Anything But Ordinary
By Valerie Hobbs
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), Hardcover, 9780374303747, 176pp.)
Publication Date: February 20, 2007
Categories: Social Issues - Dating & Sex, Social Issues - Friendship, Social Issues - New Experience
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From the moment their romance begins in eighth grade, Winifred and Bernie are individualists. They pride themselves on being different, and have each other for support through the tough years of high school. So when they consider college, they send off for the same catalogs, promising never to separate.
But Bernie's mother dies and Bernie more or less drops out of school, becoming an ordinary guy working away in a tire shop, while Winifred goes about as far from New Jersey as a girl can go: the University of California at Santa Barbara. College is a culture shock to Winifred, but her three savvy roommates teach her how to fit in. By the time Bernie catches up with her again, Winifred has become, well . . . ordinary. Can they rediscover their true selves - and true love?
Told from alternating viewpoints, with a sense of humor and a deep appreciation of first love, Valerie Hobbs's novel captures an endearing young couple's search for independence and identity.
VALERIE HOBBS is the author of many acclaimed books for young readers, including Defiance, recipient of the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award, and Letting Go of Bobby James, an ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults. She lives in Santa Barbara, California.
"Believable and enjoyable"—VOYA “Teens will sympathize with Winifred as she tries to discover who she really is without losing the one thing she comes to realize is irreplaceable.” —Publishers Weekly “Warm and satisfying.”—Booklist "Drama of the highest order." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books “The teens’ actions and world are contemporary and very real. Readers curious about the adventures awaiting them in college will enjoy this well-written, believable story of the first year in college.” —School Library Journal
"The theme of finding one's true self is relevant for YAs." —IRA “The whole time, your heart is breaking for them, wishing they would get together. It was written with a unique voice.” —A YALSA YA Galley Teen Reader
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