It’s possible that I gave this a five star rating because it has one of the best covers I’ve ever seen. But, I think it’s more than that. Do you ever feel like you belong to a book instead of it belonging to you? That’s how I felt when I read this book. And though reading it didn’t blow my mind and I didn’t weep and wail, I think this book accomplished exactly what it set out to do, which was give the reader a sense of belonging, and a general feeling of “it’s okay-ness” about being who you are.
I couldn’t necessarily relate to Cecily not wanting to go to college immediately, but I loved that she stopped being the obedient daughter and really made a first decision on her own–not to go to college that year–even if she couldn’t pinpoint why and had a feeling it was a bad decision. I really enjoyed Cecily’s questioning of why high school kids all go off to college in mass, like lemmings to a meadow–or wherever they would actually find fun and safety. She challenged the cliches of partying and dorm living and dating and even learning.
I will look for more books by Claire Zulkey, in the future. The humor in this one was definitely my kind of humor, and the family dynamics were well-drawn. The conclusion I expected came naturally and as promised. But, it was the subject matter that was so unique to young adult books that I appreciated the most. I haven’t seen anything else like it. I really loved this book.
Jody Sparks Mugele 