The Story of Us

February 20, 2012
Eighteen-year-old Cricket’s mother has left a trail of broken relationships behind her, but this time she’s found a “good guy.” Cricket, however, fears that her mother won’t go through with her marriage plans. Indeed, the week leading up to the wedding, as family and friends arrive at a large coastal inn, is fraught with spoiled soon-to-be stepsisters, fighting dogs, and the sudden divorce of the groom’s parents. And Cricket has her own romantic problem: she and her long-term boyfriend, Janssen, are “taking a break” so she can sort out what she really wants (something that grows murkier when she meets the innkeepers’ son). Some readers may tire of offbeat secondary characters and the accelerating chaos, but they will savor Cricket’s thoughtful and poetic
observations about love—her letters to Janssen, in which she writes about her dog, Jupiter, and what dogs reveal about love, are quite moving (“Their goodness is goodness, and their love is love... and nothing you do seems to change that”). Caletti’s (Stay) ninth novel is a rewarding story of a girl’s struggle to live and love in a world of constant change. Ages 12–up.

March 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-As her family gathers at an isolated bed-and-breakfast to celebrate her mom's marriage, Cricket has a lot on her mind. Her mother is not known for sticking with relationships; will she make it to the altar? The teen has been accepted to two colleges, one close, one far away; which to choose? And, weighing most heavily on her, she did something terrible to her longtime love, Janssen. This may mean the end of their steady, sturdy, wonderful relationship. As wacky wedding high jinks ensue, Cricket writes emails to Janssen, trying to sort through her feelings and determine whether getting back together is what she wants after all. Caletti tosses readers into a story that is fast paced from the get-go, trusting that they can keep up. Cricket is very appealing. Her concerns about life's changes feel real; her relationships with her mom and brother are loving and honest; and her memories of her abusive father are scary, but now held at a safe distance. Caletti shows how a rough childhood made Cricket who she is today, but the novel focuses on other, more present concerns. The week leading up to the wedding speeds along, and, in the aftermath, when the narrative suddenly covers months, readers may feel whiplash from the change of pace. But the center holds, and the author makes readers care about Cricket and her family. A thoughtful and enjoyable book with a bit more meat than many other relationship stories.-Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT

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