Thirteen

July 1, 2008
Gr 5-8-On Winnie Perry's 13th birthday, she and her two best friends celebrate with makeovers at a swanky cosmetic counter. Over the course of the book, they stick up for and stand up to one another. Boys are also big on the social radar. The most touching scenes involve Winnie's family. Her sister is about to leave for college, and her six-year-old brother is baffled by the world, and watching a friend battle leukemia. Their mom is pregnant and overwhelmed, and her dad is calmly trying to keep everyone smiling, with tender and hilarious results. Each chapter is dedicated to one month of Winnie's 13th year, and the focus is on navigating tricky relationships. Winnie narrates in a convincing 13-year-old voice, and the characterizations of her friends are equally well done. This heartfelt and entertaining book follows "Eleven" (2004) and "Twelve" (2007, both Dutton), but it can be enjoyed on its own."Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2008
Winnie, the endearing heroine of Eleven (2004) and Twelve (2007), has finally turned magic number thirteen. As in the previous titles, each chapter in this latest installment represents one month of Winnies life between birthdays. This year, she experiences her first kiss, grows her hair for charity, and learns to stand up for herself when her boyfriend, Lars, pays too much attention to sophisticated Nose-Ring Girl. The year ends happily with a heartfelt apology from Lars and the birth of her little sister, Magnolia. Fans of Judy Blumes and Paula Danzigers characters will find Winnies growing self-awareness and adolescent insecurity comfortingly familiar. Myracles secondary characters are exceptionally well drawn, especially Winnies siblings and her beleaguered mom, who hasnt had a moment to herself in centuries and . . . no longer owns a pair of underwear where the elastic hasnt popped out of the leg. This satisfying third chapter in Winnies adolescent journey is an essential purchase for any library serving middle-school girls.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2008
The third book about Winnie Perry (Eleven, Twelve) chronicles the daily angst of seventh and eighth grades. Winnie is an amiable character who easily draws readers into her struggles with universal issues of growing up. Her friends and family are less well developed, rarely showing enough individuality to be more than types.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)