Flashcards of My Life is a
great book, not just for its story (which is a cute, funny one!) but also for
the pictures and illustrations.

Our story begins with Emily, who is
the main character, receives a set of blank cards from her Aunt Chester, called
"Flashcards of My Life," with headings like "Kiss,"
"Friends," "Regrets" and "Denial.   She has a hard
time filling them in. Soon enough, though, Emily fills her cards with funny,
smart and surprisingly thoughtful reflections on her life’s crazy ups and
downs.

She has
plenty to write about; after all she is a teenager with typical teenage
problems.  One of her problems is her parents, who she thinks are weird, one
minute they’re at each other throat and the next minute normal, which makes
Emily ill.  Her mother stays on the narrow road of
dieting by making only desserts with nuts in them, since she’s allergic. Her
dad, though a good guy is still totally oblivious to her mom’s moods, which
ends in alternate "I’m ignoring you"/"we’re in love”.

In her
more social life Emily is presented with normal problems like, her best friend
Sandra who hangs out with Becca only if Emily is there, too. Then there are the
two Sarah’s, who are friends with each other and with Emily, but not with
Sandra or Becca — very confusing.  Emily has a crush on Andrew but doesn’t
know if Andrew has a crush on her.  Sandra is acting weird also.

Emily
puts all her worries together in her journal and finds out through all her
obsessing over the list of hobbies, what to do, what to say, how to act and
life is pretty complicated, that life isn’t about that at all.  Thanks to her
Aunt Chester, Emily realizes by filling in the flashcards that her life is
pretty good.

This is a
book geared more towards pre-teen or younger teens.  It’s a humorous quick read
story.  So, if you want to tickle your funny bone, I’d recommend reading this
short novel.

© 2006 Patricia
Ball

Patricia Ball, B.A., applies the
following descriptions to herself:

• Research Chemist for 23 years
• BA degree in Biology, Elms College
• Recent graduate of Institute of Children’s Literature
• Wife and Mother of two
• Published Poet/Writer
• Enjoy composing music, art, writing,
  reading
• Interested in Metaphysics, Psychology
  and Science
• Enjoy traveling:  USA, Canada and Europ e

Categories: Children