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Make Lemonade #3
This Full House
Each discovery disturbs the arrangements of the known world, and it is our job to stay alert to all possibilities. LaVaughn believes she is keeping alert to all possibilities. She has made it through the projects, she's gotten over heartbreak, she's grown up, and now she's been admitted to the Women in Science program that might finally be her ticket to COLLEGE. But the discoveries she makes during her senior year in high school--two girls pregnant, with very few options--disturb everything in her known world. And in an effort to bring together people who should love each other, she jeopardizes the one prize she has sought her whole life long. When do you know whether you're doing the right thing? What happens when you can't find a way to make lemonade out of lemons? Virginia Euwer Wolff takes on the biggest questions--about life and love, certainly, but also about girls and women, sacrifice and compassion--and has something quite rev-elatory to say about them in this full house.
496 pages, Library Binding
First published April 1, 2008
11 people are currently reading
1050 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Euwer Wolff
21 books162 followersOn August 25th, Virginia Euwer Wolff was born in Portland, Oregon. Her family lived on an apple and pear orchard near Mount Hood. Her father died when she was five years old and she admits her childhood was pretty messed up, but she held things together with her violin. She graduated from Smith College. She raised a son and daughter before going back to teaching high school English.
She was almost fifty years old when she started writing children books. Virginia thought she might have one or two good books in her before the end but that was proven wrong. Today, she is no longer teaching, but writes full-time.
When Wolff was asked why she writes for kids and not grown-ups, She responded, "Because I don't think I have a handle on how to write for grown-ups. The grown-up publishing world is so fraught with one-upsmanship, scorn and snobbery. I did write an adult novel. Thank goodness it went out of print. I think we kids' authors still start out with hope every morning. We honor our audience."
Ms. Wolff has received many awards for her works, which include the Golden Kite Award for Fiction for her book Make Lemonade, the ALA Notable Book for Children for The Mozart Season and many, many others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/virgin...
She was almost fifty years old when she started writing children books. Virginia thought she might have one or two good books in her before the end but that was proven wrong. Today, she is no longer teaching, but writes full-time.
When Wolff was asked why she writes for kids and not grown-ups, She responded, "Because I don't think I have a handle on how to write for grown-ups. The grown-up publishing world is so fraught with one-upsmanship, scorn and snobbery. I did write an adult novel. Thank goodness it went out of print. I think we kids' authors still start out with hope every morning. We honor our audience."
Ms. Wolff has received many awards for her works, which include the Golden Kite Award for Fiction for her book Make Lemonade, the ALA Notable Book for Children for The Mozart Season and many, many others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/virgin...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
March 26, 2009
Wow. Remember when the book Hannibal came out, and everyone was mad at Thomas Harris for what he'd done with the Hannibal Lecter and Clarice characters? He replied, in effect, that they were his characters, and he could do with them what he wanted. I agreed with him, for the most part (although even I avoided reading Hannibal Rising, which smacked of a cheap cash-in). After this, I don't.
Virginia Euwer Wolff has finally, after 16 long years (the audience for the original in the trilogy would be floating around 30 now!), finished the Make Lemonade series, and she's done it by completely insulting and betraying the characters, the original books, and the fans of those books.
When Dr. Moore, the founder of LaVaughn's Women in Medical Science program, turns out to be the mother who abandoned Jolly, which LaVaughn figures out by observing Dr. Moore's mannerisms, then stealing hair samples from her and Jolly and performing a DNA test, any realism these books had was destroyed. Wolff may as well have had LaVaughn start wizarding school and Jody become a vampire. But then, to make it worse, Annie goes into labor at school, and too quickly for paramedics to arrive (love those speedy labors!), gives birth with Jody and LaVaughn as midwives. Ridiculous!
I gave this two stars, only for what might have been, because there are still kernels of goodness here, still pieces from the original two novels that gratify. But what a crushing disappointment.
