Make Lemonade

This is an emotional story. It also teaches people life lessons that could happen to anybody. It makes readers feel better about themselves when they read about the different problems that one of the character experienced.

This Social Issues book, Make Lemonade, made me realize just how many people there are in the world and how many problems exist! It was truly an interesting read!

First person narrative written in verse. LaVaughn is 14 and wants to go-- is determined to go-- to college. She has lots of support from her mother and her teachers and while it will not be easy, she is going to get out. LaVaughn agrees to babysit for 17 year old single mother -2 kids- Jolly because she needs to save money for college. Jolly, with no support, is, of course, a mess. Their unlikely friendship helps Jolly find her way to a better life and gives LaVaughn some important life lessons.

I am glad is stuck with this book-- it was recommended by a young patron. Initially, i thought i knew where the story was headed-- yadddah yaddah yaddah-- but i was wrong. The story is not new but it is very real and is told in an honest and truthful way that is hopeful without being deceptively simple or trite. I really enjoyed it and just added the rest of the trilogy to the ya collection. And the verse style really enhances the telling.

This book is very good. I would recomend it to a younger audience, mostly young teens. The writing style is different than most books and is good for quick reading. A good book for someone who struggles to keep their attention focused. The sequel True Believer is just as good.... If not better.

A short novel in free verse, exploring a college-bound 14-yr-old babysitter's experience sitting for a teenage mom. Wolff has an excellent ear for language and line breaks; she isn't just chopping up prose into lines. One of my favorites on this list, for Wolff's great craft.