13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson: Ginny Blackstone is a teenager living an average life in New Jersey. Her Aunt Peg, always a free spirit and the antithesis of Ginny's straight-laced parents, ran off to Europe a few years ago. She and Ginny had a special connection and a letter arrives for Ginny after her aunt's death. The letter (in a little blue envelope) includes $1000 and instructions for Ginny to travel to Europe with only what she can fit in a backpack - no guidebooks and technology crutches like her laptop and phone. She will pick up the remainder of the letters when she gets to Europe and, through those letters, her Aunt will take her across Europe and teach her valuable lessons along the way. Ginny is shy so this adventure to Europe is definitely out of her comfort zone but her love and respect for her Aunt propels her forward. On arriving in the UK, she navigates from Heathrow to the first destination named in her Aunt's letter and gets direction to her next stop.
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book - there were a few things in particular that struck me.
- Travel - I love to travel and think it is a wonderful gift for anyone but especially a young adult - it forces us to think differently and look at the world through a new lens. Aunt Peg knew it would push Ginny out of her self and open her eyes in a way that a summer at home could not.
- No Technology Crutches - We all have become so dependent on our phones, laptops, ipads and it is easy to hide behind those devices. As much as I have appreciated these devices on certain trips when they helped me out of a jam, they do diminish that real adventure spirit because everything is served up to you - you don't need to figure anything out. They also keep you from being present which is important when there is so much to see and learn on a trip. Aunt Peg knew what she was doing when she instructed Ginny to leave the devices at home.
This book is charming and I think Ginny is a great protagonist for young women - she is not perfect and is struggling with some insecurity but she takes risks and gets a fabulous experience (and of course love) in return. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what is in
The Last Little Blue Envelope!
It's funny that you mentioned no technology crutches because I tried to start reading this book on my phone but didn't like the experience and decided to wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI liked this book, but couldn't help wonder in this day and age what parent would let their teen go on such a trip without the means to contact them. I know I wouldn't have been allowed on such a trip. :)
ReplyDeleteHow funny -- a coworker of mine just raved about this one as a fun escapist read -- your comments have reminded me to put it on my TBR!
ReplyDeleteI just finished this a while ago . I love Maureen on Twitter and had to find her books. Try The Bermudez Triangle. It's just as adorable and funny but with a nice twist. Also, check out John Green for another YA author. He is equally as brilliant and funny.
ReplyDeleteOh I wish someone would do something like this for me!
ReplyDeleteHow fun :-) One of these days I'm going to try one of her books!
ReplyDeleteThis is on my to read list. I started reading the sequel and liked it but put it aside as I should read this one first. Have you found Maureen Johnson on twitter? She is quite amusing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments on my 6 yr anniversary post.
I've never read a Maureen Johnson book but I really want to. I know she's funny in real life and her books are popular. I own this one so I hope I'll make time for it soon.
ReplyDeleteI loved this one too!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this read, although perhaps I would've liked the aunt's letters to be longer and more in-depth. Overall, however, it was a charming, fun read that I plowed through fairly quickly, and I will probably pick up its sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope, to find out what the final blue envelope says!
ReplyDeleteThe best Iron Cook ware