EMMA-JEAN LAZARUS FELL IN LOVE
by Lauren Tarshis
Dial Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780803733213
Ages 10-up
169 pages
Emma-Jean Lazarus fell out of a tree in the last book of this continuing series, but this time her fall is much harder. For a girl who seemingly has everything in her world under control, the uncertainty and fluttering butterfly stomach that comes with falling in love is very disconcerting. But the things that our heroine learns when she falls in love are far more intense than her initial stirrings of first love.
Emma-Jean is smart and rational, the type of person who expresses her thoughts in full sentences and without a hint of sarcasm. She works and plays hard, and takes her friendships very seriously. Her core group of pals is tight --- although Colleen, Kaitlin, Valerie and Michele are much more girly than she is. At first it is explained that she was overwhelmed by their "flowery and fruity smells, their bright and colorful clothing" and their squealing responses to everything, but their kindness and friendship eventually works its charm on Emma-Jean. She has found a real home with them, so when the specter of the Spring Fling arrives, she is surprised to find herself a willing participant in the dealings that set into motion a dramatic and energetic whirling dervish of emotions and activities.
Each of the girls admits to a crush on various unruly and rambunctious boys in their seventh-grade class. At first they are all surprised by their choices, but none more so than Emma-Jean's crush on Will, a cute ringleader of a certain band of popular boys. They all support each other as the escapades move into confrontations and twisted associations.
When their friend Colleen doesn't seem to have what the girls reason is her fair share of attention from the opposite sex, someone in their group starts sending her love notes, hoping she will think they are from some boy admirer. When this escapade comes to light, and all is admitted and forgiven, Emma-Jean finds out what true friendship is really made of --- commitment and caring far beyond what the satisfaction and excitement of a first crush could bring. The girls rally around each other in a very satisfying and innocent way, acknowledging the fun of a romantic pursuit but understanding that what really matters is their friendships. And when Emma-Jean makes a great sacrifice for the sake of Colleen, the book's surprising ending celebrates the friendships instead of the hookups.
Lauren Tarshis writes from the perspective of a tween with the right amount of innocence and wonderment, and she captures the sense that children of that age exhibit when the demands of a more adult social world is thrust upon them. It is wonderful that the girls aren’t into "bling" and don't wander around wearing inappropriate clothing or mocking anyone who isn't in their circle of friends. It's a world where school is important and girls' friendships are valued more than the boys who invade their social life.
EMMA-JEAN LAZARUS FELL IN LOVE is a breath of fresh air in a world in which girls grow up way too fast. Thanks to Lauren Tarshis, they can enjoy the innocent fun of growing up without falling prey to the fast world the media tries to sell all kids this age.
--- Reviewed by Jana Siciliano
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