The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

[Whitney]

The winner of our June Mock Printz reading poll and it has received four starred reviews. What makes this book stand out in the YA literary landscape?

[Jenna]

I thought this book was beautiful. I thought the main character was more mature than most YA characters which was refreshing. I liked that the book was really all about her becoming her best self rather than focusing on romance. It's not a book where girl finds guy. It's a book where girl finds herself. Really powerful.

[Mary HD]

I'm not so sure that this book DOES stand out in the YA literary landscape. This is the first book that I have read by this author, who usually addresses edgier subjects. I found this to be a somewhat predictable look at the life of an incredibly accomplished, incredibly affluent high-school-age pianist. (My emphasis on incredible, as in lacks credibility.) While the writing is fluent, the main characters appealing and the subsidiary characters at least intriguing, I had no doubt that everything was going to work out well for Lucy. It was hard to really care.

[Whitney]

I agree with you, Mary! This book was pleasant enough to read, but everything about the plot and the characterizations just seemed too obvious for me. I have read all of Sara Zarr's books and this was my least favorite.