| Parents of teens will get a good laugh while reading Ned Vizzini's
first book, a "quasi-autobiography". Ned writes about what it's like to a
teen nerd--- from junior high through his senior year in high school.
Although fairly predictable, Ned puts his cards on the table and tells
it like he sees it. You can read short stories on the life and times of
Ned Vizzini--the high notes,the low notes and all the in-between notes.
Ned is no ordinary guy. I mean, not every teen has a published book or has
had a byline in The New York Times Magazine. Although not Dave Barry or
Scott Adams, he takes a good stab at humorous writing, and in his case,
it's quasi-autobiographical!
Although it wasn't a stroll past memory lane for me, it provided more
insight on teens today from a guy's perspective. My 16-year-old daughter
didn't care for this book, but many of Vizzini's tales were mildly funny
in a weird sort of way.
It's not like this is a "tell-all" book. Asides from hanging out with
street people, being "MetroCarded" and underage beer drinking, Vizzini's
teen nerd years are rather predictable and dare I say, normal? Average may
be the better word.
Peer pressure, embarrassment, obsessions, kissing, turning 18, SAT
tests, college rejections (not necessarily in that order), it's all right
here. Nintendo and Magic fans will totally relate to this dude.
Whether you read about Ned's first girlfriend, Judith, and his "Prom,
Prom, Promises" or his decision to just say no to Cancun and yes to Jesus,
this book is definitely about Teen Angst. Yeahhh...
Warning: You may enjoy this book more than your teen.
|
     by Tina
Velgos 
