Young Adult Literature without Apology

Amy's assessment of contemporary young adult literature, organized by author and title, censored by noone.

Realistic | Romance | Science Fiction | Historical Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery

Wittlinger, Ellen (2004). Heart on My Sleeve. NY: Simon and Schuster. 219 pages. ISBN: 0689849974.

After Chloe and Julian meet at a college orientation for prospective freshman, the two bond via email over their shared interest in music (and each other). As they both plan to meet again the following summer (and, presumably, "try on" their Internet cultivated romance), we, the readers, are privy to their struggles with family, boyfriends and girlfriends, and college choices outside the private email environment the two carve out for each other.
Told solely through email and chatting "transcripts", as well as the occasional written letter, this novel might best lend itself to the "character's voice" mode of presentation. I found this Wittlinger novel to be a little weak on characterization, especially as the song title subject headings Chloe uses in her email speak to a limited (and, I think, older) audience of readers. Also, as Chloe is a singer-songwriter, some of her song lyrics are included and I think that they are kinda lame. Then again, I might just be a jerk. Notable and unexpected, though, is the departure from the happily-ever-after ending; while the book doesn't end on a depressing note, the "reunification" of Chloe and Julian is not as utopian or idyllic as either of them anticipated.