Reviews
Books for Adolescents (continued)

Because reading allows her to escape the harsh realities of her life, Ellen appreciates education and wants more than the rural schooling that Lauren can provide. In order to have enriched educational opportunities, Ellen sells her poetry to make extra money to attend a camp for gifted students. With the help of her friends, Stuart and Starletta, Ellen begins to see the beauty in the realities of her life. Stuart, who sees the beauty of Ellen and wants to marry her, stands to support Ellen throughout all of her challenges. Starletta and her mother exemplify neighborly hospitality and friendship.

Gibbons's narrative voice helps the reader to feel the inner turmoil of Ellen as she searches for sense in her world. Ellen's bravery, compassion, innocence, and persistence will attract readers. Gibbons effectively writes her characters into life, a rural life in 1974. Ellen reclaims love and admiration for herself due to her strong desire to make the best out of life despite many tragedies.

Although the themes of friendship, self-identify, and family are appropriate for all ages, ninth graders might best understand Gibbons's free-flowing, stream-of-consciousness narrative. In addition, the main characters are 15 years old. Abuse and hospitalization for mental illness are mentioned in the text, but Gibbons references these events briefly and nondescriptively; they are issues to learn from, but they are not examined in depth.

Male readers will relate to Stuart's inner complexities when his crush on Ellen extends their friendship into talk of marriage. Female readers can easily identify with Lauren's nurturing, and Ellen's quest for self-identity and family history can be appreciated by all. The ending of the book focuses on family and the importance of feeling wanted.

Growing up is difficult, but not knowing your past and facing great obstacles to obtaining your dream make it even more challenging for Ellen. The ending of the book is quite satisfying as it reveals insights and surprises about Ellen's true family. With a positive ending, it is a satisfying read that will have readers cheering for the charming Ellen Foster.

Kaye Gibbons. 2006. Orlando, FL: Harcourt. 224 pp. US$23.00.

ttfn

Reviewed by Sheryl Rinkol, Department of English, Arizona State University Tempe, USA.

When things are going well, does something always have to ruin them? That is the question at hand for three best friends, Angela, Zoe, and Maddie, as they enter grade 11 in an Atlanta high school. Coming off a very challenging sophomore year (portrayed in Myracle's ttyl, 2004, Amulet Books), these three have tightened their friendship and are ready to start a brand new year. Little do they know that, as juniors, their identities and even their tight-bond friendship will be put to the test.

Enter the high school world of fashion, cars, boys, and drama. All three friends are quite different, yet together they can take on the world—when their parents let them. Zoe is intellectual and law-abiding—usually. She follows the strict rules set by her parents, who have busy schedules as a lawyer and doctor. On the other hand,Maddie's family openly violates traditional values when “Moms” condones underage drinking and even calls her own daughter a “slut.” (But Moms may not remember this because Moms was drunk.)

Angela balances the friendship. She thrives on being unpredictable, although rewatching movies is her favorite thing to do during the movie marathons she holds at her house. Recently Angela's parents have been having lots of private conversations. Angela knows something is up, and around Thanksgiving Zoe superstitiously agrees with her—for everything and everyone is perfectly happy within their circle. Deep down, Zoe knows something has to go wrong. It's that time of year again.

Welcome to the world of instant messaging in ttfn (“ta-ta for now”). The three friends offer heartfelt advice through this medium. It's a good thing technology can help conquer distance as the three friends experience physical, mental, and emotional distance—lies, boys, drugs, tempers, and reality get in the way. You'll feel trendy, chatty, and included as you turn each computer-screen-like page, complete with scroll bars and “send” and “cancel” buttons along the bottom. You can easily follow the conversations of the three friends as colors, fonts, and usernames help identify each speaker. The language, abbreviations, and slang of a teen audience perfectly set the tone for this novel. Myracle successfully connects with her teen readers by having them e-mail her new abbreviations and slang for instant messaging. This makes for an effective and realistic read.

Although the friends are 16, this book could be read by most high school students because they will find the characters making difficult choices reflective of adolescent culture today. Do be aware that underage drinking, drug use, and sex are referred to in many of these messages. But, again, these topics are realistic for teens today, and Myracle discusses them openly while providing realistic consequences for misadventures.