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220th out of 1,163 books
—
5,969 voters
Same Difference
by
Siobhan Vivian (Goodreads Author)
Portrait of the artist as a young girl, from new teen writer Siobhan Vivian
Emily is ready for a change. She's been in the same town with the same friends for a long time...and none of them really understand her art. But when she goes to Philadelphia for a summer art institute, she suddenly finds like-minded people. One in particular, Fiona, intrigues and challenges her. Bu...more
Emily is ready for a change. She's been in the same town with the same friends for a long time...and none of them really understand her art. But when she goes to Philadelphia for a summer art institute, she suddenly finds like-minded people. One in particular, Fiona, intrigues and challenges her. Bu...more
Hardcover, 287 pages
Published
March 1st 2009
by Push
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Emily is searching for something real. Summer in her hometown of Cherry Hill doesn’t feel fun anymore as it should, especially since her best friend Meg got a boyfriend. So she decides to attend an art program in nearby Philadelphia. She figures that since she’s always liked drawing, this will be a chance to discover herself without everyone else’s expectations weighing her down. But is a change of scenery really all that Emily needs to forge her own identity? Because it seems like Emily keeps r...more
Reviewed by Angie Fisher for TeensReadToo.com
How many of us can truly say we know who we are, especially as teenagers?
Emily is no different. Sure, she has had the same BFF forever, will graduate from high school next year, and her family seems pretty together. Take away those three things, and she has no idea.
That is, until her art teacher recommends her for an invitation-only summer program in Philadelphia. Though she has never thought seriously about her artistic ability (like everyone else,...more
How many of us can truly say we know who we are, especially as teenagers?
Emily is no different. Sure, she has had the same BFF forever, will graduate from high school next year, and her family seems pretty together. Take away those three things, and she has no idea.
That is, until her art teacher recommends her for an invitation-only summer program in Philadelphia. Though she has never thought seriously about her artistic ability (like everyone else,...more
How many of us can truly say we know who we are, especially as teenagers? Emily is no different. Sure, she has had the same BFF forever, will graduate from high school next year, and her family seems pretty together. Take away those three things, and she has no idea. That is, until her art teacher recommends her for an invitation only summer program in Philadelphia. Though she has never thought seriously about her artistic ability (like everyone else, she only took the class because it was an ea...more
I found this book readable. I was disappointed when the book ended, because I wanted to continue reading about the characters. This is my favorite genre - teen realistic fiction. The primary setting is an art school in Philadelphia. Having attended two art schools in Philadelphia, I felt the author took some fictional liberties, but captured the essence of the city at its best.
The main character, Emily, commutes from her affluent suburb in New Jersey to a summer program at a prestigious art scho...more
The main character, Emily, commutes from her affluent suburb in New Jersey to a summer program at a prestigious art scho...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
From suburban lawns to urban art school, the main character is on a summer journey of self-discovery. I recommend for students interested in art who may feel like an outsider in their home, town or school. The art school kids are portrayed in a real way and not idealized.
p. 96 "I'm here,looking at you,trying to figure out just who you are. Because it seems like you might be this secret cool person wrapped up inside this whole other cool person. Only you don't know it yet."
p.45 "For this class,...more
p. 96 "I'm here,looking at you,trying to figure out just who you are. Because it seems like you might be this secret cool person wrapped up inside this whole other cool person. Only you don't know it yet."
p.45 "For this class,...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Feb 23, 2011
Kei-isb
added it
Same Difference is a fiction about a 16 years old girl named Emily. She has a best friend named Meg, and they have been friends since they were babies and live right next to each other. However, Emily feels that is is time for a change. Also she feels that summmer in her hometown will not be fun anymore, especially since Meg got a boyfriend. So she decides to go to a art program in Philadelphia. Through this art program, she could learn who she really is and also learn that she is a great artist...more
I would have given this book four stars, because it was great, but not quite to the five-star mark. But then this happened:
The girl in the book is going to summer art classes at the art college in Philly. After her first week, she's still self-conscious about her J. Crew tanks tops- she's way too suburby, she feels. So one morning she takes a Sharpie to one of her tank tops and draws a picture of her (now deceased) cat Meowie. Right there on her tank top. I read this on the lightrail back from...more
The girl in the book is going to summer art classes at the art college in Philly. After her first week, she's still self-conscious about her J. Crew tanks tops- she's way too suburby, she feels. So one morning she takes a Sharpie to one of her tank tops and draws a picture of her (now deceased) cat Meowie. Right there on her tank top. I read this on the lightrail back from...more
1 like · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Okay, let me just say, I really really liked this book.
It starts with a girl named Emily, living in Cherry Grove, New Jersey. She is rich, and from many peoples' point of view she has the perfect life. She has all the opportunities, a soccer mom, and according to her best friend Meg, she is beautiful and has hair to die for.
