Bursting Bubbles

by Dyan Sheldon (artist)

Three over-privileged teens discover what life is like on the other side of the tracks. Marigold Liotta, Asher Grossman and Giorgiana Shiller have got it all - money, looks and good grades. Life couldn't get much better...until their principal, Dr Kilpaticky, decides it's time to burst their bubble of advantage by assigning them tough community service placements as part of their school curriculum. And so the fun begins as Marigold finds herself tutoring a moody, silent nine year-old in a deprived part of town, Giorgiana is pushed to breaking point with an extremely sarcastic octogenarian in a nursing home and Asher is swamped with crying babies, flooded basements and the unemployed at a local community centre. With Dyan Sheldon's trademark irony and superb comic timing, Bursting Bubbles is a lively and touching story about how helping others can change you - for the better. It is written by the author of the best-selling Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. It is a story about community issues, similar to The Crazy Things Girls Do for Love.

Genres: Young Adult

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2014

About the author

Dyan Sheldon is the author of many novels for young adult readers, including the #1 New York Times bestseller CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN, which was made into a major motion picture. American by birth, she lives in North London.

Reviews

[Deidre Durban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly Sheldon's best. I laughed all the way through and the character's were brilliantly done in this fun tale of rich kids meeting the real world.

[Mariek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
At first it was kinda slow, and the characters are a little bratty, but the character development was amazing! And I was sad to see it end.

[Siti · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

my first thought about this book when i read through couple of chapters was "oh, this is so much better than the previous book of the author's that i'd read." it was And Baby Makes Two i'm not sure which one came first and i'm lazy to check but i definitely like this one better. however, i won't say that i'm completely satisfied with the book. i think there're some plot holes. i also think the summary/synopsis (written behind the book i bought) is kinda misleading in a way.

anyways, i really want to see Dr Kilpaticky's reaction when the students made it through her 'changes.' i wish i could see them rub it on her face. she's a good teacher, with visions but she's too sour. i don't think it's okay for a teacher to be as sour as she was to students. but the other teachers are no better. even though they seem cool, i think they're too cool.

the main characters; Marigold, Asher and Georgiana are too different from each other. which i kinda surprised how they get along so well. though it kinda sad that their friendship was not portrayed much in this book. the focus was on their community service and i don't remember seeing the three interacting with each other after the book approaches its intermission.

though so, i really like how the story went. it's a typical main-character-meets-someone-new-and-changes-for-better story but it was really nice. it was heartwarming, kinda funny and i like it. my favourite would be Georgiana's. i did cry at some parts. which is good!

it was a good read. if you don't want something heavy, and wanna a rest from romance, this is something you should definitely take.

[Ciel Phantomhive · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, there weren't any boring parts and each of the three characters' (Marigold, Georgiana and Asher) story were interesting in their own ways and kept me wanting to find out more and guessing what's going to happen next.

The three students' were at first reluctant to do their community service and were seen complaining about it, however slowly, each of them grew to enjoy it and realize that there are many unfortunate people out there who do not have privileged lives like theirs and they actually ended up enjoying their volunteering sessions.

This book made me feel like I was growing up with the characters. I feel that out of all the characters, Georgiana matured and changed the most. I honestly love her relationship with Mrs Kilgour!

I will recommend this book to everyone! it will make you laugh and it will touch you :)

[Lily Malik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows three characters, Marigold, Asher and Georgiana, doing their community services, which they are so reluctant. They are rich kids, not actually understand poverty. The dramas and conflicts end just when they graduated. It is a light reading. Nothing deep. It deals with poverty on the surface lightly. The narration is easy to follow. Not much characters build up. Overall, a fast and average reading.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The use of simile and metaphor was EXTREMELY over-excessive and made me want to throw the book across the room. Otherwise, a fun read.

[Elizabeth Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ways loved Dyan Sheldon as a you g teen and this certainly lives up to memories of her style. It's heartwarming, quirky at times laugh out loud funny and at others a year jerker. Her lacing and characterisation is lovely and, although the message is tried and obvious in places, I would say this is an excellent story for its intended age range and I'll definitely be recommending it to a few of my students. My only issue is that it ends rather suddenly with "happy endings for all". Even Georgiana 's phobia disappears without any exploration and the only ending with any bite (undisclosed die to spoilers) happens off screen. However, I realise this is a facet of the under audience being 12.

[Anis Zulaikha · Rating 4 out of 5]

first book of Dyan Sheldon that i read.

i enjoy this book so much. i looked forward to Marigold and Sadie's bonding, i love Georgiana and Mrs Kilgour friendship and i like Asher and Mrs Dunbar okay. i saw someone said that they wanted to know the reaction of Dr Kilpatiky and i do too!!!!!!!!!! oh my god i wanted more for the ending.

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED it. recomend to anyone questioning their life and actions and want to consider volunteering