Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Published by Penguin Group, 2011.

Anna is eagerly anticipating her senior year in Atlanta. Her father has different plans. He is enrolling her in a boarding school in France. He believes she should have new experiences in the world, with culture and and develop more fluency in French. Anna thinks he is pretentious.

Anna loses the argument and finds herself starting her new school. She is so nervous- she doesn’t know anyone at the new school and she has never lived so far away from home. But she can’t complain too much- it is Paris after all!

Once she starts settling in, she concludes that she is completely unprepared. Her French is stilted and slow. She isn’t even sure how to get around the campus or the city. She makes some new friends including Etienne the cute guy who is also super nice, friendly and seems to like Anna. The drawback is he also has a girlfriend. The other problem- lots of complications when she goes home for Christmas vacation.

This a quick, fun read for teens looking for light-hearted teen romance with a few problems thrown in. 

This realistic romance is recommended for grades 9 and up. 

Visit author Stephanie Perkins website

Paper Covers Rock

Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard. Published by Delacorte Press, 2011.

Alex’s life at a boarding school in North Carolina is pretty boring. No girls. Teachers (mostly male) live on campus and eat with the students. There are very few chances to interact with anyone outside of school. Consequently, the boys take any opportunity to have a break in the routine.

One afternoon Alex and a couple of friends named Glenn and Thomas get drunk and decide to go swimming. Thomas doesn’t surface after diving off a rock. After unsuccessfully trying CPR, Glenn stays with Thomas while Alex runs to get help. On the other side of the lake, Miss Dovecott, emerges, but no one can save Thomas.

Alex and Glenn aren’t sure what Miss Dovecott saw, but they know they must hide the evidence of the alcohol or face expulsion. The lie about drinking leads to other lies and many complications. Alex begins to develop feelings for Miss Dovecott. At the same time, he begins to dislike and distrust Glenn. Glenn is a jerk and he blackmails Alex into setting up Miss Dovecott to get fired.

Alex’s poetic side is encouraged by Miss Dovecott and she coaches him with his writing. As he explores famous authors and works to develop his craft, he finds himself reflecting on the truth about what happened that day at the lake.

This realistic, intense novel is recommended for grades 9 and up.

Visit author Jenny Hubbard's website