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The Implosion of Aggie Winchester
Sixteen-year-old Aggie Winchester couldn't care less about who's elected prom queen-even if it's her pregnant Goth-girl best friend, Sylvia Ness. Aggie's got bigger things to worry about, like whether or not her ex-boyfriend wants to get back together and whether her mom will survive cancer.
But like it or not, Aggie soon finds herself in the middle of an unfolding prom scandal, largely because her mom, who is the school's principal, is rumored to have burned prom ballots so Sylvia won't be elected queen. Aggie's own investigation makes her wonder if the election could be dirty on both sides.
But like it or not, Aggie soon finds herself in the middle of an unfolding prom scandal, largely because her mom, who is the school's principal, is rumored to have burned prom ballots so Sylvia won't be elected queen. Aggie's own investigation makes her wonder if the election could be dirty on both sides.
278 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2011
4 people are currently reading
1326 people want to read
About the author
Lara Zielin
9 books100 followersI love cheese! But I might love books more. I have written a few of them, like THE WAITING SKY and THE IMPLOSION OF AGGIE WINCHESTER and DONUT DAYS and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN: THE KEY TO NETWORKING FOR TEENS.
I'd love it if you stopped by my website, larawrites.com or found me on Twitter: @larazielin
I'd love it if you stopped by my website, larawrites.com or found me on Twitter: @larazielin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
November 6, 2011
What an awesome book!
I wasn't sure what to expect when starting this book. I had read Lara's other novel Donut Days, and I remember that I liked it and that it had a religious theme to it. It wasn't one of those "preachy" novels, but I wondered if Aggie Winchester would have any of those elements.... and from the first page I could tell this was going to be a whole different novel. Lara's trademark wit and humor where there, but this was a whole different world. And I loved it!
Aggie was an interesting characters... and I mean interesting in the fascinating way. She paints on her Goth make-up everyday as a shield against the outside world. And one of the aspects of the story that I enjoyed the most was watching her find her true self. I mean the girl likes to go bass fishing! How cool is that... bet you wouldn't have expected that!
I hated Aggie's best friend, Sylvia. She's mean and selfish, and she drops Aggie like yesterday's trash when a new girl comes to school. I was glad for Aggie that their friendship fizzled even though it wasn't ideal for Aggie at the time. Aggie and her relationship with her mother was intriguing... and not really in a good way. It was a train wreck, their relationship is sad. Aggie's mom is so focused on why she's doing the things she's doing, like her Goth make-up, that she forgets to focus on the person she is underneath the make-up. It's heartbreaking.
And then the prom scandal... and boys... Aggie has a lot to deal with!
A fantastic contemporary! Add this one to your reading piles!
I wasn't sure what to expect when starting this book. I had read Lara's other novel Donut Days, and I remember that I liked it and that it had a religious theme to it. It wasn't one of those "preachy" novels, but I wondered if Aggie Winchester would have any of those elements.... and from the first page I could tell this was going to be a whole different novel. Lara's trademark wit and humor where there, but this was a whole different world. And I loved it!
Aggie was an interesting characters... and I mean interesting in the fascinating way. She paints on her Goth make-up everyday as a shield against the outside world. And one of the aspects of the story that I enjoyed the most was watching her find her true self. I mean the girl likes to go bass fishing! How cool is that... bet you wouldn't have expected that!
I hated Aggie's best friend, Sylvia. She's mean and selfish, and she drops Aggie like yesterday's trash when a new girl comes to school. I was glad for Aggie that their friendship fizzled even though it wasn't ideal for Aggie at the time. Aggie and her relationship with her mother was intriguing... and not really in a good way. It was a train wreck, their relationship is sad. Aggie's mom is so focused on why she's doing the things she's doing, like her Goth make-up, that she forgets to focus on the person she is underneath the make-up. It's heartbreaking.
And then the prom scandal... and boys... Aggie has a lot to deal with!
A fantastic contemporary! Add this one to your reading piles!
January 2, 2012
I didn’t know what to except from this book. I didn’t really know anything about it, but I read it is about a Goth from the synopsis. I love Goth books so, I thought what the heck, and am I glad I read this book. It’s was really good. It’s was so good that I would have finished it in one sitting if it weren’t for school night.
Aggie has a bad experience being a principle daughter when she was little, and she thought that was worse that could happen. However, Aggie’s junior year isn’t what she expected it would be; it’s worse than the problems she had when she was little. Now, her mother has cancer, her best friend is pregnant and her ex-boyfriend wants to get back with her (sleep with her to be specific because he doesn’t want to acknowledge her in public places). And to add to all the stress, there is a prom scandal going on at school that she witnessed. Her whole world around her is falling apart, and to keep from falling apart, she got some help from her new friends Jess and Fitz.
I really liked Aggie. She’s very sweet and a very likeable character. She tried to act like someone who doesn’t give a crap about anything but inside she’s a caring and sweet girl. I really like Fitz and Jess. They are the only two people who saw Aggie for who she is. They see right through Aggie heavy makeup and see the real her. I didn’t like Aggie’s ex- best friend, Sylvia--she was rude and selfish.
Aggie’s mother was very annoying for the most part of the book, always criticizing Aggie. Aggie’s relationship with her mother is none existent, very sad. With all the bad things happening in her life, Aggie tried to fix everything, and in the process this quest she found her old self.
The Implosion of Aggie Winchester deal with family, friendship, teen drama/angst issues, and what happens when you’re trying to escape your problem. Lara Zielin really did a great job capturing all of it, and I’m really looking forward to checking out her other works. This book is a really enjoyable, quick, fun, but at the same time offer lessons to readers, and I recommended you pick this up soon.
Aggie has a bad experience being a principle daughter when she was little, and she thought that was worse that could happen. However, Aggie’s junior year isn’t what she expected it would be; it’s worse than the problems she had when she was little. Now, her mother has cancer, her best friend is pregnant and her ex-boyfriend wants to get back with her (sleep with her to be specific because he doesn’t want to acknowledge her in public places). And to add to all the stress, there is a prom scandal going on at school that she witnessed. Her whole world around her is falling apart, and to keep from falling apart, she got some help from her new friends Jess and Fitz.
I really liked Aggie. She’s very sweet and a very likeable character. She tried to act like someone who doesn’t give a crap about anything but inside she’s a caring and sweet girl. I really like Fitz and Jess. They are the only two people who saw Aggie for who she is. They see right through Aggie heavy makeup and see the real her. I didn’t like Aggie’s ex- best friend, Sylvia--she was rude and selfish.
Aggie’s mother was very annoying for the most part of the book, always criticizing Aggie. Aggie’s relationship with her mother is none existent, very sad. With all the bad things happening in her life, Aggie tried to fix everything, and in the process this quest she found her old self.
The Implosion of Aggie Winchester deal with family, friendship, teen drama/angst issues, and what happens when you’re trying to escape your problem. Lara Zielin really did a great job capturing all of it, and I’m really looking forward to checking out her other works. This book is a really enjoyable, quick, fun, but at the same time offer lessons to readers, and I recommended you pick this up soon.
September 5, 2011
To tell you the truth, I wasn't expecting much from a novel with such an amateur-ish cover but Lara Zielin manages to weave a story of just the right amount of drama that drops some very cliche topics amongst a few quirky and fun personality traits.
I have to give props to whoever decided on the title as it does an almost perfect job of describing what I read in only a few short days. The minute we meet AGGIE her seemingly normal life starts to fall down around her. From her mother being diagnosed with cancer and struggling to decide whether she should continue working as school principal to Aggie's best friend, Sylvia falling pregnant and ditching her entirely because she is blatantly honest about Sylvia's selfish boyfriend who refuses to acknowledge her in public at all.
Amidst these life-altering moments, you'd expect any normal teen to struggle immensely but Aggie manages to deal with them and a whole lot more while holding her head up high. You can actually see Aggie grow and find herself throughout the novel. She is helped along by one of the quirkiest hobbies I've ever heard of especially in YA, Bass Fishing of all things, which she enjoys with her father and rivals the best when she thinks about turning pro. She also picks up a new sidekick who she'd originally written off as a freak because of her hook for a hand but eventually finds herself really enjoying their time together.
I'm now going to dedicate an entire paragraph to any sort of boy drama in my reviews as there is always plenty to discuss in this genre and Aggie Winchester is no different. Her ex-boyfriend Neil, tries to work his way back into her good books after dumping her only a few months ago. She struggles to deny the boy who made her feel more comfortable with herself than she has ever been before but thankfully, she starts to see Fitz, a boy from her local fishing club as a possible love interest and turns her back on Neil altogether.
The bulk load of the second half of the novel seems to purely focus on St Davis' Junior Prom and usually I'd be complaining but this time around we aren't bored to death with the usual prom dramas such as trying to find the right dress or hooking up at the unofficial after party. Instead, we are met with the total downfall of the student body when a pregnant goth girl is nominated for prom queen. Only Aggie knows her ex-best friend rigged the votes with help from the janitor's daughter, Beth and Aggie struggles on whether to share these details with the school board for fear of being labeled the nerdy principal's kid or to stick with her rebellious goth image.
Sure, The Implosion of Aggie Winchester might be full of cliches like Teen Pregnancy, Cancer, Prom & Goths but somehow Lara Zielin manages to construct a world completely honest and enjoyable to read. If you're looking to hide away from your social responsibilities for a couple hours, I recommend picking up Lara Zielin's sophomore for a great distraction.
I have to give props to whoever decided on the title as it does an almost perfect job of describing what I read in only a few short days. The minute we meet AGGIE her seemingly normal life starts to fall down around her. From her mother being diagnosed with cancer and struggling to decide whether she should continue working as school principal to Aggie's best friend, Sylvia falling pregnant and ditching her entirely because she is blatantly honest about Sylvia's selfish boyfriend who refuses to acknowledge her in public at all.
