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Girl, 15, Charming But Insane (2004)

Girl, 15, Charming but Insane (2004)

Book Info

Author
Genre
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Rating
4.33 of 5 Votes: 2
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ISBN
0385732147 (ISBN13: 9780385732147)
Language
English
Publisher
delacorte books for young readers

About book Girl, 15, Charming But Insane (2004)

Jess Jordan is a fifteen year old comedic genius. Unfortunately, her rapier wit is often eclipsed by her best friend Flora, who is gorgeous, brilliant, popular, and an expert in making Jess completely crazy. Jess finds refuge from the pains of her adolescence with her friend, Fred, but she’s dying (absolutely dying) to go out with the fantastically handsome Ben Jones. When Flora starts dating Ben’s best friend Mackenzie, Jess has an opportunity to hang out with Ben. He’s…a lot different than she thought – rather dull, has no conversation to speak of, and constantly asks about Flora. The nerve. Jess and Fred have a series of misunderstandings and stop speaking to one another, which ends up being the worst thing Jess has ever experienced (the latest in the series of worst things ever). And things don’t get any better. Jess’ brilliant idea saves Mackenzie’s band from being a total washout, but she doesn’t get any credit for it. Then, she gets ill right before she’s supposed to perform her original monologue for her stand-up routine and *Flora* gets to perform it – totally stealing the show. *Then* Flora breaks up with Mackenzie and wants to date Fred. Why does Flora get everything? Jess is about to scream with frustration. It all turns out just fine in the end. And Jess gets her man. The one she *really* wants. It’s a bit silly, and very girly, and very British and very, very hysterical. Jess Jordan’s life is even more amusing than Georgia Nicholson’s (the femme protagonist from Louise Rennison’s books). I enjoyed her immensely – especially when her sarcasm, her ability to laugh at herself, and her true talents began to emerge.

This one gets two thumbs up for the narrator who does a brilliant job. I thoroughly enjoyed this much more listening to it than I would have just reading it as it is British and the narrator (also British) makes it a really fun read.Instead of describing the plot, I will just say that there were some very funny moments in this book, like: Jess, the 15 year old narrator, naming her breasts Bonnie and Clyde and using minestrone soup poured into bags as inserts in her bra to add more cleavage only one of the bags bursts at a party while she is dancing with a boy. And this is just one incident early on.The book also explores teenage relationships from best friends Jess and Flora to their respective relationships (or attempted ones) with the boys in their lives. Jess's grandmother comes to live with her and her mother and everyone must learn to readjust. And Jess often wonders why her parents split up (which apparently is addressed in another book).A very funny book that describes what it is like to be a 15 year old trying to find your place at home and at school, with your family and friends, and with boys. Beware though, that the book is British and does make use of British terms and slang throughout (which is why the narrator was so great).

Do You like book Girl, 15, Charming But Insane (2004)?

The audio book is great! If I read this book, I might not have enjoyed it as much because at times I don't get the British humor, but no, this was great. Jess is a 15 year old girl who is a little boy obsessed who is trying to get through life with her best friend Flora and her used to be best friend Fred. I think what I enjoyed most is that Jess's mom is a librarian, feminist, war protestor. Other great things that happen in this book: Jess's grandma moves in with her and her mum, Jess goes to a party and stuffs her bra with minestrone soup packets and they bust open, she cleans herself off in the bathroom and then later finds out that a boy fixed a camera in the girls bathroom so she is horrified when their is a video viewing party where she is told she is the star of the movie, her falling out with her best friend Fred because her grandma flooded the house the day of Fred's moms party, the creation of the band Poisonous Trash with Ben, Mackenzie, and Flora, realizing she doesn't really like Ben as much as she thought.
—Alexandria Jakupovic

Girl, 15, Charming but Insane follows the adventures of Jess Johnson, the self-described charming-but-insane 15 year old girl of the title. Jess is funny, intelligent beyond her years, and plagued by the same adolescent insecurities that affect us all at that age. Jess's best friend Flora is studious, blond and popular, and just happens to be dating the best friend of Jess's not-so-secret crush, Ben Jones! Will Jess win the affection of her crush, Ben Jones? Or will her world be turned upside-down when her ailing grandmother moves in with Jess and her single mother?Author Sue Limb writes in a fun, breezy and engaging style. Although I was never a teenage girl, I found it easy to empathize with Jess's plight and could very much relate to the situations she found herself in. The book is quite funny and the narrative action fully engages the reader. I highly recommend this book for teen readers and fans of young adult fiction.
—Joe Young

9th-12th grade. This British young adult novel features the fearless, witty Jess who struggles her way through her fifteenth year, with the help of best friends Flora and Fred. The protagonist is hilarious, causing the reader to laugh out loud in various places. She faces many a debacle, including her grandmother moving in, the mystery of why her parents split up, whether Ben does or does not like her back, whether her bum or her cleavage will ever be satisfactory, and other incredibly important events. There are also scenes where the reader immediately realizes what Jess does not--that there is no way the decision she is currently making will end well. A prime example is when she decides to use bags of minestrone soup to enhance her cleavage at a particular party. The book ends on a happy note but leaves a few things unresolved, suggesting a sequel. Despite its fairly traditional plot, this book might make a good addition to a public library's youth collection, as its fierce humor is compelling and has a distinctively British flavor.
—Joanna Price

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