Rating: Recommended
HarperTeen, 2008, $17.89
ISBN: 978-0060841126
ISBN: 978-0060841126
Age/Grade Level: Older teen
Hayley is an overweight teen living in Umbria, CA. Her best friend Jackie is thin and cute. Hayley's crush, Drew, likes Jackie, which bums Hayley. But Jackie is a true best friend and doesn't encourage Drew. Hayley's mom is obsessed with her weight issue, and so she sends her to Italy to stay with Hayley's mom's best friend for the summer.
Hayley falls in love with Italy, among other things. She finds the life there very calm and beautiful. And she loses weight because she has to walk everywhere. This book is definitely one for the older teen, as there are sexual situations toward the end. All in all, the book was a fast, enjoyable read.
Reviewer: Kim Bell, Orange County Public Library/Cypress Branch