But ever since Meg got a boyfriend, buff, generic football player Rick, Emily begins to feel like a third wheel. She's tired of endless days of Starbucks and tanning. So when...more
It starts with a girl named Emily, living in Cherry Grove, New Jersey. She is rich, and from many peoples' point of view she has the perfect life. She has all the opportunities, a soccer mom, and according to her best friend Meg, she is beautiful and has hair to die for.
But ever since Meg got a boyfriend, buff, generic football player Rick, Emily begins to feel like a third wheel. She's tired of endless days of Starbucks and tanning. So when...more
Emily feels like a third wheel now that her best friend Meg has a boyfriend. So when Emily gets the chance to attend a summer art program in Philadelphia, she decides to go even though she has never considered herself a real artist. Emily's summer is split between the big city and her suburban home. She discovers new things about herself and makes a new best friend, Fiona, who is also an artist. Emily's friendship with Meg and her relationship with her family suffer as she realizes that she is c...more
A very relatable story, that's what this book's greatest strength is. I myself could feel Emily's struggle of wanting to find out what she truly wanted to be, in par to who she already was. That is, I guess, because all "teens" do go through this phase. It's such a tricky stage of life, if you ask me, and Siobhan Vivian couldn't have told it any more accurately. Here's Emily, whose life once revolved around her life in Cherry Grove and whose group of friends mainly consisted of just one - her be...more
I just finished Siobhan Vivian's second novel Same Difference, and I loved it. She has created a likable character in Emily who is beginning to realize a new sense of self during her summer art program and discovers just how intoxicating new friendships can be.
I could see many similarities between Emily and myself when I was a teenager - how unsure I was of myself and my talents and a bit nervous when making new friends. Like Emily, I had the same best friend since childhood and would sometimes...more
I could see many similarities between Emily and myself when I was a teenager - how unsure I was of myself and my talents and a bit nervous when making new friends. Like Emily, I had the same best friend since childhood and would sometimes...more
Emily finds her suburban life is Cherry Hill, PA to be vastly different from the summer art program she commutes to Philadelphia three days a week to attend. In Philly, she is surrounded by artsy kids who seem to revel is being odd and looking unique; at home, her best friend for ages Meg does everything just the way everyone expects. Sunbathing by their pools, walking to Starbucks, hanging out with Meg's boyfriend--everything is about fitting in and the status quo. Emily's talent draws the atte...more
Yes! A great YA book that has no witches, warlocks, or vampires!
Same Difference introduces us to Emily, who spends the summer before her senior year of high school, taking art courses at the Philadelphia College of Fine Art. She not only wants to see if she has more talent than what her high school art class has brought out in her, but she is also looking forward to reinventing herself in Philadelphia. It is like a whole other world has opened up before her eyes, and Emily doesn't quite know wha...more
Same Difference introduces us to Emily, who spends the summer before her senior year of high school, taking art courses at the Philadelphia College of Fine Art. She not only wants to see if she has more talent than what her high school art class has brought out in her, but she is also looking forward to reinventing herself in Philadelphia. It is like a whole other world has opened up before her eyes, and Emily doesn't quite know wha...more
Sixteen-year-old Emily struggles to discover her identity as she goes back and forth between an art program in Philadelphia and sunning in the suburbs in New Jersey.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and will probably read the author's first book, A Little Friendly Advice soon. A little predictable, but definitely enjoyable. Fun and interesting, and I'll definitely recommend this at my library.
However, one thing really bothered me about the plot . . . (SPOILERS AHEAD)
-Emily is a REALLY bad fr...more
I really enjoyed reading this book, and will probably read the author's first book, A Little Friendly Advice soon. A little predictable, but definitely enjoyable. Fun and interesting, and I'll definitely recommend this at my library.
However, one thing really bothered me about the plot . . . (SPOILERS AHEAD)
-Emily is a REALLY bad fr...more
2 likes · like · see review
This is one of my favorite books. I am not a fan of fiction so I was not too excited to jump into the book but I am so glad I did. The book is focused on a teen-aged girl named Emily who deals with the struggle of finding herself and the life she wants. I myself was surprised that I could relate to easily to the book. I am a teen but not like Meg(Emily's popular and perfect friend)and Emily's character was so easy to relate to. I was so pleased while reading the book that it wasn't a cliche-type...more
This book was a mess full of contradictions for me. I would honestly rate it 3 1/2 stars, but since it's not an option, I'm going with three. Throughout most of the book, Emily, the main character, is an annoying pleaser who's rapped up in her own problems. It was very difficult for me to read for most of the book. The final part of the book was really refreshing. The end, however made me feel like this book wasn't completely finished.
