I, Lorelei

I, LORELEI

By: Yeardley Smith

SUMMARY

Lorelei Connelly is an 11-year-old girl who's cat, Mud, has recently died. Lorelei keeps a journal that she addresses to Mud, someone who always listened to her.

At the beginning of the story, Lorelei's life is pretty normal. She is in sixth grade and she hopes to be Wendy in the school production of Peter Pan. Things start to turn upside down though, when Lorelei's parents begin doing some crazy things.

Lorelei's father quits his job and takes up a hobby making beer. He is also seen with a mysterious red-headed woman. Lorelei's mother decides to hire a nanny, but she goes through three nannies and finally gives up.

The situation at home gets worse and Lorelei's parents cannot even be in the same room together. Her father leaves, but returns often to steal furniture! Lorelei is stuck in the middle and she writes in her journal for comfort. Eventually, her father moves to another state and this causes even more tension.

The story ends with Lorelei and her two brothers vowing to stick together and never give up on each other. Lorelei has come to think of her journal as her one, true friend.

REVIEW

This book tells a sad story. Lorelei goes through a much more trying time than any 11-year-old should have to. The break up of her parents causes great distress for the entire family.

Throughout the story, the characters did not really change. The characters got irritated with each other a lot and I don't think that is a good example for a child. The situation was depressing.

I did not find the plot to be very original. Divorce stories have been done before and this one didn't really offer anything new.

RATING

1 Plot
3 Characters
3 Attention Grabbing
2 Girlie-Meter
3 Ending

12 TOTAL

3 STARS (that's a first!)

Melina (Looking for a happier book to read)