What's in a Name

Rating:
Summary: AMAZINGLY EXCELLENT!
Review: Ellen Wittlinger has written some truly wonderful young-adult novels, and WHAT'S IN A NAME lives up to the standards set by her other books. The format here is slightly different from her others: ten different characters tell their own stories while also contributing to the overarching plot, which concerns the efforts of some of the residents of Scrub Harbor to change the town's name to Folly Bay. As always, Wittlinger's stories are character-driven, so the plot never seems contrived; she also has a knack for making you sympathize with characters that you probably didn't think you would like. For me, this happened with the characters of Quincy and Gretchen, both "popular" kids in their high school. I expected their stories to be less interesting than the other characters', who are a little quirkier, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Quincy's and Gretchen's stories drew me in just as much as those of the other kids.

I have to disagree with one of the editorial reviews, which said that the characters all seemed defined by their circumstances. In my opinion, one of Wittlinger's strengths is that she never allows her characters to just be caricatures. As I said above, they have their quirks, some more than others, but in the end, they are all real (and interesting) people.

I highly recommend WHAT'S IN A NAME.

Rating:
Summary: Wittlinger does it again
Review: Ellen Wittlinger has written some truly wonderful young-adult novels, and WHAT'S IN A NAME lives up to the standards set by her other books. The format here is slightly different from her others: ten different characters tell their own stories while also contributing to the overarching plot, which concerns the efforts of some of the residents of Scrub Harbor to change the town's name to Folly Bay. As always, Wittlinger's stories are character-driven, so the plot never seems contrived; she also has a knack for making you sympathize with characters that you probably didn't think you would like. For me, this happened with the characters of Quincy and Gretchen, both "popular" kids in their high school. I expected their stories to be less interesting than the other characters', who are a little quirkier, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Quincy's and Gretchen's stories drew me in just as much as those of the other kids.

I have to disagree with one of the editorial reviews, which said that the characters all seemed defined by their circumstances. In my opinion, one of Wittlinger's strengths is that she never allows her characters to just be caricatures. As I said above, they have their quirks, some more than others, but in the end, they are all real (and interesting) people.

I highly recommend WHAT'S IN A NAME.

Rating:
Summary: Whats in a name?
Review: I rate this book a 3 because it was good, but it wasn't the best book I have ever read. The plot is about a town called Scrub Harbor. The rich people in the town want to change the name to Folly Bay. The other non-rich people want to keep the name Scrub Harbor. The Characters in the story are equal so there are no main characters. The theme of this story is to believe in something and fight for it. The setting is obviously in Scrub harbor/Folly Bay. The story is in the time period of the present. I liked this story.

Rating:
Summary: Field Day
Review: I read the bulk of What's In a Name? in one sitting. The story is actually 8 chapters - 1 narrator per chapter - and set in a small town which is debating over changing its name. Each story has a character exploring his or her identity and the meaning of their popularity, sexuality, long term boyfriends/girlfriends, family, friends, school, future and so forth.

It was a very quick and enjoyable read. I enjoyed Ellen's writing style. The teens were thoughtful, not vacant; they spoke like kids but also didn't say "like" or curse every other line. I only wish there had been one final wrap-up chapter to catch us up one last time with all of the characters we had met. However, I like the book as a hold and recommended to friends who liked small town coming-of-age novels.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I was given this book for my birthday. When I started to read it, I couldn't stop. The book takes place in a town named Scrub Harbor. Each chapter has a different teenager's view, opinions, and life. Some people of Scrub Harbor wish to change the town's name to Folly Bay. The town soon becomes separated into Scrubs and Follys and so does the high school. This book is for anyone who has ever asked "Who am I?" and for anyone that likes to read.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZINGLY EXCELLENT!
Review: This book really potraits the different sides and things that teenagers go trough. I got this book from a friend of mine and I totally fell in love with this book. As a teenager, it is a very great book to read and see other people like you with their own little problems.

Rating:
Summary: An Intriguing Novel!
Review: What's in a Name is an intriguing tale about high school 'identities' told from the point of view of ten different high school students. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever asked him or herself the question, 'Who am I?' It is an easy story to relate to because in the book there are characters such as 'the jock', 'the new kid', and 'the snob'. Not only is this story easy to relate to but it is also an interesting read! This story is about an election in town, in which the citizens are trying to decide whether to change the town name. The election turns friends into enemies and also makes people wonder if by changing the name they would also be changing the identity. It reminds the students of their own identities. I enjoyed the book very much because all through out the story suspense is built as you try to find out, 'What is O'Neill's secret.' Or 'Who is Adam really?' As you can see, I took pleasure in reading this book, What's in a Name. I believe it is an entertaining, suspenseful, and intriguing novel. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read!

Rating:
Summary: Whats in a name?
Review: What�s in a Name is an intriguing tale about high school �identities� told from the point of view of ten different high school students. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever asked him or herself the question, �Who am I?� It is an easy story to relate to because in the book there are characters such as �the jock�, �the new kid�, and �the snob�. Not only is this story easy to relate to but it is also an interesting read! This story is about an election in town, in which the citizens are trying to decide whether to change the town name. The election turns friends into enemies and also makes people wonder if by changing the name they would also be changing the identity. It reminds the students of their own identities. I enjoyed the book very much because all through out the story suspense is built as you try to find out, �What is O�Neill�s secret.� Or �Who is Adam really?� As you can see, I took pleasure in reading this book, What�s in a Name. I believe it is an entertaining, suspenseful, and intriguing novel. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read!