Write for a Reader

This is the 3rd book in the Clare Series.

Title:  Double-Dare Clare

Author:  Yvonne Prinz

Review Copy Provided by:  Chronicle Books

Summary of the Book:  Eighth grade has been pretty awesome for Clare, especially with her new BFF Allison around.  And now it’s going to get even better!  Winter break is coming up and Clare nad Allison have got big plans to spend some quality time together.

That’s of course, until Paul, Clare’s old friend, rolls back into town.  Paul’s all right, but only in a dorky, totally un-dateable kind of way.

Or at least that’s what Clare thinks.  Apparently Allison has some sort of weird X-ray vision thing that sees through Paul’s other dorkiness right to his tender, loving heart.  Paul and allison together?  Gross.

It’s a good thing Clare has Elso to rescue her – imaginary or not, she’s Clare’s oldest friend.   And friends always stick together…Don’t they?

My Review:  Another well written story for young girls, by Yvonne Prinz.  Each book in this series just gets better.  I continue to fall in love with Clare as she grows and changes, just like teenage girls do.  I love this series for pre-teen and teenage girls.  If you love other girl characters like Junie B. or Ramona, then you will love Clare.  In this story, Prinz brings back Clare’s friend Paul, who has been away at school.  Her new best friend, Allison ends up falling for Paul, which is not in the Winter break plans.  Clare gets pushed to the side while Paul and Allison get to know each other.  How many times does this happen to teenage girls and their BFFs?  Prinz really has a finger on the pulse of teenage girls, their issues, and what they have to deal with.  She continues to write from Clare’s point of view, which makes the story so much more real and believable.  Again, Clare does more growing up in this story.  She has gone from having just an imaginary friend, to a “real” best friend, and now, a boyfriend!

“Dear Elsa,

So, you were right.  Joshua became more than a friend tonight.  I think I may have finally done something right in the boy department.”

“Who could have guessed that Christmas vacation would be such a life-changing experience for me?  I would have been happy with presents and chocolate.”

Clare still has Elsa, when she really needs her, but she is learning how to be self-sufficient and believe in herself.  I’m sure that most pre-teen and teenage girls will fall in love with the Clare Series just as I have.  This series would make a great gift for girls on your list this year. 

I hope that this is not all that Prinz has in store for Clare. 

Thank you, Yvonne Prinz for the great interview post prior to these reviews, and thank you to Caroline from Chronicle Books for sending this series my way.

This is the 2nd book in the Clare Series.

Title:  Not Fair, Clare

Author:  Yvonne Prinz

Review Copy Provided by:  Chronicle Books

Summary of Book:  It’s the first day of eighth, but Clare isn’t nervous.  Who cares if all the other girls look like they just got back from Camp Total Makeover?  With her new BFF Allison by her side, Clare’s ready for just about anything.

But Clare’s rival, so-popular-it-hurts Ginny Germain, wants Allison in her clique – and Allison doesn’t seem to mind.  In fact, she fits right in.  Soon, Allison’s eating lunch at Ginny’s table and getting invited to all the parties.  And Clare’s not.

Now Clare feels so invisible, she might as well go back to hanging out with her friend Elsa (who’s used to the whole “invisible” thing, ’cause she’s imaginary).  But these days, even Elsa’s too busy for her!

Without Allison and Elsa around, Clare is beginning to realize that having a best friend – real or imaginary – is the most important thing of all…

My Review:  Clare is now in the 8th grade and doesn’t need Elsa as much as she did before.  One reason is because she has Allison.  In this, the 2nd book in the series, Clare has grown up, with breasts and all.  Once again, Prinz takes us into Clare’s world and the world of many teenage girls growing up today.  With Elsa, Clare never had to deal with jealousy, losing a friend to the “in” crowd, or boys.  Now she does, and Prinz writes the story so well.  Real world issues are brought to light in this book: lying to your parents to go to a party, sticking up for your friend so she won’t get in trouble, pesky young neighbor kids, and boys.  In this story, Prinz brings in a young girl, Patience, who adds such humor to the story, but yet, causes the reader to see another side of Clare.  A caring, empathetic, loving Clare. 

“On the fifth day I’m curled up in my chair, watching Patience sleep with her arm wrapped around a stuffed penguin, when Simon walks through the door of her hospital room.  I’ve missed three Macbeth rehearsals, which is bad.”

Clare learns more about herself in this story, as Prinz brings to light one of Clare’s talents: acting.  Again, Prinz has built on a great character that pre-teen and teenage girls can grow with.