Review: Great fun. An enticing and enjoyable read for kids
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 20, 2011
Tracy Marchini's delightful book, Effie at the Wedding, describes the conflicting emotions of a bride's little sister, eager to be grown up, preferring to be invisible and independent, and unhappy to be losing her best friend. The story's told in first-person and Effie has a wonderful way of clarifying her thoughts through lists. Some of those lists had me laughing out loud as I read, and I'm sure would be just as amusing, if not more so, to a middle-grade or young-adult reader.Sometimes I wasn't quite sure how old Effie seemed, not quite child, not quite young adult, but I suspect my confusion might be born of my only having sons. Whatever her age, her misery in the hideous pink dress is delightfully palpable, and her lists are hilarious. Not entirely self-centered, and occasionally achingly perceptive, Effie adds drama to horror and gets locked in a bathroom. But perhaps she'd rather stay there... except she'll miss the cake.The story moves along at the just the right speed. Story-telling interspersed with lists makes for a pleasing look on the page to entice readers. And the voice is delightful. The ending's delightful too, sweet without saccharine and a really enjoyable read.Disclosure: The author kindly gave me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.