what my mother doesn't know- Genre 3

Bibliography

Sones, Sonya. 2003. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon Pulse. ISBN 978-0-0689-855535.

Plot Summary

This book is written in first person. It tells the story of Sophie a fourteen year old girl in verse. It is very easy to read and can be read quickly. It begins when she broke up with Lou and is beginning to date Dylan. She has supportive friends, Rachel and Grace to talk to, but she feels her mother really does not listen. Her mother seems to be dealing with her own depression. The book touches on the creepy world of cyberspace and religious bigotry. Sophie is also trying to deal with fighting with her mom, and her parents constant fighting. She makes friends with a dorky boy in art class. They both love art and a friendship begins. She struggles with letting her friends know that she is in love with the boy Murphy, who everyone has made fun of in school. He turns out to be Mr. Right.

Critical Analysis

This story would appeal to young girls. This is poetry written in first person using verse. It reminded me that I was peeking into Sophie's journal. The story touches on your emotions of humor, love, and fear. Every verse is short and easy to read. You feel that Sophie is speaking honestly from her heart. Sones uses short lines to create a staccato rhythm. She chooses her words carefully to create an image in your head. For example she is soaking in the tub after ice skating and says she is "watching the steam curl into question marks".

There are no illustrations in the book until the last twenty eight pages where there is a black and white drawing of Sophie's favorite painting from the museum. Le Bal `a Bougival (a woman dancing with an unmasked man) is drawn like a flip book at the end. You do not realize that you are reading poetry. I had to smile because this book took me on a journey back to my adolescent years.

Review Excerpt(s)

Soaring Eagle Book Award 2004

Booklist: "Is a fast, funny, touching book"

Children's Literature: "The highs and lows of Sophie's life reflect much of the excitement and anguish that mark adolescence."

Kliatt: "Sophie is full of life, excited about falling in love, worried about her image, loyal to her friends, trying to understand her parents."

Connections

- Read more of Sonya Sones books. For example, Stop Pretending, What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know,or One Of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies. Compare her writing in verse.

- Make a bubble map describing the character Sophie in this book.

-Write a connection you have to one of the poems. Try writing it in verse.