Honey, Baby, Sweetheart
by Deb Caletti
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
New York
2004
ISBN: 0689867654


Plot Summary:
Ruby begins her story as if in confidence, slowly reminding us of the summer of her 16th year. She hints ominously of her silly and dangerous obsession with Travis, the rich new guy, and the tale of their entanglement quietly unfolds.
Ruby's all too aware of the lack of fit between them, the difference in perspectives, desires, and goals. But none of this matters when she's near him, his presence eggs her on, convincing her she might possibly be someone else.
Their relationship doesn't end well, but that's no surprise because she warns such in the opening chapter. The real surprise is the suddenly unexpected--but oh so satisfying detour the novel takes in its third and final act.
Critical Evaluation:
Generically, the novel unfolds as a tragic summer love affair should: the sun-kissed rich boy, the Quiet Girl. Yet the narration's quiet urgency, Ruby's extreme likability, her acute observations of the people and events around her, all convey such a strong sense of character that Ruby's story becomes utterly irresistable.
The longing for solitude combined with the ache to be loved are consistently revealed as not so disparate after all. The pain of true first love combined with the stark realization that infatuation wears goggles is told with humor and clarity.
Ruby, her mother, and The Casserole Queens are so lovingly rendered that the constant, nagging ache to be invited to their book club never fades.
Reader's Annotation:
Ruby McQueen is the Quiet Girl. Life moves slowly, and Ruby remains satisfied with her title. That is, until she catches her first glimpse of Travis Becker, his motorcycle, and that gaudy gold necklace.
Author Info:
Deb Caletti chose to major in journalism rather than her initial love, creative writing, because she was scared of failure. Several years later, after the birth of two babies and time spent teaching, she began writing plays and stories. It wasn't until her fifth book The Queen of Everything, that Caletti's books began to acquire serious acclaim and consideration. Next came Honey, Baby, Sweetheart and a National Book Award nomination.
Genre:
Romance/ YA/ Chicklit.
Booktalking Ideas:
*Why is Travis so alluring to Ruby?
*How do Ruby and her mother reflect each other's emotions and behaviors?
*What do The Casserole Queens teach Ruby about life? How do they accomplish this? And, do they plan it?
Reader Level/ Interest Age:
Definitely a young adult romance novel, yet the situations are complicated and mature: a love story for any age.
Challenges:
Though the book contains difficult situations involving thievery, lying, and dangerous love, there is zero explicitness, and tale is gently told. No challenges predicted.
Why Include?:
Book was listed under a Romance Guide from my local public library. Although the title was off-putting, I thought I'd give it a try (always a sucker for a book that shouts it's a coming-of-age and troubled-love-in-the-summertime story).