Review: 10 Things We did (And Probably Shouldn’t Have)
Jul •
8 •
2011
Title: 10 Things We Did (And probably shouldn’t have)
Series: No
Genre: Young Adult- Contemporary
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Book: ARC sent by publisher
“2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn’t have.
If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn’t jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe “opportunity” isn’t the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: “Lied to Our Parents”). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up “Skipping School” (#3), “Throwing a Crazy Party” (#8), “Buying a Hot Tub” (#4), and, um, “Harboring a Fugitive” (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.
In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn’t-have-done at a time.”
I have to admit that when I started this book, I did not intend to finish it in one sitting. I thought I read a couple of chapters and save the rest for tomorrow. What really grab me about this book is the main character, April. She is a unique teenage girl that goes through so much and grows up before the readers eyes. What I like most about her is the way that she handled things. Yes, she did a whole lot of wrong things, but she learned from her mistakes and move on from it.
What I also like about this book is the serious talk of sex in it. Now, normally for me, this is too much. But I really like how Ms. Mlynowski handled the situation of sex in this book. Not only did April encounter sex in this book, but she learned the responsibilities of sex and the consequences of it. I like how April took care of herself by going to Planned Parenthood, getting check, tested, and prepared. I do not condone sex out of marriage, but if you are doing to it, at least be smart about it.
April as well as her friends go through a lot but learn so much. They had planned thinking that it was going to easy to be alone, with no parents. Then reality hit. They had to face up to their mistakes and take responsibility like an adult. I think this a great book about growing up and learning things the hard way. Their is lots of sex (implied), drinking, cursing, etc, but again without these element you will not be able to grasped the story as it should be grasped. I recommend this book for 18+.
I give it 4 BITES!
Happy Reading!
Wonderful review. I have read a lot of reviews giving this book high marks. It is very hard to find YA books these days that handle the issue of sex in the right way – it sounds like this is definitely one of them. I can’t wait to read this book 🙂
<3 Happy Reading
Patricia @ Patricia’s Particularity
This sounds like a good teenage read actually. Thanks for reviewing it. Ps. Love the title, it is really cute.
Great review Savy. I loved April but at the same time she drove me crazy. And it definitely was a fun book but at the same time dealt with some important issues 🙂
I’ve heard good things about this series, I have it on my list:) I like that she’s upfront and honest about sex in it and doesn’t gloss over some of the safety issues in favor of sweeping romance. Looking forward to reading this one!
I love how the sex was dealt with in this book. She was responsible but realized perhaps she wasn’t as responsible as she should have been.
Oh sounds like a good book for parents to have on their shelves for discussion. I like that they are trying to be responsible in their decisions and lessons abound. Also sounds like a fun book too!