This coming-of-age story is about a girl who goes off to college with her twin sister, who really wants nothing to do with her when they first arrive at school. For Cath, this is heartbreaking because her twin sister is part of her identity; however, Wren, the independent sister, doesn't seem to mind and actually urges for the separation. Cath is forced to find herself amid new people and new classes as she tackles the college scene. Cath is also struggling with standing up for herself, yet trying to maintain her identity as highly successful writer of fanfiction. In her fanfiction she is rewriting the relationship between two characters from a popular fantasy and magic series (much like the Harry Potter series). She takes the two characters, Simon and Baz, who are nemesis in the books and turns them into lovers in her fan fiction. The story delves into a complex family life, where the girls are raised by the bi-polar father who is just trying to keep it all together, and a mother who abandoned them during the 3rd grade. Ultimately, the girls are trying to find a balance between how to be sisters, how to be daughters, and how to be independent, young adults in college. The story is further complicated by boys. Cath enters a phase in her life where she starts noticing boys and finds one that would bend over backward for her. The love story weaves all parts of the story together, and ultimately helps Cath navigate her struggles with college, parents, identity, and fanfiction.
Challenge:
This book would be challenging for high school students because of the fanfiction. Excerpts from both the novels and Cath's fanfiction are inserted between every chapter, which adds to the plot line, but also supplements Cath's emotional state. It would be necessary to get students to pay attention to the dates, as well as keep the story lines straight. Cath also starts reading her fan fiction aloud to Levi, her love interest in the story, and this adds to the text's complexity.
Curriculum Connections & Themes:
Complex text structure with fanfiction interwoven into fiction (a bit of a story within a story).
- Resisting the urge follow the crowd;
- Dealing with loneliness and isolation;
- Struggling with the fear of change;
- Feeling hurt and betrayed by someone you love;
- Falling in love.
Lexile: 570
Reading Level:
Interest Level: 9th +
Controversial Scenes & Language:
Since the novel is a coming-of-age novel, Cath is contemplating losing her virginity. There are also several scenes about making out that could be uncomfortable for many readers. Additionally, the f-bomb is dropped every now the then.
Rating: 4/5