Going Vintage

February 11, 2013
A devoted list maker, 16-year-old Mallory is determined to transform her life when she finds out her boyfriend, Jeremy, has a cybergirlfriend who goes by the name “BubbleYum.” As Mallory’s relationship and reputation fall apart publicly on “Friendspace,” she declares she’s “Done with computers and phones... and fake fakeness. I’m talking complete isolation.” She swears off technology to focus on a list her grandmother made in 1962 when she was 16; Mallory vows to run for pep squad secretary, host a fancy dinner, sew a homecoming dress, find a “steady,” and do something dangerous. Mallory’s high-spirited and hilarious younger sister, Ginnie, supports her, as does her ex’s cute, offbeat cousin Oliver, and sparks fly as they build a pep club homecoming float. In the meantime, Mallory’s grandmother, who has just moved into a senior residence, seems distracted and uninterested in revisiting the past—and she may have her reasons. With perceptiveness and several fun plot twists, Leavitt’s (Sean Griswold’s Head) nuanced book is filled with quirky characters that readers will root for and believe in. Ages 12–up. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary Agency.

February 1, 2013
After discovering her boyfriend has a serious online relationship with another girl, Mallory very publicly dumps him on his social media site. She complicates the situation by deciding to try to fulfill a to-do list her grandmother crafted at the beginning of her junior year of high school in 1962, a time Mallory thinks must have been much simpler than today. That means giving up the 21st-century technology she's accustomed to relying on--going vintage--and also becoming secretary of the pep club (that doesn't exist), sewing a dress for homecoming (she doesn't sew) and finding a steady boyfriend, among other challenges. She's aided by her loyal younger sister, Ginnie, and the growing affection of her ex's cousin, charming Oliver. Adding another level of concern to Mallory's bumpy ride is Ginnie's conviction that their shallow though earnest mother is having an affair and her misguided efforts to fix their parents' marriage. Mallory's appealing, sarcasm-tinged first-person narrative voice sculpts a likable teen mildly reminiscent of Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicolson. Although a far-too-convenient event proves Mallory was wrong about her grandmother's simpler life, that fails to derail an otherwise admirable look at the advantages, and the downsides, of modern technology--and serious relationships. A funny and even thoughtful look at boyfriends, high school angst and the importance of finding oneself. (Fiction. 11-16)

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May 1, 2013

Gr 7 Up-While the premise of Going Vintage appears to be the usual run-of-the-mill romantic fodder-girl is wildly in love with her boyfriend, boy cheats on girl, girl seeks to find herself-it becomes evident from the opening chapter that Leavitt is exploring new romantic territory here. When Mallory discovers that Jeremy has been cheating on her with "Bubbleyum," a girl he is "married" to in a virtual simulation game, she declares him to be a "tool" and swears off all 21st-century technology. She finds a list her grandmother made during her junior year of high school, in 1962, to guide a personal journey of self-discovery. How hard could it be to sew a homecoming dress, "find a steady," and become Pep Club secretary? Since Mallory can't sew, recently dumped her boyfriend, and doesn't even know what a Pep Club is, she ropes her sister and grandmother into helping her complete the list. Filled with humor and style, this title will capture teens' attention from the first page to the last. The characters are relatable, as are Mallory's situations. It's refreshing that the protagonist's resolve not to let Jeremy back into her life does not waiver and that she doesn't jump into another relationship to get over the old one. A quick, enjoyable read and an enchanting addition to the chick-lit genre.-Tammy Turner, Centennial High School, Frisco, TX

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