Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian

Vivian, Siobhan Same Difference, 304 p. Push (Scholastic), 2009. $16.99. Language: PG-13 (21 swears, 1 “f”). Emily did pretty well in her high school art class, so she decides to take a summer class in nearby Philadelphia. Her best friend, Meg, doesn’t want Emily to go – how can Emily skip the tanning and the parties and hanging out with Meg and her boyfriend in their New Jersey suburb. But Emily finds a whole new world at the art school – including Fiona, are wacky, confident girl who challenges everything Emily thought she knew about herself. Sometimes a person has more in them than they originally thought – and sometimes others uses bravado to cover up a lack. Vivian’s novel is a subtle piece that will need help finding an audience. While I enjoyed the end of Emily’s journey, it is not a novel written for the ‘Every Student”. Instead, point this one at thoughtful young ladies who read well and might need to know that there is more to life than just their little hometown. MS, HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.