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. 

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.