13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Johnson, Maureen. 13 Little Blue Envelopes. New York: Alloy Entertainment, 2005. 337 pages. $8.99 ISBN 0060541431
Readers Annotation: Ginny’s Aunt Peg leaves her a quest to accomplish after her sudden death that takes her on a wild ride through Europe.
Summary: After the sudden death of her Aunt Peg, Ginny receives a letter that contains one thousand dollars and instructions that she needs to go to the Chinese restaurant beneath her old apartment in the Lower East Side, New York City. The owner of 4th Noodle handed her a package containing 13 illustrated blue envelopes. Once she psyched herself up enough, and her parents, to go on a trip to Europe along, Ginny set foot on an adventure. On her first stop in London she meets Robert, an old roommate of her Aunt Peg’s and stays in her aunt’s old room. Her first task in the UK is to be a patron of the arts, and her path crosses with a young playwright named Keith. After a trip to Scotland to visit another eccentric artist like her aunt, Ginny and Keith part on bad terms. Ginny visits Paris, the city of love and cafes, and Amsterdam, where she meets an eccentric family that takes her on a whirlwind tour of the city. However, it doesn’t seem that her aunt’s instructions are turning out how she planned. Back in London, Ginny discovers who Robert really is, confronts Keith about how she really feels and finds her aunt’s hidden stash. Will this hidden collection give Ginny answers about her aunt’s illness and life before she died, or will it be just another hopeless clue?
Critical Evaluation: I expected Johnson to be just another one of those giddy writers of teen romance, but decided to put my prejudice aside and give 13 Little Blue Envelopes a try. I was soon sucked into Ginny’s quest and wanted her to succeed. Johnson balanced the confused romance and serious life changing experiences for a book that takes the reader through every emotion. Angry at Ginny’s stubbornness, excited with each new envelope, sad at her aunt’s deterioration, jealous of Ginny’s freedom and adventure, happy that she broke out of her shell. I would recommend this book to late high school girls to get them thinking about life after high school. It could open their eyes to another option. Few graduates seem to go backpacking through Europe fresh out of high school these days, but it is an experience that could change their lives for the better. While it wasn’t a very challenging read, it was though provoking.
Information about the Author: Maureen Johnson has written several young adult books including Suite Scarlett, Girl at Sea and Devilish. She has also contributed to two short story collections. Johnson lives in New York, New York.
Genre: Drama, Romance, Adventure
Age Level: 15 and up
Curriculum Ties: No curriculum ties
Book talking ideas: Discuss what it would be like to pick up and go off on a trip all alone with no idea of where you're going. Also discuss the lost art of letter writing.
Challenge Issues: No challenge issues.
Why I included it: I included this book because I found the idea of going on a trip without knowing where you're going is fascinating. Also I've heard good things about Maureen Johnson.
Johnson, Maureen. 13 Little Blue Envelopes. New York: Alloy Entertainment, 2005. 337 pages. $8.99 ISBN 0060541431
Readers Annotation: Ginny’s Aunt Peg leaves her a quest to accomplish after her sudden death that takes her on a wild ride through Europe.
Summary: After the sudden death of her Aunt Peg, Ginny receives a letter that contains one thousand dollars and instructions that she needs to go to the Chinese restaurant beneath her old apartment in the Lower East Side, New York City. The owner of 4th Noodle handed her a package containing 13 illustrated blue envelopes. Once she psyched herself up enough, and her parents, to go on a trip to Europe along, Ginny set foot on an adventure. On her first stop in London she meets Robert, an old roommate of her Aunt Peg’s and stays in her aunt’s old room. Her first task in the UK is to be a patron of the arts, and her path crosses with a young playwright named Keith. After a trip to Scotland to visit another eccentric artist like her aunt, Ginny and Keith part on bad terms. Ginny visits Paris, the city of love and cafes, and Amsterdam, where she meets an eccentric family that takes her on a whirlwind tour of the city. However, it doesn’t seem that her aunt’s instructions are turning out how she planned. Back in London, Ginny discovers who Robert really is, confronts Keith about how she really feels and finds her aunt’s hidden stash. Will this hidden collection give Ginny answers about her aunt’s illness and life before she died, or will it be just another hopeless clue?
Critical Evaluation: I expected Johnson to be just another one of those giddy writers of teen romance, but decided to put my prejudice aside and give 13 Little Blue Envelopes a try. I was soon sucked into Ginny’s quest and wanted her to succeed. Johnson balanced the confused romance and serious life changing experiences for a book that takes the reader through every emotion. Angry at Ginny’s stubbornness, excited with each new envelope, sad at her aunt’s deterioration, jealous of Ginny’s freedom and adventure, happy that she broke out of her shell. I would recommend this book to late high school girls to get them thinking about life after high school. It could open their eyes to another option. Few graduates seem to go backpacking through Europe fresh out of high school these days, but it is an experience that could change their lives for the better. While it wasn’t a very challenging read, it was though provoking.
Information about the Author: Maureen Johnson has written several young adult books including Suite Scarlett, Girl at Sea and Devilish. She has also contributed to two short story collections. Johnson lives in New York, New York.
Genre: Drama, Romance, Adventure
Age Level: 15 and up
Curriculum Ties: No curriculum ties
Book talking ideas: Discuss what it would be like to pick up and go off on a trip all alone with no idea of where you're going. Also discuss the lost art of letter writing.
Challenge Issues: No challenge issues.
Why I included it: I included this book because I found the idea of going on a trip without knowing where you're going is fascinating. Also I've heard good things about Maureen Johnson.
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