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- Truth or Dairy
Truth or Dairy
Editor reviews
Catherine Clark's Truth or Dairy is a playful romp in the confused mind of a teenage girl, Courtney Von Dragen Smith. While Courtney takes herself very seriously, you can tell that the author finds it nearly irresistable to poke a little fun at her.
This is yet another book in diary form and it does an excellent job of accurately portraying the voice of a teenager. I actually pulled out some of my old high school diaries from their safe hiding place and compared them. Ms. Clark has really captured what it means to be a teenage girl.
Courtney starts off with a diatribe against boys (and her ex-boyfriend in particular). Dave chose to break up with her right before going off to college and Courtney decides to swear off boys for the next year. Well, we know that's a promise made to be broken.
How it gets broken, and why, is the main topic of the diary. There's also some other interesting sub-plots thrown in about Courtney's friends, her dog, her siblings and her mother's losing battle with the phone company. One thing I wish is that we could get to know Courtney's friends and family even more. Of course, that's hard to do in a diary format.
We do get to know Courtney quite well and learn to like her. Sometimes you want to give her a prod in the right direction or smack your forehead when she does something particularly silly, but you have confidence that she'll come around in the end.
Given the tone of this book, I recommend it for kids 12 and up (or as young as 10). However, I think 18 is the outer limit for the appeal of this book. It's probably won't appeal to teens out of high school.
User reviews
In my opinion, this book wasn't extraordinary or even great. It was ok, but not an outstanding novel.
Courtney has boyfriend troubles. Or rather, ex-boyfriend troubles. She was dumped, and she can't get over it. In fact, she has pledged to give up boys for her entire senior year of high school. In fact, she might just accomplish that, because the one guy that seems kind of into her keeps getting scared away because Courtney is so jealous and self-centered. She is constantly thinking everything is about her, and frankly, it gets a little annoying. Yes, some of the one-liners are hilarious, and I suppose a few people might sympathize with her, but who wants to read a book about a selfish, whiny teenage girl with attachment issues?
I finished Truth or Dairy a few days ago. I think the cover looks a little funny, but you know what they say, don't judge a book by it's cover.
Main character Courtney is just getting over being dumped by her boyfriend Dave. In her anger, she resolves not to date anyone in her senior year in high school. So she joins student council and keeps working at Truth or Dairy, a smoothie place whose name coincides with the title of this book.
The plot moves a bit slowly, but the ending is fulfilling. In all, it is a cute book. I'll probably read more books by Catherine Clark if I have time, but they're not on the top of my list.
Well, it made me smile and laugh, and it wasn't like other romance novels, completely centered around one thing. There's also best friend/brother problems, and so on. And it was true and real for me, which is the best part: I can completely see myself in similar circumstances.
Dave, Courtney's one and something year boyfriend is off to college, and to be finished with high school completely, he finishes with Courtney. Now she's devastated at how stupid Dave turned out to be, so devastated that she's swore with an anti-guy plan for the rest of her senior year. Yet with juggling her job at Truth and Dairy (a smoothie and ice cream parlor) and her new vice-presidentship at her school council, she's finding that even those occupying tasks can't keep her occupied enough. Now there's been a whole scam in student council that has her in trouble, and Grant Superior seems to be everywhere: can Courtney really keep her anti-guy pledge up all year long?
"She's humiliated, she's angry... and she's through with boys. Or at least that's what she says.
This is the journal of Courtney Von Dragen Smith: middle child, product of divorce, would-be vegetarian. She writes the first mega-negative page the day after her boyfriend, "such a Dave," breaks up with her because he's heading off to college. Angry and humiliated, Courtney vows to survive senior year on the anti-guy plan. but can she really give up guys and focus on friends, school, and her job at the hip cafe Truth or Dairy? Or will a stint in student government, an epileptic dog, and a guy named Grant ("like-the-lake") Superior turn her world upside down and prove her journal right?"
This book made me laugh out loud. Courtney is a hilarious narrator and the reader can't help but feel sorry for her, even if they know sometimes that she should just give in!
This book is written in diary form. It is a girls accounts in her like with love, school, her job, friends, and her thoughts om so many odd subjects. you will love it. I think if you like diary form it's a must read.
Can Courtney Von Dragen Smith's life get any worse? She's working her backside off at the Truth or Dairy shop, making smoothies and sundaes, along with the 3:40 wheatgrass for WWW. Her boss, Gerry, is worried about her because she isn't making the treats with her normal enthusiasm. Obviously! Her boyfriend of 1 year, Dave, has dumped her just because he is going to college. Oscar, the dog, is having seizures. Mr. Novotny, the neighbor, is angry about getting the Smith's calls. Her mother is nuts, the phone is messed up. And, to top it all off, her brother Bryan and best friend Beth are in love. Beth and Jane, her friends, are trying to help her turn over a new leaf. Courtney vows to go out with no boys this year. Will she follow through?
Courtney runs for vice-president of student council and wins. She's afraid of the president, the Tom, wanting to go out with her along with Grant from the pet shop. Plus, she still isn't totally sure if she wants Dave back! What's a girl to do?
Truth or Dairy is a funny diary novel that teen girls will love. I liked Courtney's honesty and wit. I enjoyed how Courtney's mother was rallying for some strange cause. If you enjoy Truth or Dairy, you should read the other books by Catherine Clark, Wurst Case Scenario and Frozen Rodeo.
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