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julia_dale's review against another edition
4.0
such a great ya read. it's local (set in s.f.) and totally ridiculous and fun. cohn does a good job capturing the lingo of teenagers and the drama too.
serendipity_viv's review against another edition
5.0
This book was like a big slice of New York pizza with a side order of California. I jumped eagerly into this book and found myself drooling at the places I have only dreamed of visiting. This author made me want to go to America NOW!
I 've wanted to read a book by Rachel Cohn for some time, so I was pleased to pick up the first book in this series.
I loved Cyd Charisse even though she gave her parents hell - if she was one of mine I might have given her up for adoption by now, but luckily her parents don't. Cyd has a lot of things going on in her head.She is angry and is completely out of control in the beginning of the book, so her parents decide to send her to spend time with her real dad. Now from the way the book is described, I expected this visit to occur near the beginning of the book, but it didn't happen until over half way through, so I do feel the blurb on the back is slightly misleading.
When Cyd finally meets her dad, it doesn't take her long to realise the grass isn't greener on the other side. Even though her brother and sister are just fabulous, she soon realises that her mum and step dad, Sid really do love her and only want the best for her. Her relationship with her mother has always been difficult, but it surprised me how well she got on with her step father - their relationship was much stronger than her relationship with her mother. I found that really lovely and very sweet; I do think step fathers are often under rated in books, usually portrayed as cold hearted and uncaring, so Syd was a wonderful alternative and definitely came out as Top of the Pops. (Sorry, couldn't resist)
Cyd has a fixation with Gingerbread, which becomes clearer as the story progresses. She is just a little girl, remembering something really important from her childhood.
The main reason for Cyd's anger and bad behaviour is because of the abortion she suffered alone at a very young age, so it was lovely to finally see her relationship with her mother improve by the end of the book. As you can see, this book doesn't shy away from important teenage issues, such as underage pregnancy, drugs, sexuality and eating disorders, all of which are touched on within the book and dealt with comfortably.
This is a tiny book, with really short sharp chapters told in first person by Cyd, who talks like a real teen, which I had to get my head around a little. She came across as a typical American teen who gets everything she asks for. She is full to the brim of attitude to begin with, but that fizzles out quite a bit as she realises her life isn't so bad. She is really quite adorable by the end of the book.
This is a great contemporary YA read, set in stunning and droolworthing settings, with a cast of entertaining characters. A quick and easy read that will quickly establish Cyd Charisse into your life.
I 've wanted to read a book by Rachel Cohn for some time, so I was pleased to pick up the first book in this series.
I loved Cyd Charisse even though she gave her parents hell - if she was one of mine I might have given her up for adoption by now, but luckily her parents don't. Cyd has a lot of things going on in her head.She is angry and is completely out of control in the beginning of the book, so her parents decide to send her to spend time with her real dad. Now from the way the book is described, I expected this visit to occur near the beginning of the book, but it didn't happen until over half way through, so I do feel the blurb on the back is slightly misleading.
When Cyd finally meets her dad, it doesn't take her long to realise the grass isn't greener on the other side. Even though her brother and sister are just fabulous, she soon realises that her mum and step dad, Sid really do love her and only want the best for her. Her relationship with her mother has always been difficult, but it surprised me how well she got on with her step father - their relationship was much stronger than her relationship with her mother. I found that really lovely and very sweet; I do think step fathers are often under rated in books, usually portrayed as cold hearted and uncaring, so Syd was a wonderful alternative and definitely came out as Top of the Pops. (Sorry, couldn't resist)
Cyd has a fixation with Gingerbread, which becomes clearer as the story progresses. She is just a little girl, remembering something really important from her childhood.
The main reason for Cyd's anger and bad behaviour is because of the abortion she suffered alone at a very young age, so it was lovely to finally see her relationship with her mother improve by the end of the book. As you can see, this book doesn't shy away from important teenage issues, such as underage pregnancy, drugs, sexuality and eating disorders, all of which are touched on within the book and dealt with comfortably.
This is a tiny book, with really short sharp chapters told in first person by Cyd, who talks like a real teen, which I had to get my head around a little. She came across as a typical American teen who gets everything she asks for. She is full to the brim of attitude to begin with, but that fizzles out quite a bit as she realises her life isn't so bad. She is really quite adorable by the end of the book.
This is a great contemporary YA read, set in stunning and droolworthing settings, with a cast of entertaining characters. A quick and easy read that will quickly establish Cyd Charisse into your life.
themundivagantbookery's review against another edition
3.0
This was surprisingly a good (interesting) read. Despite the normal emotional turnmoil, difficult parent/child relationship, and self-centered attitude that comes from being a teenager, Cyd Charisse still looks beyond herself and does what she can to help those she loves.
engpunk77's review against another edition
4.0
This is like an R-rated version of Spinelli's Star Girl.
I found this for a quarter at the library and bought it for my classroom library. It was in my car at a moment when I had some down-time away from home. I figured it'd be better than nothing, but it turned out to be quite a gem. This would have been my all-time favorite book had it existed when I was in high school.
***Spoiler Alert for teachers & parents****
Teenage protagonist (age 15?) is promiscuous & has an abortion.
I found this for a quarter at the library and bought it for my classroom library. It was in my car at a moment when I had some down-time away from home. I figured it'd be better than nothing, but it turned out to be quite a gem. This would have been my all-time favorite book had it existed when I was in high school.
***Spoiler Alert for teachers & parents****
Teenage protagonist (age 15?) is promiscuous & has an abortion.
rahthesungod's review against another edition
3.0
This book is decent, but it's sequel makes it worth the read. Cyd is a likable girl, but has the awful TV-character-quality of being unable to fix really simple problems.Recommended for teens whose parents don't burn books and who are interested in books that others' parents might burn.
delz's review against another edition
4.0
Gingerbread is the doll that the main character, 16 year old Cyd Charisse, carries with her at all times. The story is about a very troubled young woman who is knowledgeable beyond her years and shows the scars for that knowledge. This was a very funny and touching story, told from Cyd Charisse's very skewered point of view. I loved the writing style that made the character so vulnerable and so lovable. Now I can't wait to read the next two.
close4heart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
doomkittiekhan's review against another edition
3.0
This was a re-read for me from long ago when I as a preteen, and it will always have a soft spot in my heart because of that, but the story is fairy weak and uncomfortable. Awkward narrative breaks and characters.
dotsonapage's review against another edition
3.0
A while back I read Weetzie Bat and disliked it more than I expected to. Gingerbread sort of reminds me of that book: cool if somewhat eccentric girl living a seemingly charmed California life, weird names, interesting friends and serious issues that don't always pop up in YA. Fortunately, this book wasn't nearly as short or WTF-inducing. It was funny and clever and tackled the tough stuff in a realistic manner I found refreshing. Enjoyable start to what's looking to be quite a fun trilogy.
onlyongracexm's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0