Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves:
One Butt Cheek at a Time
by Amber Kizer

    ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME by Amber Kizer
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  10/9/07
    Publisher:  Delacorte
    Reviewed by:  Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
    Rating:  5 Stars


    The fun definitely doesn’t stop with the title. ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME is hilarious from cover to cover.

    Gertrude “Gert” Garibaldi is fifteen. She was born when her only other sibling, a brother, was starting college. She
    asks herself everyday why she was blessed/cursed with ancient parents. From her out-of-touch parents to her
    Hello, Kitty bedspread and fuzzy pink phone, Gert feels she has more questions about her place in the social scene
    than there are answers.

    Adam is Gert’s best friend. He has a crush on Tim, and Gert has a crush on Lucas, Tim’s gorgeous twin brother.
    Unfortunately, Gert sees more of Tim when she acts as chaperone whenever Adam and Tim decide to venture out.
    Her heartthrob, Lucas, doesn’t even seem to know she exists.

    Gert’s social situation does improve when Stephen reveals his interest. Thanks to Stephen, Gert attends the
    homecoming dance, actually dances, and has her first kiss.

    Author Amber Kizer provides entertainment beginning on page one. Imagine a driver’s ed teacher who uses a
    walker and needs a portable oxygen supply to survive the experience. Picture a principal who decides each
    student’s weight should be recorded and graded on report cards. Add to that a group project with one partner who
    is Gert’s sworn enemy and a sex-ed teacher who has everyone exploring where no one has dared to go before.

    Have fun reading this one, but be careful when and where you read it. Laughing out loud is sometimes frowned upon.