Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a Best Friend Must Do in Europe by Jane Harrington

Nancy Garhan Attebury - Children's Literature

The teenage voice shines in this book. This unique style of writing is sure to grab the attention of fiction readers. The style sets it apart from other YA fiction. The plot unfolds when Brady, a budding teen girl, takes a trip to Europe and chronicles daily happenings and events when she writes letters to a friend left in the states. To spice up the information, readers are set up to understand the friend at home wrote a list on the hand of the letter-writer before she took off. Of course, the list is written with a permanent marker for all to see. And the list is made up of four things the writer must do in Europe. The text starts a bit slow, as the traveler actually travels to Europe, but by the time Europe is reached, the pace is moving right along. Much of the setting takes place on a cruise ship where Brady, who is traveling with her mother, conveys teen angst. Typical teen situations occur as she tries to fit in with other teen travelers. Many emotions connected to teens are addressed; shyness, silliness, and compassion are but a few. Some snide comments are interspersed with the regular text and they work perfectly. Much of the text is hilarious and, as is fitting, the book ends with the perfect question: "Is life is a trip, or WHAT?" 2006, Darby Creek Publishing, Ages 12 up.

Amanda MacGregor - VOYA

While most teens get a confirmation party or a bar/bat mitzvah, thirteen-year-old Catholic-Jewish Brady gets a "not mitzvah." She and her mother embark on a Mediterranean cruise, otherwise known as "an educational coming-of-age trip." She relays their adventures-and sometimes lack thereof-by way of letters to Delia, her best friend back home. Before leaving for the trip, Delia writes four very specific goals that Brady needs to accomplish on her trip. She cannot overlook the orders, designed to bring her out of her shell, thanks to her friend having used permanent marker to list these goals on her hand and arm. Before the voyage is over, Brady must don a bikini, wear it in public, and find a code-red Euro hottie. Despite feeling timid about meeting new people and especially about wearing the skimpy bikini that shows off her maturing body, Brady uses the cruise as a good opportunity to leave her comfort zone and try new things. The epistolary format allows Brady's unique voice to shine through and keeps the story moving along. Brady manages to complete one final goal in the eleventh hour, in the most unexpected of ways, begging a sequel. Although there is not a lot of depth to this story, it will prove to be a fun summer read. The format and length will attract readers, and Brady's distinctive voice will engage them. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M J (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Darby Creek, 160p., Ages 11 to 15.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Brady is on a Mediterranean cruise with her mom. Before she left, her friend Delia listed four things that she must do. Since #1 was to "write real letters to your best friend every day, describing thrilling adventures," this story is told in a journal/letter format. Harrington has captured the voice of this honest and witty teen with flair, as she makes ports of call in spots such as Pompeii and Barcelona. Because she's mortified about her ample breasts, she daringly tries but fearfully fails to accomplish task #2, "wear the bikini-" together with #3 "in public!!!" As she bumbles through planned teen events on the ship and has sightseeing adventures with her mom, she always keeps in mind ultimatum #4, "Meet a code-red Euro-hottie." The author cleverly entwines the embarrassments of adolescence with travel episodes. The cover illustration provides a tantalizing invitation to this laugh-out-loud summer read. Brady writes with many "shouts" in all caps, just as teens do in e-mails. (Thankfully, she uses normal conventions for most of her writing.) Just the right size for the beach, this book is flippant and fun.-Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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