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Be True to Me Adele Griffin Books

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Be True to Me Adele Griffin Books

Jean is determine to make this summer one of her best. She returns to Sunken Haven with a plan to win the heart of Gil, an island newcomer, and to reinvent herself. However, her plans are stymied, when Gil falls for Fritz, an island outsider. The tug of war over Gil fuels the rivalry, which meets a tragic ending.

This story takes place during the summer of 1976. I was only 4 years old, but I fondly remember the bicentennial. Griffin peppered the story with just enough references to bring me back. I loved all the mentions of the music, the clothing, the hair, even the odd food we ate. It was a cool trip down memory lane.

This story revolved around three characters: Jean, Gil, and Fritz. Both Jean and Gil were trying to reinvent themselves, while Fritz stayed true to her self.

Gil had recently been accepted into his wealthy uncle's world. He was constantly battling between his desire to please his family and the desires of his heart. This resulted in Gil making some poor decisions, and both Jean and Fritz being hurt in the process.

Jean was a spoiled, entitled, rich girl, who grabbed this opportunity to shine by both hands. She had a chance to enjoy a summer at Sunken Haven without the shadow of her sister looming over her, but Jean also made a myriad of poor decisions, and often tried to justify or dismiss them.

I should have hated both Gil and Jean, but I didn't. Griffin did such a good job with these multidimensional characters, that I would get angry with them, but then later, I would empathize with them. Jean was oppressed being the "Other Custis Sister", and Gil was constantly being reminded that he could be written off if he dared any missteps. I cannot say that these circumstances excused their poor behavior, but it helped me understand their motivations.

Fritz, on the other hand, was fantastic. She loved spending her summers with her best friend in Sunken Haven. She was confident in who she was and her abilities. But as the summer wore on, her confidence began to unravel. The damage inflicted by Jean's and Gil's actions had consequences. Her rose colored glasses were removed, and she began to see the people of Sunken Harbor in a new light. Regardless, she chose to stay true to herself through it all. But again, poor decisions were made.

I found the story quite compelling, and fought sleep to keep reading. Having the story told from Fritz's and Jean's point of view worked really well. I got to hear each of their sides of the story, and see the Sunkie world from two very distinct viewpoints. It was also interesting to see Gil through their eyes, as he was perceived quite differently by each of them, and that added yet another dimension to this story. Griffin did an incredible job relating this tale of what happens when we lose ourselves, and unfortunately for our protagonists, they were a little too late figuring out what was really important.


Tags : Amazon.com: Be True to Me (9781616206758): Adele Griffin: Books,Adele Griffin,Be True to Me,Algonquin Young Readers,1616206756,Historical - United States - 20th Century,Romance - General,Social Themes - Class Differences,Dating (Social customs),Dating (Social customs);Fiction.,Fire Island (N.Y.: Island),Fire Island (N.Y.: Island) - History - 20th century,Friendship,Friendship in adolescence,Friendship;Fiction.,Love,Love;Fiction.,Wealth,Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9),Fiction-Romance,Historical Fiction (Young Adult),JUVENILE,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Grades 7-9 Ages 12-14,New York,TEEN'S FICTION HISTORICAL,TEEN'S FICTION ROMANCE,United States,YOUNG ADULT FICTION,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Historical United States 20th Century,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Romance General,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Class Differences,Young Adult FictionHistorical - United States - 20th Century,Young Adult FictionSocial Themes - Class Differences,summer reads; beach reads; ya beach reads; ya summer reads; love triangles; fire island; books set in the seventies; books set in the 70s; 70s books; class issues; rich lifestyles; books about class issues; books about rich v poor; books about rich people; ya books about rich people; ya rich books; family drama; friendship; LGBT; gossip; books about gossip; ya gossip; virginity; virgin; loss of virginity,summer reads;beach reads;ya beach reads;ya summer reads;love triangles;fire island;books set in the seventies;books set in the 70s;70s books;class issues;rich lifestyles;books about class issues;books about rich v poor;books about rich people;ya books about rich people;ya rich books;family drama;friendship;LGBT;gossip;books about gossip;ya gossip;virginity;virgin;loss of virginity,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Historical United States 20th Century,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Romance General,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Class Differences,Young Adult FictionHistorical - United States - 20th Century,Young Adult FictionSocial Themes - Class Differences,Historical Fiction (Young Adult),YOUNG ADULT FICTION,Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)

Be True to Me Adele Griffin Books Reviews

First of all, I totally missed the fact that the story was set in the 70's until the near end, when they mentioned Bruce Jenner was playing in the Olympics. Also maybe the lack smartphones should have clued me in. Though it definitely has that forlorn feeling of summers from your youth.

In a way I hated everything that happened in this story. Not because it was badly written, on the contrary, but because of the subject, and drama. Two young girls, one boy, a summer on an island. One girl who's always lived in the shadow of her older, more perfect sister. The other girl more from the wrong side of the track. Then the one guy stuck in between, trying to find his footing in the high society world.

A million reasons why these girls could have been friends, only a handful for them to hate each other, the boy being the last drop. Honestly this book was not easy to get through. The hate, the pettiness, the jealousy between these girls was awful. Instead of supporting each other, there is this unhealthy rivalry between them, that only gets worsened by this guy.

