Who's That Girl

May 8, 2017
Nattie and her friends all belong to their suburban Philadelphia prep school’s small gay-straight alliance, aka the OWLALGBTQIA; they aren’t persecuted or harassed—that would require being noticed. But that’s just fine with junior Nattie, best friend/club founder Tess, and the two Zachs, one gay, one straight. Then the much cooler Sebastian Delacroix—already graduated, and fronting a band that’s getting airplay—writes a song that might be about Nattie. They had a moment once, and he texts her occasionally, but does he like her? And what about the infinitely patient “Zach the Anarchist” (actually a vegetarian liberal)? Does he want more than friendship? Nattie would like to keep the Sebastian part of her life separate, but this proves increasingly impossible as the alliance struggles to sponsor a school dance that the popular kids will attend. Although the story can skew a bit too cute, debut author Thornburgh thoughtfully charts the tensions and loyalties among a solid group of friends. Rom-com-savvy readers won’t be surprised by how things turn out, but getting there makes for sweetly offbeat and entertaining reading. Ages 13–up. Agent: Uwe Stender, Triada U.S. Literary.

May 1, 2017
A teen is unwittingly vaulted into the limelight by her old crush when his band hits the charts with a song that he seems to have written about her. Seventeen-year-old socially awkward Natalie "Nattie" McCullough-Schwartz is most comfortable with her tightknit group of friends: extroverted Tess and the two Zachs (known affectionately as Tall Zach and Zach the Anarchist), who, with Nattie, make up the core of Owen Wister Preparatory Academy's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual Alliance. However, the unresolved events of an evening the year before, when cute, mysterious Sebastian approached her at a party, land her in a complicated scenario in which they keep exchanging somewhat flirtatious texts after the song about her debuts. At the same time, she and Zach the Anarchist also have a history that won't seem to stay in the past. The main narrative is predictable, but this is balanced by clever dialogue and welcome subplots involving Tess coming to terms with telling her family she is gay and the OWPALGBTQIA running a disastrously funny bake sale to raise money to sponsor their school's winter formal in order to make it more inclusive. The lead characters seem to be white, Tall Zach is Jewish and gay, and Nattie's family has a Chinese exchange student, Sam Huang, living with them. A light, funny romance that offers few surprises but a fair degree of satisfaction. (Fiction. 13-18)

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June 1, 2017

Gr 8 Up-Thornburgh deftly balances snark and optimism in this thoroughly delightful novelization of the song "Hey There Delilah." Brainy and adorably awkward Nattie leads a fairly average life: she's an active member of the LGBT club and has a group of quirky friends, enchantingly eccentric parents, and a mountain of Latin homework. Normally, her biggest enterprise would be pulling off Operation Big Gay Dance Party. Yet when Nattie's unrequited crush Sebastian Delacroix becomes an indie rock sensation with his sultry hit "Natalie," life takes a turn for the crazy. Is Nattie Sebastian's muse? Nattie becomes the subject of much social media speculation amid a quasi-flirtation with Sebastian, which turns her world topsy-turvy. Thornburgh manages subtle social media commentary. Afternoons spent baking and translating Catullus with good friend Zach the Anarchist muddy the waters further with Sebastian. Whom does Nattie like? Who sincerely cares for her? Superficial character development, a fairly stereotypical entourage, and soon-to-be-dated cultural references keep this novel lighthearted, which is Thornburgh's aim. Furthermore, there are few surprises in the lead-up to a happy ending. However, teens will want to read every page. VERDICT Readers will root for this intelligent heroine surrounded by terribly clever and articulate friends. The snappy dialogue, extremely likable characters, and daydream-worthy plot make this fun romance with Gilmore Girls-esque humor a perfect summer read.-Laura Falli, McNeil High School, Austin, TX

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2017
Grades 9-12 Nattie in a nutshell: 17, good at dead languages, allergic to strawberries, almost been kissed (twiceonce by her good friend Zach, once by now-graduated hottie Sebastian Delacroix). Nattie's content with her wacky family and her core group of friendsthey're all members of the gay-straight alliance, and Nattie's BFF Tess is the president, currently leading a charge to raise money for an LGBT-friendly winter formal. But then Sebastian rolls back into town with his band, Young Lungs, and their new hit single, Natalie. For Nattie, whose musical taste leans more toward Joni Mitchell than hipster rock, this is both flattering and alarming. Is she really that Natalie? Do she and Sebastian, who has started messaging her on social media, actually have a connection? If they do, what does that mean for Nattie's friendship with Zach, the boy who's always been there? Charmingly awkward and rooted in the bonds of friendship more than romance, this is a sweet, funny debut. Readers will sympathize with Nattie as she pushes herself out of her comfort zone.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)