True to Form : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable coming of age novel; great young adult reading
Review: True to Form continues the story of Katie Nash, the young, motherless girl who we first met in Durable Goods. Katie is now 13, and her life appears to have stabalized: her father has remarried a sweet stepmother, she has finally gotten used to her new town, and she is excited about the start of summer vacation. Of course problems still occur--the two summer jobs arranged by her father don't fit her "dream job" description, she desperately wants to fit in with the popular crowd, etc.--but at this point, Katie's difficulties seem to be more of the "normal" growing up variety as opposed to the more challenging obstacles she faced in Berg's earlier novels. Although I enjoyed reading about Katie's development into a more poised, thoughtful young woman, I found Berg's treatment of Katie to be very reminiscent of Judy Blume, and thus I think that Katie's story would be most appealing to young adult readers.

Rating:
Summary: Truly Enjoyable
Review: What a pleasant way to pass a few summer afternoons! Katie's "coming of age" is touching, realistic and sometimes funny. I enjoyed it! As an author of a book for mothers, NEW PSALMS FOR NEW MOMS: A KEEPSAKE JOURNAL, I care deeply about children; this novel has the same feeling. Let's cherish all of our children and raise them with good values.