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barbarianlibarian's review
2.0
totally dated. not that notable. I'm not sure that I would have even related to or loved it as a teen.
carolynaugustyn's review
4.0
Everything about this book is just so darling and sweet and nice- almost so sugary sweet that it should make you gag but really, this is just so lovely. I have always loved Beverly Cleary's writing, her books made up a bulk of my childhood, so I was kind of surprised that I had somehow missed this book during my slightly more grown up but still a kiddo stage. I'm so glad I gave this a read-and also so glad I didn't read this at 13 because Stan Crandall would have set me up for so many let downs in the dating department. Stan is just too nice and sweet and just a little nervous about girls (which is so sweet and charming) and really, a total dreamboat. Definitely give this a read for a little fluffy reading- the 1950s setting is charming and quaint and really just a total feel good story.
tcarg's review
5.0
sweet perfection, this book makes me a child again every time I read it. I am nostalgic for something I ever had
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
It's short, it's amusing, it catches the teenage years spot-on. Beverly Cleary sees the teen years as clearly as she does the childhood years in her Ramona books. I got this as a joke present for my fifteen-year-old daughter and I couldn't stay away from it myself. The slight teen love story is perfectly fine, but what really makes the book for me is the self-awareness that comes to Jane Purdy as she learns about herself in the story.
maplessence's review against another edition
5.0
Ah, this was sweet and charming, Cleary writing about a time of innocence that probably never really existed.
But Ms Cleary captures very well the insecurities of the young and the manoeuvring between parents' wishes and Jane's own desire to grow up.
Although Jane does have some career ambitions and is part of a successful babysitting partnership, they pale to her desire to be Stan's girl. I like to think that modern teens think of more than this!
A quick, easy read and I loved spending time with people as nice as Jane & Stan.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
But Ms Cleary captures very well the insecurities of the young and the manoeuvring between parents' wishes and Jane's own desire to grow up.
Although Jane does have some career ambitions and is part of a successful babysitting partnership, they pale to her desire to be Stan's girl. I like to think that modern teens think of more than this!
A quick, easy read and I loved spending time with people as nice as Jane & Stan.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
amysutton's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very different read from the perspective of a 21 year old. The first time I read it, I was 13 and completely enamored by the thought of romance.
The story is told from the perspective of 15 year old Jane - hence the title - as she falls in love with the new boy in town Stan.
The story itself is a great representation of "traditional" romance considering it's set in the 1950s when chivalry reigned and people still said they were "going steady" and claimed one another with class rings or bracelets.
It may be because Jane is 15, or it may be because the story is set in this time frame, but I became a bit annoyed at how trepid and nervous Jane was as well as how manipulative and boastful all of the girls were. I guess it's not dissimilar to modern times, but there was something about Jane and her friend going to the soda shop and intentionally talking a bit too loudly about their dates that night that made me lose a bit of patience with the characters. Nonetheless, this is one of the best (and most memorable) love stories that I have read. It was almost as enjoyable at 21 as it was at 13, and the nostalgia and butterflies it brought to my stomach were appreciated.
The story is told from the perspective of 15 year old Jane - hence the title - as she falls in love with the new boy in town Stan.
The story itself is a great representation of "traditional" romance considering it's set in the 1950s when chivalry reigned and people still said they were "going steady" and claimed one another with class rings or bracelets.
It may be because Jane is 15, or it may be because the story is set in this time frame, but I became a bit annoyed at how trepid and nervous Jane was as well as how manipulative and boastful all of the girls were. I guess it's not dissimilar to modern times, but there was something about Jane and her friend going to the soda shop and intentionally talking a bit too loudly about their dates that night that made me lose a bit of patience with the characters. Nonetheless, this is one of the best (and most memorable) love stories that I have read. It was almost as enjoyable at 21 as it was at 13, and the nostalgia and butterflies it brought to my stomach were appreciated.
belle_north's review against another edition
5.0
A gorgeous little snapshot of the era. Cute and romantic and funny. Loved it.