Louise Rennison. 2004. New York: Harper Collins Publishing. 304 pages. ISBN 0-06-058936-1Plot Summary: Wait, was there a plot? This is one of a series of books that are the diaries of Georgia Nicolson. They are very funny British chick-lit for teens (but don’t worry—they come with a glossary for those of us from “Hamburger-a-go-go land,” so we don’t miss the bits about “nunga-nungas,” “nippy noodles,” or being “lurgified.”). In this episode her sex god has moved to Kiwi-a-go-go-land but there’s a new sex god in town named Miasmo. Will there be snogging? You’ll have to read it and see for yourself.
Critical evaluation: Very light reading. Very funny. Apparently very popular with teens. Written in diary form, The Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series chronicles the daily ups and downs of a British teen. They are good for the girl (yes, very girly books) that want something just a little bit naughty but not too much.
Reader’s Annotation: Written in 14-year-old English girl’s dialect, Confessions of Georgia Nicolson chronicles a girl’s daily life and adventures.
About the author: Louise Rennison is an English author and comedian. She has performed her own shows and has written for other comedians. Her one woman autobiographical show “Stevie Wonder Touched My Face” won awards at the Edinburgh Film Festival in the 1980s. She is the author of at least eleven books in the Georgia Nicolson series. She lives in Brighton, England.
Her Georgia Nicholson books are based roughly on her own experiences as a 14 year-old. She states: “I wrote the book to make myself laugh. I always wrote what I remembered making me laugh when I was that age. I didn't attempt to teach. I didn't attempt to do anything except I wanted Georgia to be a decent person. I wanted her to be someone who is a bit stupid and self-obsessed and difficult and funny and rude, and a bit jealous and all those other things. But I wanted her to have a good heart.” (http://www.georgianicolson.com/meet.html)
Genre: Realistic fiction, comedy. Alternative format: diary.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 7 and up.
Booktalking ideas: Reading a small selection from the book to capture the dialog would be the best way to booktalk this book. Also, Renniston says that research for her books requires many hours hanging around with 14-year-olds which is, she says, “Brilliant – the best fun known to humanity. It’s all boys, make-up, laughing and, er, that’s it.” (http://www.georgianicolson.com/meet.html)
Challenge Issues: N/A
Why included: This series was recommended to me by a teen librarian who says they are very popular in her library.
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