Virginia Euwer Wolff has finally, after 16 long years (the audience for the original in the trilogy would be floating around 30 now!), finished the Make Lemonade series, and she's done it by completely insulting and betraying the characters, the original books, and the fans of those books.
When Dr. Moore, the founder of LaVaughn's Women in Medical Science program, turns out to be the mother who abandoned Jolly, which LaVaughn figures out by observing Dr. Moore's mannerisms, then stealing hair samples from her and Jolly and performing a DNA test, any realism these books had was destroyed. Wolff may as well have had LaVaughn start wizarding school and Jody become a vampire. But then, to make it worse, Annie goes into labor at school, and too quickly for paramedics to arrive (love those speedy labors!), gives birth with Jody and LaVaughn as midwives. Ridiculous!
I gave this two stars, only for what might have been, because there are still kernels of goodness here, still pieces from the original two novels that gratify. But what a crushing disappointment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2009
I was in summer camp and desperate for books when, out of desperation, I borrowed a book written in blank verse and decided to give it a try. Wow! Virginia Euwer Wolff is a magician with language; after reading her books, you almost feel like all emotionally powerful books need to be written in blank verse. "This Full House," the final book in her Make Lemonade trilogy, follows LaVaughn as she continues to reach for her dream of going to college, help her friend Jolly, and (in a somewhat minor key) deal with boys. The book seemed to have a little bit less emotional impact than the other two books -- I'm not sure if it's because the passing of a decade has haloed the previous two in my mind, or because most of what goes on in this book doesn't affect LaVaugn directly. The danger that she will lose her chance at college because of an effort to help Jolly never feels quite real or imminent. But the events in her friends' lives and her attempts to help them are real and immediate; I read the entire book straight through in one sitting, and came away not only engrossed but with, once again, a deeper sense of a character whose life I have very little in common with.
September 4, 2016
This sequel to Make Lemonade and True Believer is definitely my favorite. I love how everything comes together at the end, and how the characters grow. I especially like all the science involved. Dr. Moore's inspiring speech to the Women in Medicine girls in chapter 22 should be given to all girls interested in science. I wish my school had had a summer science program! I did wonder how a student lab assistant could have permission to use valuable and expensive equipment to do DNA testing without question. But I chose to suspend my disbelief because I was sucked into wanting to know if LaVaughn's hunch was correct. I read this novel in verse all in one sitting, and hated to see it end. Highly recommended!
June 15, 2009
I really wish I liked this more.
I loved the first two books in the trilogy so much - and then waited (and waited) for the third. All that anticipation may have killed this for me. Where the first books felt tender and delicate, this felt hackneyed with hideously unbelievable plot twists. I still love LaVaughn - but she deserved a better send off.
I loved the first two books in the trilogy so much - and then waited (and waited) for the third. All that anticipation may have killed this for me. Where the first books felt tender and delicate, this felt hackneyed with hideously unbelievable plot twists. I still love LaVaughn - but she deserved a better send off.
March 14, 2009
I'm emotionally invested in LaVaughn & Jolly. I wanted to love this book, but I only like it. It's achingly contrived in parts, although it retains the emotional immediacy of the earlier books. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to buy the central plot point, and I'm sad about that.
December 30, 2008
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
THIS FULL HOUSE is the conclusion to the MAKE LEMONADE trilogy by Virginia Euwer Wolff. It will be on store shelves in January of 2009. It has been fifteen years since the first book about LaVaughn and Jolly. Having just finished the Advanced Reader's Copy of THIS FULL HOUSE, I can say it was worth the wait.
High school student LaVaughn and single mother Jolly first met in MAKE LEMONADE. LaVaughn reluctantly took on the job of babysitter to Jolly's two young children. Watching Jolly struggle as a single, teen mother makes LaVaughn realize the importance of getting an education and making something of herself. What followed was TRUE BELIEVER and even more experience watching and helping Jolly make ends meet for her little family.
