Friday Spines Book Review Number 20 (another anniversary! Go have some chocolate and read a nice book :):
The Ashbury-Brookfield series is something I'd not recommend reading in the library. It goes from utterly serious to utterly funny, in the sneak-up-behind-you kind of way that resulted in the coining of "bursting" out laughing. (It's not good on airplanes either, especially if you're in the middle seat.) This series is, however, perfect for reading in the bathtub, when it's raining, if you need to take your mind off something, or for those days that keep getting worse. The only bad thing that will happen is your stomach might get a bit sore from laughing too much.
The Year of Secret Assignments is the story of Ashbury High students Cassie, Emily, and Lydia, who begin (aka are forced by their eccentric English teacher) writing letters to "Brookfield kids" Matthew, Charlie, and Seb (Sebastian). The three boys are students at rival school Brookfield High, and at first glance, have nothing in common with their reluctant pen pals.
After a few months of letters between the three pairs (interspersed with excerpts from Lydia's Notebook, Cassie's journal, and Emily's family's notes to each other), though, Emily/Charlie and Lydia/Seb are getting on quite nicely. Charlie has gone out with a Date With A Girl and been given an A+ by Emily, and Lydia and Seb are getting quite familiar with the other school's fire alarms. Matthew, after sending Cassie quite a few nasty letters, has a personality reversal and becomes sweet and open with Cassie. His newfound kindness is made even more mysterious by the fact that Seb and Charlie, both in his English class, have never heard of Matthew. There's drama, misunderstandings, breakups, elaborate plans, and envelopes full of glitter, and you won't be able to stop reading.
I recommend this book for ages 13 and up. (That "and up" part? That means you have to read it too. Unless you're under thirteen--turn off the computer and go read The Phantom Tollbooth, please.) The humor is irreverent and certainly not mature in most cases, and it's slightly inappropriate for readers under 13, but the story isn't trashy.
Here's and excerpt of a note to Emily from her dad--Jaclyn Moriarty's writing really does speak for itself.
"Dearest Emily, I write to keep you informed of the progress of your parents. Your mother is currently:
(a) blow-dry her hair;
(b) shouting something inaudible down the stairs;
(c) cranky (because I lost the plane tickets).
Your father is currently:
(a) eating a banana;
(b) writing this letter to you; and
(c) happy (because i just found the plane tickets right her in the fruit bowl!) ... Attached...is a photograph of your mother and me, which I just found here int he is marvelously fruitful fruit bowl. The photo will remind you what your parents look like. Doesn't your mother look gorgeous? She is the one in the hat."
Other things I like about this book:
- The format has lots of variety but is easy to follow. The only confusing parts are when there are long chapters with letters between Lydia/Seb or Emily/Charlie, and then a new section with, say, Cassie's diary entry describing something that happened a long time ago in Lydia's letter to Seb. It takes a minute to adjust to, but the writing is so clear that you won't be confused.
- There are different fonts for the signatures of all the regular writers in this book--well-placed font changes can make all the difference in a book.
- The cheesy parts manage to be endearing while still being cheesy enough to make you notice that you're not bothered by the cheesiness, and the profound parts won't make you roll your eyes at all. The contrast between the two is perfect, while still written in the same tone as the rest of the book.
- All of the characters are delightfully imperfect, and make mistakes that are sometimes hilarious and sometimes sobering, but always something you could imagine you or your best friend doing.
Other books you might like: The rest of the Ashbury/Brookfield series; Things You Either Hate or Love, by Brigid Lowry; and The Princess Diaries, by Meg Cabot.
Happy reading!
M. Gabrielle
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