August 20, 2011

Review: Why We Broke Up By Daniel Hadler




"I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened."

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publish Date: January 2, 2012
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

This has got to be one of the most fun and unique books that I have read in a really long time. To make a great story short: Min is a teenage girl who has just dumped her boyfriend of nearly 2 months, Ed (yes, I wrote 2 months...that's a long time in teenage love, lol) Every chapter in the book shows a different item that Min has put in a box, along with a letter that goes with it, explaining to Ed exactly why the two of them are breaking up. The illustrations by Maira Kalman are fantastic and totally fit the ton of this novel (young, funny, beautiful).

I think one of the reasons that I love this book is that I could totally see myself doing something like this. The author, Daniel Hadler, does the most perfect job of getting inside a teenage girl's mind. The way Min speaks, thinks and acts are all done in ways that I think any young girl or woman can relate to.

The author also does such a great job of hooking you into the relationship between Min and Ed. Their chemistry was great, and I found myself constantly smiling at all of the adorable antics they get themselves into. More than halfway through the book, I fully expected Min to turn around and decide not to break up with Ed. That's just how good their relationship was.

And then you get to the heart of why the broke up. Among all the reasons in the book, there is really one thing that happens that sparks the entire break up, and it was so shocking and completely unexpected. I won't give it away, but you've got to check it out for yourself!!

5 out of 5 stars!

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!

6 comments:

  1. This book sounds fresh. Thanks for the post, I'll be adding this one to my wish list.

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  2. I want this book so badly. You have no idea. Lemony Snicket writing YA? Do want.

    Lovely review, although it just makes me want the book more:).

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  3. wow just the tittle had me wanting this book! thanks for this I'll make sure to check it out soon!

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  4. I don't usually read stories like this, but this one sounds so cute and fun. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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  5. Sounds like a uniquely written plot, and it just might be interesting enough to tear me away from the usual reads. I'll have to check it out.

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  6. I love books with surprising twists, this one sounds like one I might have to pick up! Thanks for the review!

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