THIS FULL HOUSE provides a satisfying conclusion and a hopeful future for both LaVaughn and Jolly.
An interest in science and medicine along with a determination to attend college gives LaVaughn the encouragement to apply for a program designed to give girls like her a unique opportunity. The program, WIMS - Women in Medical Science - is run by Dr. Moore. She has dedicated her life to medicine and wants to offer other girls the chance to thrive and succeed, as well. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, LaVaughn has the privilege of attending lectures and working in labs to study and learn the science that has always fascinated her.
LaVaughn's life is filled with the WIMS classes, her own final high school classes, a job in the hospital laundry, watching Jolly's two kids while Jolly studies for her G.E.D., and juggling anything else that comes her way. With the encouragement of those around her, LaVaughn is beginning to think college might actually be in her future.
However, the constant desire to help her friend Jolly find the answers to her mysterious past are about to possibly derail the future she has fought so hard to plan. LaVaughn thinks she might have found the long-missing mother Jolly so desperately needs and wants in her life.
Those readers who have yet to discover this remarkable trilogy should stop by the library or bookstore and get their hands on a copy of MAKE LEMONADE. Meeting LaVaughn and Jolly in that first book will bring readers back until they reach the conclusion in THIS FULL HOUSE.
It was definitely a story worth waiting for.
THIS FULL HOUSE is the conclusion to the MAKE LEMONADE trilogy by Virginia Euwer Wolff. It will be on store shelves in January of 2009. It has been fifteen years since the first book about LaVaughn and Jolly. Having just finished the Advanced Reader's Copy of THIS FULL HOUSE, I can say it was worth the wait.
High school student LaVaughn and single mother Jolly first met in MAKE LEMONADE. LaVaughn reluctantly took on the job of babysitter to Jolly's two young children. Watching Jolly struggle as a single, teen mother makes LaVaughn realize the importance of getting an education and making something of herself. What followed was TRUE BELIEVER and even more experience watching and helping Jolly make ends meet for her little family.
THIS FULL HOUSE provides a satisfying conclusion and a hopeful future for both LaVaughn and Jolly.
An interest in science and medicine along with a determination to attend college gives LaVaughn the encouragement to apply for a program designed to give girls like her a unique opportunity. The program, WIMS - Women in Medical Science - is run by Dr. Moore. She has dedicated her life to medicine and wants to offer other girls the chance to thrive and succeed, as well. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, LaVaughn has the privilege of attending lectures and working in labs to study and learn the science that has always fascinated her.
LaVaughn's life is filled with the WIMS classes, her own final high school classes, a job in the hospital laundry, watching Jolly's two kids while Jolly studies for her G.E.D., and juggling anything else that comes her way. With the encouragement of those around her, LaVaughn is beginning to think college might actually be in her future.
However, the constant desire to help her friend Jolly find the answers to her mysterious past are about to possibly derail the future she has fought so hard to plan. LaVaughn thinks she might have found the long-missing mother Jolly so desperately needs and wants in her life.
Those readers who have yet to discover this remarkable trilogy should stop by the library or bookstore and get their hands on a copy of MAKE LEMONADE. Meeting LaVaughn and Jolly in that first book will bring readers back until they reach the conclusion in THIS FULL HOUSE.
It was definitely a story worth waiting for.
May 8, 2010
This was a nice conclusion to the Make Lemonade series, but it didn't really feel like the same caliber as True Believer. It was nice to get to see LaVaughn move forward with her dreams and stay true to her goals. A few things bothered me about the book, though.
For one, LaVaughn is now a 17-year-old girl in her senior year of high school, yet it feels like she has the maturity of a much younger girl (despite her high intelligence). It just felt to me that a girl who has gone through what she has wouldn't act so young and naive about everything. The screaming out her frustrations in the shower bit? That got old very quickly for me.
