Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots
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4.0 • 11 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Seventeen-year-old Jenna may hail from the ‘burbs of New Jersey, but Green Teen activism is her life. So when her mom suggests they spend the summer at Grandma’s Florida condo, Jenna pleads to visit her hippie godmother, Susie, up in rural Canada. Jenna is psyched at the chance to commune with this nature she's heard so much about—and the cute, plaid-wearing boys she's certain must roam there. But after a few unpleasant run-ins with local wildlife (from a moose called Madge to Susie's sullen Goth stepdaughter to a hot but hostile boy named Reeve), Jenna gets the idea that her long-held ideals, like vegetarianism and conservation, don't play so well with this population of real outdoorsmen. A dusty survival guide offers Jenna amusing tips on navigating the wilderness, and those who call it home—but can she learn to navigate the surprising turns of her heart?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The summer before her senior year, Jenna, a spirited environmentalist, leaves New Jersey for British Columbia to live with her godmother, Susie, and immerse herself in the outdoorsy life she idealizes. She assumes that her Green Teen initiative will be well-received and is disappointed to be mocked by local boys and shunned by Susie's goth stepdaughter ( I wonder if all my talk of sustainable eco-friendliness is making me sound like a good Green Teen activist or just a spoiled brat ). Meanwhile, her best friend is becoming an eco extremist; her parents are edging toward divorce; and local stud Reeve pressures her to keep their romance a secret. Despite her environmental passion, Jenna is believably insecure, but slowly gets her footing, making inroads with her friends and taking inspiration from The Modern Mountain Man's Survival Guide ( Nature ain't ever going to change for you you've got to make your plans around what you can't control ). McDonald (Sophomore Switch) composes a fun summer read, closely examining the conflict between sticking to one's beliefs and learning the art of compromise. Ages 14 up.