The characters were another story. I never found myself real...more
The characters were another story. I never found myself real...more
Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian is a wonderful book. It is about a girl named Emily's quest to find out who she is. She starts out as a suburban, average girl: she has a best friend, a nice house, and she acts just like everyone else. But when she goes to art school the summer before her senior year, she begins to realize she is a bit of a fake, as her new artistic and "cool" new friend Fiona tells her. Emily changes her image and begins to feel like she has figured out who she is. She is doi...more
It's about this girl named Emily who loves to do art but doesn't really think she's good at it. So she goes to this college because her high school art teacher said she should try it out. She meets all of these weird but funny, and sometimes annoying, people who become her friends. But there's this one girl that takes an interest in her, her name is Fiona. So many things happen and Emily is changing from a girl her friend Meghan sorta shaped her into, maybe the girl she always pictured she would...more
Emily feels trapped. Trapped in Cherry Grove, a suburb that practically exudes pool parties and backyard cookouts. Trapped with her best friend Meg, who has recently gotten a boyfriend and isn't paying as much attention to her. And trapped in a school where art isn't appreciated. So when Emily is offered to go to a prestigious art program over the summer of her junior year, she accepts immediately. However, now she's stuck between two completely different worlds: her hometown where everyone trie...more
I am able to see bits and pieces of myself in almost every book I read, but it is rare that I find one that so accurately reflects the teen I was (and in some ways even reflects the adult I am now). Emily is a "regular" girl who is a talented artist (OK, that part isn't like me AT ALL) who does not realize the extent of her ability. She willingly downplays her skills to make her more dominant friend, Fiona, stand out and feel better about herself. Even when she is given the opportunity to shine,...more
So I wish I could give this more stars. The setting, the art school, the idea of art, all the cool types of art--that deserved five stars. The author attended such a summer art program and her experience really shows. My problem with this book was that I really did not warm up to the heroine. I found her annoying in her passiveness, in her inability to see her own talent, to go for what she wanted (until what she wanted was a super bad idea), and in her either/or mentality. I really just wanted...more
Like My So-Called Life, in novel form, in art school. Except Rayanne Graf had more depth and believability. This protagonist had more talent than Angela Chase, though.
I read another of her books recently, and they both have exactly the same main character archetype--talented but clueless, with a best friend who "doesn't get it" and they 'break up' but make up later, a character who brings out a hidden side, a boy who encourages her to truly be herself. Now of course, to be fair, the settings and...more
I read another of her books recently, and they both have exactly the same main character archetype--talented but clueless, with a best friend who "doesn't get it" and they 'break up' but make up later, a character who brings out a hidden side, a boy who encourages her to truly be herself. Now of course, to be fair, the settings and...more
Another story from Vivian of a girl trying to break free of friends and family she has outgrown. When Emily attends a summer art program, she discovers that the suburban girl she’s always tried to be is a mask she wants to shed. New friends, a romance with a teaching assistant, and a blow out with her best friend from the burbs all help her find out who she really is, and how that person wants to live. Vivian elevates a story that could be just a high school drama to address some universal theme...more
Emily lives a life of privilege with her gorgeous best friend in her little McMansion house in the suburbs. But Emily feels something is missing. She doesn't want to spend another summer just sitting around by a pool and wasting the days away. So she decides instead to attend a prestigious art program in the big city of Philadelphia. It is there that she meets and befriends a girl named Fiona who is completely different than anyone Emily has known before. Fiona introduces Emily to a new experien...more
Same Difference follows Emily through her summer before her senior year of high school. She is attending a very prestigious summer art program and completely out of her element. She comes from generic suburbia where everything looks the same, everyone acts the same, and everything stays the same. Thrown into a world where creativity and being different is required, she learns to adjust and eventually learns to find her true self.
Siobhan Vivian writes stories that chronicle the lives of young gir...more
Siobhan Vivian writes stories that chronicle the lives of young gir...more
Cute book about a girl learning to be an artist in a summer pre-college program in Philly. Loved the little Philly touches - some authentic (the Clothespin! First Friday!), some anonymously authentic (the Space 1026 facsimile in Chinatown!). I would have loved this book as a suburban teenager since it was all about the divide between the bland McMansions and Starbucks of the suburbs versus the vibrancy and excitement of the city. But would it kill the writer or the editor to check Philebrity or...more
Siobhan Vivian has, in two books, become one of my favorite ya authors. She is funny and heartfelt and she really *gets* teenage girl friendships. Unique back stories, creative settings and clever little details make her books such enjoyable reads. I am not by any stretch of the imagination an artist, but I am an art lover. Based loosely on Vivian's experiences at art camp, the characters and the day to day routine in Same Difference allow the reader to experience it as well. Of course, no young...more
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Siobhan Vivian is the author of THE LIST, NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL, SAME DIFFERENCE, and A LITTLE FRIENDLY ADVICE. She also co-wrote BURN FOR BURN, the first novel in a planned trilogy, with her best friend JENNY HAN. She currently lives in Pittsburgh.
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“You can decorate absence however you want- but your still gonna feel what’s missing.”
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173 people liked it
“If there's one thing I've discovered, it's that stifling yourself will only lead to more misery. [...] I polluted all other happiness because I was afraid to let myself create and change. You have to have courage. Real courage to explore, to fail, and to pick yourself back up again.”
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33 people liked it
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Feb 17, 2009 07:13am