Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best Friend Must Do in Europe

by Jane Harrington

Brady is going to Europe—with her mother! It's a family coming-of-age tradition, so there's no way out of it. To make the trip more interesting, Brady's best gal pal, Delia, has written four things Brady must do while she's in Europe—and Delia used permanent marker so Brady can't chicken out. Brady would never do these things without some encouragement (AKA pressure) from Delia.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Travel

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jane Harrington teaches creative writing and literature at Washington & Lee University and is a fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA). Her short fiction has appeared in an array of journals and anthologies, including Chautauqua, Feminine Collective, New Square, Big Fiction, Anthology of Appalachian Writers, and Mountains Piled Upon Mountains: Appalachian Nature Writing in the Anthropocene (West Virginia UP 2019). She has also authored best-selling books for the youth market (Scholastic, Lerner). Jane's novel In Circling Flight was the winner of the Brighthorse Books Prize and long-listed for Crook's Corner Book Prize. Her most recent book is Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance from Black Dog & Leventhal. www.janeharrington.com

Reviews

[braezyn°‧.ᐟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute!! I was debating whether to read this book for a while because the reviews were either one star or five, but I'm glad I decided to read it. The characters seemed so real. This book was so adorable and it reminded me of my best friend and myself. I wish I was in the mood to write a longer review because I have a lot more to say, but I'm not, so it's gonna end here. 😅

heres some of my fav highlights!
Pg 8: "Typical mother move. When in trouble, nag."
Pg 15: "The thought of being around a whole bunch of new people without my best friend is FRIGHTENING."
Pg 19: "Being a teenager is practically a form of mental illness."
Pg 76 "I need an incentive to get out and do it. Like the threat of being beaten up by my best friend, for instance."
Pg 101: "David is definetaly a hot-looking giant slayer."
Pg 107: "I glimpsed HIM standing in the dining room. MY HOTTIE."

[Tiffany earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good book so far. It tells you how close friends can really be. It also shows you how you how some families are so weird. Plus it shows you how Brady gets over personal problems.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was hysterical,
and absolutely true. Half the time you don't know if you should feel sorry for her or just laugh!
I know this stuff often happens overseas!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this lighthearted teen story as my tenth book in a ten for a dollar sale. While I didn't expect much I was quite pleased. The story is told from the point of view of a bright and snarky 13 year old girl on a trip to Europe with her mother.

It's generally fun and funny and has a series of good natured moments strung together. Its a fast and fun read with no dark issues, and at 157 pages it's worth the hour or two that it'll take to read. Plus it's wholesome enough for a 13 year old.

Yep, twinkies may be junk food with no nutritional value and this book is like that. Sometimes its fun to just read something for the enjoyment alone.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for the podcast I do with my friend. It was thoroughly fine. Gorkon is actually the worst person ever and was so creepy throughout the book. There are some positive messages about puberty. There was some racism in there and the main character (keep in mind) is an ignorant white tween. Not much else to say here. It was fine.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likely more 2.5 stars.

The good : Brady sounds VERY much like a teenage girl with her CAPITAL LETTERS and the like.

The less good : A lot of the "travel diary" stuff sounds like info-dumps trying to stuff some social studies down kids throats.

[Jane Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I like it!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Four Thing My Geeky Jock of a Best Friend Must Do in Europe,” by Jane Hamilton is a phenomenal book. The book is so comical that the only way to describe it is in four keen details. The first detail about the setting is the book. The second detail is the main character in this book; the third detail is questions for the author. The fourth and most important detail why do I think the book is exceptional.
The setting of this story is broken up into three places; these places are the location of the action in this story. The first place in inside of the main character’s house, this is the location of the most important part of this story. The second place is a cruise ship stationed on the Mediterranean Sea; this is the setting of most of the story.
The third setting is an airplane; this is the last setting in this book. All of these places play a huge part in this novel, the all host comical, dramatic, and awkward scenes through the novel.
The main character in this book is Brady; she is smart, athletic, shy young woman. Brady has best named Delis; Delis has been trying to break Brady’s thick shy shell. Until one day she gets fed up with her attempt and Delis writes four tasks that Brady most do on her coming of age vacation. These four missions were designed to build Brady’s confidence a round other people including the opposite sex. As the book mature you will see Brady mature and blossom into the beautiful young, intelligent, humorous, fit, woman she was destined to be.
These are some questions to the author Jane Hamilton about her book “Four Things My Geeky Jock of a Best Friend Must Do in Europe.” Did the character “Brady” origin from a actual human being? If “Brady’s” origin did come from an actual human tell us whom and a short description of the person. What triggered you interest in teens books? Explain. Where did this inspiration to write this novel come from? When did you decide you were going to write books? Why did you write a sequel to this particular book? All of these questions come as I read the book “Four Things My Geeky Jock of a Best Friend Must Do in Europe.”
Why do think this book is Phenomenal? I think “Four Things My Geeky Jock of a Best Friend Must Do in Europe,” because it is comical, realistic, and truthful although it is Non-Fiction. The author made all of these things go hand in hand and I thought that effect was awesome. This author made this book relatable for teenage girls, which can be very hard. These are reasons why I admire your book “Four Things My Geeky Jock of a Best Friend Must Do in Europe.”

