Still There, Clare Teacher Guide

by Yvonne Prinz

Clare has 13-year-old problems - a crush on her gym teacher, an issue with her underdeveloped breasts, well-meaning but clueless parents, and, oh, an imaginary friend named Elsa. The lonely daughter of two career-track lawyers, Clare invented Elsa when she was five years old. Clare and Elsa are opposites: Clare's idea of style is her Superman T-shirt and torn blue jeans, while Elsa wears trendy outfits with matching accessories. Clare's sense of humor is dark and ironic; Elsa's is bright and clever. When Clare worries that she's too old to have an imaginary friend, chic and witty Elsa leaves for Paris. Throughout the novel, Clare shares her woes in letters to her best, albeit imaginary, friend. "Dear Elsa," she writes, "I went to school without you today. For the first time in my life I felt totally alone." By corresponding with Elsa, Clare gains a stronger sense of herself and begins to make new friends, but will she be able to let Elsa go forever? In Still There, Claire, Yvonne Prinz depicts a quirky adolescent girl's world with sophistication, charm, and brilliantly offbeat humor.

Genres: Childrens

Paperback

First published February 11, 2005

About the author

"If You're Lucky" (Algonquin Books For Young Readers) will be arriving Fall 2015.

Reviews

[Cheryl Malandrinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining and clever story of a young girl's journey toward maturity is what girls will find in "Still There, Clare" by Yvonne Prinz.

School is almost out and soon Clare will turn thirteen. That's way too old to be clinging to her imaginary friend, Elsa. But how can she let her go when Elsa is the only one who understands her? The two friends agree to a temporary separation and Elsa takes off for Europe. When Clare finds out that Paul, her only other friend is going off to spend the summer with his grandparents, she's sure life can't get much worse. But then it does. How will Clare ever make it through the summer?

Young Adult fiction doesn't get any better than "Still There, Clare", the first book in the Clare series. Clare is funny, sarcastic, and filled with a jumble of emotions she has no idea what to do with. Wishing to be part of the "in" crowd, struggling to find friends, and having no clue what to do with her ex-lawyer mother who is trying to become Martha Stewart, Elsa is the one she has always turned to; but now she's not there.

Readers will laugh with Clare, cry with her, feel her pain, and understand exactly what she is going through. Who hasn't wanted to put a curse on the most beautiful, most popular girl in school? Who hasn't had a crush on an older man and been disappointed?

Reading "Still There, Clare" was like being transported back to my junior high years. Prinz has a knack for getting in touch with the young girl within and readers will enjoy sharing Clare's journey.

Funny, clever, and right on, "Still There, Clare" will be a huge hit with the young girl in your life. I'm saving this one to give to my girls when they're older.

[Scientist does life · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite childrens book!

[Adoukmak8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a pre-teen girl named Clare. All she wanted was to be like all the rest of the girls in her grade, grown and mature. Since the only friends she had were imaginary friends and a boy named Paul, it would be quite difficult to accomplish her dream. So she may or may not have to get rid of something or somebody in the process!

[Celine C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS PROBABLY MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK SO FAR. (: