Author: Jaclyn Moriarty
Publication Date: My version is 2004, original publication in 2003
Publisher: Loads, but the version I read (the cover on the far right) is Young Picador
Finding Cassie Crazy has been recommended to me by several
Invidivuals. I’m kicking myself for
Not reading it sooner because I found it hilarious. I’ve been
Delaying writing a review for it, though, because
Ican’t figure out what was so special about it beyond its humor.
Nothing is so spectacular about the plot (pen pals from private and public school), but each of the
Girls and, well, most of the guy characters were
Charismatic and/or charming. The
Author of this series, of which Finding Cassie Crazy is second, is a former lawyer and it
Shows in her jokes. I laughed out loud when Emily’s brother
Served her papers to summon her to dinner.
Icould connect with each pair of pen friends (Aussie word for pen pals), though I got
Excited every time I read about Lydia and Seb, as they seemed to
Care about each other and their friends the most. (and I liked their “dating”)
Released in the US under the title of “The Year of Secret Assignments,” for reasons
Absolutely unknown to me (what the heck is wrong with the title “Finding Cassie Crazy”?),
Zis book is lots of fun. (You have to say this line with an accent. I bet you were wondering how I’d work a ‘z’ in here.)
You should read this.
Don't you miss doing acrostics in school? It was always hard to think of 'y' adjectives for my name. Don't worry, I got to include fun, fiesty, fabulous, and the other 'f' adjectives that not too many people get:) Acrostics remind me of that part in Ferris Bueller's Day Off when he gives advice about how to fake sick. "The key to faking out the parents is the clammy hands. It's a good non-specific symptom; I'm a big believer in it. A lot of people will tell you that a good phony fever is a dead lock, but, uh... you get a nervous mother, you could wind up in a doctor's office. That's worse than school. You fake a stomach cramp, and when you're bent over, moaning and wailing, you lick your palms. It's a little childish and stupid, but then, so is high school." Acrostics are a little childish and stupid but I'll be damned if they're not pretty fun to create.
At the top of this post, I included several of the covers for this book. I have to admit, I'm a bit mystified at the fruit cover. It looks like several other books in the series also have fruit covers--maybe they are related to a plotline in a different book? The strawberry isn't relevant to Finding Cassie Crazy at all. I think my favorite cover is the one with the three girls on it. Perfection.
Anyway, this book is a fun read for those who enjoy epistolary YA and don't take things too seriously.
4/5 stars