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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I read this book every couple of years. Long enough goes by that I remember that I've loved it since middle or high school but I never remember the details and every time I finish it I remember why. This book is about strength and finding yourself. I love this book.
I really love her books. The female main characters are exceptional.
Not nearly as good as I hoped it would be. Can't figure out how this book won any awards. I have some students who chose this as the book they wanted to read next and so they are, but I doubt I will ever include it on a book list again. Characters are too weak and shallow and there were few if any notable passages that were uniquely written.
Kids in Brooklyn loved this. I could never figure out why.
Jenna Boller loves shoes. Specifically, she loves selling shoes. She lives for her part-time job at Gladstone's. There she knows what to do. She can look at a person and know what they need from her as a salesclerk and what they need from their shoes. When she's on the sales floor, life makes sense. That peaceful haven is about to be threatened on multiple fronts. Her estranged alcoholic father returns back to town causing ripples of discontentment throughout her family. So when the CEO of Gladstone's, a slightly cankerous older lady, asks Jenna to be her driver for a summer road trip to a string of Gladstone's across the midwest and ending at the Gladstone flagship store Jenna and her newly acquired driver's license jump right into the driver seat.
I really responded to this book well. It dealt with a number of difficult issues (alcoholism, death, dementia) in a very emotionally open way, but it wasn't gritty or dirty. The pace is moderate as the chapters aren't short but they don't drag on and the format of the road trip keeps things moving forward. The storyline is fairly linear, with some flashback moments Jenna uses to deal with her father's alcoholism. The book it littered with strong female characters. Jenna's mom who is an ER nurse keeping her family together and safe through her ex-husband's alcoholism, Mrs. Gladstone a strong businesswoman who refuses to let her company falter, and Jenna herself who is just learning what is means to stand up for those she cares about and herself.
I really responded to this book well. It dealt with a number of difficult issues (alcoholism, death, dementia) in a very emotionally open way, but it wasn't gritty or dirty. The pace is moderate as the chapters aren't short but they don't drag on and the format of the road trip keeps things moving forward. The storyline is fairly linear, with some flashback moments Jenna uses to deal with her father's alcoholism. The book it littered with strong female characters. Jenna's mom who is an ER nurse keeping her family together and safe through her ex-husband's alcoholism, Mrs. Gladstone a strong businesswoman who refuses to let her company falter, and Jenna herself who is just learning what is means to stand up for those she cares about and herself.
Mixed feelings about this one. Somethings was too hard to ignore. So three stars.
One thing: I was cruising through the book and feeling good about myself, starting to really enjoy the ride, when BOOM, somebody, (not saying who) ironicly uped and died. *Shakes Head*
Pretty decent
One thing: I was cruising through the book and feeling good about myself, starting to really enjoy the ride, when BOOM, somebody, (not saying who) ironicly uped and died. *Shakes Head*
Pretty decent
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve been noting which books I’ve read before, and trying to note what I thought of them at the time because I think my thoughts on them from when I actually was a teen are valuable. I don’t remember when I read this one, but I remember enjoying it, liking the writing, and going on to read more by Bauer. And I picked up a used copy when I ran into one. So that’s a fair level of commitment. I didn’t remember anything at all about it, but as soon as I began it I recognized it.
When Jenna’s boss demanded that she spend her summer chauffeuring her on a road trip, Jenna was not about to give up her lunch breaks with her best friend or her passion for selling footwear. Jenna reconsiders, however, as her alcoholic father returns to town and dredges up feelings she wishes would stay put behind her. Deciding to escape town with her aging boss, Jenna develops friendships, learns some life lessons, and gets a taste of mild corporate intrigue.
While Jenna’s voice can be a little precocious, it works for her character as the oldest child of an alcoholic and as a teen desperate for a place in the adult world. I’ve never heard anyone so passionate for working in retail (other than bookstores…), but she definitely has me sold on the value of Gladstone shoes. I have to say, (spoilers!). I’m a sucker for a road trip story, and Bauer hits all the notes of self-growth and inspiration. Some may find Jenna’s wholesomeness and optimism a hurdle to enjoying the story, but I’m a sucker for that kind of thing done well, which this is. Grades 6-10.
When Jenna’s boss demanded that she spend her summer chauffeuring her on a road trip, Jenna was not about to give up her lunch breaks with her best friend or her passion for selling footwear. Jenna reconsiders, however, as her alcoholic father returns to town and dredges up feelings she wishes would stay put behind her. Deciding to escape town with her aging boss, Jenna develops friendships, learns some life lessons, and gets a taste of mild corporate intrigue.
While Jenna’s voice can be a little precocious, it works for her character as the oldest child of an alcoholic and as a teen desperate for a place in the adult world. I’ve never heard anyone so passionate for working in retail (other than bookstores…), but she definitely has me sold on the value of Gladstone shoes. I have to say, (spoilers!)
Spoiler
women are always being killed to further the storyline of a man, so I kind of enjoyed seeing that trope inverted here
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started this book, but I liked it. I was a great teenage realistic fiction book that had some fun and some heartache brought on from family. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.