TTYL by Lauren Myracle

• ISBN: 978-0810987883
• Plot summary: Zoe, Madigan, and Angela start their sophomore year of high school with vows to stay best friends through thick and thin. Through instant message conversations most evenings, we find out the various struggles they are going through. Angela has an endless stream of crushes that all turn out to be the loves of her life. In addition to picking up the pieces of Angela's broken heart, Madigan scorns the attention of the popular crowd while revelling in any positive interaction she has with them. Zoe enjoys the mature discussions she has with her English teacher, but soon enough, the teacher seems to be taking their interactions to a romantic route. At times, the group dynamic is thrown off by the things they confess to each other and whether everyone gets the same message. In the end, all the girls support one another in solving their various crises and their various friendship troubles are cast aside.
• Critical evaluation: Myracle was extremely successful in communicating all pertinent information through first person IM interactions. Through various internet phrases, she was able to communicate the excitement and despair felt by these girls in their various predicaments. For instance, Madigan is constantly bemoaning the things she see's certain popular students doing, but it is clear through her language and avoidance of her friends' advice how she really feels about the popular crowd--her vehement dismissal of their actions yields the truth that she indeed desperately wants their approval. The format takes a little getting used to as it is important to pay attention to time stamping and which screen names are involved in the current conversation, but eventually reading it becomes as easy to read as prose and it is very effective in showing both their conversations and visceral reactions to each other's responses.
• Reader's annotation: Madigan, Zoe, and Angela vow to stay friends through the new school year, but it turns out to be harder than they thought it would be.
• About the author: Lauren Myracle is the author of numerous award winning novels for young people.
• Genre: Fiction
• Curriculum ties, if any: None
• Booktalking ideas:
• Do you find it easier to say some things to your friends online?
• What other ways do you communicate with your friends?
• Reading level/interest age: 15+
• Challenge issues: Sexuality
• Why was this item included? Recommended by a YA librarian.