Review – Still There, Clare
Posted by shelburns on December 18, 2008
Thank you to Caroline at Chronicle Books for sending me all three books in the Clare Series!
Title: Still There, Clare
Author: Yvonne Prinz
Review Copy Provided by: Publisher
Summary of Book: Clare and Elsa have been best friends for as long as they can remember. some might say that they’re really diffetent; some might even call them opposties. But something keeps them very close. Unfortunately, there is one differnece between the two that is starting to worry Clare. A lot. You see, Clare is a real, live human being.
Elsa? Not so much.
Now that Clare is almost thirteen, she’s pretty sure that the kids at school are going to think she’s a tiny bit C-R-A-Z-Y for having an imaginary friend, which is never a great way to start the school year. And it certainly isn’t the best way to make new, non-imaginary friends. Oh, and Elsa’s not too thrilled about the whole “poof!-you’re-gone” scenario, either.
Clare knows she has an important decision to make, but how do you say goodbye to your very best friend?
My Review: This book is the first in a, so far, 3 book series. I had never heard of Yvonne Prinz before being asked to read this book, but I will be sure to read other works she does. I enjoyed reading this. What girl hasn’t had an imaginary friend? What girl doesn’t worry about what others will think of her, especially when she turns 13? Clare is one of those characters that I see many pre-teen girls relating too. Prinz writes honestly about issues that pre-teen girls deal with. I love the way she uses Clare’s imaginary friend, Elsa, as a sort of alter-ego. Elsa is and does all the things that Clare wishes she could be and do. When Elsa goes away, Clare writes to her, as a young girl would write in a journal or diary.
“Dear Elsa,
Hope you had a good flight. How is Paris so far? My life has been a disaster since you left. I seem determined to destroy what’s left of my pathetic friendships by embarking on a self-destructive rampage…Hope you’re having a good time in Paris. Come back if you’re not.
Love,
Clare”
Clare’s story is one that girls and possibly boys won’t be able to put down. It is a fun read and had me laughing out loud in some places. Prinz writes in the first person, so you really get into Clare’s character and can empathize with her and live through her as you read. I recommend this to pre-teen girls who grew up with Junie B. Jones, but are ready to read about a character closer to their age.
