Just One Day Book Review

29. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Type: Book Review
Title: Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Speak
ISBN: 978-0142422953
Ages: 12 and up
Genre: Romance

Reader's Annotation: We were all young once. We made mistakes. We loved. We cried. And in the end, we were better for it.

Summary: Allyson Healey's life is exactly like her suitcase—packed, planned, ordered. Then on the last day of her three-week post-graduation European tour, she meets Willem. A free-spirited, roving actor, Willem is everything she’s not, and when he invites her to abandon her plans and come to Paris with him, Allyson says yes. This uncharacteristic decision leads to a day of risk and romance, liberation and intimacy: 24 hours that will transform Allyson’s life. - Amazon

Critical Evaluation: It seems like we have already read this story.  A girl gets lost and then is 'found' through romance and adventure.  However, readers will be whisked away on this love journey through experiences and love, all in a 24 hour period.  

An interesting take on the teenage romance novels, the point of view of the girl will make readers read the other book, Just One Year, which is from the perspective of Willem.  Critics agree that this book will make female readers swoon about the perfect day she spent with Willem. They will feel joyful and sadness and appreciative at the same time.  This good story line is part of the well created narration of Forman.  She is a talented writer who makes you feel for Allyson's character, and her growth as a young woman going through love, heartbreak and eventual self-identity.

BookTalk Ideas: Ideas about how to be careful of how and with who you fall in love with.

Challenge Issues:

• Sexual content

Challenge Ideas:

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.