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PRETTY LIKE US

Name: PRETTY LIKE US
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
ISBN: 978-1-56145-444-0

by Carol Lynch Williams ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2008

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Shy Beauty (her real name) faces a dilemma in this sensitive tear-jerker. The 12-year-old desperately wants to make friends at school, yet the only child whom she can befriend will cause the rest of her classmates to reject her. New student Alane suffers from the rare condition progeria, which causes her to age early. At age 12, Alane looks as though she were in her 70s. Writing in Beauty’s voice, Williams demonstrates strong insight into the sixth-grade mind, effectively portraying Beauty’s hesitant overtures toward Alane, which ultimately result in a deep friendship and attendant teen hijinks involving the ill-considered “borrowing” of Beauty’s mother’s cherished vintage car. The narrative rises above the usual preteen fare, as Williams emphasizes basic morality and the courage required to make the right choices yet maintains a light tone as the girls flirt with the wrong ones. A delightful twist at the end makes the book even more memorable, resulting in a lovely story that will reach many middle-school girls. (Fiction. 12 & up)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008

ISBN: 978-1-56145-444-0

Page Count: 192

Publisher: Peachtree

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING

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MESSENGER
by Carol Lynch Williams

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WIZARD OF MENLO PARK, NEW JERSEY
by Cheri Pray Earl ; Carol Lynch Williams

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SIGNED, SKYE HARPER
by Carol Lynch Williams

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SMILE

by Raina Telgemeier ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2010

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Telgemeier has created an utterly charming graphic memoir of tooth trauma, first crushes and fickle friends, sweetly reminiscent of Judy Blume’s work. One night, Raina trips and falls after a Girl Scout meeting, knocking out her two front teeth. This leads to years of painful surgeries, braces, agonizing root canals and other oral atrocities. Her friends offer little solace through this trying ordeal, spending more of their time teasing than comforting her. After years of these girls’ constant belittling, Raina branches out and finds her own voice and a new group of friends. Young girls will relate to her story, and her friend-angst is palpable. Readers should not overlook this seemingly simply drawn work; the strong writing and emotionally expressive characters add an unexpected layer of depth. As an afterword, the author includes a photo of her smiling, showing off the results of all of the years of pain she endured. Irresistible, funny and touching—a must read for all teenage girls, whether en-braced or not. (Graphic memoir. 12 & up)