Marie Valpacchio, a high school junior, decides "to thine own self be true" is good advice when she rewrites a play by Shakespeare for English class and realizes that she can't blend into the crowd anymore.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Grade 7-10-- A light, frothy tale of teen life, its conflicts and predictable resolutions. Marie Valpacchio describes herself as a bright, pretty, easy-going teen-ager who doesn't like to make waves. With a gorgeous boyfriend and status in the "in" crowd, her life is complete. Things get shaken up when she rewrites Hamlet for an English assignment, and it is produced by the school drama club. Conflicts abound, particularly between Marie and Simon, the director, each of whom has preconceived, stereotyped notions about the other. Marie is forced to take a new look at Simon, her boyfriend, and, most importantly, her expectations for herself. There are a few problems with the writing: Marie claims to dislike arguing because she has spent her life "listening to her parents battle it out;" however, her parents are not having marital difficulties, but rather, passionate discussions about current issues. This is seriously misleading. Also, Marie is more than a little obnoxious describing herself as a Snow White look-alike who knows she "could be great looking" if she tried. The first-person narrative generally works, though, and the dialogue rings true most of the time. The relationship between Marie and her boyfriend illustrates, quite realistically, the male/female dynamic which will, hopefully, raise some important issues for young female readers. Not great literature, but a decent, light romance. --Janet DiGianni, North Andover High School, MA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00060129358
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 53766989-6
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0590428764I4N00
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0590428764I5N01
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0590428764I3N10
Seller: Library House Internet Sales, Grand Rapids, OH, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Marie is content being the girlfriend of a jock until her rewrite of "Hamlet"involves her with a whole new set of friends. Suddenly she realizes she wantsan identity of her own. Former library book. Mylar protector included. Moderate edgewear on the boards. Moderate shelf wear. Please note the image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item. Ex-Library. Seller Inventory # 123762350
Seller: GoldBooks, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # 22B59_92_0590428764