Poppy Nwosu

When I first started reading this story, I really wasn't sure I would like it. I found the first person voice a bit odd, however, it really did grow on me. This is a coming of age story about a young girl in her final year of school before university (I believe it is set in Australia, but nothing was ever really mentioned). At the beginning she is subject to a rash of humiliation due to a video of her dancing in the street with the most unpopular boy in her class. Although I'm familiar with the high school hierarchy issues, I'm a little out of touch on how social media works into these type of issues, especially when the incident causing the uproar was so innocuous.

Once I got past the first couple chapters and Alice's internal voice grew on me the story became more interesting and less annoying. This is a fairly short story about first love, living up to expectations and trying to stay true to yourself in the very turbulent time of being on the cusp of adulthood and finding your own path.

Overall, I did enjoy the story. It was quite innocent and would be good for early teens on up.… (plus d'informations)

Australian YA. Lottie is furious that no one else seems to realise what Evelyn Tait, her nemesis (and stepsister) is like. Her best friend Grace is in love with Evelyn. Her teachers and her father tell Lottie she should emulate Evelyn. So Lottie decides that she’s going to do just that -- she’s going to be better than Miss Perfect.

I thought this was a very realistic portrayal of a teenager’s relationships -- with family, with friends, with school and with herself. It’s amusing and, ultimately, believably positive.

I like the way Lottie’s first person narrative doesn’t reveal certain pieces of information until Lottie stops to think about them. It captures her perspective and her experiences in-the-moment so effectively and intensely. She has compelling reasons for feeling (and acting) the way she does -- it just takes her a while to recognise that she isn’t the only one struggling with being a blended family.

“So, you entered the labs without a teacher--”
“No,” I protest. “Evelyn was there.”
“Evelyn Tait isn’t a teacher, Charlotte.”
“Yeah, but she will be one day. I mean, look at her. She's made for it. Ordering everyone around all day, all bossy and filled with knowledge. Gross.”
He blinks. “You know that I'm a teacher, don't you, Charlotte?”
I’m shocked, swinging my legs off the couch to sit straight. “You’re a principal, Jerry. It’s completely different. A king among teachers.” I pause, thinking. “Or, at least like a prime minister. I guess the actual prime minister would be the king in this scenario.”… (plus d'informations)

Australian YA. Alice plans to spend her final year of high school staying invisible and studying hard. But she’s thrown into the spotlight after someone posts a video of her dancing with Teddy Taualai. Suddenly Teddy keeps trying to hang out with her, and Alice’s best-and-only-friend May is eager to expand their social circle.

I loved how intensely this captures Alice’s emotions and perspective, and how the story explores that people have different emotions, perspectives and needs. Despite being friends for years, Alice and May both have more to learn about being supportive and accepting. Alice’s growing relationship with Teddy is also lovely.

Alice seems very much to me like someone who might be on the autism spectrum -- and whether or not that’s the interpretation the author intended, I think it’s great to see characters like her represented in YA.

I wish that the ending had unpacked Alice’s relationship with her parents more -- they have clearly influenced Alice in some really significant ways, even though they’ve been emotionally distant (and even though the story’s focus is on school and Alice’s social life). But anyway, that didn’t negate how much I enjoyed this book.

“Shut up, Teddy Taualai. You are driving me crazy.”
He grins at me, all close and in my face. “Yeah, but we’re friends now, right? Isn’t that what friends are for?” He turns to May, all innocence, with wide eyes. “That’s right, isn’t it?”
May nods eagerly like the traitor she is. “Definitely,” she declares. “Alice would waste away in the library if it wasn’t for me. She’s seriously shrivel up and die. Friends are important for a girl like her.”
“Excuse me?” I’m offended.
May sticks out her arm and shakes Teddy’s hand enthusiastically. “Welcome aboard, Teddy. It’s a hard job, being Alice’s friend, and I’m glad to have someone to share the burden with.”
“Glad to be here, Ma’am.” Teddy’s voice is ridiculously serious. He returns the handshake vigorously and I roll my eyes at both of them.… (plus d'informations)

It was Alice Dyson’s last high school year. Her plan was to keep her head down, study and get out of there with the minimum of fuss. It was what her parents expected of her. The plan was going well except for her friend May trying to get in with the popular group and Teddy Taulai latching onto her and making people notice her. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone?

Alice’s parents were emotionally remote, pushing her to succeed. She had almost bought into their way of life but her quirky friends showed her a better way. "Making Friends with Alice Dyson" was a coming of age story that delivered a fresh way of looking at life.… (plus d'informations)