Book 3: Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Book 3: Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Wolff, V. E. (1993). Make Lemonade. Henry Holt and Company.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Make Lemonade is a story about a 17 year old mom of two, Jolly, who is in desperate need of a sitter for her two little kids from two different, absent fathers. When a 14 year old girl, LaVaughn, sees her poster on the school bulletin board, she decides to check it out to help get herself away from her current living quarters and to raise money for college for when she is older. When she goes to meet the kids she notices that their apartment is in a very unsafe neighborhood, and is quite a mess. Despite LaVaughn’s mothers concerns and warnings about working for Jolly, LaVaughn decides to stay to help Jolly out, but as time is spent babysitting LaVaugn’s grades slowly start to slip downhill like Jolly’s life. When Jolly comes home after being fired from her job LaVaughn tries to help her get her life back in order. Then LaVaughn takes the first steps toward building her own future, and Jolly begins the long, slow process of turning the lemons of her life into lemonade.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

I loved how Make Lemonade was written in verse. I find it pretty easy to read and keeps me engaged throughout. I loved how the author highlights the importance of friendship between Lavaughn and Jolly. This book is an eye-opener for young adults as it shows the struggles of teen moms, yet also points out that there will always be hope. I appreciated the short chapters and it made me feel as if I was progressing through the book quickly. Even with the very short chapters and odd style, the book flowed very well for me. There is a moment of empowerment or redemption or something at the end that makes it feel more complete even inside the grit of real life. This is a wonderful book for young adults to read as it models what a life of a struggling teen mom is like and the journey that is ahead if students do not find the tools to push themselves to have an education and a decent life.


REVIEWS:

“Powerfully moving.” –Kirkus Reviews, pointer

''Radiant with hope, this keenly observed and poignant novel is a stellar addition to YA literature,'' said PW in a starred review, praising Wolff's use of ''meltingly lyric blank verse'' to tell of two inner-city teenage girls struggling toward better lives. Ages 12-up. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved —School Library Journal

Best YA Novels of All Time, English Journal, November 2005

Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book, 1993

Children’s Book of Distinction, 1994

Golden Kite Award, 1994

Iowa Teen Award Nominee, 1996-1997

Michigan Library Association Thumbs Up! Award for YA Fiction, 1994

Oregon Book Award for Young Readers, 1993

Parent’s Choice Book Award, 1993

Preiselbar Award, 2000

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 1993

Top of the List, 1993

YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, 1994

YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults, 2002


CONNECTIONS:

-Other Books by Virginia Euwer Wolff

  • This Full House
  • True Believer
  • Bat 6
  • Rated PG
  • Friends: Stories about New Friends
  • The Mozart Season



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