Westminster Abby

May 2, 2005
The Students Across the Seven Seas (or \x93S.A.S.S.\x94) series makes its maiden voyage to London, where 16-year-old Abby is enrolled in a summer session, studying at a local college. Having \x93discovered that she was a little vanilla,\x94 Abby hopes to add some flavor to her life and taste \x93that hot-fudge sundae lifestyle she so craved.\x94 She\x92s also looking forward to some time away from her overprotective parents, who signed her up for the London program to put distance between her and James, a college student she has been dating against their wishes. Alas, before leaving for London, Abby learned that James was cheating on her\x97but made this discovery after she\x92d bought him a plane ticket so he could visit her abroad. In London, she bonds with Zoe, a spunky and punky, green-haired classmate; and falls in love with Ian, a British student. James\x92s inevitable appearance\x97at precisely the wrong moment\x97adds a dose of melodrama. Yet despite some soap operatic strains, Ostow interjects diverting descriptions of London highlights and introduces some appealing characters, especially the increasingly self-assured and independent heroine. Teenage girls, especially those with a penchant for travel, will find this a light yet flavorful morsel. The series visits Italy in Getting the Boot (0-14-24014-4), due the same month. Ages 12-up.

June 1, 2005
Gr 6 Up -After Abby's controlling parents learn that their normally honest, obedient daughter has lied to them about a boy, they punish her by sending her to study in London over the summer. There the organized, studious, and -terminally boring - 16-year-old learns to be a little more daring and to trust her own judgment. Readers will get the vicarious thrill of being in London with Abby -seeing the sights, making friends, and dealing with a surprise visit from James, the cause of her stay in England. Having gained the affection of two boys, Abby decides finally to favor neither one and to take time to learn more about herself and what she wants from life. Slight in conflict, this book will appeal to teens, and perhaps especially those whose lives are similarly sheltered and somewhat economically privileged." -Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 27, 2005
The Students Across the Seven Seas (or S.A.S.S.) series makes its maiden voyage to London, where 16-year-old Abby is enrolled in a summer session, studying at a local college. Having discovered that she was a little vanilla, Abby hopes to add some flavor to her life and taste that hot-fudge sundae lifestyle she so craved. Shes also looking forward to some time away from her overprotective parents, who signed her up for the London program to put distance between her and James, a college student she has been dating against their wishes. Alas, before leaving for London, Abby learned that James was cheating on herbut made this discovery after shed bought him a plane ticket so he could visit her abroad. In London, she bonds with Zoe, a spunky and punky, green-haired classmate; and falls in love with Ian, a British student. Jamess inevitable appearanceat precisely the wrong momentadds a dose of melodrama. Yet despite some soap operatic strains, Ostow interjects diverting descriptions of London highlights and introduces some appealing characters, especially the increasingly self-assured and independent heroine. Teenage girls, especially those with a penchant for travel, will find this a light yet flavorful morsel. The series visits Italy in Getting the Boot (0-14-24014-4), due the same month. Ages 12-up. (May)

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2005
Gr. 6-9. Like Peggy Guthart Strauss' " Getting the Boot " (2005), Ostow's novel is part of the S.A.S.S. (Students across the Seven Seas) series. The series name sounds a little staid, but, actually, it's a fresh idea. The S.A.S.S. program brings American students to foreign shores. In this book, Abby, a 16-year-old from an overprotective family, has a chance to let loose in London. The big question is whether she will take back her boyfriend, James, who cheated on her, when he shows up in London, or stick with Ian, the Brit from Manchester--even though their relationship will be super-long distance, once she goes home. This is as much as a travel book as a romance, and, for the most part, Ostow does a good job of fitting all the sights, sounds, and smells into the story. Considering the price, this is decent chick lit on the cheap. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)