Sweet 16 by Kate Brian

ISBN: 978-1-4169-0032-0
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NY 2006
258 pages

Plot Summary

Obnoxiously rich Teagan Phillips plans to throw the biggest, most expensive "Sweet 16" party her prep school friends have ever seen. Her life and friends are incredibly shallow but she is so self-absorbed that she doesn't get it. She is unhappy with her dad as she feels he has ignored her since her mom's death - he just buys her whatever she wants. The book has a funny side to it though as when Teagan is interviewed about her party by the editor of the school paper; the write-ups are written completely tongue-in-cheek. Teagan's party turns out much differently than she had anticipated. She falls down the steps of a wine cellar and find herself face-to-face with her past, present and future. The female ghost is reminiscent of A Christmas Carol but there's just a single ghost who turns out to be someone very close to Teagan.

Critical Evaluation

This book was a little too "chick lit" or "bubble gum" for my tastes but it was funny when the obnoxious Teagan gets her come-uppance. The humor was also apparent in the school paper's write-up of her upcoming "Sweet 16" party. The main problem is that Teagan, the main character, is not likable - you don't really care about her or her redemption.

Reader's Annotation

Obnoxiously rich Teagan Phillips just has to throw the biggest, most expensive "Sweet 16" party but it turns out to be memorable in ways that she could never imagine.

Author Info

Kate Brian is the pen name for Kieran Scott who was born in 1974. She is the author of many popular YA chick lit books including The Princess and the Pauper and The V Club. She says that she will always be sweet 16 at heart.

Genre

YA chick lit

No Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas

1. Teagan is interviewed for the school paper by Melissa Bradshaw. Do you think she understands Melissa's sarcasm?

2. Discuss what happened to the close friendship between Teagan and Emily.

Reading/ Interest Level

Grade 8 through high school

Challenge Issues and Defense

not much, just some offensive language

Know the content of the book; it's a teenage fairy tale

Library's collection development policy

Good review from Children's Literature

Why I Included This Book

This was just a fun book - received fairly good reviews; good escapism.