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NOTES FROM THE BLENDER

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Cook
Author's First Name: 
Trish
Second Author's First Name: 
Brendan
Second Author's Last Name: 
Halpin
Publisher: 
Egmont
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Neilly's mom is having Declan's dad's baby. Neilly's dad is marrying a man. Declan's mom was killed by a drunk driver. Pretty, popular Neilly is a feature in Declan's fantasies, but now they are about to become step-brother and sister. With alternating boy's voice /girl's voice chapters in "he said, she said" style, Notes has laugh-out-loud moments. Declan's edgy, yet vulnerable voice is particularly believable. Two teens with baggage begin to trust and bloom in a situation not of their own making. Valerie Diamond

Declan has worshiped Neilly from afar, but now they are sharing parents. This tale of mismatched classmates, step-siblings, and blended families is laugh-out-loud funny. 

Comments

Meeting Notes September

by ladamson - 09/29/2011 - 10:27am

Meeting Notes September 23

Positive Comments:
  • The voices and personalities in this book are exactly right for their ages.
  • The positive and realistic depiction of blending two families offers an entertaining read.
  • The LGB situation is not treated like a problem novel.
Observations:
  • Teens who read it gave the book 3 to 4 out of 5 points, “entertaining but not memorable.”
Concerns:
  • Teens will see that the action reflects what adults would like kids to do rather than what they might want to do.
  • The book shows an unrealistic acceptance of the LGB situation.
vdiamond's picture

Both main characters

by vdiamond - 07/25/2011 - 4:55pm
Both main characters espousing the straight edge philosophy is unusual, but not preachy.