Thursday, August 24, 2006

My Not-So-Terrible Time at the Hippie Hotel by Rosemary Graham

The summer has arrived in New York and Tracy's divorced father decides to take the family up to Cape Cod to a hotel for divorced people and their kids. The owner of the hotel, who herself is divorced with a son, has planned activities for the three families sharing an awkward vacation. Tracy, very unhappy about her situation, has taken to eating as a solace. At the Hippie Hotel, she meets Beka, another teenager near her age but nothing like her. The owner's son works for his mom and tries to befriend their guests. Tracy, after going on trips with the group, meets Kevin. Kevin, a skateboarder, appeals to Tracy, especially as she had given up her music. At the end of the summer, the owner requires that everyone take part in a talent show. This presents a challenge for Tracy, can she bring out her true self and her talent once again?

Rosemary Graham presents an emotional situation (the divorce of their parents) that kids can relate to through the media if not real life. The book is positive in the sense that Tracy finally overcomes the stress she was put under emotionally with the divorce of her parents. This book seems to be aimed at pre-teens and Graham does a good job telling the story from a teen-ager's perspective. It's a quick read that doesn't have a complex plot.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO USA