I took a chance on reading this. I wasn't sure how I would take to it and when I received it and started I was shocked to say the least. It's an easy book to get into. I was taken by not only Simon and Amy but Katie as well.
I think there are a lot of young adults who will be able to relate to all of the younger characters in the book and that's a great thing in this case. Even with the problems the good comes shining through.
I don't know much about foreign languages but it seemed like something was missing somewhere. I can't explain any better than that. Little things, tiny even, seemed off to me.
There was one part when the girls little brother was said to be "barking" around her ankles. Was it meant to say her dog? I read an ARC so anything is possible but I wanted to add that in.
For a first book Converse did a great job and I'd definitely read another book of his if he writes again.
I think there are a lot of young adults who will be able to relate to all of the younger characters in the book and that's a great thing in this case. Even with the problems the good comes shining through.
I don't know much about foreign languages but it seemed like something was missing somewhere. I can't explain any better than that. Little things, tiny even, seemed off to me.
There was one part when the girls little brother was said to be "barking" around her ankles. Was it meant to say her dog? I read an ARC so anything is possible but I wanted to add that in.
For a first book Converse did a great job and I'd definitely read another book of his if he writes again.
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
School is frustrating for Simon. If all he had to do was learn math and science, it might be passable, but in order to graduate, Chinese-speaking Simon must pass the English exam. So far, his practice scores have been miserable, causing him to slip farther and farther behind. Despite encouragement from his longtime friend, Katie, Simon decides he has suffered enough and ditches school to take a job working in a restaurant.
Riding the subway to and from school and then back and forth to his job, Simon notices a pretty girl. She seems to get lots of attention from all the boys and men riding the subway. Simon isn't surprised when she shows up at a party he attends, but he is annoyed with how she is treated by the other guys at the party. When the two meet, they share a mysterious connection and a true friendship quickly forms.
Amy is Chinese but was born and raised in the United States. In Hong Kong with her mother and brother for the first time, she finds it difficult to communicate, since her parents never pressed the issue of learning Chinese. As her friendship with Simon grows, she finds herself sharing her problems with him, and at the same time, Simon discovers his English is improving as he shares his concerns with her.
Will Amy be able to help Simon improve his English enough to pass his exam? Can Simon be of any help to Amy as she struggles with the knowledge that she is pregnant with her former boyfriends child?
Written by P. J. Converse, who uses her experiences teaching English in Hong Kong, SUBWAY GIRL bridges the gap between two totally diverse cultures. Readers will immediately become attached emotionally to Simon and Amy. Lacking any understanding adult role-models, the two come together to create their own support system. Converse communicates a true understanding of teen issues and the emotions they generate.
School is frustrating for Simon. If all he had to do was learn math and science, it might be passable, but in order to graduate, Chinese-speaking Simon must pass the English exam. So far, his practice scores have been miserable, causing him to slip farther and farther behind. Despite encouragement from his longtime friend, Katie, Simon decides he has suffered enough and ditches school to take a job working in a restaurant.
Riding the subway to and from school and then back and forth to his job, Simon notices a pretty girl. She seems to get lots of attention from all the boys and men riding the subway. Simon isn't surprised when she shows up at a party he attends, but he is annoyed with how she is treated by the other guys at the party. When the two meet, they share a mysterious connection and a true friendship quickly forms.
Amy is Chinese but was born and raised in the United States. In Hong Kong with her mother and brother for the first time, she finds it difficult to communicate, since her parents never pressed the issue of learning Chinese. As her friendship with Simon grows, she finds herself sharing her problems with him, and at the same time, Simon discovers his English is improving as he shares his concerns with her.
Will Amy be able to help Simon improve his English enough to pass his exam? Can Simon be of any help to Amy as she struggles with the knowledge that she is pregnant with her former boyfriends child?
Written by P. J. Converse, who uses her experiences teaching English in Hong Kong, SUBWAY GIRL bridges the gap between two totally diverse cultures. Readers will immediately become attached emotionally to Simon and Amy. Lacking any understanding adult role-models, the two come together to create their own support system. Converse communicates a true understanding of teen issues and the emotions they generate.
