I couldn’t wait for this splendid Bookanista Thursday to come. Couldn’t wait to tell the world (listen up, world) why LIKE MANDARIN is an unforgettable book, one I’ll be handing over to my students once Spring Break ends (easy now, Break, don’t end too soon) and those 9th graders trudge down the halls, knowing very well what’s to come.
LIKE MANDARIN’S Grace Carpenter, like the 14 year olds in my school, knows what’s to come–and she isn’t such a fan. Washokey, Wyoming doesn’t offer much in the way of excitement, nor does her family, whose biggest pride and joy is pageantry. Grace, bookish and bored, sleepwalks around her sleepy town until Mandarin Ramey–dangerous, pretty, promiscuous–inexplicably chooses her as a tutor. What follows is an unforgettable journey of discovery, love, and loss between two unlikely friends.
The characters are skillfully drawn, the plot is well-paced, and the story couldn’t be more REAL. Whether you’re from the badlands of Wyoming or the boogie-down Bronx, every teenager can relate to wanting to be someone else. In LIKE MANDARIN, Grace actually gets that chance, but how fragile it is. How fleeting the opportunity. How strange and perfect and frustrating Mandarin proves to be. How difficult and enchanting and wonderful it is to be like Mandarin.
And what a pleasure it is to read this wonderful book.
Check out other Bookanista reviews!
Elana Johnson visits Dark and Hollow Places
LiLa Roecker gets silly over Spoiled
Christine Fonseca has a passion for Possession – with giveaway
Shannon Messenger marvels at Moonglass – with giveaway
Jamie Harrington adores Invincible Summer
Shelli Johannes-Wells is in the grip of Possession
Scott Tracey bathes in Blood Magic
Carolina Valdez Miller interviews Invicible Summer author Hannah Moskowitz
Jessi Kirby praises Playing Hurt
Bethany Wiggins delves into Divergent
Shana Silver presents a Guestanista gushing over Between Here and Forever
Carrie Harris sings out about Shift
Rosemary Clement-Moore applauds Abandon
Sarah Frances Hardy enjoys Me Jane
Corrine Jackson delights in The Duff
Stasia Ward Kehoe discusses Displacement
