Shug

Shug is the first book I've read by Jenny Han. We have several of her books in the teen department, and though this one is housed in the youth fiction section, it's one of those books I think multiple ages will enjoy.

Shug (short for Sugar; real name AnneMarie) has lived in smalltown Southern Clementon and been friends with Mark all her life. As she begins seventh grade, her feelings for Mark have morphed from friendship to romantic interest. The book starts with Shug waiting for him to kiss her--the moment is perfect!--but Mark doesn't seem to realize what's supposed to happen. Shug's convinced that she and Mark will end up together eventually. But nothing is going to plan. Junior high is changing everything, not just her comfortable friendship with Mark, but all her social expectations. How is she supposed to live up to her beautiful mother and perfect sister when she's too tall, flat-chested, and lacking in the looks department? Not to mention, her parents might be on the brink of a divorce. And is her best friend growing distant now that she's got herself a boyfriend?

Jenny Han is amazing. She's captured it perfectly--that junior high feeling, moments of excitement laced with overwhelming feelings of inferiority; romantic feelings laced with frustration; the desire for everything to change and the need for everything to remain exactly as it's been your whole life. Reading Shug I felt like I was being transported back to the psyche of my junior high self. Han's writing is so authentic and such fun to read. I couldn't believe this was her first novel. If her first novel was this good, I really need to check out her later novels, the ones we shelve in the teen department.

I wholeheartedly recommend Shug, whether you're in junior high, high school, or older.

Hollywood and Maine

Charmaine Upshaw in the 1970's in Pennsylvania. With typical teenage concerns like getting a first "real" boyfriend and having to put up with a younger brother and cousin. She has indeed got her first boyfriend. A very intelligent, well-manner, vegetarian boyfriend, Raymond. What she did not count on what having to give up her room to her ex-convict uncle!

Maine as she is called by her family, seems to be a fairly well grounded girl. She is intelligent, well read and has ambitions on becoming a famous model or famous actress. Maine has a strong family ties and her dreams include helping her family.

The characters are all likable. The changes Maine goes through because of her uncle E and Raymond are what most teens in the 70's would probably have gone through. It is kind of interesting because these changes seem rather mundane compared to what life is like for the teens of today.

There is not a great deal of action just a picture of one family's life in the late 70's. It is a fast read and one I enjoyed. I also was glad to see how Maine changed for the better at the end of the book. There is a previous book "Sweet Thang" in case anyone is interested in reading another book about Maine.