Amidst these life-altering moments, you'd expect any normal teen to struggle immensely but Aggie manages to deal with them and a whole lot more while holding her head up high. You can actually see Aggie grow and find herself throughout the novel. She is helped along by one of the quirkiest hobbies I've ever heard of especially in YA, Bass Fishing of all things, which she enjoys with her father and rivals the best when she thinks about turning pro. She also picks up a new sidekick who she'd originally written off as a freak because of her hook for a hand but eventually finds herself really enjoying their time together.
I'm now going to dedicate an entire paragraph to any sort of boy drama in my reviews as there is always plenty to discuss in this genre and Aggie Winchester is no different. Her ex-boyfriend Neil, tries to work his way back into her good books after dumping her only a few months ago. She struggles to deny the boy who made her feel more comfortable with herself than she has ever been before but thankfully, she starts to see Fitz, a boy from her local fishing club as a possible love interest and turns her back on Neil altogether.
The bulk load of the second half of the novel seems to purely focus on St Davis' Junior Prom and usually I'd be complaining but this time around we aren't bored to death with the usual prom dramas such as trying to find the right dress or hooking up at the unofficial after party. Instead, we are met with the total downfall of the student body when a pregnant goth girl is nominated for prom queen. Only Aggie knows her ex-best friend rigged the votes with help from the janitor's daughter, Beth and Aggie struggles on whether to share these details with the school board for fear of being labeled the nerdy principal's kid or to stick with her rebellious goth image.
Sure, The Implosion of Aggie Winchester might be full of cliches like Teen Pregnancy, Cancer, Prom & Goths but somehow Lara Zielin manages to construct a world completely honest and enjoyable to read. If you're looking to hide away from your social responsibilities for a couple hours, I recommend picking up Lara Zielin's sophomore for a great distraction.
December 11, 2011
I'm a little rusty on reviews but I found the perfect song for this book. It focuses more on Aggie and Sylvia's relationship with boys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-DTw...
Where do I start with a book I love? The summary sounds like the usual choice. Aggie implodes while her life around her explodes. She can't stop thinking about her ex. Her mother has breast cancer. Prom is coming up. All the while, she and her best friend Sylvia hide behind their nearly identical Goth facades, even though they are about as different as an apple and an orange.
I almost gave up 50 pages in but I kept reading because I have tons of time after school (woohoo junior schedule!). If I just gave up, I wouldn't have grown to love Aggie like a real person in the real world. Aggie's personality in the beginning was agonizing, especially when she was around Sylvia *shivers* She was ungrateful and snotty toward her parents, and never thought for herself when Sylvia was in the picture. It was Sylvia did this, Sylvia did this. I don't care about Sylvia! I'm sorry for what happened to her but I'm more sorry for what Aggie had to go through with her. Sylvia did care though, in her own twisted and rotten way, but anyone who is fine with keeping their friend from going to college and having a future is on my To Poke in Eyes With Chopsticks list. Even a college twenty minutes away was too far for her.
I did notice something about Sylvia; her last name and family background were never mentioned. So I made one up. Sylvia had both a mother and father, but they were always working so they never knew what she was up to. Sometimes one of them would make her a promise that was always broken. She couldn't stand being hurt with broken promise after broken promise, so she created her Goth image complete with the spiked hair and eyebrow ring. It protected her from being hurt but she still clung to any love and care she could grab. That's why she held onto Aggie and Ryan so tightly.
My most favorite part was Aggie's transformation because it was gradual and believable. She knew deep down inside her that she was not the Goth girl she projected herself to be but she retained it for her only friend. Sylvia wasn't her only friend when Jess entered the picture. Jess was the underdog, always knowing the logical thing to say. In a way, Jess is similar to Sylvia in that they are both fierce. Jess was in that she used her mind instead of her fists to resolve issues. Sylvia, oh I have a lot of colorful words for her.
This book has solidly converted me to the
March 11, 2011
Prom is for popular jerks and sad saps. That’s according to uber-goth and high school junior Aggie Winchester. Aggie was burned by the popular kids long ago and has learned that an in-your-face-stay-outta-my-way attitude, along with lots of black clothing and plenty of eye makeup, can go a long way in keeping people off your back. She has her best friend Sylvia and that’s pretty much all she needs.
However, things aren’t as simple as that. Prom fever has hit Aggie’s high school big-time and there seems to be no way to escape it. Life gets complicated when Sylvia finds out she is pregnant. Next, Aggie’s mom, who happens to be the principal of their school, is diagnosed with cancer. Aggie’s ex-boyfriend Neil suddenly begins sending her emails and text messages in an attempt to get back together. He broke her heart once and Aggie doesn’t know if she can trust him not to do it again.
After Sylvia is nominated for homecoming queen and decides she really wants to win, Aggie is pretty sure everyone has gone nuts. Amidst all the life-changing events, Aggie finds herself forced to investigate what appears to be a rigged election where everyone – even her mother and her best friend – are suspects. It’s almost more than Aggie can deal with. Can she handle all the changes in her life, or will she simply implode?
Okay, truth time, my worth minions. I am a wee bit biased toward anything by Lara Zielin because she is probably one of the funniest, craziest, and well-dressed writers I have ever (virtually) met. Seriously, Lara really is a terrific writer. I enjoyed her first book, Donut Days, but The Implosion of Aggie Winchester really blew me away. This book is full of angsty teens who deal with angst-worthy issues. At the beginning, Aggie’s mean attitude really bugged me. I wanted to throttle her. But, I slowly realized that there is a lot more to Aggie Winchester than black t-shirts and zombie-esque lipstick. She cares almost too deeply and, after being hurt so badly, has closed herself off from nearly everyone who cares about her. She feels as if she can trust no one. I was also pleasantly surprised by the very, very end of the book. It really made me smile. Lara doesn't pull any punches and she certainly doesn't talk down to teens. This is just part of what makes her a great writer and what makes her book something special.
Recommended for ages 15 and up.
However, things aren’t as simple as that. Prom fever has hit Aggie’s high school big-time and there seems to be no way to escape it. Life gets complicated when Sylvia finds out she is pregnant. Next, Aggie’s mom, who happens to be the principal of their school, is diagnosed with cancer. Aggie’s ex-boyfriend Neil suddenly begins sending her emails and text messages in an attempt to get back together. He broke her heart once and Aggie doesn’t know if she can trust him not to do it again.
After Sylvia is nominated for homecoming queen and decides she really wants to win, Aggie is pretty sure everyone has gone nuts. Amidst all the life-changing events, Aggie finds herself forced to investigate what appears to be a rigged election where everyone – even her mother and her best friend – are suspects. It’s almost more than Aggie can deal with. Can she handle all the changes in her life, or will she simply implode?
Okay, truth time, my worth minions. I am a wee bit biased toward anything by Lara Zielin because she is probably one of the funniest, craziest, and well-dressed writers I have ever (virtually) met. Seriously, Lara really is a terrific writer. I enjoyed her first book, Donut Days, but The Implosion of Aggie Winchester really blew me away. This book is full of angsty teens who deal with angst-worthy issues. At the beginning, Aggie’s mean attitude really bugged me. I wanted to throttle her. But, I slowly realized that there is a lot more to Aggie Winchester than black t-shirts and zombie-esque lipstick. She cares almost too deeply and, after being hurt so badly, has closed herself off from nearly everyone who cares about her. She feels as if she can trust no one. I was also pleasantly surprised by the very, very end of the book. It really made me smile. Lara doesn't pull any punches and she certainly doesn't talk down to teens. This is just part of what makes her a great writer and what makes her book something special.
Recommended for ages 15 and up.
April 4, 2011
Quickie: If you're a fan of The Duff, or Before I Fall, I highly recommend this. It's a wonderful tale of self-discovery. Loved it.
Full: Aggie Winchester dresses in black, cakes her face in white makeup, and is by all accounts "Goth". Her best friend Sylvia is the only other Goth at school and together they're invincible. As Sylvia says, act tough and nobody will mess with you.
Aggie's still trying to get over her recent break-up with Neil, her ex-boyfriend who suddenly got popular and stopped acknowledging her. The whole thing chafes, but Aggie is still hopeful that Neil will come to his senses and realize that he loves her.
Not only is Aggie Goth, she's the principal's kid. Talk about pressure. A few years back Aggie's ex-bestie started a rumor that Aggie had ratted her out to her principal mother and soon Aggie was about as popular with her peers as a plague, and treated like one as well. (Thus the transition into Goth) It's not easy being the principal's kid.
It gets even harder when a scandal at the school goes down. It's the talk of the town and the town wants to pin the scandal on Aggie's mother. Aggie becomes swept up in trying to uncover the truth, but she has to make some very tough decisions and she might lose her best friend, boyfriend, and parents' trust all at once.
I loved this book. Plain and simple. It was surprisingly complex and thoughtful. Although the plot might seem mundane, I assure you it was not. There were so many different twists and complications that I found myself distressed and imploding right along with Aggie.
If you're anything like me, you might read the back cover and assume this is just another "teen drama" book, but it's really much more than that. It's a tale of self-discovery and self-acceptance. It has a wonderfully positive message, letting teens know that it's okay to be who they are, to enjoy the things that they enjoy. You don't have to like something just because most kids like it. (I'm all about YA having positive messages for teens.)
Aggie was cute and sweet and I could relate to her. She wasn't perfect, but she tried hard and wanted to do what was best. Her story is one you don't want to miss.
I would recommend this book for older teens and up.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed for Literati's Literary Library
Full: Aggie Winchester dresses in black, cakes her face in white makeup, and is by all accounts "Goth". Her best friend Sylvia is the only other Goth at school and together they're invincible. As Sylvia says, act tough and nobody will mess with you.
