I was drawn to the cover of this one in the bookstore one day back when I was contemplating joining the YA Romance Challenge, and after reading the back copy, I thought it sounded just about perfect.
It’s not a romance, though. Not really. There is a romance in it, but it’s mostly a bildungsroman for girls (if you can apply that word to girls): a story about a girl who is living a comfortable life, and manages to find the confidence to… well… be a bit uncomfortable.
Ginny’s aunt has died, and the summer she is 17 (though I was never clear: is she or is she not still in high school? If she is, then she’s going to be a very old senior, since she’ll be 18 in August; if she isn’t, then, I never really got that), she receives a letter (with $1000) from her aunt with a set of instructions to fly to London. The catch: well, there are lots of catches, but the big one is that her aunt has died recently. Ginny is off to discover what her aunt wants her to learn, but mostly she’s just on an adventure. And a pretty good one at that.
Em’s biggest criticism of the book (which I read recently and which is why it’s stuck in my mind) was that it was completely implausible for a 17 year old to go knocking around Europe by herself. And I completely agree. But, having been forewarned of that implausibility, I was more than able to set it aside and enjoy the adventure — and Maureen Johnson’s writing — for what it was. A whole lotta fun.
The Book Nut 
This one sounds fun, but as shallow as it is of me, I’m often turned off my covers on YA fiction. Especially that which is aimed at girls. It looks so candy-like. I guess I’m more interested in doom and gloom covers like I see on paranormal teen fiction (like Stephenie Meyer, the re-issues of LJ Smith’s stuff, etc). Plus, I think there’s an epidemic of completely or nearly headless girls and women on covers these days. It’s kinda disturbing!OK, I’m done being random for today. lol
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I’ve wanted to read this for a while now. The whole thing about young girls just jumping on planes and travelling all over the place unaccompanied bothered me in the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series as well. Actually, not only the fact that they did that, but also that they seemed to have the money to be able to do that!
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Well, somewhat implausible. I went to London with a friend when I was 17 and it was just the two of us bopping around London, although we went with her father to Wales and Paris. Actually, I don’t think 18 in August is old for a senior, either, but both of mine will have graduated at 18 1/2 because they’ve rolled back the deadline for entering kindergarten in our school system and both of mine had birthdays that fell right after the cut-off. I’m with Andi on the headless-girl covers being a turnoff. I just got an older copy of a Georgette Heyer book and it occurred to me that if there’s a newer version it probably has a headless female. The 1970 cover is absolutely charming.
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Moderately implausible, but I had friends who did that sort of thing. And, of course, most English gap year students are only a year or so older. Still, they tend to travel more in packs, if that’s the correct collective noun for teenage girls.
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I had the same criticism of the book, but overall enjoyed it. I did question her parents allowing her to just go, but some things have to bend for books to work, so.My very brief review is here:http://bookslistslife.blogspot.com/2007/05/13-little-blue-envelopes-by-maureen.html
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I’m glad my review made you enjoy the book more. That often happens with me…I’ll read a bad review but am still interested in the book and then end up enjoying it because my expectations were lower. Movies work the same way. 🙂
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