Jasmine and Maddie

Reviewed by: Brooke Faulkner - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 6, 2015

Review

Two eighth grade girls alternate first-person narration in this poignant work of realistic fiction that effectively juxtaposes the two seeming opposites. To self-conscious, disorganized Maddie, Jasmine seems to be everything she wants to be. Beautiful, tough and stylish, Jasmine sweeps into school as a new student and is immediately showered with attention by popular girls. Howewver, Jasmine's polished exterior conceals her desperate grief over her father's death and she's deeply ashamed about living in a trailer park in their new town. It's hard for her to understand Maddie's struggle of feeling lost and out-shined in her large, caring, wealthy family. Things eventually come to a head in a tangled situation that involves both girls lying and stealing - a scenario that rings true to the way that many teens externalize their difficult emotions, if making for somewhat complicated reading. A poetry project interjects Emily Dickinson's words into the story, which is a great touch and poetry written by both girls is heartfelt. The portrayal of the prickly, ever-present class awareness that Jasmine experiences is spot on as is the prejudice she faces because she's poor. This will appeal to established fans of realistic fiction in grades 6-8 who have appreciated titles like Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor, Tell Us We're Home by Marina Budhos and Bluefish by Pat Schmatz.

Overall Book Score: good