Aggie's still trying to get over her recent break-up with Neil, her ex-boyfriend who suddenly got popular and stopped acknowledging her. The whole thing chafes, but Aggie is still hopeful that Neil will come to his senses and realize that he loves her.
Not only is Aggie Goth, she's the principal's kid. Talk about pressure. A few years back Aggie's ex-bestie started a rumor that Aggie had ratted her out to her principal mother and soon Aggie was about as popular with her peers as a plague, and treated like one as well. (Thus the transition into Goth) It's not easy being the principal's kid.
It gets even harder when a scandal at the school goes down. It's the talk of the town and the town wants to pin the scandal on Aggie's mother. Aggie becomes swept up in trying to uncover the truth, but she has to make some very tough decisions and she might lose her best friend, boyfriend, and parents' trust all at once.
I loved this book. Plain and simple. It was surprisingly complex and thoughtful. Although the plot might seem mundane, I assure you it was not. There were so many different twists and complications that I found myself distressed and imploding right along with Aggie.
If you're anything like me, you might read the back cover and assume this is just another "teen drama" book, but it's really much more than that. It's a tale of self-discovery and self-acceptance. It has a wonderfully positive message, letting teens know that it's okay to be who they are, to enjoy the things that they enjoy. You don't have to like something just because most kids like it. (I'm all about YA having positive messages for teens.)
Aggie was cute and sweet and I could relate to her. She wasn't perfect, but she tried hard and wanted to do what was best. Her story is one you don't want to miss.
I would recommend this book for older teens and up.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed for Literati's Literary Library
April 8, 2013
I found this at Ollies and decided "what the hell! Why not?" So here it is.
I really wanted to throw this book a few times. Not because an event pissed me off, because of Aggie's passive aggressiveness. She just let people walk over her and it just pissed me off.
This was a nice change from books I've been reading. This is about a high school student who deals with everyday high school drama. It isn't dramatically over the top to make it seem real. This is like real life high school drama. It was a refreshing change and I loved it.
I think what got me was that everybody targeted Aggie just because she was the principal's daughter. I really wasn't expecting that considering the way she acted and the way she dressed. I could understand if she was actually following the rules and being a goody two shoes.
I kinda found Aggie annoying. Mainly because she complained about everything and didn't say anything. She'd have thoughts of what she'd say but she wouldn't say them and I'm screaming and yelling at her but she'd just walk away.
I hated Sylvia. I couldn't stand her. She was a bitch. She'd yell at Aggie and then expect her to follow along like a little puppy. She expected her to do so many things for her even after she was a total bitch. And I'm thinking "Aggie, you're stupid if you follow along." She was stupid.
I honestly liked Fitz. I really did. He was a sweetie and I just loved him.
Neil can just go blow a fucking goat. He can. I don't give a fuck. He was a complete dick. "Oh we'll be together, I promise." Bitch please. Go jump off a fucking bridge.
Even though I did get pissed off at Aggie's passive aggressive attitude, this was still an awesome read. It has a happy ending, not because she finally gets a boyfriend, but because she discovers who she is. She's like "fuck Neil" and she comes to understand her mom and they rebuild their friendship. It was a refreshing ending. I liked it.
If you haven't read this, you need to. If you're tired of paranormal romances and the cheesy endings, this is your book. Enjoy! :)
I really wanted to throw this book a few times. Not because an event pissed me off, because of Aggie's passive aggressiveness. She just let people walk over her and it just pissed me off.
This was a nice change from books I've been reading. This is about a high school student who deals with everyday high school drama. It isn't dramatically over the top to make it seem real. This is like real life high school drama. It was a refreshing change and I loved it.
I think what got me was that everybody targeted Aggie just because she was the principal's daughter. I really wasn't expecting that considering the way she acted and the way she dressed. I could understand if she was actually following the rules and being a goody two shoes.
I kinda found Aggie annoying. Mainly because she complained about everything and didn't say anything. She'd have thoughts of what she'd say but she wouldn't say them and I'm screaming and yelling at her but she'd just walk away.
I hated Sylvia. I couldn't stand her. She was a bitch. She'd yell at Aggie and then expect her to follow along like a little puppy. She expected her to do so many things for her even after she was a total bitch. And I'm thinking "Aggie, you're stupid if you follow along." She was stupid.
I honestly liked Fitz. I really did. He was a sweetie and I just loved him.
Neil can just go blow a fucking goat. He can. I don't give a fuck. He was a complete dick. "Oh we'll be together, I promise." Bitch please. Go jump off a fucking bridge.
Even though I did get pissed off at Aggie's passive aggressive attitude, this was still an awesome read. It has a happy ending, not because she finally gets a boyfriend, but because she discovers who she is. She's like "fuck Neil" and she comes to understand her mom and they rebuild their friendship. It was a refreshing ending. I liked it.
If you haven't read this, you need to. If you're tired of paranormal romances and the cheesy endings, this is your book. Enjoy! :)
December 14, 2011
Crazed Bookie: The Implosion of Aggie Winchester by Lara Zielin
This book has a very nice cover and, as I'm sure you've all noticed, I'm a sucker for. Reading the synopsis I ha very high expectations of this book, so maybe that's why I didn't really love it. I'm not saying I disliked it, or much less hated it, bit I didn't love it either. I liked it. I give it a 3.5 because there was a lot of juicy gossip and explosive drama.
For Aggie Winchester everything is going as horrible as it could get. Her mother has breast cancer, her best friend is pregnant, she can't get her ex off her mind and there's a new guy with unknown intentions. The plot is very interesting and fun and Zielin's humor is fantastic. I know, I know. So far I've only said all that I've liked about this book, because really it is a very good book and the story fun and entertaining but I just wasn't feeling it. Okay let me explain. The deal is that I found it very... tepid. Again, I will explain. I found that it lacked romance and all those amazing scenes with that gorgeous guy that make you melt inside. Maybe I'm a hopeless romantic, but in my opinion I felt that what I needed was a little bit more romance and nice things happening. I get that her world is chaos and that she's, well, imploding but it felt so tragic. I mean everything was going so horribly wrong and it all went from bad to worse and it makes for an interesting story but it left me aching for good and happy and goofy and all that good stuff. I also wanted more details about Fitz. I mean really, what's the point of having this exceptional character if he's going to be completely in the sidelines and totally obscured by the loathsome ex-boyfriend?
So, like I said, all in all it was a very entertaining and fun read, but I was just left hanging and wanting for those little moments.
This book has a very nice cover and, as I'm sure you've all noticed, I'm a sucker for. Reading the synopsis I ha very high expectations of this book, so maybe that's why I didn't really love it. I'm not saying I disliked it, or much less hated it, bit I didn't love it either. I liked it. I give it a 3.5 because there was a lot of juicy gossip and explosive drama.
For Aggie Winchester everything is going as horrible as it could get. Her mother has breast cancer, her best friend is pregnant, she can't get her ex off her mind and there's a new guy with unknown intentions. The plot is very interesting and fun and Zielin's humor is fantastic. I know, I know. So far I've only said all that I've liked about this book, because really it is a very good book and the story fun and entertaining but I just wasn't feeling it. Okay let me explain. The deal is that I found it very... tepid. Again, I will explain. I found that it lacked romance and all those amazing scenes with that gorgeous guy that make you melt inside. Maybe I'm a hopeless romantic, but in my opinion I felt that what I needed was a little bit more romance and nice things happening. I get that her world is chaos and that she's, well, imploding but it felt so tragic. I mean everything was going so horribly wrong and it all went from bad to worse and it makes for an interesting story but it left me aching for good and happy and goofy and all that good stuff. I also wanted more details about Fitz. I mean really, what's the point of having this exceptional character if he's going to be completely in the sidelines and totally obscured by the loathsome ex-boyfriend?
So, like I said, all in all it was a very entertaining and fun read, but I was just left hanging and wanting for those little moments.
May 18, 2011
more reviews here
I am very glad I could read this on an ARC tour. I absolutely loved it. It was a brilliant and dramatic read that’s for sure.
Aggie’s mom is the principal at her school, which makes her life a living hell. When they were younger she used to be friend Tiffany, the popular cheerleader, then something happened and she became an instant leper. Tiffany made sure that Aggie didn’t have any friends at all. That’s how Aggie became friends with Sylvia. Sylvia is the school Goth, been best friends ever since, that us until Sylvie announces that she’s pregnant.
After that everything spirals out of control.
Sylvie gets elected to become prom Queen as a joke, after that the whole school blows up. Rumors are flying, friendships are tested, relationships are coming and going and no one knows what to believe.
Half the school is voting for Sylvie while the other half is against it because she’s pregnant. Neil made me very mad; I hate those types of guys who think they can just use girls like that and just dispose of them after their bored of them. Pregnant or not pregnant I just wanted to punch Sylvia, she made me so mad, and she was such a jerk to Aggie.
I really like the different names in the book like “Aggie” and “Fritz”. I started this book and and 2 hours later I realized I had finished the book. It was a book with a touch of reality that was great from start to finish.
I am very glad I could read this on an ARC tour. I absolutely loved it. It was a brilliant and dramatic read that’s for sure.
Aggie’s mom is the principal at her school, which makes her life a living hell. When they were younger she used to be friend Tiffany, the popular cheerleader, then something happened and she became an instant leper. Tiffany made sure that Aggie didn’t have any friends at all. That’s how Aggie became friends with Sylvia. Sylvia is the school Goth, been best friends ever since, that us until Sylvie announces that she’s pregnant.
After that everything spirals out of control.
Sylvie gets elected to become prom Queen as a joke, after that the whole school blows up. Rumors are flying, friendships are tested, relationships are coming and going and no one knows what to believe.