Then the whole finding Jolly's mother situation was just too coincidental for me. I mean, really? Of all the people she just happens to meet, and happens to notice they make the same arm movement? It was just a little too nice and neat to be very realistic.
But there were some very nice moments, as well, and some great writing. Jolly continues to be the most interesting character to me; although she has a much more minor role in these last two books.
Overall, it was a good read, a great way to introduce poetry to young adults, and a satisfying conclusion to the series.
For one, LaVaughn is now a 17-year-old girl in her senior year of high school, yet it feels like she has the maturity of a much younger girl (despite her high intelligence). It just felt to me that a girl who has gone through what she has wouldn't act so young and naive about everything. The screaming out her frustrations in the shower bit? That got old very quickly for me.
Then the whole finding Jolly's mother situation was just too coincidental for me. I mean, really? Of all the people she just happens to meet, and happens to notice they make the same arm movement? It was just a little too nice and neat to be very realistic.
But there were some very nice moments, as well, and some great writing. Jolly continues to be the most interesting character to me; although she has a much more minor role in these last two books.
Overall, it was a good read, a great way to introduce poetry to young adults, and a satisfying conclusion to the series.
April 28, 2009
Yes, there are tons of flaws here, things I just knew would happen, few surprises. But I'm not going to pick holes in this book.
Because I simply loved it--responded to it on an emotional level and don't feel the flaws diminished my pleasure in it one bit.
And I am sure that the young adults who read this will feel the same way.
And THAT is who this was written for.
Because I simply loved it--responded to it on an emotional level and don't feel the flaws diminished my pleasure in it one bit.
And I am sure that the young adults who read this will feel the same way.
And THAT is who this was written for.
June 12, 2017
1. This trilogy crawled into my heart, took up residency, and is never going to leave. I dreamt of the characters at night. That is the first time that has ever happened to me. I cradled each book in my arms after I finished them.
2. I liked that I learned so much about science in this book. And that I actually cared.
3. My grandma is a product of the Great Depression so I've seen all of the things she saves. I had never heard of dryer lint being saved for quilts though.
4. Two things that were far fetched: Two people in LaVaughn's life end up being mother and daughter and Jody and LaVaughn delivering Annie's baby.
5. Patrick and LaVaughn make me sigh with their sweet romance.
6. I liked the part when the book talked about Dmitri Mendeleev and how he left gaps in the periodic table because he hadn't discovered everything. "Never assume you know all there is to know. Be like Mendeleev-always leave gaps for what someone else will discover later." I feel like this quote wasn't just scientific in nature but a statement about humanity in general. Never assume that you know all there is to know about a person or situation. Have an open mind.
7. Something I never thought of before, "While I fold laundry I memorize things for school, dates of wars: French ones, African ones, Russian ones, battles of all ugly kinds. It's a shame to have us hopeful young students learn these horrible things. Exactly the kind of behaving they have told us over and over again not to do is what the history class is full of, full-grown adults making these wars: killing each other for land, for religions, for greed and more greed. Why bother to have children and educate them and invent things to make their lives better just to send them off to war to get slaughtered? That is my opinion."
8. I love these lines. When Annie gets pregnant Myrtle asks, "Annie, what are you gonna do?" And LaVaughn writes, "I briefly dwell on how many thousands of years girls have asked other girls this question."
9. "I have wondered for quite a long time whether or not life is one big tragedy. Sometimes it seems to be and sometimes not." Yes. Yes. Yes.
10. This author makes me think about things that have always been on the edge of my brain but have never realized or put a name to. She gives me a new perspective about everything. I am LaVaughn.
11. When Dr. Moore talked about competition in the medical field and her getting rid of Jolly it reminded me of Grey's Anatomy with Meredith and her mother.
12. I also love that we see the progression of LaVaughn's vocabulary over the trilogy.
2. I liked that I learned so much about science in this book. And that I actually cared.
3. My grandma is a product of the Great Depression so I've seen all of the things she saves. I had never heard of dryer lint being saved for quilts though.
