Cherry

August 1, 2016

Gr 10 Up-Layla, Alex, Emma, and Zoe have been friends for a long time. With their last semester of high school approaching, Layla has a plan: each of them has to lose her virginity before graduation day. It should be easy for Layla, who has a long-term boyfriend, but it's not that simple in the end. Emma is overwhelmed by the future and initially by her attraction to Savannah. Zoe is overcome by nervous giggles at the very thought of sex, and Alex already has a reputation. Though life rarely goes according to plan, at least the girls can count on one another for support. It is refreshing to see a book in which teen girl characters are interested in sex, understand that it's supposed to be good for them and not just their partners, and don't end up dead or pregnant as some sort of punishment. The girls also talk frankly about topics including oral sex, masturbation, contraception, and orgasm. However, in the attempt to recognize so many different experiences, each has little opportunity for depth. The girls themselves consist of a few exaggerated traits, while their male partners are limited to their roles of the clueless boyfriend, player, or friend with benefits. It's also worth noting that the single female character with "light chocolate skin" is also the one thought of as promiscuous. VERDICT Readers seeking a teen Sex and the City will be pleased, but those hoping for a thoughtful or nuanced portrayal of adolescent sexuality should look elsewhere.-Elizabeth Saxton, Tiffin, OH

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