I absolutely loved this book! From the first page I was hooked with the interesting plot. My only wish is that there was sequel, I didn't feel as if the relationships were developed enough. I wanted to see more of them. ( )

Reviewed by Mrs. Matthews, M. Ed. (School Counselor)
Nominee for the 09-10 Truman Reader's Award, this young adult fiction book features Vassar Spore, the child of perfectionists, who gives up a summer of preparing for Advanced Placement courses to join her grandmother in the wilds of Southeast Asia. There are some great descriptions of SE Asia locales (to be expected as the author is a travel writer as well) and some curious plot twists. This books is geared for the 6th to 8th grade reading level. ( )

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

With a name like Vassar, you would assume that the person would have her entire life planned out. And you would be absolutely correct. With the help of her goal-oriented parents, who have predicted which Ivy League school their daughter will attend by naming her after it, Vassar Spore has a plan, both in school and out, that will set her for life.

From the A(A)P classes to having a criteria to choosing her best friends to her extracurricular activities during her summer at the Advanced Latin Camp, Vassar not only has what it takes to be valedictorian, but to be the most perfect, well-rounded student Vassar (the college) has ever seen.

Of course, plans will always be interrupted. Out of nowhere Vassar's Grandma Gerd telephones and announces her gift for her granddaughter's sweet sixteen birthday: a paid trip to Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos.

Sure, this may sound like the best birthday present that anyone has ever received, but not for Vassar, especially since she already planned out her entire summer to where she will get the 5.3 GPA that she has been wanting to grasp ever since she heard it was the new 4.0. Vassar knows for sure that her parents will say no to the gift, and she doesn't mind at all.

But with a little blackmail, Grandma Gerd gets Vassar's parents to agree to the trip. It's always nice to have a family secret for leverage. Before she knows it, Vassar is on a plane, set for an exotic trip with her crazy grandmother. What Vassar doesn't know is what will be in store for her, especially how this trip will show her the side of life that isn't always about plans and futures but what is in front of you right now.

Hilarious, unique, and very charming, CARPE DIEM shows what it really means to seize the day. Vassar Spore may not be like most of us, but her adventures and the obstacles that she must face are still endearing and will have readers at the edge of their seats. A must-read for the summer! ( )

This is a quirky book, but I really liked it. Vassar Spore lives with parents who are planners and organizers, and as such her life is planned down to the minute, including how she will already become the valedictorian of her class, even though she is a junior. Her parents tell her she doesn't have time for romance or anything outside of the curriculum until...her grandmother sends her a ticket to Malaysia to stay with her for the summer. This results in a wild, unplanned trip, culminating in a trek up a Laotian mountain. Things are definitely out of Vassar's control, and it is chaotic but fun. This is definitely a coming of age book, and there are some unexpected twists, but it was good. Very refreshing and funny and unusual. ( )

This was a very sweet teen romantic comedy. The protagonist is your typical prep school student soon to be valedictorian who has solid life goals with some parts TBD (to be decided) so you know there is a glimmer of hope for her. Mix her up with an eccentric blackmailing artist grandmother, an unlikely hero, and South East Asia and you know the summer is going to be life altering for this girl. It all plays out in a satisfying read. ( )