V is for ...

Vegan Virgin Valentine

by Carolyn Mackler

I needed no further incentive to read this book after noticing two things about it: 1. The title (how can you not be intrigued by this title?); 2. The author, Carolyn Mackler, who wrote the fabulous The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things.

Summary

Mara Valentine is nearing the end of her senior year of high school, and she is on the fast-track to success. A straight-A student in the running for valedictorian, accepted into Yale, already has a few college credits under her belt ... basically, she’s got it all worked out. But then her niece, V, who is one year younger than Mara, comes to live with her family and throws a big wrench into Mara’s life. Where Mara is focused and determined, V is go-with-the-flow casual; Mara makes decisions with regard to how they will affect her, while V does what she wants, when she wants. Needless to say, Mara doesn’t understand V, nor does she particularly like her. This isn’t helped by the fact that, within 24 hours of her arrival, V has managed to make out with Mara’s ex-boyfriend, and the story quickly spreads around school.

However, as Mara seeks time away from home and V in order to maintain her own sanity and focus on her future, she finds herself wondering about how all of good decisions have affected her life. One thing that brings these questions to mind? Her adorable, smart, funny boss at the coffee shop, a 22-year-old entrepreneur who has yet to attend college yet can hold his own with Mara’s intellectual conversations. And as much as V makes her crazy, Mara can’t help but wonder if she would benefit from a little less structure as well.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Definitely. Mackler did a great job shaping these characters, and as with The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, she gives an honest and realistic portrayal of the average teenager. I really enjoyed this book and was quite happy to keep the light on late to find out what Mara would decide to do about her life.