4. Two things that were far fetched: Two people in LaVaughn's life end up being mother and daughter and Jody and LaVaughn delivering Annie's baby.
5. Patrick and LaVaughn make me sigh with their sweet romance.
6. I liked the part when the book talked about Dmitri Mendeleev and how he left gaps in the periodic table because he hadn't discovered everything. "Never assume you know all there is to know. Be like Mendeleev-always leave gaps for what someone else will discover later." I feel like this quote wasn't just scientific in nature but a statement about humanity in general. Never assume that you know all there is to know about a person or situation. Have an open mind.
7. Something I never thought of before, "While I fold laundry I memorize things for school, dates of wars: French ones, African ones, Russian ones, battles of all ugly kinds. It's a shame to have us hopeful young students learn these horrible things. Exactly the kind of behaving they have told us over and over again not to do is what the history class is full of, full-grown adults making these wars: killing each other for land, for religions, for greed and more greed. Why bother to have children and educate them and invent things to make their lives better just to send them off to war to get slaughtered? That is my opinion."
8. I love these lines. When Annie gets pregnant Myrtle asks, "Annie, what are you gonna do?" And LaVaughn writes, "I briefly dwell on how many thousands of years girls have asked other girls this question."
9. "I have wondered for quite a long time whether or not life is one big tragedy. Sometimes it seems to be and sometimes not." Yes. Yes. Yes.
10. This author makes me think about things that have always been on the edge of my brain but have never realized or put a name to. She gives me a new perspective about everything. I am LaVaughn.
11. When Dr. Moore talked about competition in the medical field and her getting rid of Jolly it reminded me of Grey's Anatomy with Meredith and her mother.
12. I also love that we see the progression of LaVaughn's vocabulary over the trilogy.
September 18, 2017
3.75 stars really. This is the conclusion of the story that began when Verna LaVaughn agreed to babysit for Jolly. She's 17 now and has spent two summers at Science Camp and has decided that she will be a nurse...if she can get into college. She's still somewhat estranged from the childhood girlfriends and the boy she had a crush on. The big news is she's been accepted into a special program that helps underprivileged girls prepare for medical sciences in college. Meanwhile Jolly is working on her final classes for her GED and she has finally met a man who stay. I think this is the weakest of the trilogy, but it does wrap things up nicely while educating readers on poverty, teen pregnancy, fostering, etc. I read this for my 2017 Reading Challenge "read a book with a two word title" (Book Bingo).
September 2, 2018
A hefty and satisfying conclusion to LaVaughn's high school career, which, if a bit far-fetched, does at least illuminate the mysterious circumstances under which Jolly became a ward of the state (it was nice to see more of her in this book; I missed her in the last one), as well as answering the question of whether LaVaughn will ever stop taking her long-suffering former lab partner Patrick for granted. But more importantly, the splintered friendships from the previous book start to mend. and LaVaughn continues to shine in every opportunity she is given, and we can put the trilogy to rest knowing she'll do just as well in the rest of her life, with an extensive support network behind her.
July 3, 2021
The style of this book is almost like a diary or rather I guess it would be a first person, story teller? at first it seemed a little off putting and scattered but as you continue the story of what is going on starts to emerge, I can imagine looking into the bottom of the tea cup and waiting to see what is revealed, by the end of the book I was hooked, and even enjoyed the story, Now some of my earlier confusion was probably related to me starting with the third book of an ongoing series which I may decide to go back and read the others when I can find them. Finale verdict? This was a Good Read.
July 12, 2018
This is the 3rd book in the series and though I didn’t read the 2nd book I had zero problems jumping right to this one. Based on what I can predict happened in the 2nd book I’m glad I skipped it. The 3rd book picks up and brings the girls back together for some unexpected discoveries.
