Emma Jean Lazarus Fell in Love

Starred review from April 13, 2009
Tarshis proves she “gets” adolescent female friendships (not to mention seventh grade) in this funny and empathetic follow-up to Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree
. For the first time, the intensely analytical Emma-Jean has friends among her peers (as she refers to them) and, like them, she is preoccupied with the girl-invite Spring Fling. Emma-Jean considers asking basketball star Will, though they have little in common—he's been kind to her and causes a “fluttering of her heart.” But she ends up sorting out the dance-related woes of fragile Colleen (whose point of view is explored in certain chapters). Fans of the first book will be pleased that the deadpan narration (“as a single cell can reveal the DNA code of an entire organism, the look in Kaitlin's eyes told Emma-Jean everything she needed to know”) and Emma-Jean's observations are as amusing as ever. (“Adolescent males engage in conspicuous displays to attract the attention of females,” is her explanation of cafeteria boisterousness.) Her blossoming appreciation for emotions that logic can't explain, sympathetic supporting characters and an uplifting finale will warm hearts. Ages 10–14.

Starred review from February 5, 2007
Through a compelling third-person narrative, first novelist Tarshis completely inhabits the character of an eccentric seventh-grader who will quickly win over readers. Emma-Jean Lazarus misses her father, who died two years ago and from whom she inherited an analytical mind. She does not always understand her "often irrational" peers and finds their lives "messy." She "thus made it her habit to keep herself separate, to observe from afar." One day, however, she discovers kind, sensitive Colleen in the girls' bathroom and decides to come to her aid. (The narrative occasionally shifts to Colleen's perspective, offering insight into how the heroine comes across to her classmates.) Emma-Jean takes her cue from the philosophy of Jules Henri Poincaré (a French mathematician whom her late father revered), who believed that "even the most complex problems could be solved through a process of creative thinking." Her well-intentioned efforts with Colleen and with others don't always hit their mark, but this slightly socially awkward, big-hearted outsider learns from her experiences. Other fully realized characters who show compassion and understanding to Emma-Jean include her mother, a wise and kind custodian, her teacher and especially Vikram, a doctoral student and the Lazaruses' boarder, who takes on a special significance to both mother and daughter. Readers will cheer on Emma-Jean as she begins to see more clearly and enter more fully the world around her, messiness and all. Ages 8-up.

July 1, 2009
Gr 5-7-The Spring Fling is just around the corner and love is in the air at William Gladstone Middle School. Academically gifted Emma-Jean is back, still logical to a fault and just beginning to get a glimmer of the emotional side of life that has often been a mystery to her. This story takes place a few weeks after the conclusion of "Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree" (Dial, 2007), and once again she tries to solve a problem for a classmate and also feels the need to compose another letter to ensure that her mothers romance progresses satisfactorily. She also experiences her first crush, an odd feeling to be sure, but made more understandable by her loving and sympathetic mom. Emma-Jeans recently acquired friends are all included, but Colleen is the character whom readers get to know better. While the events of the first book are summarized adequately, the best audience will be those who have already met Emma-Jean and company. This story lacks the originality of its predecessor, but Tarshiss use of language and depiction of middle school society are good fun."Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2009
Grades 5-7 This sequel to Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree (2007), featuring the analytical and extremely literal seventh-grader, has even more charm than the original. As in the previous book, the narrative shifts between Emma-Jean and her new friend, Colleen, both of whom are feeling the first flutters of love. As Emma-Jean tries to help Colleen solve the mystery of which boy placed a note in her locker, she must also make sure that her mothers romantic relationship doesnt falter because of an out-of-town job offer. Although some of the twists can be anticipated, several will surprise readers. But the best part of thisisthe care with which Tarshis draws her characters. Odd Emma-Jean could degenerate into comic foil, but theressuch integrity to her characterthat eventypically ridiculingclassmatesgive in to appreciation. With so much going on with Emma-Jean, Tarshismight have taken the easy way out and written Colleen as thenormal one, but her fears and hopes have the same weight as Emma-Jeans idiosyncrasies.This compact book packs in a lot.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)