Half the school is voting for Sylvie while the other half is against it because she’s pregnant. Neil made me very mad; I hate those types of guys who think they can just use girls like that and just dispose of them after their bored of them. Pregnant or not pregnant I just wanted to punch Sylvia, she made me so mad, and she was such a jerk to Aggie.
I really like the different names in the book like “Aggie” and “Fritz”. I started this book and and 2 hours later I realized I had finished the book. It was a book with a touch of reality that was great from start to finish.
May 26, 2012
Firstly, I would like to state for the record that I would really like to read a book where a girl dresses crazily and dabbles in some extracurricular activities that aren't, perhaps, fully legal, where it's just part of her personality and not a sign of trouble or a concession to peer pressure.
Secondly, I had some huge plot issues with this book. Was cancer necessary? ("LAAAAAMES, IS CANCER *EVER* NECESSARY?" SHUT UP YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.) Was the prom stuff realistically insane or just insane insane? Did Fitz's appearance from the beginning on make him feel inevitable or was he really written that way? Did Jess seem too good to be true? (I was scared of her turning on Aggie the whole time.) Why did Aggie's realization about Neil happen when it did, when to me it seemed that's how he'd been for quite awhile?
But, man. Here's the thing: I'm not sure I've ever read a book that captured the feeling of being very purposefully left behind by a friend so well. I ached for Aggie even though it's not as if I didn't know she'd be better off without Sylvia. And whether or not I found the Neil realization dubious, I loved it. I loved Aggie's realization that she deserved better from people. I also thought the bass-fishing competition was a beautifully-written and heartbreaking scene.
Zielin's voice is just SO GOOD. Even when I was getting bored with prom I was dying to keep reading.
(read: 30)
Secondly, I had some huge plot issues with this book. Was cancer necessary? ("LAAAAAMES, IS CANCER *EVER* NECESSARY?" SHUT UP YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.) Was the prom stuff realistically insane or just insane insane? Did Fitz's appearance from the beginning on make him feel inevitable or was he really written that way? Did Jess seem too good to be true? (I was scared of her turning on Aggie the whole time.) Why did Aggie's realization about Neil happen when it did, when to me it seemed that's how he'd been for quite awhile?
But, man. Here's the thing: I'm not sure I've ever read a book that captured the feeling of being very purposefully left behind by a friend so well. I ached for Aggie even though it's not as if I didn't know she'd be better off without Sylvia. And whether or not I found the Neil realization dubious, I loved it. I loved Aggie's realization that she deserved better from people. I also thought the bass-fishing competition was a beautifully-written and heartbreaking scene.
Zielin's voice is just SO GOOD. Even when I was getting bored with prom I was dying to keep reading.
(read: 30)
September 30, 2015
It was an okay teen book. A bunch of teenage drama in the setting of a high school. I wanted her the have the baby before the story ended:(
Read
October 10, 2017It was a really good book it has lots of information of what you can go through when being bullied and how easily people can turn on you.
A main part of the setting is a high school a lot happens at the high school.At the high school aggie uncovers things she wish's that she would of never figured out.aggie goes through a lot at this school her friend betrays her, her mother gets caught in a prom scandal,and she finds someone she can actually trust.Aggie winchester is the main character of this story she goes trough lots of drama and life changing events.Aggies finds out her mom has cancer and is crushed because of how shes been treating her parents.Sylvia ness was aggies best friend that was until she found someone else.Sylvia's new friend beth beat up aggie and sylvia let it happened so aggie lost her best friend.The main conflict is between aggie and her mom at first because she isn't listening to what her mom tells her and being really rebellious and disrespecting her moms rules.The other main conflict is between aggie and her ex-best friend sylvia when sylvia gets pregnant she gets a new friend and just leaves aggie in the dust and doesn't even talk to her anymore until beth beats her up and sylvia does nothing about it and just lets it happen.
My opinion on this book is that its a really good book and can be educational when it comes to bullying and it shows a very good perspective of a teens life nowadays and how things can end up if your not responsable of the things you do.I really like this book and would definitely recommend it this book to all teens.
People may want to read this book because it gives information about teen life and consequences and effects and outcomes of the things some teens choose to do.people might also want to read this book because it sheds light on high school life and what happens in high school lives of teens and it sheds light on bullying and that it can come from someone unexpected.
A main part of the setting is a high school a lot happens at the high school.At the high school aggie uncovers things she wish's that she would of never figured out.aggie goes through a lot at this school her friend betrays her, her mother gets caught in a prom scandal,and she finds someone she can actually trust.Aggie winchester is the main character of this story she goes trough lots of drama and life changing events.Aggies finds out her mom has cancer and is crushed because of how shes been treating her parents.Sylvia ness was aggies best friend that was until she found someone else.Sylvia's new friend beth beat up aggie and sylvia let it happened so aggie lost her best friend.The main conflict is between aggie and her mom at first because she isn't listening to what her mom tells her and being really rebellious and disrespecting her moms rules.The other main conflict is between aggie and her ex-best friend sylvia when sylvia gets pregnant she gets a new friend and just leaves aggie in the dust and doesn't even talk to her anymore until beth beats her up and sylvia does nothing about it and just lets it happen.
My opinion on this book is that its a really good book and can be educational when it comes to bullying and it shows a very good perspective of a teens life nowadays and how things can end up if your not responsable of the things you do.I really like this book and would definitely recommend it this book to all teens.
People may want to read this book because it gives information about teen life and consequences and effects and outcomes of the things some teens choose to do.people might also want to read this book because it sheds light on high school life and what happens in high school lives of teens and it sheds light on bullying and that it can come from someone unexpected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2018
The Implosion of Aggie Winchester is an interesting book that captivated me into the plot and themes.
The Implosion of Aggie Winchester is about a girl, Aggie, trapped between friendship, teenage life, family and among all, standing up for what you think is right.
I love the growth of the main character, Aggie. As the story plot develops, she discovers being a principal's daughter is not easy; especially when issues that arise are related to her friends. She says, "I was afraid that Sylvia and everyone else will be right. That I'd just be a principal's bitch" (229). However as the story comes to an end, she learns to stand up for the truth and not retreat in difficult situations. Also, at the end, she decides not to try and cover injuries caused by being a principal's daughter. She accomplishes this by saying, "I'd wanted to show that its okay to be bruised. Everybody gets bruised. It's whether or not you let the bruises wound you more deeply that matters" (275).
I enjoyed following Aggie as she became more matured in her thinking and how she handles matters. I would recommend this book to people that want to find out who they really are and also what they should stand for.
The Implosion of Aggie Winchester is about a girl, Aggie, trapped between friendship, teenage life, family and among all, standing up for what you think is right.
I love the growth of the main character, Aggie. As the story plot develops, she discovers being a principal's daughter is not easy; especially when issues that arise are related to her friends. She says, "I was afraid that Sylvia and everyone else will be right. That I'd just be a principal's bitch" (229). However as the story comes to an end, she learns to stand up for the truth and not retreat in difficult situations. Also, at the end, she decides not to try and cover injuries caused by being a principal's daughter. She accomplishes this by saying, "I'd wanted to show that its okay to be bruised. Everybody gets bruised. It's whether or not you let the bruises wound you more deeply that matters" (275).
I enjoyed following Aggie as she became more matured in her thinking and how she handles matters. I would recommend this book to people that want to find out who they really are and also what they should stand for.
June 25, 2025
Theres some genuinely good parts (unironically the fishing sections/conversations? aka, where Aggie has to be most true to herself), and some incredibly cringe worthy parts (that read how an adult writes a 'goth rebellious teenager' being angsty). It definitely had the vibe of... 'it's not just a phase mom (its 100% a phase)'. The problem with that? Kids going through those phases aren't aware it's a phase lol.
December 31, 2019
This book was awful, from the main plot point of someone messing with the prom votes and this uprooting the entire town, to one of the main characters being a goth, pregnant girl, to the mom for some reason having cancer even though it brings nothing to the story and is mentioned maybe twice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2018
Realistic view of a troubling adolescent life.
January 17, 2022
I feel like this book could have used less of some information and more of other. Honestly, pretty annoyed about most of this book until the end.
April 8, 2024
Surprisingly good and I got hooked right away. Only thing is and this is a spoiler alert —- wish I would’ve known what happened to the crazy ass pregnant girl. Left with a cliffhanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2016
Let me pose an interesting question to everyone out there: Are we teenagers all the same? Now, it may seem like a stupid question. Of course we're not all the same. We have different styles and personalities and tastes in music and things we're interested in and futures we want to have. But does those differences really make us that different? I thought about that while reading The Implosion of Aggie Winchester because every character, from bad-ass pregnant Sylvia to our Goth bass-fishing protagonist to claw-handed Jess, seem to want the sames thing. They want things to be fair and life to be easier. They want love with the people they think are right for them, even if they aren't. All the teenagers in this novel seem to mess up one way or another, regardless of cliches or families. I think there's something to be said that even the Goth girls, like Aggie and Sylvia, want the same kind of loving relationships, the same kind of respect from guys, that the cheerleaders like Tiffany want.
Other than the very interesting question I just posed to you, I didn't get much out of The Implosion of Aggie Winchester. Frankly, I thought the novel was a mess. The writing itself was okay, but it was hard to like any of the characters (except for maybe Jess). Aggie was sympathetic at times, and I really thought she was trying to do the right thing, but she didn't have any respect for her parents or their rules. Note to Aggie: If you're constantly going to disobey rules, your parents are not going to trust you. It was unfair of Aggie to pin all the blame on them for not trusting her when they should've because she hadn't given her a reason to. On the other hand, Aggie's parents assumed too much for knowing so little. It seemed like they just wanted to lecture her instead of working through their problems, which I know from experience doesn't work. Aggie's mom, though at the center of the story, always felt a little too distant for me. I guess that just goes to show how used to I am of my mom being extremely hands-on in my life.