Who honestly is not that amazing. I feel that the ladies are a bit blinded by his looks, and while he seems to have an interesting personality, I feel that most of his actions were lacking. Trying to fit in with the rich, he made some not so solid choices. Definitely a bit of playing going on, which I don't condone.

Of course it all explodes in their face, and it does take a very unexpected turn towards the end. A twist I did not see coming, and honestly not sure if I like. I feel I would have liked it better that the girls realised what a butthead the guy was, and managed to make up between them. Sisters before misters.

*I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Be True To Me is YA at its best - a literary read with an historic milieu that is engaging and stays with you long after the story has finished. Characters are conflicted but very much a product of their upbringing - each making decisions and mistakes that are both heartbreaking but also poignantly teen. The writing is engaging straightforward but evocative. And the story arc is crisp and surprisingly brisk for a slow burn type of plot.

Synopsis In 1976, vacationers converge on the resort community of Sunken Harbor (on Fire Island, NY). A retreat for the wealthy, it is serviced by the less affluent along with the community's wealthy teens. Jean, the daughter of one of Fire Island's most upstanding families, is looking forward to a special Summer her perfect older sister is going overseas and she can finally shine. Fritz is best friends with the daughter of one of the wealthy families and comes to Fire Island to work and enjoy the resort. Jean and Fritz's paths crossed the previous year - when Fritz took away the tennis trophy championship from Jean. And now, with the entry of the charming but mysterious Gil Burke, a different rivalry begins. One that will have tragic consequences for all.

Where this book shines is in the characters. Each is exquisitely drawn - products of their environment and how it shaped their outlook on life and situations. Protected, cosseted, wall flower Jean reveling in finally being able to come out from under her beautiful and accomplished sister's shadow. Grounded, fatalistic Fritz experiencing the Island resort as an outsider and somewhat reveling in it. Then there is Gil - also thrown into an unusual situation and with heavy stipulations due to being a 'poor relation' given a chance to live the good life. All three characters are main though only the two girls are given POVs. Even the side characters were impressively drawn.

In a story that stays true to real life, there are no idealistic heroes or situations. Gil's mistakes stem from idealism and impulsiveness, Jean's from lack of true life experiences, and Fritz's from frustration and stubborness. Author Griffin impressively translates those three perspectives into true expressions of the different aspects of being a teen. The book never hits a false note. Those worried about a love triangle need not - the choice is made clearly early on and each of the main characters has to deal with that situation in their different ways.

The story is brisk, moves nicely, and has a complete arc. The setting of 1976 makes sense but the author doesn't overdo the 'disco era' references and they do not overwhelm the story at any time.
No one is overidealized and tragic events are beautifully understated. The conclusion is logical but also surprising at the same time. It's a reminder that it's always the littlest of things that can snowball, especially through the minds of teens trying to find their way in the world. In all, highly recommended. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
Jean is determine to make this summer one of her best. She returns to Sunken Haven with a plan to win the heart of Gil, an island newcomer, and to reinvent herself. However, her plans are stymied, when Gil falls for Fritz, an island outsider. The tug of war over Gil fuels the rivalry, which meets a tragic ending.

This story takes place during the summer of 1976. I was only 4 years old, but I fondly remember the bicentennial. Griffin peppered the story with just enough references to bring me back. I loved all the mentions of the music, the clothing, the hair, even the odd food we ate. It was a cool trip down memory lane.

This story revolved around three characters Jean, Gil, and Fritz. Both Jean and Gil were trying to reinvent themselves, while Fritz stayed true to her self.

Gil had recently been accepted into his wealthy uncle's world. He was constantly battling between his desire to please his family and the desires of his heart. This resulted in Gil making some poor decisions, and both Jean and Fritz being hurt in the process.

Jean was a spoiled, entitled, rich girl, who grabbed this opportunity to shine by both hands. She had a chance to enjoy a summer at Sunken Haven without the shadow of her sister looming over her, but Jean also made a myriad of poor decisions, and often tried to justify or dismiss them.

I should have hated both Gil and Jean, but I didn't. Griffin did such a good job with these multidimensional characters, that I would get angry with them, but then later, I would empathize with them. Jean was oppressed being the "Other Custis Sister", and Gil was constantly being reminded that he could be written off if he dared any missteps. I cannot say that these circumstances excused their poor behavior, but it helped me understand their motivations.

Fritz, on the other hand, was fantastic. She loved spending her summers with her best friend in Sunken Haven. She was confident in who she was and her abilities. But as the summer wore on, her confidence began to unravel. The damage inflicted by Jean's and Gil's actions had consequences. Her rose colored glasses were removed, and she began to see the people of Sunken Harbor in a new light. Regardless, she chose to stay true to herself through it all. But again, poor decisions were made.

I found the story quite compelling, and fought sleep to keep reading. Having the story told from Fritz's and Jean's point of view worked really well. I got to hear each of their sides of the story, and see the Sunkie world from two very distinct viewpoints. It was also interesting to see Gil through their eyes, as he was perceived quite differently by each of them, and that added yet another dimension to this story. Griffin did an incredible job relating this tale of what happens when we lose ourselves, and unfortunately for our protagonists, they were a little too late figuring out what was really important.