April 9, 2020
This was my least favorite of the series. I found it unrealistic and long, the details that I appreciated in the other novels felt pointless to me in this book. I was happy to finish the series but was disappointed as I wanted a stronger and more realistic ending.
July 14, 2022
This is the final book in the Make Lemonade Trilogy. I recommend all three books, La Vaughn is an endearing character and I loved living through your high school years and sharing her growth. This is a book about relationships and understanding them.
December 21, 2016
3.5 stars i'm thinking
still enjoyed it for the most part but had some issues and not as good, imo, as the first 2.
Book Thoughts on my blog
still enjoyed it for the most part but had some issues and not as good, imo, as the first 2.
Book Thoughts on my blog
July 5, 2018
powerful novel about family and when to break the biggest rules. a lesson in putting one foot in front of the other until everything that has to get done gets done.
May 24, 2019
I enjoyed this finale to the adventures of LaVaughn . <3
April 9, 2020
Listened as an audiobook
June 20, 2020
A little far fetched but a good resolution to this series.
April 1, 2021
Audiobook. It was difficult for me to discern the novel-in-verse style on audiobook.
A very engaging, thought provoking, and beautifully woven story.
A very engaging, thought provoking, and beautifully woven story.
February 1, 2022
I’ve loved this trilogy and I’m so happy with the ending. Beautiful books
October 10, 2022
I am 100% team Patrick. Someone should throw Craig into the sun.
December 3, 2023
I think this has to be my favorite book out of the 3. To see how far Lavaughn has grown along with the other characters.
November 17, 2016
Great conclusion to a wonderful trilogy.
March 20, 2017
I liked it, but I would definitely say that I enjoyed the first & second books more. Parts of this book moved a bit slower causing me to lose interest in some points
April 16, 2009
Reading This Full House after the first two in the trilogy felt like reading the third of Ellen Emerson White's books about Meg Powers: the drama and (improbable?) coincidence levels just skyrocketed.
WARNING: SPOILERS!!!
Unlike in the other two books, I just had a hard time believing in this one. Not just because of the Dr. Moore - Jolly connection, but also because LaVaughn's actions just seemed so improbable. All of that going on and she didn't talk to her mom about it... and her mom didn't notice that something was up? And would Annie really have attended school up until the end of her third trimester and then given birth in the locker room and there were NO adults around to tell, especially in a school that had enough pregnant students to warrant a pregnancy exercise class? Also, I understand no pay phones, but there are no regular phones to call the principal/office like the kind that a teacher would need in an emergency? And the paramedics come but there are *still* no school adults there? And, whoa, that thing about Dr. Moore giving birth in the utility closet and then finishing a 14-hr shift and there not being any mystery about where the heck this extra baby came from... well. Plus, those are two ultra-fast labors; I'm sure my mom would have loved to give birth in 20 minutes or less.
I found it really hard to believe that LaVaughn is so naive about sexual situations... I mean, they're seniors and Annie is the first one to be kissed? And then Annie goes from "never kissed" to "btw, sleeping with Gary and now pregnant". LaVaughn doesn't have any kind of why-didn't-you-use-birth-control or maybe-consider-an-abortion reaction in her scientist brain? (I understand that Annie would not have wanted an abortion, but I can't imagine that it wouldn't have crossed LaVaughn's mind.) Despite the fact that she's supposedly older, LaVaughn's reactions felt awfully young to me throughout the book, something that I believed when she was fourteen but am resistant to now that she's supposedly going off to college next year.
But other than being pulled out of the story by my skepticism, I still think it will appeal to fans of the trilogy and maybe readers who considered the first books insufficiently dramatic. I have to admit that I skimmed the long sections of science vocabulary -- especially that interminable DNA testing part -- but otherwise the story moved quite quickly. Despite my rant above, I didn't dislike the story or the writing.
WARNING: SPOILERS!!!
