Gossip Girl #1: A Novel

Bibliography:Von Ziegesar, C. (2002) Gossip Girl #1: A Novel. New York, NY: Poppy.

Genre:Chick-Lit

Reading Level/Interest Age:15-18yrs

Reader's Annotation:Blair is stunned when her ex-best friend Serena returns to town. Will Blair's new popularity--and new boyfriend--go away now that Serena is back?

Author:Cecily Von Ziegesar's contribution to the YA chick-lit genre includes over ten Gossip Girl novels. The series has been made into a TV series, too.

Plot Summary:Blair and her boyfriend Nate have a good relationship, until Serena shows back up. Although they used to be best friends, Blair and Serena have drifted apart. Amidst a flurry of partying, drinking, and shopping, Blair and her friends set out to ruin Serena with a series of rumors. They host a posh party and do not invite Serena. Blair does not know that Nate and Serena are former lovers. As Nate's relationship with Blair gets more physical, he wonders whether he should tell Blair about their tryst. Blair wonders whether she should accept Serena back as her friend.

Critical Evaluation:This novel provides an entertaining story; although, it is highly unrealistic. The characters in Gossip Girl drink alcohol in popular Manhattan bars (and never get carded). They spend tons of money on clothes, drugs, and cigarettes. They do not care much about the outside world (despite Blair's charity dance). They are not characters that you care much about--but it is fun to watch to see what they do next. The overall narrator, Gossip Girl herself, has the most interesting point of view. She seems to know everything that goes on in the neighborhood, but how can she be in more than one place at a time? Readers will try to figure out who she is, and they will be entertained by her website commentary. Readers of this book should be prepared for some immoral teenagers. They drink often and in large quantities; they all smoke cigarettes; most of them have sex. This is like a Sex in the City for teenagers. There is not any "positive" role models in this book, but there are many fashion models.

Curriculum Ties:N/A

Book Talk Ideas:read a chapter of the novel

Challenge Issues:sex, underage drinking, drugs, teen pregnancy, language, eating disorders (bulimia)

Why was this text included in this project?This novel was the first one I read for the genre study project (Teen Chick-Lit).