Title: Gingerbread
Author: Rachel Cohn
First published March 1, 2002
205 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780689871139 (ISBN10: 0689871139)
Rating: 3.63
Overview
“I will never fit in, and that’s just fine.” After being expelled from her fancy boarding school, coffee-loving and free-spirited Cyd Charisse returns to San Francisco to live with her parents. However, Cyd soon realizes that she can’t conform to her parents’ perfect lifestyle.
Luckily, she has her loyal childhood companion, Gingerbread, and her new surfer boyfriend by her side. When her rebellious behavior becomes too much to handle, Cyd’s parents send her off to New York City to spend the summer with her biological father, “Frank real-dad.” Finally, Cyd has the chance to trade in her perfect parents for the grunge of New York City and connect with her bio-dad and step-siblings.
But as Cyd tries to find her place in the city, she realizes that she may never fit in – and that’s okay.
About the Author
Rachel is a native of the D.C. area and holds a B.A. in Political Science from Barnard College. As an accomplished author, she has penned numerous YA novels, three of which were co-written with her colleague and friend David Levithan.
When Rachel isn’t busy reading other authors’ works, organizing her music collection, or searching for the perfect cappuccino, she calls New York City home and dedicates her time to writing.
Editoral Review
Rachel Cohn’s “Gingerbread” is a young adult novel that explores themes of family, identity, and belonging. First published on March 1, 2002, the novel has been praised for its unique style and relatable characters.
The plot revolves around Cyd Charisse, a 15-year-old girl who lives with her mother in San Francisco. Cyd feels like an outsider and struggles to connect with her family and peers.
When her mother decides to take a trip to New York City to reconnect with her estranged family, Cyd tags along and discovers secrets about her family’s past that help her understand her own identity.
Cohn’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to connect with Cyd and her journey. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with each member of the family having their own distinct personality and backstory.
The setting of San Francisco and New York City adds depth to the story, with vivid descriptions of the cities and their unique cultures.
One of the strengths of “Gingerbread” is its exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of relationships. Cohn captures the tension between Cyd and her mother, as well as the love and loyalty that exists between them.
The novel also touches on themes of mental health and addiction, adding depth and nuance to the story.
However, the pacing of the novel can be slow at times, and the plot lacks major surprises or twists. Some readers may find the ending to be predictable or unsatisfying.
Overall, “Gingerbread” is a well-written and engaging novel that explores important themes and features relatable characters. It would be a great read for young adults who are grappling with issues of identity and belonging.
However, readers looking for a fast-paced or action-packed story may find it lacking.
We would give “Gingerbread” a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on its strong character development and exploration of complex themes, but with a slight deduction for its pacing and lack of surprises.
