Ella Watson is sensible to a fault. Thanks to the little nuggets of wisdom she collects in her GOOD SENSE GUIDE, she is the perfect go-to-girl for any friend in need.
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Meet Ella Watson, or, as her friends call her, Ella Mental.
Ella makes sure that she follows and lives by everything written in her Good Sense Guide, the one with all the quotes and rules, such as "Treat others as you would like them to treat you," or "just because you feel something now doesn't mean you will feel this way forever."
Ella's Good Sense Guide is what helps her think straight when she has to deal with her crazy parents, who just aren't able to let Ella have a little freedom, and her obnoxious twin sister, Anna, who seems to be getting into more trouble then usual -- and changing for the worse.
But can the guide help Ella resolve all of her problems with her friends, who are all facing challenges and becoming distant? Like Frannie, whose usual perky self is now down in the dumps, or Pearl, who keeps on choosing the wrong guy. But what worries Ella the most is how her relationship with her best friend, Toby, is beginning to fade away.
At first glance, ELLA MENTAL AND THE GOOD SENSE GUIDE may seem like any other teen novel filled with fluff and no substance, but as the story develops Amber Deckers takes the novel into a different direction than what was assumed. From bullying to racism to a secretly painful childhood, Ms. Deckers depicts issues that most teen novels ignore. ELLA MENTAL AND THE GOOD SENSE GUIDE is one of those stories that you will never forget.
Meet Ella Watson, or, as her friends call her, Ella Mental.
Ella makes sure that she follows and lives by everything written in her Good Sense Guide, the one with all the quotes and rules, such as "Treat others as you would like them to treat you," or "just because you feel something now doesn't mean you will feel this way forever."
Ella's Good Sense Guide is what helps her think straight when she has to deal with her crazy parents, who just aren't able to let Ella have a little freedom, and her obnoxious twin sister, Anna, who seems to be getting into more trouble then usual -- and changing for the worse.
But can the guide help Ella resolve all of her problems with her friends, who are all facing challenges and becoming distant? Like Frannie, whose usual perky self is now down in the dumps, or Pearl, who keeps on choosing the wrong guy. But what worries Ella the most is how her relationship with her best friend, Toby, is beginning to fade away.
At first glance, ELLA MENTAL AND THE GOOD SENSE GUIDE may seem like any other teen novel filled with fluff and no substance, but as the story develops Amber Deckers takes the novel into a different direction than what was assumed. From bullying to racism to a secretly painful childhood, Ms. Deckers depicts issues that most teen novels ignore. ELLA MENTAL AND THE GOOD SENSE GUIDE is one of those stories that you will never forget.
