I felt like Katherine-wanting to be with him, not caring about school as senior ended, and thinking that it will last. Ms. Blume captures these emotions so perfectly and she was able to transport me back to my teen years. I know teen readers will relate. It did take me a couple chapters to get into it-the writing style is very different compared to current YA books, but I think readers who are interested will stick with it.
The biggest complaint about this book is that it deals with sex, birth control, and teen pregnancy, and that the sex scenes are graphic. I honestly found the scenes handled in a way that I think teens will appreciate-they were honest and I didn't find them all that graphic. Compared to books like Gossip Girl, this book is tame. But I think that's what readers appreciate about it-this book is much more real.
As much as we would like to think that all teens have an adult to talk to or that they pay attention in health class, that is not the case. Teens also can get embarassed when talking about sex and I think Ms. Blume presents a positive look of a sexual relationship-she also gives options-Sybil gives her baby up for adoption instead of having an abortion. Ms. Blume never talks down the reader and tells them her opinion-she provides information and lets the reader come to their own conclusion.
I think this is a book that will stick around for another thirty years.
I remember my first love-I felt like Katherine-wanting to be with him, not caring about school as senior ended, and thinking that it will last. Ms. Blume captures these emotions so perfectly and she was able to transport me back to my teen years. I know teen readers will relate. It did take me a couple chapters to get into it-the writing style is very different compared to current YA books, but I think readers who are interested will stick with it.
The biggest complaint about this book is that it deals with sex, birth control, and teen pregnancy, and that the sex scenes are graphic. I honestly found the scenes handled in a way that I think teens will appreciate-they were honest and I didn't find them all that graphic. Compared to books like Gossip Girl, this book is tame. But I think that's what readers appreciate about it-this book is much more real.
As much as we would like to think that all teens have an adult to talk to or that they pay attention in health class, that is not the case. Teens also can get embarassed when talking about sex and I think Ms. Blume presents a positive look of a sexual relationship-she also gives options-Sybil gives her baby up for adoption instead of having an abortion. Ms. Blume never talks down the reader and tells them her opinion-she provides information and lets the reader come to their own conclusion.
I think this is a book that will stick around for another thirty years.
While it perfectly captures what can be the obsessive nature of young love, it also feels cringey and more like a good case against codependency.
Of course, when it came out, my 6th-grade self was all consumed by the raciness of it, but now I just find the characters bland and mostly unlikeable. And don't even get me started on Ralph the penis
Of course, when it came out, my 6th-grade self was all consumed by the raciness of it, but now I just find the characters bland and mostly unlikeable. And don't even get me started on Ralph the penis
2.5 stars
This book was tough to get through. I appreciate that it talks to openly and frankly about sex, from a teenage/young adult perspective. But I found the characters so hard to like. Not the best of Judy Blume's books.
This book was tough to get through. I appreciate that it talks to openly and frankly about sex, from a teenage/young adult perspective. But I found the characters so hard to like. Not the best of Judy Blume's books.
Well, I am surprised I never read this book before (as a teenager)...that's probably why I only gave it the three stars. As a teen, I probably would have given 5! Anyway, it strikes me as odd that this book has been banned and/or challenged. There's nothing obscene and/or gratuitous about any of the scenes. It was a simple, sweet, and seemingly true story of a young girl losing her virginity and struggling with all of the baggage that comes with it. As a teacher, I would recommend this as independent reading, and as a parent, I would do the same...although there may be other 'required-coming-of-age' books I'd like Emma to read...
I read this in jr. high and I remember people talking about it lots all through school. It was a big deal back in the day, i'm sure it still is to the jr. high kids. If you are an adult this is a great read and may take you back.
While the over-abundance of sexual focus got on my nerves at times and clouded the story, it was in retrospect a great literary tool to amplify those feelings that teens are raging with. The way that Blume brings this love story to a blaring crescendo was blunt but again the perfect way of showing how erratic teenage romance can be.