Lush
by Natasha Friend
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Book Summary Information
Author: Natasha FriendEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-01
ISBN: 0439853478
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Book Reviews of Lush
Book Review: Ahhhh...The Wonder Years! How did we survive them?
Summary: 4 Stars
"Third period is Earth science, but I call it dirt science because all we have done so far this year is look at dirt. My lab partner is Jacob Mann, who is also dirty. Dirty fingers, dirty ears, dirty mind. Every time I sit down, he takes it upon himself to make some boob comment. Either that or a blond joke.
The minute I pull out my chair he is ready for me. "Hey, Sam. How do you get a one-armed blond out of a tree?"
"I don't know," I say. "And I don't care."
Jacob makes his voice high and squeaky. "Wave."
"Hardy har har."
"I know, right?" Jacob snickers. "You blonds are wicked smart."
I rarely say anything back. Because I don't want to encourage him.
Here is the problem with eighth-grade boys, though: They don't need encouragement. They just keep on going, anyway."
- Samantha "Sam" being bugged by lab partner Jacob Mann (LUSH)
Sam is your typical 13-year-old girl suffering all the usual doubts, embarrassments, insecurities, and misery adolescents go through in Junior High. However, she is also atypical in that her home situation is not a happy one because her father is an alcoholic, which worries Sam and causes her to keep it a secret from everyone, especially her very close friends. The anxiety, frustration, and anger she feels is realistically portrayed in this novel by Natasha Friend. The dialog is natural and unforced. Ms Friend certainly knows teenagers.
My own 13-year-old daughter enjoyed reading PERFECT by Ms Friend, which was about anorexia. I hadn't read that novel so I thought I'd read this one before giving it to her, as I was curious to see what was so good about this author's writing. After reading LUSH, I'm not sure I'll give it to her to read, though. (SPOILER ALERT!) There is a chapter in the story about a party that Sam goes to after being invited by an older boy she met at the library, and with whom she is infatuated. A high school age crowd is at the party with no adult supervision in which a lot of drinking takes place, resulting in inhibitions being broken down, and the hint of sexual activity taking place. Sam is believed to be older than she really is by the high schoolers and gets involved over her head. Being the old fashioned, over-protective parent I am, I don't think my daughter needs to read about this. She'll find out about growing up early enough when she goes to high school next year...sadly, too early.
While I did relate to the story about the heartache caused by alcoholism, which I, too, grew up with as an adolescent, I had to give the book a 4 star rating instead of 5 stars. It was disturbing to read, bringing to mind the unhappiness I endured as a young boy living with alcoholic and abusive parents. I'm not sure the pre-teen/early teen audience this novel is targeting is emotionally mature enough to handle it. That is my opinion and I'm sure someone out there will disagree. That's their opinion and they're entitled to it, just like I am entitled to mine.
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