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272nd out of 1,973 books
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3,432 voters
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Fifteen (First Love #1)
It seems too good to be true. The most popular boy in school has asked Jane out -- and she's never even dated before. Stan is tall and good-looking, friendly and hard-working -- everything Jane ever dreamed of. But is she ready for this?
Suppose her parents won't let her go? What if she's nervous and makes a fool of herself? Maybe he'll think she's too young. If only she kn
...morePaperback, 208 pages
Published
October 1st 1996
by HarperCollins
(first published 1956)
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13th out of 78 books
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54 voters
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Aawwwwww. Lovely.
THere are two things I really enjoyed about this book.
First, it's a great slice of life from the mid-fifties, when girls wore dresses and walking five blocks to the movies and stopping by the malt shop was the usual type of date that teenagers had. No hooking up, they don't even kiss for several dates. The parents being worried because she's going out with a boy in a car, shocking!!! The descriptions of the clothes and having to sneak into the closet for a few priva...more
THere are two things I really enjoyed about this book.
First, it's a great slice of life from the mid-fifties, when girls wore dresses and walking five blocks to the movies and stopping by the malt shop was the usual type of date that teenagers had. No hooking up, they don't even kiss for several dates. The parents being worried because she's going out with a boy in a car, shocking!!! The descriptions of the clothes and having to sneak into the closet for a few priva...more
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This book is brilliant and I love everything about it, it is simple and witty, and for a long time what I wanted my life to be like when I was fifteen. This book is probably the one book that has the most sentimental value for me, it's because the first time I ever read this was when it was read aloud to my sister, Michelle and I when I was about nine years old, it was read to us by our cousin Dominique, or D.D to us. She was five years older then me and two years older then my sister and we all...more
This is a sweet little book written in the fifties, about being fifteen in the fifties, that is probably too dated for a modern fifteen-year-old. Cleary's books about the children of the Klickitat Street neighborhood written in the same period have retained more relevance, and kept their bloom much better.
I read this at the same time as Lynne Rae Perkins's 'Criss Cross.' It was interesting how much more jaded kids in that book were, written five years ago about being fourteen in ...more
I read this at the same time as Lynne Rae Perkins's 'Criss Cross.' It was interesting how much more jaded kids in that book were, written five years ago about being fourteen in ...more
This book (especially this edition with this cover!) has remained so magical in my reading memory that I've never reread it for fear I'd see it differently. _Fifteen_ was like a fairy tale to me maybe because I read it so young and somehow always thought it reflected how dating was going to be, never mind that it was written in the 50s, reflecting a 50s world, and I was living in the early 80s a the time I discovered it.
It's hard to write clearly about a novel you read over 30 years ag...more
It's hard to write clearly about a novel you read over 30 years ag...more
My first thought as soon as I finished? "Awww." I thought it was so cute! It puts me back to being 15 and having a crush or a boy that I liked and it was a fun read. I've read the Ramona Quimby books, which definitely differs from Fifteen because Ramona was a younger girl who got into mischief and trouble along her way, and Jane was a teenager focused on love, friends, looks (I.e. the social life). I was definitely able to relate to some of Jane's experiences, such as relying on a best...more
What a cute read. It reminds me of the Avalon books I read in junior high where the climactic event was that simple first kiss.
It was nice to read a story about a first crush, self doubt, and simple love. Even though this book was written back in the fifties, I was still able to enjoy it for what it was worth. No sparkly vampire waiting around the corner in a silvery volvo, just a nice boy with a dip hair cut and an innocent girl waiting for his call and looking forward to a date...more
It was nice to read a story about a first crush, self doubt, and simple love. Even though this book was written back in the fifties, I was still able to enjoy it for what it was worth. No sparkly vampire waiting around the corner in a silvery volvo, just a nice boy with a dip hair cut and an innocent girl waiting for his call and looking forward to a date...more
This book was my all time favorite book until I reached high school. There is so much affection for this book that just seeing the cover makes me smile. This book was read between 1987-1989, right at the peak of my adolescence. I wish I could remember the exact time that I read this book, but I do remember re-reading this book several times. I remember wishing that the boy that I liked would ask me to go steady and give me his ID bracelet. Unfortunately, I don't think that this book would be as ...more
I think it is amazing how well Beverly Cleary captures children and adolescence. Fifteen is no exception. It is about 15 year old Jane who wants a boyfriend more than anything. When she meets Stan, she finds one. Jane is insecure and worries constantly about doing the right thing so that Stan will like her, but she finds out that he is just as insecure as she. And, she learns that just being herself is what is most important.
