The Worst Thing She Ever Did by Alice Kuipers
A story about accepting the past and moving on, no matter how horrible the past must be. Adolescence isn’t a cake walk at the best of times, and this sixteen year old has been through more than her fair share of heartache. With the help of a mother whose just as lost as she is, Sophie is trying to find her way back to the person she used to be. After being in the London Underground bombings with her beloved older sister Emily, Sophie’s got a lot of baggage for a sixteen year old. She begins keeping a diary, which the entries in make up this book, on the advice of her therapist (who her mother makes her see). Despite being reluctant at the start of the book Sophie conceeds;
“There’s something enjoyable about filling a blank page, although I’d never admit that to Lynda. She gave me this empty notebook when I went to her on Thursday and said, “Writing in here will help you remember.” “
Sophie needs help, but as a teenager that concept is, of course, inherently unappealing. Also in the mix are an interesting poetry-loving new girl at school, a boy with charming blue eyes and a spoken-word bar that doesn’t seem to mind sixteen year olds hanging round. This book is no doubt sad, but its also really funny and moving. A look inside the head of a teenager dealing with a tragic loss, along with all the usual teenage friendship and boy dramas. You really feel for Sophie, even when she acts exactly like the teenager she is! An enjoyable, engaging read for young adults.
