Title: Make Lemonade
Author: Virginia Euwer Wolff
First published May 15, 1993
200 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780805080704 (ISBN10: 0805080708)
Rating: 3.69
Overview
Virginia Euwer Wolff’s Make Lemonade is an inspiring tale of perseverance and friendship. The novel follows the journey of LaVaughn, a driven fourteen-year-old who dreams of attending college.
But in order to achieve her goal, she must find a way to earn enough money. That’s when she lands a babysitting gig with Jolly, a seventeen-year-old single mother of two children with different fathers.
Despite their differences, LaVaughn and Jolly quickly form a bond as they work together to overcome the challenges in their lives. Written in free verse, Make Lemonade is a beautiful coming-of-age story about the power of determination and the importance of friendship.
About the Author
Virginia Euwer Wolff was born on August 25th in Portland, Oregon. Her family resided near Mount Hood on an apple and pear orchard.
Unfortunately, her father passed away when she was just five years old, which made her childhood quite challenging. But, she found solace in playing the violin.
After graduating from Smith College, she raised a son and daughter before returning to teach high school English.
At almost fifty years old, Virginia began writing children’s books. She believed she only had a couple of good books in her before it was all over, but she was wrong.
Today, she is a full-time writer and no longer teaches.
When asked why she writes for children instead of adults, Virginia responded, “Because I don’t think I know how to write for adults. The adult publishing world is too competitive and judgmental.
I did write one adult novel, but it’s a good thing it went out of print. I think children’s authors wake up every day with hope and respect for their readers.”
Virginia has won numerous awards for her work, including the Golden Kite Award for Fiction for her book Make Lemonade and the ALA Notable Book for Children for The Mozart Season, among many others.
Editoral Review
Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff is a young adult novel that was first published on May 15, 1993. The book tells the story of fourteen-year-old LaVaughn, who takes on a babysitting job for a struggling single mother, Jolly, and her two children.
As LaVaughn gets to know Jolly and her life, she realizes the challenges and hardships that come with being a single mother.
Virginia Euwer Wolff, the author of Make Lemonade, is an American writer who has received numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the PEN Award for Children’s Literature. The book is written in free-verse poetry, which gives it a unique and poetic style that engages the reader.
The book is set in a poor neighborhood in the city, and the themes of poverty, teenage motherhood, and the struggles of single parenting are central to the story. LaVaughn is a strong and determined character who is determined to break free from the cycle of poverty and make a better life for herself.
Jolly, on the other hand, is a struggling mother who is doing her best to provide for her children despite the many challenges she faces.
One of the strengths of Make Lemonade is its vivid and realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by single mothers and their children. The book does an excellent job of exploring the emotional and financial struggles of parenting alone.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, and readers will find themselves rooting for LaVaughn and Jolly throughout the book.
Another strength of the book is its use of free-verse poetry. The poetic style gives the book a unique voice and allows the reader to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
The use of poetry also makes the book more accessible to readers who may not typically enjoy reading novels.
However, the book does have some limitations. The plot can be slow at times, and some readers may find the free-verse poetry challenging to read.
Additionally, the book does not provide a lot of historical or cultural context, which may make it less accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with the experiences of single mothers in poverty.
Overall, Make Lemonade is a moving and powerful novel that explores the challenges faced by single mothers and their children. The book is well-written, and the characters are relatable and engaging.
While the book may not be for everyone, it is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy young adult literature and are interested in exploring the experiences of single mothers in poverty.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
