Getting the Boot

Getting the Boot, by Peggy Guthart Strauss, was the second book I've read in the S.A.S.S. YA series. The first, Westminster Abby, was very enjoyable, as was this one. I really did think these books would be very "fluffy," but I've been pleasantly surprised thus far. 17 year old Kelly is super excited when she arrives in Rome for her summer abroad. Her excitement is quickly squelched when she gets put in a room with incredibly boring girls that just cramp her style. Kelly wants to shop, these girls want to study. Kelly wants to hang out (and make out) with her new boy, Joe, the girls just think he's bad news and shun Kelly even more because of him. When Kelly starts missing classes and curfew because of Joe, she starts to wonder if maybe the girls are right. Maybe Joe is bad news. And when Kelly is faced with the chance of being sent home, she needs to make a decision. Joe or Rome? Though this book was more "romance based" than the first in the series, it was not overpowered with it and was still a good book. The plot in this book was something that many girls face while in high school and I feel the message given was a great one for teens.

I enjoyed this book because I learned a lot about Italy by reading it. Kelly spends all summer in Italy, touring Rome, Florence, the Vatican, and other smaller towns. She learns about Italy's culture, food, art, and history by sightseeing, talking with locals, and painting. However, the characterization in this book is a little cheesy and stereotypical. Think typical high-school characters: there is a cheerleader, a gothic girl, and a crazy vegan/' activist. Still, I enjoyed reading about Kelly's adventures. This book changed my life and it was wicked cool! Read it or die!!