Genre 3 Poetry: Verse Novel Review

Make Lemonade

1.BIBLOGRAPHY
Wolff, Virginia Euwer. 1993. Make Lemonade. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 059048141.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This book is a story of a fourteen year old girl named La Vaughn that takes on a babysitting job for a young mother of two named Jolly. Jolly is a single mother, lacks family support, education and all of the good things life has to offer. At first La Vaughn is being paid for her services, but after Jolly looses her job La Vaughn eventually has to become a dedicated volunteer. During this time a special bond is formed and La Vaughn uses her love and support to encourage Jolly to make lemonade out of lemons.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Pull out the kleenex! Wolff does an excellent job of sensing the emotions of readers in this open verse novel. This book highlights the life of the truly disadvantaged in America today. Once you begin reading you no longer feel like it is someone you don't know, you connect to the characters. Wolff does an excellent job of making the characters come to life. Wolff's creative use of words draw you into the characters without focusing on race. If you ever had an opinion about the poor, young mothers and the uneducated, this is the book to read to remove the blindfolds from your eyes. You are immediately drawn into the struggles of LaVaughn and Jolly and yet mesmerized by their will to overcome despite circumstances. The book is written in first person and has multiple short chapters that makes it easy to read. It keeps you coming back for more. Although a heartbreaking reality, it conveys a message of hope. Make Lemonade conveys a message of triumph. It reminds you that you can make lemonade out of "any" situation. This heartfelt young adult literature is geared for ages thirteen and up. I must warn you get your kleenex first.

4.REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
"Radiant with hope, this keenly observed and poignant novel is a stellar addition to YA literature."

-Publisher's Weekly

5.CONNECTIONS
Other Books by Virginia Euwer Wolff:
Bat Six
Probably A Still Nick Swanson
The Mozart Season
True Believer