The supporting characters were mostly unremarkable. I really couldn't figure out why Aggie stayed friends with a bitch like Sylvia and cheered when the friendship dissolved. Sylvia was delusional if she thought Ryan, who had never acknowledged her in public, was going to step up and be a father to their baby if she won prom queen. Guess denial's not just a river in Egypt. And on a similar note, what kind of friend tries to convince their friend NOT to go to college since they're not going. Seriously? Neil annoyed the heck out of me, and I was so happy when Aggie finally realized she deserved better. Fitz had great potential, but he was so under-utilized it was ridiculous. Note to Zeilin: Less Neil, more Fitz= better novel. Pretty much the only character I really truly liked was Jess: snarky, honest, and a great friend. Too bad I think she was thrown in just as Aggie's Jiminy Cricket, but hey, someone has to do the job.
I'm not even going to talk about the plot I'm sure Zielin pulled from Lifetime Movie's archives. In fact, the whole mom-as-principal-covers-stuff-up bit reminded me of that movie, Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal staring Ashley Benson (third time she's played a cheerleader if you're interested). Ulitmately, my recommendation is to stay away. Go watch that delightful cheerleader movie instead
Other than the very interesting question I just posed to you, I didn't get much out of The Implosion of Aggie Winchester. Frankly, I thought the novel was a mess. The writing itself was okay, but it was hard to like any of the characters (except for maybe Jess). Aggie was sympathetic at times, and I really thought she was trying to do the right thing, but she didn't have any respect for her parents or their rules. Note to Aggie: If you're constantly going to disobey rules, your parents are not going to trust you. It was unfair of Aggie to pin all the blame on them for not trusting her when they should've because she hadn't given her a reason to. On the other hand, Aggie's parents assumed too much for knowing so little. It seemed like they just wanted to lecture her instead of working through their problems, which I know from experience doesn't work. Aggie's mom, though at the center of the story, always felt a little too distant for me. I guess that just goes to show how used to I am of my mom being extremely hands-on in my life.
The supporting characters were mostly unremarkable. I really couldn't figure out why Aggie stayed friends with a bitch like Sylvia and cheered when the friendship dissolved. Sylvia was delusional if she thought Ryan, who had never acknowledged her in public, was going to step up and be a father to their baby if she won prom queen. Guess denial's not just a river in Egypt. And on a similar note, what kind of friend tries to convince their friend NOT to go to college since they're not going. Seriously? Neil annoyed the heck out of me, and I was so happy when Aggie finally realized she deserved better. Fitz had great potential, but he was so under-utilized it was ridiculous. Note to Zeilin: Less Neil, more Fitz= better novel. Pretty much the only character I really truly liked was Jess: snarky, honest, and a great friend. Too bad I think she was thrown in just as Aggie's Jiminy Cricket, but hey, someone has to do the job.
I'm not even going to talk about the plot I'm sure Zielin pulled from Lifetime Movie's archives. In fact, the whole mom-as-principal-covers-stuff-up bit reminded me of that movie, Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal staring Ashley Benson (third time she's played a cheerleader if you're interested). Ulitmately, my recommendation is to stay away. Go watch that delightful cheerleader movie instead
April 9, 2012
Aggie's life is a bit of a whirlwind, and prom is the last thing on her mind. Like it or not though, when scandal rocks the school and her mother is at the heart of it, Aggie can't help but recognize prom is at the forefront of everything. Aggie has to take it all in stride. From her mother's breast cancer, to the snubs from her pregnant best friend, to her ex-boyfriend and her potential new romantic interest, everything is a bit too much. To come to terms and put things right, Aggie knows she must control the tiny piece of her life that she can. She has to figure out who burned the ballots, prove it wasn't her mother and help Sylvia win. Things be a bit more complicated than she'd hoped though.
I'd never heard of this one before it arrived on my doorstep, and I'll admit - I figured it would be an extremely light read that just might distract me from the dark books for which I hold a serious candle. The Implosion of Aggie Winchester turned out to be different than I'd thought though. Quirky, ironic and a touch dramatic at times, it's a sweet and oddly sensible tale that lets its small differences shine through and make it stand out from the crowd. Author, Lara Zielin, took a time-tested concept and added subtle twists and turns, gave us a lovable heroine and showed us that there can be good in these sweet, simple tales. Sweet and churning, this contemporary tale provides us with a wonderful host of characters and a plot that might seem trite at first glance, but could very well end up surprising you, too.
To be completely honest, I thought I was going to hate this book. For one, it's riddled with cliches (think cancer, goths & geeks, teen pregnancy and prom). For another, it seems as if the entire storyline revolves around a so-called mystery involving prom ballots. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find that The Implosion of Aggie Winchester lent a sort of sincerity and truth to an otherwise tepid story. Aggie began as a first flat character. Her life revolved around a series of events - a breakup, an ex-best friend, the drama of her mother's illness and her friend's pregnancy. However, as we move through the story, we watch as she evolves from the one-sided character that cared about little but the superficial into someone we can genuinely relate to. There is a soft undertone of humour and wit that weaves its way through the otherwise very typical storyline, and it freshens the plot, ups the pace and really pushed The Implosion of Aggie Winchester to the next level. The bottom line is simple, friends. Simple and honest, this novel pushes past its foundation of cliches into a genuine, honest read that any teen or young woman can find sincere.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by The Implosion of Aggie Winchester. Was it the deepest novel I've ever read? Heck no. Was it fun, genuine and honest though? Yes, it most certainly was. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA fiction, especially those who enjoy contemporary.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
I'd never heard of this one before it arrived on my doorstep, and I'll admit - I figured it would be an extremely light read that just might distract me from the dark books for which I hold a serious candle. The Implosion of Aggie Winchester turned out to be different than I'd thought though. Quirky, ironic and a touch dramatic at times, it's a sweet and oddly sensible tale that lets its small differences shine through and make it stand out from the crowd. Author, Lara Zielin, took a time-tested concept and added subtle twists and turns, gave us a lovable heroine and showed us that there can be good in these sweet, simple tales. Sweet and churning, this contemporary tale provides us with a wonderful host of characters and a plot that might seem trite at first glance, but could very well end up surprising you, too.
To be completely honest, I thought I was going to hate this book. For one, it's riddled with cliches (think cancer, goths & geeks, teen pregnancy and prom). For another, it seems as if the entire storyline revolves around a so-called mystery involving prom ballots. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find that The Implosion of Aggie Winchester lent a sort of sincerity and truth to an otherwise tepid story. Aggie began as a first flat character. Her life revolved around a series of events - a breakup, an ex-best friend, the drama of her mother's illness and her friend's pregnancy. However, as we move through the story, we watch as she evolves from the one-sided character that cared about little but the superficial into someone we can genuinely relate to. There is a soft undertone of humour and wit that weaves its way through the otherwise very typical storyline, and it freshens the plot, ups the pace and really pushed The Implosion of Aggie Winchester to the next level. The bottom line is simple, friends. Simple and honest, this novel pushes past its foundation of cliches into a genuine, honest read that any teen or young woman can find sincere.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by The Implosion of Aggie Winchester. Was it the deepest novel I've ever read? Heck no. Was it fun, genuine and honest though? Yes, it most certainly was. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA fiction, especially those who enjoy contemporary.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
February 29, 2012
This book kept my interest enough that I read it almost straight through. I felt for Aggie and all she was going through and could understand why she was trying to hide behind the Goth look. The fact that she was confused about what she wants to do with her life seemed realistic. I'm glad the author gave her such a quirky hobby to find a talent in--bass fishing! Who knew, people compete in this?
One of the on going themes was the implication that the mom always got into her professional mode and never really tried to listen to her daughter. The dad seemed cool and I felt he should have been a more developed character. I think that many kids suffer from the fact that their parents are too wrapped up in their professions to really work on having family time. Aggie was always taking off in her car and no one seemed to mind unless she got caught doing something unacceptable.
Proms should have gone out of style in the 1950s. So the total focus of the story being about the prom didn't ring true for me. It was stupid that Aggie ended up going to the prom at the end after being such a hard-ass girl. For some reason authors think that going to the prom is the only possible happy ending. Please!
I'm always disappointed when books have kids drinking at parties like it is the normal thing to do. Where are their parents? Not all teenagers participate in illegal activities even if they have the goth look.
The best part was the emphasis on how wrong it is for guys to want you for sex but refuse to publicly acknowledge the relationship. Teen girls are so often caught up in relationships because they want to be loved but can't understand that for many guys lust and love are the same thing. Fortunately, there is a guy in the story that turns out to be a decent person and appreciates Aggie for who she really is. It helps her see herself as worthy and not as a person that should let people treat her badly.
What I liked best was that she sees potential in Fitz even though he isn't a stud. So often the girls in a story keep pining away for the most handsome guy in the class. Are girls all that shallow? "He talked with this goofy ginormous mouth that I swear could fit around an outboard motor. I wish Fitz's gargantuan mouth made him ugly, but the truth was all his features worked together, meaning he was sort of okay looking. Sort of. Not that I'd ever tell him that."
The other reason I might recommend this YA book is because it deals with girl-friend bonding. Being a best friend can make you lose your self especially if you are needy and the other girl is controlling. This seems to be the case with Aggie and Sylvia. By the end of the book the reader is more than ready for Aggie to learn to stand on her own two feet and find her own voice. She takes the first step by wearing a blue sweater. Separating from unhealthy relationships with a boy or a girl has to start with a first step.
