The Year Of Secret Assignments

This is third one I've read (out of order, but it doesn't seem to matter)in this series. So much to love about this author and her characters. Her humor is just my type-quirky and silly, with an obvious love of language. Emily's malapropisms had me laughing out loud. The parents are actually characters and not props in these books (Emily's dad is my favorite), and the friendship and loyalty among the characters is touching and sweet.

Glad there are still a few of her books that I haven't read. Jaclyn Moriarty is a new favorite.

I really enjoyed this book. It is written in a diary/journal format, which doesn't always work for me. But the character voices in this book are strong, and the journal format is used to enhance the mystery/suspense aspects of the story without being too gimmicky or cutesy.

The diaries and letters actually alternate between six characters, and the characters generally share "screen time" in three boy/girl pairings. The author does a good job of directing traffic, although some of the sections where a new set of characters would retread the seem information just shared from another perspective felt repetitive.

Additionally, I felt the big, climactic high school scene that seems to be perfunctory in some YA books was a bit forced, although show more quite funny at times (it includes the introduction of a seventh narrator that will surprise you!)

The best part of this book is probably the way that the characters are believable high schoolers. They never seem generic and they aren't overly adult or at all stereotypical. They seem very much like normal, funny, smart high school kids. The focus here is also not cliques and the cool crowd versus the nerds. The three main characters -- Cassie, Lydia, and Emily -- do form a bit of a clique through their close-knit friendship, but it isn't in opposition to other students and it feels natural. They are aware of the power of their close friendship and actively cultivate it, it's not just a "Mean Girls" strategy...it's a real, dynamic friendship that sees them through family problems as well as school problems.

Overall, I would recommend this book, especially if you have enjoyed other witty, diary-themed books. Some of Meg Cabot's books come to mind, or even Aly Carter's spy series, which are technically written as "reports." show less

I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT TEENAGE PSYCHOPATHS. also, this book was super charming and I loved it but damnit, I want to know WHAT HAPPENS THERE, AFTERWARDS, and I am willing to bet up to five dollars that I won't find out!!!! I'll just have to try to be okay with that.

I loved this book. The story of Em, Lydia and Cassie. and Seb, charlie and Matthew.

The humor was just amazing! I loved laughing on most pages and then rooting them all on as they hunted for their mysteries. And there were many mysteries in this one! Just a wonderful story of finding out who you are and meeting someone new through letters.

Let me just start by saying I do t like epistolary novels. I like the word "epistolary", but the books themselves have always left me feeling removed and frustrated with a story. With the cast of Lydia, Cassie, Emily, Seb, Charlie, and even Matthew, the letters were a rich, satisfying, effective window into their world. Regardless of content or form, I can't wait to read more by this author.

Three best friends from Ashbury private school are forced to participate in a pen-pal program with their rival school.

Soon secret missions, crushes, and spitefulness abound as everyone tries to find out who everyone else truly is.

First off, I love the style. Lydia writes in a notebook designed to turn her into an author (it's not a great book), Emily's parents send her legal memos...it's awfully funny. However, it does suffer from some limitations. We hear very little about the actual interaction (in person) between the penpals. It might have been nice with more of a diary or email/IM presence to explore the meetings and budding relationships.

A little simple in terms of how everything works out (with everyone getting a crush on their show more OWN penpal, for example), but there are some 'deep' bits about dealing with grief, dating, etc.

Luckily for all of us post-adolescents (and the adolescents, too) the 'deep' bits tend to be mercifully brief and well-integrated. No offensive preaching here.

A fluff read for the high school set without much cross-age appeal (aside from the legal memos...). show less

This is a great, funny, light read about a group of friends in Australia who are forced to have penpals at a nearby school. The most interesting part was the format, it was written entirely in the form of letters, diary entries, notes, etc. It switches perspectives in a fun and engaging way. I highly reommend it to teen girls especially looking for fun comedy novels.