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best Friend Must Do in Europe
by Jane Harrington
pgs160usa
darby creek publishing
isbn:9781581960417

So your on a trip with your mom which doesnt sound so exciting and it isnn't untill you start to do the things listed on your hand in permant marker to do in wurope and One of the hardest things for brady to do on the list is meet and talk to one of the so called "red alert" hotties in europe and evn thou meeting and having panics mooments werent so great she had a good time. And these accounts sent in letteres to her bestfriend to tell her all about it.

i liked that the author made it letters to her best friend becasue then oyu can pretend to be her best frien while reading the book.You learn alot about her in this way then i think if it wsnt letter sot her best friend becasue things whould probally be different from what we learn in her letters.

My favorite part is when she meets her first Red alert hottie bcasues i thought it was intresting that she of all people would be so intresting to him and she runs away and doesnt even want to talk about him but he searches everywhere on the bast for her i also like the ending becasue there she is lauging about the momentes on the boat and actually hoping for another trip but hopefully a little different which this trip wholdnt see bad.

[Madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

ONE OF THE SHORT REVIWS

The characters in this book are Brady and Delia. Brady has long brown hair; she’s nice and very personal. Delia is blonde, nice but bossy to her best friend. Delia and Brady are best friends. In this book the 4 things that Delia told Brady to do were #1.write real letters to her best friend every day. #2 Wear a Bikini. #3…in public. #4 meet a hot Euro Hottie. In this book Brady writes to Delia every day and tells her about her day. The most interesting part of the book was when she got cursed by a plastic monkey. Being cursed made everything go wrong during her trip to the Mediterranean on a cruise ship.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A last-ditch read before heading into the weeded pile. A 13 year old goes on a cruise to Europe with her mom. The story is told in short letters back to her best friend in the US who has written a list of goals on her friends hand in sharpie. (Wear a bikini in public, meet a "code red Euro- hottie"...)There is a lot of talk about her blossoming figure, which as a geeky jock, she is not all that comfortable with. Funny in places, eye- rollingly predictable in others.
I'll keep it, knowing this will definitely appeal to a slice of my girl population, who will relate to the awkwardness of growing up and it's a quick, easy read for reluctants.

[AnnaRose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brady sets off on a cruise through Europe with her rather overbearing mother. Before leaving, her best friend wrote 4 things that must be accomplished on Brady's hand. They are #1. Write a letter to her friend each day. #2. Wear a bikini. #3. It must be worn in public. #4. Find a hot European guy. Along the way, Brady meets friends, tries to escape from her mother, and sees famous sights in Italy, France, and Spain.

This book is cute and fairly clean. However, there is nothing amazing about it. Overall, I enjoyed it for a light read but probably would not read it again.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

came across this book (and it's companion) while i was shelf-shifting. we have been looking for junior high girly books so i decided to give these two a try. this one is written in letters to a friend about her adventures on a cruise with her mother. very reminiscient of angus thongs etc (whose books the girls in these books read!) cute and short which is how some of our students like their books.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Harrington's attempt to create an American Georgia Nicholson (Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging, et al.)It works to a degree, although never a LOL moment to be had, unlike the Rennison books. I'll probably read the new one as it's fast and easy. Good summer reading for those reluctant to pick up a book teen girls.

[Chamera · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Thoughts: This is a fun and funny light weight novel geared towards younger teens. I think of it as a cool down. Something to read in between a couple of creepier paranormal novels or to read when you just want to smile. It was really good and did exactly what I hoped it would. (Stop obsessing over HON characters).

[Katie K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Certainly not an earth shatteringly well written book but definitely entertaining, especially with the letter format. The supporting characters were a little flat but this book would be a great choice for a reluctant reader or for someone looking for a easy summer read.

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book :) I mean, it was definitely written for girls, and I only got it because it was free, but I liked it. It was interesting and funny, and I could recommend it to some girls out there. In fact, I am going to let one of my friends borrow it tomorrow :)

[Melissa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've ever read in English. I have to say I really enjoy it and I loved how they kind if taught you different words in different languages, depending on where the girl (I cannot remember her name) was.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a little disappointing. I was excpecting a little teenage foreign romance, but all I got was a bunch of journal entries by this girl who went on a cruise with her mom. Wouldn't recommend it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because my best friend pulled it off the shelf at the library and said your reading this and at first I was kind of like are you serious? But in the end I have gotta say that it's a great book

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was okay, I wouldn't recommend reading it unless you were very,very,very bored. The main charecter was soooooo annoying, she whines all the time. Other than the main charecter having issues the book had a few humorous parts, the trekkie was funny.

[Jonn]

Very educational insite the mind of a high school teen. Wish I had something like this to help me when I was IN high school. Funny hearing her thoughts and how she argues with self for her bestt friend when her frineds is not around. I would consider it a must read.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. Maybe it's just because I'm going to Europe and the things that happen in the book emuse me, but I thought it was pretty cute.

[~me~]

I love this book it's an adventure a girl takes in Europe, one which she will never forget.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, but not the best book i've ever read. I would recomend it though.

[Smcdonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud in so many parts. It was a very cute book.

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, Fun and Spunky, Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best Friend must do in Europe is a great book for girls of any age.

[Daisy castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really funny and i liked it so i bought it and then read the second one but it was not as good.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. It is so funny that I just smile and read it over and over and over and over....