Ok, this middle grade book came out in 2004, but I am just getting around to it now. Just wanted to mention that I love the concept, love the humor and love Millicent as a character. She's an 11 year old genius about to start her senior year of high school, but she's pretty clueless when it comes to social situations and doesn't have any friends besides her grandmother. When her mother makes her join a summer volleyball league, she meets Emily and finally gets her first friend by neglecting to mention any of the genius stuff. How long will she be able to keep up the charade?Here's one of my favorite quotes:
"Oh, sure Emily has a few flaws. But don't we all. For example, I am lax about cleaning out my three-hole punch."
I'll have to remember that at my next interview instead of using the standard "I am a perfectionist" line when they ask you where your weaknesses lie.
Anyway, great book!
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7 comments:
Love that quote!
Sounds cute :)
Definitely a good answer for that i-view question.
Does this book stress that we shouldn't hide who we are to make friends or does it add to the crisis of our culture to dumbdown our girls for social acceptance?
The main "lesson" is honesty. It shouldn't matter if you are super smart or have to get extra tutoring, as long as you are up front about it.
My 11-year-old son would love the concept of an 11-year old in high school, but he won't read a book that's too girlish so unfortunately this one probably wouldn't grab him. There isn't by chance a big action scene where Millicent has to fight off zombie space aliens, is there?
ali - no...but that would have been so awesome. Maybe the sequel?
If only my greatest flaw was that innocent!
I like that your reviews are across such a wide range; I've found several books to recommend to my kids from your site ... thanks!
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