Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Eva W.

Good friends are like tootsie pops, they last a long time if you dont bite them. I really bit into this one and Im sorry Erin P. Swift. Click Here to Find Out How I Survived 7th Grade, a novel by Denise Vega, is an absolute teen classic. From unforgettable characterization to a suspenseful plot, this book is consistently flying off the shelves and demonstrates the many qualities of a true friendship. This novel is an incredibly ideal book for pre-teens focusing on the many challenges that they face. From massive conflicts to little nuisances it was really nice to know that you arent the only one struggling. Little discomforts like comfort before style and big conflicts like the whole entire school thinks that youre a huge dork are many of the aspects that us middle school kids are faced with from the start of the day. For a lot of us, many of these problems are extremely difficult to overcome, where as for others its as easy as cake. Although, by the end of the story I was determined to believe in myself and I realized that most problems are resolved, in other words they are tied with a pretty pink bow at the end and I hope you will think the same way too.

This engaging story, including its challenges, friendships, themes and much, much more is all told by Erin P. Swift, the main character herself, on her top secret, no-one-can-see-but-me website. Personally, I thought that this was really nice because many of her thoughts are exactly what I was thinking as well, being the same age as she is. This realistic fiction book not only has a believable plot but the book has life like characters that you can relate to in your own every day life. Some parts of the book may not be exactly imaginable but most of it is definitely realistic. In the book many events occur that have happened in my life. Sure, Ive heard complaints that best friends often talk too much, and getting punched on the nose is often a rumor that flies around the network. But in the book there are also a bit far-fetched events. For instance, Erins enemy and her evil side kicks hang up posters of Erin disguised as a puppet around the school, and thats not exactly common in the real world. Denise Vega portrayed developed characters and events throughout the entire book allowing this book to be remarkably enjoyable within every page.
As I said before, the remarkable plot really kept the story moving. The surprising and unpredictable turnouts made this book even more exciting than it already was. The plot was always straightforward and to the point. It never left you wondering about the last event you always knew exactly what had happened. Every sentence was filled with quality, descriptive writing. The first couple chapters were an immediate success and caught my attention from the first word. It all started like this:

7th grader Erin P. Swift is caught in the current of a school of 7th grade fish in their first year of middle school and nothings worse than being in the current, swirling, twirling and gasping for fresh air than doing it all alone. Erin P. Swift and her best friend, Jilly, since kindergarten are separated for their very first time in their whole lives. Neither know how in the world they are going to survive their first year at Molly Brown Middle School, the public middle school in Erins town where this story takes place. Even worse, their mean parents refuse to change their tracks to be the same. Jilly, Erins best friend is much better off and will probably make a fine adjustment onto her track without Erin, for she has always been the more friendly, outgoing and popular of the two. But on the contrary, Erin is absolutely devastated and has not one clue as what to do. Likewise, Jilly has been very in style her whole life and knows how to attract friends almost like a magnet but once again, Erin is clueless. So, off they go to their 1st day of school and say goodbye as they head away into their different tracks. Erin, during 4th period, asks her teacher if she can go to the bathroom and once shes there, guess who she bumps into? Of course, the antagonist of the story, her arch enemy, Serena Worthington, A.K.A Serena Worthlessness. Immediately as if it were planned, Serena launches into her whole teasing and taunting Erin mode and even called her an ugly puppet. Erin finally got so fed up and mad at Serena, that she actually punched Serena square on the nose. The next day Serena ordered her nasty sidekick friends to put up pictures of Erin disguised as a puppet all over the school. Erin thinks that she is going to die and wants to just shoot herself. What could be a worse start to middle school than this? Everyone is teasing Erin and calling her Pinocchio. On top of it all, Jilly hasnt been much help, although Erins new loyal friend, Rosie, has been sticking by her side all along. Besides Jilly not being all that comforting, shes really been getting on Erins nerves a lot lately. Erin noticed how much Jilly talks about her own self, wants everything to be her own way, and never really gives a thought to what Erin thinks about the matter. Erin feels like she is losing everything, like all the fishes in the current are being carried down the river but that she, Erin, is stuck, that the current wont accept her. Meanwhile, throughout all this drama, Erin falls in love with an extremely cute boy in her homeroom class, Mark Sacks. But unfortunately she feels as if shes invisible to him, the only thing Mark really ever says to her is that she has big feet or taunts her about being a puppet. Externally, nobody has realized that Erin is head-over-heels for Mark. Yet, internally Erin is just begging and pleading for Mark to notice her existence. Over time, Mark and Erin develop a wonderful friendship, the only thing that is actually keeping Erin going. But soon, a unexpected disaster strikes, emotional changes occur, friendships are lost and in the midst of it all is Erin, lost in her own world.

Clearly, I couldnt put this book down. Reading the first couple words on the first page I knew I would love it and sure enough I did. This book, as I said before, would be a huge hit for 5-8th graders. Immediate drama, which continues throughout the whole book, makes the plot extremely suspenseful. This really allowed and encouraged the reader to keep reading. Sitting down, reading and not losing track for me, has always been something I like to, do but for this particular book, I literally just couldnt stop. Because it was written about a 7th grader and her conflicts I could relate to just about every paragraph. Because I was relating so strongly to the story, it was also nice to hear the resolution, for it helps you to believe that most of your problems will be solved. Throughout the book, I was also able to review really important themes such as Believe in yourself and to agree with the new ones while adding them to my vocabulary. Obviously, this book is a page-turner. It inspires all the kids who read it to be a better person and to think about what is really going on around you so you can have an arm out to stick around someones shoulder if they need it. I really hope you consider reading this book, Im sure you wont regret it!!! Thanks for reading my review!