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Ready or Not : An All-American Girl Novel
 | Ready or Not : An All-American Girl Novel Meg Cabot Date: 2005-07-19 03:30:21 — $10.87 — Book Rating: |
Ready or Not is the sequel to All-American Girl, which was about an average young woman who is thrust into the spotlight when she saves the President from an assassination attempt, and falls in love with the first son. We catch up with budding artist Samantha taking life drawing with David (and his secret service bodyguard). It's an eye-opening experience, as she didn't realize drawing from life meant nudes. When David invites her to Camp David to celebrate Thanksgiving weekend, she immediately assumes it's because the time has come in their relationship for her to give it up. She worries her way through 225 pages of whether or not she is ready to lose her virginity with her long-time boyfriend. The plot is rounded out by the usual competition with her beautiful popular sister, whom for the first time in her life, likes a boy who doesn't seem to notice she exists; harassment from the smug chapter of the local version of True Love Waits; her crappy job at the video store, and the upcoming MTV appearance to speak, as Teen Ambassador, about the President's new Return to Family initiative. All subplots meld nicely by the end of the book.
One thing I like about Cabot's books is she captures the drama and horror of high school completely. The voice of the character is pure Cabot (perkily indignant and peppered with pop-culture references), and therein lies the problem. Of late, her characters sound too much alike. The author is much more successful in this book than in the previous in developing a character that is more than just anti-Mia. Sam definitely becomes her own person. But, she sounds and acts younger than 17.
I have mixed feelings about the success of the book. The cute little numbered lists become a plot device to incite teens to action over issues like child slavery. I don't quite buy that Sam is so naive and presumptuous throught the whole thing, and then so articulate when it matters. It's great that she has a female character who embraces her sexuality without punitive consequences. And it's great that she portrays a character who considers no, promotes, dialogue with parents and safe sex. At first I didn't like the ending but after thinking about it for awhile, I decided that it fitted the impulsive spirit and serendipity of the character. It would have been a greater plot test to have David ... never mind, I don't want to give anything away. You'll have to read the book. Unlike All-American Girl, though, I wouldn't give it to your ten-year-old.
