What Would My Cell Phone Do?

May 9, 2011
In this voice-driven novel, Ostow (So Punk Rock: And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother) introduces self-deprecating, exuberant, and empathetic Aggie, 16, whose parents drag her from Miami to a small town in Alaska, where her father has been offered work. "It's insane. Totalmente loco. Crazy enough that I have to wonder if we aren't all having one massive, collective hallucination," Aggie thinks. She likes junk food (a little too much), is comfortable playing second fiddle, and is annoyed by her flashy former telenovela star mother's attempts to mold her into a fashionista. Despite Aggie's doubts, she quickly makes a friend, develops a crush, and obsesses over said crush's mixed messages. When Aggie loses her cellphone, she tracks its travels by GPS and is inspired to shake her wallflower tendencies. Ostow's entertaining, over-the-top story is let down a bit by some stereotypical characterizations (especially Aggie's best friend, and her mother; Aggie's obliviousness to Duncan's being gay comes across as preposterous). But Aggie's openness gives just enough heft to this otherwise light coming-of-age tale. Ages 12âup.

July 1, 2011

Gr 9 Up-In this light, charming novel, 16-year-old Aggie copes with a move from Florida to Alaska, body image issues, and an overbearing, appearance-obsessed Spanglish-spouting mom. It's easy to see why the teen would try to hide her personality behind a nondescript wardrobe and more outgoing friends, and when she isn't making self-depreciating comments about her "borderline-oversized butt" or reminiscing about her old life in her friend Chloe's shadow, she is dodging her mom's attempts to give her a makeover. Starting her new school, Aggie instantly develops a crush on a guy who may or may not be taken. She also loses her cell phone and tracks it using GPS-but instead of reclaiming the phone, she waits to see where it goes. The adventuresome phone becomes her role model as she attempts to take more chances in life. This part of the story, while entertaining, stretches credibility and lacks resolution. However, the romance is satisfying and Aggie's relationship with her mother is always entertaining. When difficult family secrets come out, readers will sympathize with the protagonist and cheer her on. The depiction of a teen adjusting to a new town and school after reluctantly relocating is believable. Readers who like funny fiction with a little romance thrown in will enjoy this story.-Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Unified School District

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