How to Ruin My Teenage Life
by Simone Elkeles
by Simone Elkeles
HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE by Simone Elkeles
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 6/1/07
Publisher: Flux
Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
Rating: 5 Stars
Amy Nelson-Barak is back and better, and maybe a little crazier, than ever!
When we last left Amy, she had traveled all the way to Israel for her summer vacation with her dad, arriving with very low
expectations, only to come back with a whole new appreciation for her religion and culture. Now, Amy is back in
Chicago, living with her mother in the suburbs and her mother's new husband.
After her trip to Israel, Amy feels like a totally new person. She’s beginning to embrace her religion and her father, she
has her very own dog, Mutt, and a non-boyfriend, Avi, who is unfortunately in military training back in Israel.
Unfortunately, this new Amy still has her drama and fair share of problems.
Like how her mother just dropped the bomb that she and her husband, who by the way isn’t too fond of dogs, are going
to have a baby. Then there’s that new guy in her building, Nathan, who for some unknown reason totally hates Amy and
only sees her as this superficial Barbie. If only Amy didn’t have this weird attraction toward him. Her friend, Jess, is
having major problems with her new boyfriend, who is also Amy’s ex-boyfriend, and her dad is becoming too wrapped
up in his work, making it seem like he will be lonely forever.
But can Amy deal with all of these problems without causing even more trouble? Or will her attempts at resolving these
issues spiral out of control, making it worse for her relationship with a certain non-boyfriend who just might show up to
surprise her?
Sequels do not usually live up to the first book, but HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE certainly did. You just can’t
help but fall in love with Amy and laugh at her crazy attempts to solve her problems. Her relationship with her father is
absolutely adorable, one that anyone would want to have, and the way she embraces her religion just makes us think how
we should be proud of ours, as well. Exercising your mouth muscles is a must before reading this novel, since there will be
a smile on your face throughout the entire book. Fans of the first book (HOW TO RUIN A SUMMER VACATION)
will not be disappointed with this wonderful follow-up.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 6/1/07
Publisher: Flux
Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
Rating: 5 Stars
Amy Nelson-Barak is back and better, and maybe a little crazier, than ever!
When we last left Amy, she had traveled all the way to Israel for her summer vacation with her dad, arriving with very low
expectations, only to come back with a whole new appreciation for her religion and culture. Now, Amy is back in
Chicago, living with her mother in the suburbs and her mother's new husband.
After her trip to Israel, Amy feels like a totally new person. She’s beginning to embrace her religion and her father, she
has her very own dog, Mutt, and a non-boyfriend, Avi, who is unfortunately in military training back in Israel.
Unfortunately, this new Amy still has her drama and fair share of problems.
Like how her mother just dropped the bomb that she and her husband, who by the way isn’t too fond of dogs, are going
to have a baby. Then there’s that new guy in her building, Nathan, who for some unknown reason totally hates Amy and
only sees her as this superficial Barbie. If only Amy didn’t have this weird attraction toward him. Her friend, Jess, is
having major problems with her new boyfriend, who is also Amy’s ex-boyfriend, and her dad is becoming too wrapped
up in his work, making it seem like he will be lonely forever.
But can Amy deal with all of these problems without causing even more trouble? Or will her attempts at resolving these
issues spiral out of control, making it worse for her relationship with a certain non-boyfriend who just might show up to
surprise her?
Sequels do not usually live up to the first book, but HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE certainly did. You just can’t
help but fall in love with Amy and laugh at her crazy attempts to solve her problems. Her relationship with her father is
absolutely adorable, one that anyone would want to have, and the way she embraces her religion just makes us think how
we should be proud of ours, as well. Exercising your mouth muscles is a must before reading this novel, since there will be
a smile on your face throughout the entire book. Fans of the first book (HOW TO RUIN A SUMMER VACATION)
will not be disappointed with this wonderful follow-up.