Unlike in the other two books, I just had a hard time believing in this one. Not just because of the Dr. Moore - Jolly connection, but also because LaVaughn's actions just seemed so improbable. All of that going on and she didn't talk to her mom about it... and her mom didn't notice that something was up? And would Annie really have attended school up until the end of her third trimester and then given birth in the locker room and there were NO adults around to tell, especially in a school that had enough pregnant students to warrant a pregnancy exercise class? Also, I understand no pay phones, but there are no regular phones to call the principal/office like the kind that a teacher would need in an emergency? And the paramedics come but there are *still* no school adults there? And, whoa, that thing about Dr. Moore giving birth in the utility closet and then finishing a 14-hr shift and there not being any mystery about where the heck this extra baby came from... well. Plus, those are two ultra-fast labors; I'm sure my mom would have loved to give birth in 20 minutes or less.
I found it really hard to believe that LaVaughn is so naive about sexual situations... I mean, they're seniors and Annie is the first one to be kissed? And then Annie goes from "never kissed" to "btw, sleeping with Gary and now pregnant". LaVaughn doesn't have any kind of why-didn't-you-use-birth-control or maybe-consider-an-abortion reaction in her scientist brain? (I understand that Annie would not have wanted an abortion, but I can't imagine that it wouldn't have crossed LaVaughn's mind.) Despite the fact that she's supposedly older, LaVaughn's reactions felt awfully young to me throughout the book, something that I believed when she was fourteen but am resistant to now that she's supposedly going off to college next year.
But other than being pulled out of the story by my skepticism, I still think it will appeal to fans of the trilogy and maybe readers who considered the first books insufficiently dramatic. I have to admit that I skimmed the long sections of science vocabulary -- especially that interminable DNA testing part -- but otherwise the story moved quite quickly. Despite my rant above, I didn't dislike the story or the writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2009
A sastisfying conclusion to Wolff's Make Lemonade trilogy, although I didn't find it quite as electrifying as its predecessors. Wolff's voices are as eloquent and raw as before, but in the desire to wrap up all possible plot threads, the story suffered. LaVaughn's bigger-than-life mother is sadly relegated to the sidelines, although Jolly, Jilly, and Jeremy have a bigger starring role.
LaVaughn is a high school senior, and enrolled in a special extracurricular program called Women in Medical Science that is headed by a neurosurgeon at the local hospital. By a rather creaky coincidence, LaVaughn also believes that she has found the woman who may be teenage mom Jolly's mother. She decides to risk her college plans by surreptitiously performing a matrimony test using pilfered DNA and university equipment.
The results of the test, and LaVaughn's actions afterwards, don't turn out as she expected. Her intentions were innocent: to bring together people who should love each other, but was it worth risking her future?
My husband is a geneticist, so of course I had to get his input on this book: how plausible is it that a couple of seventeen-year-olds would be able to sequence DNA in a college lab by themselves?
After reading the central passages describing the test, he said this: it's entirely likely that nobody would look too closely at what the kids were doing -- this casual trust is part of what he loves about science research -- and Wolff's description of the process is beautifully and clearly written.
However -- there was one crucial omission left out. When sequencing DNA, it is necessary to add "primers" -- triggers that allow scientists to tailor their analysis to a specific section of DNA. Different primers are used for different tests. Not only did Wolff not mention the primer at all, it is unlikely that a university lab would even carry one. Maternity tests are mostly performed by specialized commercial orginizations these days; unless there was a scientist at the university who was conducting research that required maternity tests, it's unlikely that Patrick and LaVaughn would have had access to the primers or analysis software necessary to complete the test. A quibble, really.
Otherwise, the science is A-OK. Whew!
LaVaughn is a high school senior, and enrolled in a special extracurricular program called Women in Medical Science that is headed by a neurosurgeon at the local hospital. By a rather creaky coincidence, LaVaughn also believes that she has found the woman who may be teenage mom Jolly's mother. She decides to risk her college plans by surreptitiously performing a matrimony test using pilfered DNA and university equipment.
