Reviewed by Angela S. for TeensReadToo.com
Lotus Lowenstein is enamored with all things French. She has been begging her parents to let her go to Paris during the summer, but her parents tell her they can't afford it. So, what's a girl to do? Start a French club, of course!
Lotus decides to start a club at school to discuss all things French. At first, its only members are Lotus and her BFF, Joni. But then the cute new boy in school, Sean, decides to join, because he loves all things French, too.
With a trip to Montreal and a lot of boy drama, this book is sure to please those who love everything French - from Parisian food to its hip style. It's even sure to please those who don't love French - and who don't know their croissants from their donuts.
Written in diary style entries, Lotus is a fun and sweet character with lots of spunk. Surely, readers will enjoy her life and find themselves immersed in the story very quickly.
Lotus Lowenstein is enamored with all things French. She has been begging her parents to let her go to Paris during the summer, but her parents tell her they can't afford it. So, what's a girl to do? Start a French club, of course!
Lotus decides to start a club at school to discuss all things French. At first, its only members are Lotus and her BFF, Joni. But then the cute new boy in school, Sean, decides to join, because he loves all things French, too.
With a trip to Montreal and a lot of boy drama, this book is sure to please those who love everything French - from Parisian food to its hip style. It's even sure to please those who don't love French - and who don't know their croissants from their donuts.
Written in diary style entries, Lotus is a fun and sweet character with lots of spunk. Surely, readers will enjoy her life and find themselves immersed in the story very quickly.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Chatty, cute, and touching, Libby Schmais' YA debut, THE PILLOW BOOK OF LOTUS LOWENSTEIN, will satisfy fans of Helen Fielding's BRIDGET JONES' DIARY and Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicholson series.
Lotus is a relatable protagonist whose obsession with French culture brings a flair of uniqueness to novels-in-diary-format. Lotus may be occasionally shallow, dumb, and obsessed, which will turn her off to readers who don't enjoy those kinds of characters, but she is loyal to her friends and family through and through. The most remarkable part of this book is Lotus' growth from self-obsessed, whiny teenager to a mature young woman, capable of making sacrifices for others, but still not above being good and true to herself. Often she doesn't quite know how she can help, but whether it's hanging around rehearsals while her father attempts to make his playwriting debut, or helping her teacher make over her life, she tries her utmost hardest and approaches everything she does with the complete goodness of her heart.
The supporting characters are well drawn for a story told entirely in the protagonist's diary entries. There are underlying conflicts and subplots involving Lotus' parents, younger brother, teacher, grandmotherâ¦Lotus' world is rich with interpersonal relationships, and the other people enhance Lotus' appeal as well, as she is an extrovert and shows her best side when she interacts with others. Sean is, admittedly, a bit weak as the supposed love interest, but his lack of character didn't disturb me as much because there was so many better and more important things going on.
Overall, THE PILLOW BOOK OF LOTUS LOWENSTEIN is a great read if you enjoy novels written in diary entries, chatty main characters, and have ever thought of escaping your boring hometown for someplace more exotic. I hope that fans of Bridget Jones and Georgia Nicholson will give Lotus and her story a try, because this is a worthy addition to the subgenre. Vive la one and only Lotus!
Lotus is a relatable protagonist whose obsession with French culture brings a flair of uniqueness to novels-in-diary-format. Lotus may be occasionally shallow, dumb, and obsessed, which will turn her off to readers who don't enjoy those kinds of characters, but she is loyal to her friends and family through and through. The most remarkable part of this book is Lotus' growth from self-obsessed, whiny teenager to a mature young woman, capable of making sacrifices for others, but still not above being good and true to herself. Often she doesn't quite know how she can help, but whether it's hanging around rehearsals while her father attempts to make his playwriting debut, or helping her teacher make over her life, she tries her utmost hardest and approaches everything she does with the complete goodness of her heart.
The supporting characters are well drawn for a story told entirely in the protagonist's diary entries. There are underlying conflicts and subplots involving Lotus' parents, younger brother, teacher, grandmotherâ¦Lotus' world is rich with interpersonal relationships, and the other people enhance Lotus' appeal as well, as she is an extrovert and shows her best side when she interacts with others. Sean is, admittedly, a bit weak as the supposed love interest, but his lack of character didn't disturb me as much because there was so many better and more important things going on.
Overall, THE PILLOW BOOK OF LOTUS LOWENSTEIN is a great read if you enjoy novels written in diary entries, chatty main characters, and have ever thought of escaping your boring hometown for someplace more exotic. I hope that fans of Bridget Jones and Georgia Nicholson will give Lotus and her story a try, because this is a worthy addition to the subgenre. Vive la one and only Lotus!
