I Now Pronounce You Someone Else

McCahan, Erin. 2010. I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU SOMEONE ELSE. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780545088183 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]

REVIEW
This book told in first-person narrative is a story about growing up. What makes it so emotionally fun and enjoyable is that it takes place in the context of a love story. The author pulls the reader completely into Bronwen Oliver’s life so that one can feel her emotional conflicts and understand the frustration and confusion she feels. The beginning of the story takes place around the same time that the story ends, and then it looks back over the previous few years. The author explains what is going on in Bronwen’s life at just the right pace, bringing the reader along with the narration and keeping interest level high. But the growing up process doesn’t just concern Bronwen. Her mom and her stepdad have to come to grips with reality, even though she discovers that not everyone in her family is emotionally ready to face it yet. Jared, her fiancé, must also undergo a maturing process before he is ready to join his life with someone else’s and become a true partner.

This is author Erin McCahan’s first book. The issue of sex before marriage is mentioned as part of the storyline with abstinence being unobtrusively promoted. Even though readers may not ever be in the same situation as Bronwen, they can understand and apply the issues to their own lives and perhaps experience some growth themselves in the process. It is definitely well worth the read.

CONNECTIONS
Growing up issues can be read and discussed.

RELATED BOOKS
Other novels about growing up and coming-of-age:
Carlson, Meloday. 2010. ANYTHING BUT NORMAL. ISBN 9780800732585
Dessen, Sarah. 2009. LOCK AND KEY. ISBN 9780142414729

By Kaye E. Bray