Johnson, Maureen. 13 Little Blue Envelopes. New York: Harper Tempest, 2005.
Brief plot description:
13 Little Blue Envelopes is about a girl named Virginia “Ginny” Blackstone who is sent on a wonderful and mysterious mission by her Aunt Peg who has just recently passed away. The book starts with a letter that arrives from her Aunt Peg. In this letter Aunt Peg explains what she wants Ginny to do. Aunt Peg explains the task very simply for Ginny to follow. Her first task is to go to the old apartment in New York City to receive her next instructions. From this first letter Ginny is sent to many different places that will give her excitement, adventure, and frustration. On this adventure Ginny meets many different people. The most important person that Ginny meets on her journey around the world is Richard. What will Ginny learn on her journey?
Brief review:
I would recommend this book for any student in junior high or high school. It would be a great book for a student looking for an adventure. It is also good for a student who is looking for answers about their own journey. This book shows students how they can get through some of the hard times by continuing on their journey. Ginny is a character that a majority of students could relate to in some way or another; whether it is having a close relative die or someone who likes to travel. I think that more female students will read this book but I do believe that male students could also learn from the experiences of Ginny. Some of the special features in this book include letters, meeting Maureen Johnson, Maureen’s take on writing the book, some questions and answers about the book, and a section from Keith Dobson.
Genre label:
Modern Fiction
Reading level/interest level:
6th- 8th graders
Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:
Sellout by Ebony Joy Wilkins
Robinson Crusoe: His Life and Strange Surprising Adventures by Daniel Defoe
Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544
Awards:
ALA Teens’ Top Ten 2006
ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2005
New York Public Library “Books for the Teen Age 2006”
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2005
Fall 2005 Book Sense Pick
Tayshas 2006-2007 Book List
Finalist: 2008 Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award
Florida 2007-2008 Teens Read List
International Reading Association Young Adults’ Choices 2007
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