I like that this book tackles common teenage problems and ...more
I like that this book tackles common teenage problems and ...more
So when I finished The Group on Monday I thought Gee I wish I wish I wish I had a wonderful YA to read next, but I was in a hurry to get out of the house and didn't have time to loot the other girls' shelves so I just picked up Einstein's Dreams, which is okay-seeming so far. But THEN the very NEXT day I received in the mail from my brilliant magical perfect mother THIS! Like she heard me in a dream from the future and mailed it. And as soon as I'd read the first page I remembered all these ...more
I thought that Fifteen gave an accruate discription of how girls in the 50' acted when in can to boys. I also feel that not much has changed since. Girls and boys alike are always wondering when they are going to find their first love and when they are going to have their first kiss or first hand holding experience. I think that Jane was a little immature for her age at the beginning of the novel but towards the end seemed to mature a lot. I found myself at the end of the novel wondering wha...more
When we went to the library today, I saw this book and had to check it out. It's such a short and easy book that I finished it after dinner. Fifteen by Beverly Cleary was one of my favorite books when I was in jr. high. I've read this book so many times. Even though it was written in 1956 and life was so different then, I could totally relate to the main character, Jane. The way Jane thinks, the things she worries about, and her insecurities were just like mine when I was a teenager. It brought ...more
I can't believe this book still exist. The last time since I found and read this book from my elementary school library was about
8-9 years ago. Woaaaah. That's long. Heh. This book is indeed my first ever book that I read that has romance in it and I totally loved it. I mean, come onnnnn. I was like 9 or 10 years old back then? ;) So, when I read this book it was like a 'big wow' to me being a dumbo when it comes to romance back then. This was really a breakthrough for me because I used to read...more
8-9 years ago. Woaaaah. That's long. Heh. This book is indeed my first ever book that I read that has romance in it and I totally loved it. I mean, come onnnnn. I was like 9 or 10 years old back then? ;) So, when I read this book it was like a 'big wow' to me being a dumbo when it comes to romance back then. This was really a breakthrough for me because I used to read...more
It all starts with: "Today I'm going to meet a boy."
Found this book at a used book store and couldn't resist another read. Deliciously dated, but that Stan Crandall is still a real catch as far as teenage boys go. He calls when he says he will, except when his appendix bursts.
I have a soft spot for vintage teen fiction. Who wants to start a teen book club?
In closing, from p. 172: "Maybe she had, in her usual way, done all the wrong thing...more
Found this book at a used book store and couldn't resist another read. Deliciously dated, but that Stan Crandall is still a real catch as far as teenage boys go. He calls when he says he will, except when his appendix bursts.
I have a soft spot for vintage teen fiction. Who wants to start a teen book club?
In closing, from p. 172: "Maybe she had, in her usual way, done all the wrong thing...more
I thought this book was really cute. What a drastically different time they lived in. The way the kids talked to each other and to their parents was very refreshing. Jane Purdy is a sweet girl and even though the language was practically alien compared to how kids talk today I think most girls at her age have many of the same feelings she described in the book. The shyness and nervousness about boys, the embarrassment of parents and the self consciousness she spoke of are all very normal no ...more
I found this book absolutely excruciating to read, but not because it's not well-written. There is one thing Beverly Cleary knows, and that is the emotions of kids during the most difficult parts of growing up. Her portrayal of a fifteen year old with a crush, though written over 50 years ago, matches exactly what I went through at that age, and what so many girls put themselves through - sitting by the phone, analyzing a boy's every move, wanting, and waiting, and wishing. This portrait of bein...more
I guess I never have read this before - it was so very unfamiliar. Quick simple read - even allowing for the different era & context, though, I could not recommend it. It pays lip service to the lesson of being true to yourself, but too many times it contradicts that message.
Especially the last line. "She was Stan's girl. That was all that really mattered." O. M. G. Unforgiveable. Cleary, you write beautifully, and you understand children's hearts, but if this book...more
Especially the last line. "She was Stan's girl. That was all that really mattered." O. M. G. Unforgiveable. Cleary, you write beautifully, and you understand children's hearts, but if this book...more
The story is believable, if rather old-fashioned. But I like old-fashioned, so this book was pleasant for me. I remember thinking the girl is a bit of a baby at the Chinese restaurant. If she's old enough to try something as new as dating, she's old enough to try Chinese food without making her date feel sorry for her. And the way the other kids make racial comments at the restaurant is very out-dated and in poor taste. If you can get past that, the rest of the book is okay.
Fifteen can be considered a "light" romance geared more for a younger teen audience. Set in the 1950's, it's all about the "girl getting the guy" and a time when dating seemed pure and innocent. In my opinion it has a lot of unnecessary details about the life of Jane, the 15 year old main character, that don't seem to contribute to the overall plot. Some girls today might enjoy this book and gaining a different persective of dating as compared to today.
Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides
added it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
children-ya,
maybe-reread-sometime
Something that I read when I was a wee creature. The scene where she delivered the flowers stuck with me. I'd forgotten what book it was, but a little searching helped me find this. I don't feel like I'm in the mood to re-read it right now, though. It's a little dated, but it does seem to have a lovely message about how (a) being a teenager is survivable, and (b) it is both good and important to be yourself.
This book was reccomended to me by my mom, who was reading it on Tuesday in the library because that's where she works. the main character starts out hoping to meet someone, and ends up having to go on an errand. while she's at the place she needs to be, she meets exactly the person she's looking for. The rest is a story of adventures that she takes. It's an awesome book.
B.t.w: happy b-day mellie!
B.t.w: happy b-day mellie!
I somehow managed to not read any Beverly Cleary books when I was young, and I spotted Fifteen on a display shelf at the public library and figured I'd give it a try. It was entertaining, but they really need to add the fact that it is about a 15-yr-old in the 50's in order to not disappointed at 15-yr reading it now thinking it might be something she could identify with.
May
rated it
Recommends it for:
pre-teens, teens, women with kids or those who just like a sweet tale of love & growing up
Shelves:
rock-stars-all-time-faves
This was my first 'romance novel' and I can't tell you how many times I've read it. It showed up at my house around age 10, and I kept it in my room and read frequently all through my teens. It's a sweet story, old fashioned and so dear. Even today I like to pick it up and re-visit awkward Jane Purdy and her adventures as a 15yo girl with a crush on the new boy...
I found this book to be LOL funny. I was just laughing to myself the whole time while reading this book. Ok, so It wasn't readlly suppose to be funny. It's a coming of age, teen romance for the 50s. Kinda' of a window to the past and to see "somewhat" what it was like to grow up at that time. Maybe how my mother's teen years would have been like had she grown up in America.
What is great about the book & why I right away handed it my almost 15 yr old daughter was (first of a...more
What is great about the book & why I right away handed it my almost 15 yr old daughter was (first of a...more
As other reviewers have mentioned, this book is dated in many ways. However, I think the author does a great job of creating a character with an internal dialog that is very similar to the one I know I had going on at that age. I think this would be a good book for a mother and daughter to read together; it might spark an interesting discussion.
What a fun read! Written in the 1950s this book has so much old school charm & class. The characters say things like "swell" and I even had to look up what "pin curls" were. A good, wholesome & cute story about a fifteen year old girl dating the new kid in town. Made me wistful for drive-in theaters and soda shops. And probably even a poodle skirt. :)
This is one of my fave books!!! I loved this book so much! It is one of the best books ever!!!!!!
How did I never read this when I was younger? I would loved every bit of it (I still do, but I would have loved it more then). Jane is a sweetheart and Stan's pretty adorable. I've read The Luckiest Girl a bazillion times, but Sister of the Bride only once and I don't think ever for Jean and Johnny. Need to work on this.
This book is about 15-year old Jan who babysits for a living. Jan has a crush on the popular Marcy Stokes, but being a bit of a social outcast she seems invisible to him. Then during one babysitting job Jan meets Stan. Filled with the twists and turns of a school girl romance this book was a fairly entertaining read.
Jane is looking for love. She started babysitting to make some extra money so she could do things on the weekends. When Jane doesn`t find a boy people start to tease her. One day she was walking down the street and. A girl name Marcy and her boyfriend Greg drove pass Jane and just smiled and waved. Jane feels that when people tease her it makes her feel that everything about herself was all wrong. She also felt that she didn`t meet the criteria of a girl getting a boyfriend. Such as the way she ...more
I read this when I was about thirteen. I knew how dated it was, but that just added to the appeal for me. The proper word for this book is "adorable".
Also, I totally know what her dad means by the cat needing to come on little fog feet. My cats sound like a herd of elephants.
Also, I totally know what her dad means by the cat needing to come on little fog feet. My cats sound like a herd of elephants.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Still relevant? Boys' POV? | 5 | 7 | Aug 12, 2011 01:49pm |
Beverly Cleary (born April 12, 1916) is the author of over 30 books for young adults and children. Her characters are normal children facing challenges that many of us face growing up, and her stories are liberally laced with humour. Some of her best known and loved characters are Ramona Quimby and her sister Beatrice ("Beezus"), Henry Huggins, and Ralph S. Mouse.
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“The humiliation that Jane had felt turned to something else--grief perhaps, or regret. Regret that she had not known how to act with a boy, regret that she had not been wiser.”
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2 people liked it
“She means well, but she always manages to do the wrong thing. She has a real talent for it.”
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1 person liked it
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