One of the on going themes was the implication that the mom always got into her professional mode and never really tried to listen to her daughter. The dad seemed cool and I felt he should have been a more developed character. I think that many kids suffer from the fact that their parents are too wrapped up in their professions to really work on having family time. Aggie was always taking off in her car and no one seemed to mind unless she got caught doing something unacceptable.
Proms should have gone out of style in the 1950s. So the total focus of the story being about the prom didn't ring true for me. It was stupid that Aggie ended up going to the prom at the end after being such a hard-ass girl. For some reason authors think that going to the prom is the only possible happy ending. Please!
I'm always disappointed when books have kids drinking at parties like it is the normal thing to do. Where are their parents? Not all teenagers participate in illegal activities even if they have the goth look.
The best part was the emphasis on how wrong it is for guys to want you for sex but refuse to publicly acknowledge the relationship. Teen girls are so often caught up in relationships because they want to be loved but can't understand that for many guys lust and love are the same thing. Fortunately, there is a guy in the story that turns out to be a decent person and appreciates Aggie for who she really is. It helps her see herself as worthy and not as a person that should let people treat her badly.
What I liked best was that she sees potential in Fitz even though he isn't a stud. So often the girls in a story keep pining away for the most handsome guy in the class. Are girls all that shallow? "He talked with this goofy ginormous mouth that I swear could fit around an outboard motor. I wish Fitz's gargantuan mouth made him ugly, but the truth was all his features worked together, meaning he was sort of okay looking. Sort of. Not that I'd ever tell him that."
The other reason I might recommend this YA book is because it deals with girl-friend bonding. Being a best friend can make you lose your self especially if you are needy and the other girl is controlling. This seems to be the case with Aggie and Sylvia. By the end of the book the reader is more than ready for Aggie to learn to stand on her own two feet and find her own voice. She takes the first step by wearing a blue sweater. Separating from unhealthy relationships with a boy or a girl has to start with a first step.
June 12, 2011
My favorite part of this entire book was the drama and questions surrounding the missing ballots and Aggie and her Mother primarily. I've never experienced anything remotely similar to this with my own Mom but it's not uncommon to wonder - eventually - if your parents always do right.
Aggie coming to terms with what happened with the ballots, on the part of her Mom in addition to Sylvia, were what made this book IMO.
The characters are all very good. I loved Jess and Fitz even though Fitz's character was kind of cookie-cutter.
Zeilin captured the drama and everything else that goes along with high school perfectly. You don't have to be Goth to enjoy this and you don't have to be a teen to enjoy this. I'm a 33 year old Mom who has never been "Goth" a day in her life. I was still able to relate to certain parts and the parts that weren't all that similar to my experiences - because Zeilin has a knack for what she does, she makes it as close to relatable as possible.
When I was a kid, even though I didn't do the whole Goth thing, I was a "bad" kid. I skipped school, smoked, fought with teachers and other kids, etc. Zeilin did an outstanding job with showing her readers how that actually feels inside for the teen. That's not so easy to do and it's been tried over and over and over. But here, it's been done well.
I love the cover but is that Aggie? It doesn't fit with the picture in my mind. Is it Sylvia? That makes more sense to me because the actual crown has nothing to do with Aggie. If it's Slyvia why is she on the cover?
Or am I missing it and supposed to be getting that it's Aggie with the weight of all the crown drama on her? Yey, ney? Whatever way that cookie crumbles, it still doesn't look like Aggie from what I got out of the story. But the model is stunning (even with that horrible lipstick that looks like old blood) and it's a thousand times better than the cover for Donut Days that I noticed on the back cover.
I'm considering going to check that book out but that looks like it's way below the YA realm that I read. Donut Days, from the cover, looks like it's for the 8-13 age range. I don't know. Maybe I'll read the description and some reviews. But I hope Zeilin writes another along the lines of The Implosion of Aggie Winchester.
**Please note** - the edition I read was an ARC and in that edition, on page 228 (beginning of chapter 31) the word (word?) 'redonkulous' is used. I sincerely hope this is an editing oversight and that it wasn't included on purpose. I'm hoping what is meant to be there is 'ridiculous'.
That's the only example I can say I saw of silly-very-very-young-YA-type wording. I hope it's not in the finished version.
What an ugly word. (Word?!)**
Aggie coming to terms with what happened with the ballots, on the part of her Mom in addition to Sylvia, were what made this book IMO.
The characters are all very good. I loved Jess and Fitz even though Fitz's character was kind of cookie-cutter.
Zeilin captured the drama and everything else that goes along with high school perfectly. You don't have to be Goth to enjoy this and you don't have to be a teen to enjoy this. I'm a 33 year old Mom who has never been "Goth" a day in her life. I was still able to relate to certain parts and the parts that weren't all that similar to my experiences - because Zeilin has a knack for what she does, she makes it as close to relatable as possible.
When I was a kid, even though I didn't do the whole Goth thing, I was a "bad" kid. I skipped school, smoked, fought with teachers and other kids, etc. Zeilin did an outstanding job with showing her readers how that actually feels inside for the teen. That's not so easy to do and it's been tried over and over and over. But here, it's been done well.
I love the cover but is that Aggie? It doesn't fit with the picture in my mind. Is it Sylvia? That makes more sense to me because the actual crown has nothing to do with Aggie. If it's Slyvia why is she on the cover?
Or am I missing it and supposed to be getting that it's Aggie with the weight of all the crown drama on her? Yey, ney? Whatever way that cookie crumbles, it still doesn't look like Aggie from what I got out of the story. But the model is stunning (even with that horrible lipstick that looks like old blood) and it's a thousand times better than the cover for Donut Days that I noticed on the back cover.
I'm considering going to check that book out but that looks like it's way below the YA realm that I read. Donut Days, from the cover, looks like it's for the 8-13 age range. I don't know. Maybe I'll read the description and some reviews. But I hope Zeilin writes another along the lines of The Implosion of Aggie Winchester.
**Please note** - the edition I read was an ARC and in that edition, on page 228 (beginning of chapter 31) the word (word?) 'redonkulous' is used. I sincerely hope this is an editing oversight and that it wasn't included on purpose. I'm hoping what is meant to be there is 'ridiculous'.
That's the only example I can say I saw of silly-very-very-young-YA-type wording. I hope it's not in the finished version.
What an ugly word. (Word?!)**
March 21, 2012
The Implosion of Aggie Winchester proved to be a relatively quick read that managed to tackle multiple issues simultaneously, including teen pregnancy, the acceptance of the "goth" culture, the political ramifications of both of these issues (at the high school level), cancer, and unhealthy relationships. Admittedly, none of these topics are explored too deeply, but they're all touched upon and interconnected in a cohesive manner.
The plot centers around Aggie and her best friend, Sylvia. Both girls are goth, but the reader quickly discovers that, though they dress the same, they definitely don't think the same, nor are they goth for the same reasons. Aggie uses her dress and attitude as a way to keep people at arm's length, while Sylvia seems to use it for attention, having no problem allowing people to get close to her. Sylvia seems to find herself invincible, even after discovering she's pregnant by one of the most popular boys in school. Aggie, on the other hand, if completely aware of just how vulnerable she is.
When Sylvia is nominated for prom queen, she sees it as her chance to prove her worthiness to the father of her baby. Sylvia's peers find that they have more in common with her than the stereotypical girls who usually take the crown and rally behind her. The school's staff, however, regard the prom queen as a role model... a role that a pregnant goth girl is in no position to fill. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a scandal ensues.
The scandal is definitely the main focus of The Implosion of Aggie Winchester, but it was the other smaller issues that drew my focus. Throughout the novel Aggie is struggling to let go of her ex-boyfriend, who is, for all intents and purpose, leading her on and keeping her emotionally involved to use her whenever he feels like it. In short, he's not a good guy and is messing with Aggie's head for his own gain. Even if I hadn't dealt with this type of guy in real life, I still would have been rooting for Aggie to find enough self-respect to tell this guy to take a hike. And, to let you in on a little secret, Aggie may have given me a bit of courage to do the same!
This sophomore offering from Lara Zielin was a great read on multiple levels. It dealt with some serious issues and featured a main character that clearly grows throughout the novel, while incorporating a budding romance and humor. I definitely recommend it.
The plot centers around Aggie and her best friend, Sylvia. Both girls are goth, but the reader quickly discovers that, though they dress the same, they definitely don't think the same, nor are they goth for the same reasons. Aggie uses her dress and attitude as a way to keep people at arm's length, while Sylvia seems to use it for attention, having no problem allowing people to get close to her. Sylvia seems to find herself invincible, even after discovering she's pregnant by one of the most popular boys in school. Aggie, on the other hand, if completely aware of just how vulnerable she is.
When Sylvia is nominated for prom queen, she sees it as her chance to prove her worthiness to the father of her baby. Sylvia's peers find that they have more in common with her than the stereotypical girls who usually take the crown and rally behind her. The school's staff, however, regard the prom queen as a role model... a role that a pregnant goth girl is in no position to fill. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a scandal ensues.
The scandal is definitely the main focus of The Implosion of Aggie Winchester, but it was the other smaller issues that drew my focus. Throughout the novel Aggie is struggling to let go of her ex-boyfriend, who is, for all intents and purpose, leading her on and keeping her emotionally involved to use her whenever he feels like it. In short, he's not a good guy and is messing with Aggie's head for his own gain. Even if I hadn't dealt with this type of guy in real life, I still would have been rooting for Aggie to find enough self-respect to tell this guy to take a hike. And, to let you in on a little secret, Aggie may have given me a bit of courage to do the same!
This sophomore offering from Lara Zielin was a great read on multiple levels. It dealt with some serious issues and featured a main character that clearly grows throughout the novel, while incorporating a budding romance and humor. I definitely recommend it.
