Fifteen

It seems too good to be true. The most popular boy in school has asked Jane out — and she's never even dated before. Stan is tall and good-looking, friendly and hard-working — everything Jane ever dreamed of. But is she ready for this?

Suppose her parents won't let her go? What if she's nervous and makes a fool of herself? Maybe he'll think she's too young. If only she knew all the clever things to say. If only she were prettier. If only she were ready for this...

With her usual warmth, perceptiveness, and humor, Beverly Cleary creates the joys and worries of a young girl's first crush.

It seems too good to be true. The most popular boy in school has asked Jane out — and she's never even dated before. Stan is tall and good-looking, friendly and hard-working — everything Jane ever dreamed of. But is she ready for this?

Suppose her parents won't let her go? What if she's nervous and makes a fool of herself? Maybe he'll think she's too young. If only she knew all the clever things to say. If only she were prettier. If only she were ready for this...

With her usual warmth, perceptiveness, and humor, Beverly Cleary creates the joys and worries of a young girl's first crush.

Children's Literature

A reprint of the original published in 1956, this novel provides a fascinating window into the past. The thoughts and desires of fifteen-year-olds may be the same today as they were over fifty years ago, as are the disagreements between protective parents and their teenagers who want privacy and freedom, but the look and feel is definitely very different. It may be hard for today's teen readers to relate to the quieter lifestyle focused on baby-sitting and on girls not socially able or expected to ask boys out or even be open about their desire to be asked out by boys. Today's young readers are generally used to greater freedom of expression than their counterparts in the early- to mid-1950's. This is certainly a book that can be appreciated today, particularly by those looking for a calmer, less edgy book for teenagers about high school, growing up, and dating.

New readers find a friend in Beverly Cleary, who displays an uncanny understanding of kid life in Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Henry Huggins, and other titles in her classic series of books about life on Klickitat Street -- books that hold up decade after decade.