Gateway Readers' Award Nominees

The Blogs: 2008-09

  Diva

by Alex Flinn

Booklist (October 1, 2006 (Vol. 103, No. 3))

In Breathing Underwater (2005), Flinn told the story of Nick, a kid who seems flawless but beats his girlfriend, Caitlin. Diva is Caitlin's story. Some time has passed. Nick is abiding by the restraining order keeping him away from Caitlin, and she is still trying to understand herself. She no longer believes she is the fat no-talent Nick insisted she was, but she's still obsessed with her weight and unsure about trying out for a performing-arts high school and exploring her passion for opera. Then there's her mother, who wants people to think they are sisters and is having an affair with a married man. Written partly as an online diary, the story neatly delineates teens'concerns--some contemporary, others ages old. Caitlin makes the grade at her new school and begins to appreciate her talent, but things are rockier with friends and boyfriends. The most interesting relationship is between Caitlin and her mother; Flinn turns a fine eye on the seemingly never-ending mother-daughter dance, in which someone is always out of step. A fast read, but there's meat here, too.

Publishers Weekly (November 27, 2006)

Several shades lighter than Alex Flinn's Breathing Underwater, the sequel, Diva, traces a new chapter in 16-year-old Caitlin McCourt's life. After she breaks up with her abusive boyfriend, Caitlin enrolls in the Miami High School of the Arts, where she wants nothing more than to become an opera-singing diva. Her struggle to regain trust in people (mainly teenage boys and her mother) is as convincing and captivating as her journey to realize her dream. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

If you have questions or comments about the blog set-up, please contact us at sandy.stuart@leesummit.k12.mo.us or michael.russell@leesummit.k12.mo.us. Enjoy!

Let's blog!

Sandy Stuart-Bayer & Michael Russell

mandatoy disclaimer: This blogging site is not affiliated with the Missouri Association of School Libraries.
To develop a greater understanding of the educational benefits of blogging, please see the link in the right column, titled "Blogging at School: Should we or shouldn't we?".