Mackler, Carolyn. 2004. VEGAN VIRGIN VALENTINE. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763621552 [Suggested Grade Levels 8-12]
REVIEW
Mara’s last name is Valentine and she does not think that word describes her personality at all. Mara is smart, competitive, and has already been admitted to Yale. Her name is a bit of a sore subject because her previous romantic has not been top notch. She did have one boyfriend last year, but due to unfortunate circumstances, he broke up with her over instant messenger. The two are now in heated competition for valedictorian. Besides for that, Mara is a happy high school senior. She has a great relationship (maybe too great), a job at a coffee house that she loves and a good reputation at school. Mara’s happiness is tested though when she finds out her niece, V (short for Vivienne and who is just a year younger than she) is moving in with the family. Mara and V are complete opposites and have never gotten along, so Mara is not looking forward to the new living arrangements. Within a day at Mara’s school, V already has a reputation for fitting the party-seeking name Valentine better. She gains notoriety around school when she immediately starts dating Mara’s ex, and smokes between classes. Life at home is not much better. V is annoyingly sweet to Mara when the parents are near, but will then make snide criticisms to her when no one else is around– this especially annoys Mara since V’s comments might actually be more accurate than Mara would like to admit.
Mara’s last name is Valentine and she does not think that word describes her personality at all. Mara is smart, competitive, and has already been admitted to Yale. Her name is a bit of a sore subject because her previous romantic has not been top notch. She did have one boyfriend last year, but due to unfortunate circumstances, he broke up with her over instant messenger. The two are now in heated competition for valedictorian. Besides for that, Mara is a happy high school senior. She has a great relationship (maybe too great), a job at a coffee house that she loves and a good reputation at school. Mara’s happiness is tested though when she finds out her niece, V (short for Vivienne and who is just a year younger than she) is moving in with the family. Mara and V are complete opposites and have never gotten along, so Mara is not looking forward to the new living arrangements. Within a day at Mara’s school, V already has a reputation for fitting the party-seeking name Valentine better. She gains notoriety around school when she immediately starts dating Mara’s ex, and smokes between classes. Life at home is not much better. V is annoyingly sweet to Mara when the parents are near, but will then make snide criticisms to her when no one else is around– this especially annoys Mara since V’s comments might actually be more accurate than Mara would like to admit.
Readers will enjoy this page turning book. Mackler uses humor and sarcasm well to convey her character’s personalities, especially Mara who tells the story in first person voice. Mackler’s descriptions of small town high school life are smart and the story progresses nicely until the end where things end rather abruptly. The audience will be happy to learn though that Mara has resolved conflicts with people in her life and most importantly herself.
CONNECTIONS
Mara has set many goals for her life, such as attending college and being named the class valedictorian. Ask students to prioritize and list their goals. Then discuss why goals are helpful and how goals and priorities sometimes change.
Mara has set many goals for her life, such as attending college and being named the class valedictorian. Ask students to prioritize and list their goals. Then discuss why goals are helpful and how goals and priorities sometimes change.
RELATED BOOKS
Other books by Mackler that could be compared to this one:
THE EARTH, MY BUTT AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS. ISBN 0763619582
LOVE AND OTHER FOUR LETTER WORDS. ISBN 044022831X
Other books by Mackler that could be compared to this one:
THE EARTH, MY BUTT AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS. ISBN 0763619582
LOVE AND OTHER FOUR LETTER WORDS. ISBN 044022831X
By Lisa Erickson
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