October 4, 2011
For Aggie Winchester, life in her small northern Minnesota town is fairly standard. She spends most of time cutting class with her goth-girl best friend Sylvia and avoiding the fact that her mom is the principal of her school. But things start to change when Sylvia announces that she’s pregnant, Aggie’s mom tells her she has cancer, and Aggie’s getting weird mixed-signals from her ex-boyfriend. When both Sylvia and Aggie’s mom get embroiled in a scandal involving ballot burning during the prom queen election, Aggie’s investigation uncovers more questions than answers.
Although Zielin’s novel about a lost, surly outsider struggles to balance the teen melodrama with it solid, important content, there’s still a lot to like. Aggie herself is a nicely-developed protagonist and narrator, and Zielin raises some tough questions that don’t have easy answers. Unafraid to tackle darker issues, Zielin’s coming-of-age novel will resonate especially for readers looking for like-minded disaffected youth.
To her credit, Zielin writes teens especially well. She gets them, understands their motivations, and doesn’t make it easy for them or the reader. Aggie screws up a lot and Zielin lets her without interfering. Aggie’s lessons are all learned through experience. She’s not always lovable, but she does always feel authentic, real, and honest.
Unfortunately, Zielin doesn’t give the same care or consideration to her other characters. While Aggie’s relationship with her parents is fairly well-developed (and completely aggravating in that way that’s so common for sixteen-year-old girls), her friendship with Sylvia and the entrance of new-bad-girl Beth never really gel. Beth (and to a lesser extent, Sylvia) is completely irredeemable and one-dimensional. There is no depth here, and there is never even an attempt to explain or justify her nastiness.
While the overall story moves quickly and the central dilemma is interesting, Zielin loses focus near the end. Aggie’s relationships with her mother and Sylvia seem to get lost as the story’s events veer off into overwrought, melodramatic territory. Most readers won’t have a problem with this (some won’t even notice), but sophisticated readers might find themselves frustrated with the lack of follow-through.
Recommended to fans of contemporary YA featuring persnickety heroines.
The Implosion of Aggie Winchester by Lara Zielin. Putnam Juvenile: 2011. Library copy.
Although Zielin’s novel about a lost, surly outsider struggles to balance the teen melodrama with it solid, important content, there’s still a lot to like. Aggie herself is a nicely-developed protagonist and narrator, and Zielin raises some tough questions that don’t have easy answers. Unafraid to tackle darker issues, Zielin’s coming-of-age novel will resonate especially for readers looking for like-minded disaffected youth.
To her credit, Zielin writes teens especially well. She gets them, understands their motivations, and doesn’t make it easy for them or the reader. Aggie screws up a lot and Zielin lets her without interfering. Aggie’s lessons are all learned through experience. She’s not always lovable, but she does always feel authentic, real, and honest.
Unfortunately, Zielin doesn’t give the same care or consideration to her other characters. While Aggie’s relationship with her parents is fairly well-developed (and completely aggravating in that way that’s so common for sixteen-year-old girls), her friendship with Sylvia and the entrance of new-bad-girl Beth never really gel. Beth (and to a lesser extent, Sylvia) is completely irredeemable and one-dimensional. There is no depth here, and there is never even an attempt to explain or justify her nastiness.
While the overall story moves quickly and the central dilemma is interesting, Zielin loses focus near the end. Aggie’s relationships with her mother and Sylvia seem to get lost as the story’s events veer off into overwrought, melodramatic territory. Most readers won’t have a problem with this (some won’t even notice), but sophisticated readers might find themselves frustrated with the lack of follow-through.
Recommended to fans of contemporary YA featuring persnickety heroines.
The Implosion of Aggie Winchester by Lara Zielin. Putnam Juvenile: 2011. Library copy.
November 9, 2011
Continuing with my Young Adult reading binge...I first thought this was another teen girl, poor me, drama drama drama, I want to kill myself novel...and although some of that does exist it never came off as feeling mired down in it! Bravo!!! I was getting so sick of the crappy teen suicide bologny. And with the title The Implosion Of Aggie Winchester I actually thought..."another one!" This turned out to be just a story and a page turner at that!
Aggie's character has flaws but she is redeemable...even to herself...she knows her flaws and through out the book she verbalizes many of them and chastizes her own weakness. She never blames anyone else for that weakness which was extremely refreshing.
I love strong characters though (not bullies, just people who don't take any crap) so when Sylvia and Angela are being bullies to her I wished she would have been more agressive...however, she was the first to say she didn't do anything because she felt like she deserved it.
Mom's take note about the Neil character as the reality of life is there are a lot of Neils out there...I was happy to see Aggie figure that out for herself.
Now my own personal mini rant...I am soooo tired of stereotypes...when Aggie is proving her gothness and rebel status at the beginning of the book she is getting her eyebrow pierced and this is about the third novel I've read where a character uses eyebrow piercing to show their edginess or attitude or badness (I'm old, sue me!) My beautiful daughter is 5ft 8 with long blonde hair, pink clothes, a contagious laugh, a smile everyday, doesn't drink EVER, hates smoking and drugs, has had the same boyfriend for almost two years and has a beautiful eye brow piercing. Which she asked for and I made her do research on infections and scarring for six weeks and when she said she still wanted it I took her to get it done. Same with the tongue piercing but after she did her research she changed her mind! My point is I hate seeing the stereotype that only bad girls get them. Next time let your characters kick a puppy or something to prove their bad! (just kidding geez!):)
Aggie's character has flaws but she is redeemable...even to herself...she knows her flaws and through out the book she verbalizes many of them and chastizes her own weakness. She never blames anyone else for that weakness which was extremely refreshing.
I love strong characters though (not bullies, just people who don't take any crap) so when Sylvia and Angela are being bullies to her I wished she would have been more agressive...however, she was the first to say she didn't do anything because she felt like she deserved it.
Mom's take note about the Neil character as the reality of life is there are a lot of Neils out there...I was happy to see Aggie figure that out for herself.
Now my own personal mini rant...I am soooo tired of stereotypes...when Aggie is proving her gothness and rebel status at the beginning of the book she is getting her eyebrow pierced and this is about the third novel I've read where a character uses eyebrow piercing to show their edginess or attitude or badness (I'm old, sue me!) My beautiful daughter is 5ft 8 with long blonde hair, pink clothes, a contagious laugh, a smile everyday, doesn't drink EVER, hates smoking and drugs, has had the same boyfriend for almost two years and has a beautiful eye brow piercing. Which she asked for and I made her do research on infections and scarring for six weeks and when she said she still wanted it I took her to get it done. Same with the tongue piercing but after she did her research she changed her mind! My point is I hate seeing the stereotype that only bad girls get them. Next time let your characters kick a puppy or something to prove their bad! (just kidding geez!):)
January 15, 2012
Off the top I have to say that I really like Zielin's writing style. She presents things in a very raw way- in some capacity, the author's non-glossy re/presentations of high school life remind me of the TV shows My So-Called Life and Freaks and Geeks. This book is definitely gritty and messy, with its moments of painful awkwardness and hurt. Aggie, our narrator, is a very sharp, aware yet difficult character. On the one hand, she is tough (or at least presents herself as a hard and unbeatable Goth girl). On the other hand she is also breakable and confused; she repeatedly makes very poor decisions (even while knowing when she is making crap decisions). I think some readers may find themselves not sure quite what to make of her: do we like her? not like her? empathize with her? want her to break out of her bad friendship with Sylvia? Further, the relationship between Aggie and her parents is strained; it tightens and loosens along with Aggie's moods. On account of her mother being principal of her school, Aggie has found herself on the receiving end of some backlash and hate. For that (and other reasons which you find out about) Aggie is more blunt and explosive with her mom. Even when she finds out that her mother has been diagnosed with cancer, Aggie remains so unforgiving and impatient that that may give readers some pause.
The major plot point of the novel revolves around a prom queen voting scandal (apparently Zielin based this on an actual event). I was very skeptical and worried that I would lose interest in the novel with a prom event being at the crux of the story. But Zielin has taken an event so typically major and shimmery and turned it on its head into something more. And to be honest, while the prom scandal keeps the plot moving and tense it's Zielin's focused writing and Aggie's unfolding path that kept me hooked. My one minor issue with the novel: the ending chapters attempt to tie up the relationship between Aggie and her mom a bit too neatly in light of the events which transpired.
Overall, I was surprised by this novel- surprised in a good way. I look forward to reading more from Zielin; I think she's a contemporary YA writer to watch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2011
3.5/5
I spotlighted this book on a Book Blogger Hop awhile back for "crazy book title" due to its inclusion of "implosion" which I don't think I've ever seen used for a title and for including the main character's full name. Having read the book now, I think the title is very apt as Aggie's life does seem to be falling apart.
During her first year in school, a popular girl made Aggie's life miserable due to her status as the principal's daughter. In turn Aggie became best friends with goth outcast Sylvia and has projected a tough outer shell. Now though Sylvia is pregnant with the most popular guy in school's baby and is determined to build a family with him; Aggie is skeptical but as she tries to gently warn Sylvia, she is only pushed away. Then there are the two guys with confusing intentions, Aggie's mom's cancer, and a huge school scandal that blows up to the national news. And Aggie is deeply embedded in all of those plots-is it any wonder that she feels like her life is imploding?
I had some trouble bonding with Aggie, who's so angsty in the beginning but I quickly fell for her as she tries to navigate the minefields around her. It seems like she can do nothing right with almost everyone in her life turning on her on a dime. So glad my high school experience was better! The worst part for me was the mistrust of her parents. Her mother thinks Aggie is sexually active despite repeated assurances of the hospital and other attempts to talk about things end only in frustrated miscommunications. It was so sad.