The results of the test, and LaVaughn's actions afterwards, don't turn out as she expected. Her intentions were innocent: to bring together people who should love each other, but was it worth risking her future?
My husband is a geneticist, so of course I had to get his input on this book: how plausible is it that a couple of seventeen-year-olds would be able to sequence DNA in a college lab by themselves?
After reading the central passages describing the test, he said this: it's entirely likely that nobody would look too closely at what the kids were doing -- this casual trust is part of what he loves about science research -- and Wolff's description of the process is beautifully and clearly written.
However -- there was one crucial omission left out. When sequencing DNA, it is necessary to add "primers" -- triggers that allow scientists to tailor their analysis to a specific section of DNA. Different primers are used for different tests. Not only did Wolff not mention the primer at all, it is unlikely that a university lab would even carry one. Maternity tests are mostly performed by specialized commercial orginizations these days; unless there was a scientist at the university who was conducting research that required maternity tests, it's unlikely that Patrick and LaVaughn would have had access to the primers or analysis software necessary to complete the test. A quibble, really.
Otherwise, the science is A-OK. Whew!
March 29, 2009
Wow--that's all I can say after reading this book that is the conclusion to the Make Lemonade trilogy. In this last book, LaVaughn is much older and college-bound; she is accepted into a special science program. As part of this special women in science group, LaVaughn's self confidence begins to grow, but she almost ruins everything when she takes a chance that puts her entire future in jeopardy because she is trying to heal herself after her father's death.
The one complaint I have with the book is that a major plot point is highly unrealistic. While the book is indeed fiction, Wolff's writing seems so real in the rest of the books that it takes away from the "realness" to have this extremely unlikely coincidence occur.
Like the other books, this one is written as a novel-in-verse; it is filled with haunting images and words that tell the story of LaVaughn and her friends and family.
I think that strong sixth grade readers--especially girls--will like this book. While it's not necessary to read Make Lemonade and True Believer first, this book is much more meaningful if read after the others.
The one complaint I have with the book is that a major plot point is highly unrealistic. While the book is indeed fiction, Wolff's writing seems so real in the rest of the books that it takes away from the "realness" to have this extremely unlikely coincidence occur.
Like the other books, this one is written as a novel-in-verse; it is filled with haunting images and words that tell the story of LaVaughn and her friends and family.
I think that strong sixth grade readers--especially girls--will like this book. While it's not necessary to read Make Lemonade and True Believer first, this book is much more meaningful if read after the others.
May 9, 2011
Finished it today! What a lovely finish to this series!! What a beautiful book!!! I will think about these books for a long time, they are now part of me. LaVaughn is brave and beautiful and those around her don't understand her, she doesn't understand herself...who does!?!? Especially teens.
LaVaughn gets accepted into a Women in Science program and her guidance counselor gives her advice...you know the difference between right and wrong and you act in accordance with your conscience using that insight...how profound! She repeats this phrase to herself many times during the course of the book. She uses her conscience and gets herself into a pickle and fears she's ruined her life. The funny thing is I wonder if someone in a more privileged circumstance would have handled it better and not thought their life was over, that College was now out of her reach because of a judgment call. I think I would have chose the same path she did only been able to stand my ground and not been worried about the best thing in the world being jerked away. I'm not sure. Anyway I loved this series and think everyone should read it!
LaVaughn gets accepted into a Women in Science program and her guidance counselor gives her advice...you know the difference between right and wrong and you act in accordance with your conscience using that insight...how profound! She repeats this phrase to herself many times during the course of the book. She uses her conscience and gets herself into a pickle and fears she's ruined her life. The funny thing is I wonder if someone in a more privileged circumstance would have handled it better and not thought their life was over, that College was now out of her reach because of a judgment call. I think I would have chose the same path she did only been able to stand my ground and not been worried about the best thing in the world being jerked away. I'm not sure. Anyway I loved this series and think everyone should read it!
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