My Most Excellant Year

My Most Excellent Year, By Steve Kluger, was light hearted and interesting. I think that your teens will enjoy the book because it deals with high school freshman who are going through life. I think that teens can relate to the fact that they have their own struggles, but they try to go through it with an easy attitude. The only problem I had was the fact that they almost made their issues seem too easy. I was a pretty dramatic kid when I was in high school (which I think i have mentioned in previous blogs :) and I think I always blew things out of proportion, but I think that most high school students are like that, yet the kids in this book were just so nonchalant about their big issues.

I think that even with the lighthearted attitude about everything, the book was fun and cute. The two best friends, T.C. and Auggie, going through life as they know it. Its a light and easy read. Alejandra goes to public school and we follow along as she tells us her fears. It took me a little bit of time to really get into, but once you get started the book goes by quite quickly!

The book begins when the three characters, T.C., Auggie, and Alejandra, are told that they need to write a paper describing their 'most excellent year'. All three of them decide that their best year was 9Th grade. After T.C.'s mother passes away Auggie really befriends him in almost a brotherly way. They become close and share everything with one another. I liked how the two boys share this bond throughout the book. T.C. realizes that he loves Alejandra, yet she decides that she can't stand him. Auggie learns that he is in love also, but with another boy.

I really like that the characters were so likable. Every one of them had redeeming characteristics that made readers really enjoy the book from beginning to end. T.C. (my favorite) had the most remarkable relationship with a little deaf boy, Hucky. T.C. seemed to want nothing more than to make Hucky happy. Alejandra starts off as seeming a little 'snobbish' but we later really get to know her. She stands up for what she believes in, which is a characteristic that I personally always admire. Auggie is just so interesting. Very into the newest 'diva', which makes his character quite fascinating.

Overall, the book was just....fun! Its easy to read, fun to follow, and make you smile which is always important. I think its a great read for your teens!