In the whole, I thought there was a little too much going on (see my plot summary) but for the most part, all of the separate plot threads were juggled well and came together in coherent if mostly predictable ways. And even though I could see what would happen, I enjoyed Zielin's writing and the way she brought it all together.
Overall: A fine contemporary with a generally fast pace and an easy to root for main character.
I spotlighted this book on a Book Blogger Hop awhile back for "crazy book title" due to its inclusion of "implosion" which I don't think I've ever seen used for a title and for including the main character's full name. Having read the book now, I think the title is very apt as Aggie's life does seem to be falling apart.
During her first year in school, a popular girl made Aggie's life miserable due to her status as the principal's daughter. In turn Aggie became best friends with goth outcast Sylvia and has projected a tough outer shell. Now though Sylvia is pregnant with the most popular guy in school's baby and is determined to build a family with him; Aggie is skeptical but as she tries to gently warn Sylvia, she is only pushed away. Then there are the two guys with confusing intentions, Aggie's mom's cancer, and a huge school scandal that blows up to the national news. And Aggie is deeply embedded in all of those plots-is it any wonder that she feels like her life is imploding?
I had some trouble bonding with Aggie, who's so angsty in the beginning but I quickly fell for her as she tries to navigate the minefields around her. It seems like she can do nothing right with almost everyone in her life turning on her on a dime. So glad my high school experience was better! The worst part for me was the mistrust of her parents. Her mother thinks Aggie is sexually active despite repeated assurances of the hospital and other attempts to talk about things end only in frustrated miscommunications. It was so sad.
In the whole, I thought there was a little too much going on (see my plot summary) but for the most part, all of the separate plot threads were juggled well and came together in coherent if mostly predictable ways. And even though I could see what would happen, I enjoyed Zielin's writing and the way she brought it all together.
Overall: A fine contemporary with a generally fast pace and an easy to root for main character.
March 12, 2014
Aggie has a lot on her mind this year. She wants to get back together with her ex, even though he doesn't treat her well. She just found out her best friend is pregnant and her mother has cancer. Now there's this big prom scandal and another boy seems to have eyes for Aggie. She just wants to stay out of the whole mess, but unfortunately with her friend being the center of the scandal and her mom being the principal, Aggie is not only a part of it but has to choose which side she stands on.
This book was a bit meh for me. Aggie was a bit shallow for me. She is so obsessed with her ex and making sure she looks goth enough. It was just a bit boring to read about. I appreciated how opening her mouth always seemed to get her into more trouble, because sometimes things are like that. You try to fix a problem, but just keep making it worse and worse.
I thought there would be more about the pregnancy in this book, and while it was a prom queen issue it wasn't really a teen pregnancy issue. It was certainly interesting.
I liked the secondary characters a lot more than Aggie and Sylvia. Fitz was so endearing and I wished there was more of him in this novel. Fitz seemed like a really caring and understanding person and Aggie seemed shallow and oblivious.
I feel like there was too much drama in this book. I don't think Sylvia needed to be pregnant and Aggie's mom didn't need to have cancer. It would have been pretty much the same book without those two elements. Those things just add to the drama.
It was a decent read, but not something I loved. The secondary characters should have run the show.
First Line:
"I pushed open my car door and stepped straight into a puddle of ice and slush."
Favorite Line:
"I just prayed my parents would be asleep by the time I lifted my window and crawled into the darkness."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/search?up...
This book was a bit meh for me. Aggie was a bit shallow for me. She is so obsessed with her ex and making sure she looks goth enough. It was just a bit boring to read about. I appreciated how opening her mouth always seemed to get her into more trouble, because sometimes things are like that. You try to fix a problem, but just keep making it worse and worse.
I thought there would be more about the pregnancy in this book, and while it was a prom queen issue it wasn't really a teen pregnancy issue. It was certainly interesting.
I liked the secondary characters a lot more than Aggie and Sylvia. Fitz was so endearing and I wished there was more of him in this novel. Fitz seemed like a really caring and understanding person and Aggie seemed shallow and oblivious.
I feel like there was too much drama in this book. I don't think Sylvia needed to be pregnant and Aggie's mom didn't need to have cancer. It would have been pretty much the same book without those two elements. Those things just add to the drama.
It was a decent read, but not something I loved. The secondary characters should have run the show.
First Line:
"I pushed open my car door and stepped straight into a puddle of ice and slush."
Favorite Line:
"I just prayed my parents would be asleep by the time I lifted my window and crawled into the darkness."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/search?up...
November 3, 2011
Full Review Posted in blackplume
There is a big world out there–bigger than prom, bigger than high school–and it won’t matter if you were the prom queen, the quarterback of the football team or the biggest nerd in school. Find out who you are and try not be afraid of it.
– Josie Geller, Never Been Kissed
The quote above is the epigraph of this book which was taken from one of my favorite film, Never Been Kissed starring Drew Barrymore. So when I pick up this book and saw the epigraph I did expect some similarity from the movie. Though the quote perfectly describe this book, The Implosion of Aggie Winchester deals with a lot of issues that are heavier than the romantic comedy film.
Aggie like so many other high school students just wants to fit in. But being a principal kid isn’t helping, so when one of the students accused Aggie for rattling this student out to her principal mother, Aggie suddenly cast out. Afraid to be alone she discover a new friend in Sylvia. A goth girl who acts tough, dress in all black and wear black make up. Aggie follows Sylvia, she try to look tough and act tough outside because she believes that by doing so, no one will mess up with her. But being tough isn’t just about looking and acting tough because deep inside Aggie has lots of fears that she needs to deal.
The author perfectly capture all the teenager angst and drama. Aggie’s voice as a conflicted teenager is realistically portrayed. Her angst, insecurities, confusions, fears and hopes are clearly laid out and reading from her point of view will make you feel all the thing she’s going through.
Continue Reading here
There is a big world out there–bigger than prom, bigger than high school–and it won’t matter if you were the prom queen, the quarterback of the football team or the biggest nerd in school. Find out who you are and try not be afraid of it.
– Josie Geller, Never Been Kissed
The quote above is the epigraph of this book which was taken from one of my favorite film, Never Been Kissed starring Drew Barrymore. So when I pick up this book and saw the epigraph I did expect some similarity from the movie. Though the quote perfectly describe this book, The Implosion of Aggie Winchester deals with a lot of issues that are heavier than the romantic comedy film.
Aggie like so many other high school students just wants to fit in. But being a principal kid isn’t helping, so when one of the students accused Aggie for rattling this student out to her principal mother, Aggie suddenly cast out. Afraid to be alone she discover a new friend in Sylvia. A goth girl who acts tough, dress in all black and wear black make up. Aggie follows Sylvia, she try to look tough and act tough outside because she believes that by doing so, no one will mess up with her. But being tough isn’t just about looking and acting tough because deep inside Aggie has lots of fears that she needs to deal.
The author perfectly capture all the teenager angst and drama. Aggie’s voice as a conflicted teenager is realistically portrayed. Her angst, insecurities, confusions, fears and hopes are clearly laid out and reading from her point of view will make you feel all the thing she’s going through.
Continue Reading here
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December 16, 2014Much to her mother's shame and disgust, Aggie Winchester has followed her friend Sylvia to the dark side. Aggie's Goth persona may be a form of rebellion against her principal mother, but it is also a way for her to step outside of herself when things get beyond her control.
Things have been pretty bumpy with boy friend Neil, and when he actually breaks up with Aggie, she can't seem to get over it. If she is honest with herself, she should recognize that he was only interested in her for one thing, but she felt so complete when she was in his arms. Now when she is hoping to confide in her best friend Sylvia, Sylvia has news of her own. She is pregnant.
Maybe it's the pregnancy, or maybe it's the new girl, Beth, who has Sylvia acting so weird. She stops calling Aggie and barely acknowledges her at school. The real shock comes when Sylvia announces that she is running for junior prom queen. When she tells Aggie it is because the father of her baby is up for prom king, Aggie tries to convince Sylvia that isn't the right way to get his attention and acceptance.
Just when Aggie's relationships are all crashing, her mother announces she has cancer. Aggie feels left in the dark by her parents and begins making even more questionable choices. When the prom queen vote turns into a controversy, possibly involving Aggie's mother, she isn't sure where to turn. It seems no matter what decisions Aggie makes, things get more complicated.
Author Lara Zielin deftly portrays the angry teenager. She has created a sixteen year old struggling with self-expression and standing up for what she believes is right. Readers will surely relate to the difficulties of balancing family loyalties with the pull of peer pressure. I found Aggie to be both a refreshing and frustrating example of the teen spirit.
Things have been pretty bumpy with boy friend Neil, and when he actually breaks up with Aggie, she can't seem to get over it. If she is honest with herself, she should recognize that he was only interested in her for one thing, but she felt so complete when she was in his arms. Now when she is hoping to confide in her best friend Sylvia, Sylvia has news of her own. She is pregnant.
Maybe it's the pregnancy, or maybe it's the new girl, Beth, who has Sylvia acting so weird. She stops calling Aggie and barely acknowledges her at school. The real shock comes when Sylvia announces that she is running for junior prom queen. When she tells Aggie it is because the father of her baby is up for prom king, Aggie tries to convince Sylvia that isn't the right way to get his attention and acceptance.
Just when Aggie's relationships are all crashing, her mother announces she has cancer. Aggie feels left in the dark by her parents and begins making even more questionable choices. When the prom queen vote turns into a controversy, possibly involving Aggie's mother, she isn't sure where to turn. It seems no matter what decisions Aggie makes, things get more complicated.
Author Lara Zielin deftly portrays the angry teenager. She has created a sixteen year old struggling with self-expression and standing up for what she believes is right. Readers will surely relate to the difficulties of balancing family loyalties with the pull of peer pressure. I found Aggie to be both a refreshing and frustrating example of the teen spirit.
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