13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope #1)

Reader reviewed by Britt

This book is an inspring,sad,adventurous,and romatic book. Its tells alot about a persons life and how you may not know one thing but turns out you do. I love the way the author really gets into the art and paintings. i love art its a beautiful thing and she put it in the book like u could picture it was REAL!. This bok is a great book and i thing whoever is looking at this review. Should read it. Thank You

Reader reviewed by Nis

I loved '13 Little Blue Envelopes,' and am more than happy to recommend to adults and kids alike! A prior reviewer commented this sounded vaguely like another book, which sounds to me like comparing every tale of star-crossed lovers to 'Romeo and Juliet.' What Johnson has done is taken an idea we've all had at some point -- what if you got a windfall and the opportunity to travel and enjoy it? -- and crafted a genuine and romantic story of a teen's first real adventure outside her comfort level. Ginny would have never gone to Europe without the envelopes -- would have never fallen in love, sponsored an artist, or learned her aunt's secrets. The progression from Envelope #1 to the end shows her growth as a person, as she responds more quickly and more creatively to the challenges in each subsequent letter. I can't wait to read more by the author!

Reader reviewed by Ari

13 Little Blue Envelopes is a superb read. It follows the journey of 17 year old Ginny whose recently passed Aunt Peg has sent her a letter and gives her different locations to go to, and rule that she opens an envelope at each locations. So Ginny begins a journey throughout Paris, the Netherlands, England, and many other places. In these places, Ginny learns about her aunt and her life. During this time, she learns about her aunt and herself. I really enjoyed this book, and I'm sure it will be a hit with many girls.

Reader reviewed by Val

I really liked this book. I thought it was a refreshing novel that had the right combinations of mytsery, romance and of course travel! The story behind this novel is that Ginny, about to become a highschool graudate recieves a ltetter to visit the old apartment of her dead aunt. Her aunt was young and an artist and although she promised to guide and be there for Ginny throughout her growing up years, one day she decided to leave America and travel through Europe. Ginny battles with the feeling of abandonment and guilt towards having bitter feelngs towards her dead aunt while she follows directions in thirteen envelopes made by her aunt before she died. They instruct her to do things like take 1,000 dollars from her newly made account and catch a flight to England where she must find a starving artist and give him/her money. The point behind these envelopes readers will come to discover isn't the trips and the traveling which is a big part of it, but Ginny's character (who many can relate to) finding herself. discovering afterwards that she didn't need her aunt to help her shine or stand out she was always a star and the thirteen blue envelopes hlped her realize that.

Reader reviewed by Alexandra

Seventeen-year-old Ginny is sent to Europe with nothing but a backpack and a pile of envelopes. Inside those envelopes are her travel itinerary and tasks set before her by her now-deceased Aunt Peg. She has to open the envelopes in order, and can't open the next one until she's completed the previous task. Her envelopes take her from London to Edinburgh to Rome to Paris, and she makes several new and eclectic friends along the way, a rarity for the normally shy teenager. Her observations of the European sites are exciting both for readers who've seen them and those who haven't, and Ginny learns as much about her free-spirited aunt through her jouneys as she does about herself. Heart-warming and adventurous, funny and realistic (despite the unusual circumstances), 13 Little Blue Envelopes is a great read.

Reader reviewed by Grace

All Ginny has left from her "runaway aunt" is thirteen envelopes, each one containing instructions and sending Ginny traveling all through Europe. As she goes to each destination, she meets new people and learns more about her aunt and herself.

I liked the idea of the book: following instructions from envelopes and finding answers. But this book seemed more to be like a tour of Europe, and when I read other people's reviews from YA Books Central, I saw that showing the sights of Europe is a main part of the author's purpose. The ending of the book was kind of a disappointment, sort of like, what was the whole point of Ginny following her aunt's instructions? But it is still a good book for teens.

Reader reviewed by Sarah

The first time i read this book, I didn't really like it. But it's one of those books that get better every time you read it.

13 Little Blue Envelopes was about a girl named Ginny traveling through Europe with only letters from her dead aunt as a guide. The letters cause her to go on a crazy trip that she's gauranteed to never forget, but it also helps her to do things that she would never have dreamed of being bold enough to do. In England she finds love, in France a little cafe with decorations of little dogs, and so much more.

This was a book that gave me a strong urge to go to Europe. It was really good, and kept me interested.

Reader reviewed by The Lit Chick

This book is inspiring, it made me remember my long-postponed plan to backpack around Europe. But really,it's quite unrealistic (or is it just me being sceptical?) for a young girl to travel alone and arrive in one piece without much difficulties (I didn't count having a hard time finding that particular little cafe as difficulty, that's normal when you're in some unfamiliar place). The trip supposed to be an emotional one, due to the ant memory and all, but I didn't really feel it. Something's missing.

Reader reviewed by Lavendermc

13 Little Blue Envelopes is this summers most delightful, fun and insightful read! In this book, we follow Ginny, who, in turn, is following a chain of letters her late aunt had written for her. These letters bring Ginny so many things; these things I will let you discover on your own.


I think everyone learns different things when put in Ginnys shoes. Thats one of the wonders of this book. I loved so many aspects about this book that this review could run for a long while. I will stick to the things I remarked earliest. This novel has a wonderful flow to it; things go fast but at a pace that gives the reader enough time to learn something and appreciate the authors articulate descriptions and dialog. Also, the element of suspense brings this book to life in such a way that only summer reads can be: a definite picker-upper for the slightly depressed and/or madly occupied person (both categories in which I fall into easily).


In addition, this book gives land-locked people the chance to visit far-off places and for the not-so-land-locked people, a chance to revisit certain wonders of the world. All in all, this book is a little gem and I absolutely recommend this book to all girls out there who need a little slice of inspiration. I cant wait to read more from Maureen Johnson, my interest has definitely been piqued!

Reader reviewed by two sided freek

An exceptional book that shows you independance. It is a happily ever kinda story, more like a I know who I am and not afraid to show it. It really conveys a deep message "you don't need other people to find yourself" Sorta like Bitter endings